ORD to OAK on UA
Jun 2, 1999 | 8:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
ORD to OAK on UA
Boarded fine yesterday in seat 1B, backed away from the gate, all was well. Then I saw the huge line of planes waiting on the runway.
There was a storm approaching. Obviously United knew that since there were 37 planes out there ahead of us. I'm sure that there were plenty of empty gates so we could have stayed in the lounge longer.
About 45 minutes later, all the AA planes took off. The UA planes stayed still with their engines off. The captain said that UA's DC control had taken over.
The last time this happened to me we stayed on the runway for 4 hours. It was only about 2.5 hours this time, but UA has a significant problem with weather. AA has nearly as many planes and they didn't have a problem. What gives?
Landed at OAK at 12:15am. The National Car outside booth was closed, so I had to walk all the way back in to get my car. The National staff at the inside desk said they were doing me a big favor by not going home at midnight. Avis and Hertz's booths were open. Guess who I use next time in Oakland?
There was a storm approaching. Obviously United knew that since there were 37 planes out there ahead of us. I'm sure that there were plenty of empty gates so we could have stayed in the lounge longer.
About 45 minutes later, all the AA planes took off. The UA planes stayed still with their engines off. The captain said that UA's DC control had taken over.
The last time this happened to me we stayed on the runway for 4 hours. It was only about 2.5 hours this time, but UA has a significant problem with weather. AA has nearly as many planes and they didn't have a problem. What gives?
Landed at OAK at 12:15am. The National Car outside booth was closed, so I had to walk all the way back in to get my car. The National staff at the inside desk said they were doing me a big favor by not going home at midnight. Avis and Hertz's booths were open. Guess who I use next time in Oakland?
Jun 2, 1999 | 9:12 pm
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
That may be (AA flying in worse weather) but look what happened to the AA plane in Little Rock yesterday. Safety is a higher priority than going somewhere you don't want to go fast.
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 06-02-99).]
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 06-02-99).]
Jun 2, 1999 | 9:22 pm
#3
In Memoriam, Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 6,879
Stimpy,
First, seat 1B is mine.
That is my favorite on any 1 isle plane.
Second, I had the same experience at ORD on 5.31 trying to get to DTW. Pulled away from the gate, sat for 2.5 hours in the "penalty box". However, at least you got 1B.
John.
[This message has been edited by auh2o (edited 06-02-99).]
First, seat 1B is mine.
That is my favorite on any 1 isle plane. Second, I had the same experience at ORD on 5.31 trying to get to DTW. Pulled away from the gate, sat for 2.5 hours in the "penalty box". However, at least you got 1B.
John.
[This message has been edited by auh2o (edited 06-02-99).]
Jun 2, 1999 | 10:00 pm
#4
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
Oh John... didn't you know that seat 1B is really MY SEAT!!!
B for my last name and since it's near the cockpit I can peek in on what the flight crew is doing and it's an aisle for my big 6ft2 body and one more reason I will not say here!
I always request it on my U-A flights... adn get it unless you are in it it.
(last 8 flights I'm in 1b... going to PIP, 1b, the San Diego trip, 1b, the SFO trip next week, 1b.)
But being the nice guy if I know when you are flying you can have it since you are probably higher elite than me!
------------------
MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!!!
B for my last name and since it's near the cockpit I can peek in on what the flight crew is doing and it's an aisle for my big 6ft2 body and one more reason I will not say here!
I always request it on my U-A flights... adn get it unless you are in it it.
(last 8 flights I'm in 1b... going to PIP, 1b, the San Diego trip, 1b, the SFO trip next week, 1b.)
But being the nice guy if I know when you are flying you can have it since you are probably higher elite than me!
------------------
MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!!!
Jun 2, 1999 | 10:39 pm
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Programs: AA2MM
Posts: 1,754
BlondBomber -- that AA Mad Dog (aka Skid Buggy) had actually landed, but that whole DC-9, MD-80 series of aircraft are known for their inability to stop on wet/slick runways and overshoot and skid off. That's not to say, however, that with the prevailing conditions, a diversion was a possibility.
[This message has been edited by burkey (edited 06-02-99).]
[This message has been edited by burkey (edited 06-02-99).]
Jun 3, 1999 | 11:16 pm
#6
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Maryland
Programs: UA MM Gold, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 23,764
OK, I need to chime in on this one. Same day (6/2) I am going BWI to IND via ORD. Get to airport and RCC concierge tells me my 8:48 pm flight is delayed due to weather. She confirms my upgrades and then tells me she isn't going to collect my coupons. She also kept the BWI RCC open 1 1/2 hours extra becasue of the delay. I love people who think about the customer first.
Finally at 10p we board the aircraft and at 10:30p taxi out to sit and wait for the ORD ground stop to clear. The FAs start showing "Shakespeare in Love" and it's OK to use cell phones. The ground stop clears at approx. 11:00 pm and we take off for ORD.
Just after takeoff the pilot comes on and announces that we need to take a more southern route to ORD and will arrive approx 1:50 am central time. Yeah, you got it, 3 1/2+ hours from BWI to ORD. Get to Chicago at 1:50 am and of course my IND flight left about an hour before. I am already re-booked on the 7:00 am flight.
So, I ask the gate agent about a hotel for the rest(?) of the night and am told that all the hotels are booked due to the weather problems. I am not exactly thrilled at that answer and express that I thought they took better care of 1Ks. I think since the O'Hare hilton was full that was about as far as they would go in looking for a hotel. I decided to call around and found a Holiday Inn with rooms 6 miles from the airport. UA did give me $50 worth of cab vouchers and, I would have paid for a hotel room that night anyway so off to the Holiday Inn I go. My good deed for the day was helping another couple get a room at the same hotel and then taking them in the cab with me.
The next day I get to Indy and my only saving grace was I did not have to sit in any meetings. Wed. night I fall asleep at 8pm and sleep for 10 solid hours.
Gee, isn't traveling lots o fun.
Seriously, it is clear to me that UA errs on the side of caution when it comes to these weather problems. I have landed at BWI in heavy winds and do not wish to repeat that experience.
Finally at 10p we board the aircraft and at 10:30p taxi out to sit and wait for the ORD ground stop to clear. The FAs start showing "Shakespeare in Love" and it's OK to use cell phones. The ground stop clears at approx. 11:00 pm and we take off for ORD.
Just after takeoff the pilot comes on and announces that we need to take a more southern route to ORD and will arrive approx 1:50 am central time. Yeah, you got it, 3 1/2+ hours from BWI to ORD. Get to Chicago at 1:50 am and of course my IND flight left about an hour before. I am already re-booked on the 7:00 am flight.
So, I ask the gate agent about a hotel for the rest(?) of the night and am told that all the hotels are booked due to the weather problems. I am not exactly thrilled at that answer and express that I thought they took better care of 1Ks. I think since the O'Hare hilton was full that was about as far as they would go in looking for a hotel. I decided to call around and found a Holiday Inn with rooms 6 miles from the airport. UA did give me $50 worth of cab vouchers and, I would have paid for a hotel room that night anyway so off to the Holiday Inn I go. My good deed for the day was helping another couple get a room at the same hotel and then taking them in the cab with me.
The next day I get to Indy and my only saving grace was I did not have to sit in any meetings. Wed. night I fall asleep at 8pm and sleep for 10 solid hours.
Gee, isn't traveling lots o fun.
Seriously, it is clear to me that UA errs on the side of caution when it comes to these weather problems. I have landed at BWI in heavy winds and do not wish to repeat that experience.
Jun 3, 1999 | 11:30 pm
#7
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle
Programs: Ephesians 4:31-32
Posts: 10,690
Funny, when I check in the agent always says, "Oh Hi, 1B." My God do I look that much like Catman and auh2o? Could we be long lost triplets, separated at birth. (It could easily have happened, seeing as we were all born in different cities at different times. Weren't we?)