200 UA passengers stranded for three days in PVG
Jul 14, 2012, 8:21 am
#46
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Jul 14, 2012, 8:22 am
#47
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Yeah, my wife is "enjoying" the over-entitled one-day Tokyo vacation, with thanks to the canceled UA882 on 7/14.
Jul 14, 2012, 8:28 am
#48
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NVM - I now realize you were referring to the regular Friday flight.
Last edited by capedreamer; Jul 14, 2012 at 8:38 am
Jul 14, 2012, 8:45 am
#49
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A couple of months ago I had a half-day transit at PEK. My inbound arrived at 6am and the outbound (on another carrier) departed at 5pm. I was prepared to sit in the CA lounge for 11-hours but because the official transit visa desk was not yet open, I was told to use the diplomatic line. The officer checked my documents and with no problem issued me a visa (stamped not the sticker that would be a normal tourist visa) and instead of channeling me through the lane that would take me back into the departure hall, he sent me through to join everyone else who were taking the train to the main terminal and arrivals hall. From there I was able to check in for my onward flight (I had a small roller bag and in cabin carrier bag) and day-checked my bags downstairs. Hopped the train into the city for a few hours. Had no trouble when I returned getting through immigration with the visa I had been given...even though technically I was supposed to stay at the airport, airside.
I expect UA did protect their premium passengers (and 1Ks?) on other flights and airlines, but the number of coach passengers made it impossible to get everyone onto alternative flights. Also pretty sure it was easier to confirm those "stranded" on future flights, get them hotels and 48-hour visas, and give them an extended stay in one of the most interesting cities in the world!
Jul 14, 2012, 9:04 am
#50
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I certainly hope so. If over-entitled customers don't force improvements, maybe mainstream media embarrassment will.
That is putting lipstick on a pig if ever I saw it... the fact is, hundreds of people had their plans mangled by a third-world airline that cannot or will not deliver basic service and expects its customers to just eat it. This is the kind of story that would make Air Botswana blush.
Jul 14, 2012, 9:20 am
#51
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I find it incredible that United didn't put the passengers on other airlines or 
reroute them.
At the very least, the First Class, GS, and 1Ks should have been able to get the next available flight out on any airline.
I'm sure that at least 1 Asian airline could have provided a charter.
reroute them.At the very least, the First Class, GS, and 1Ks should have been able to get the next available flight out on any airline.
I'm sure that at least 1 Asian airline could have provided a charter.
Jul 14, 2012, 9:40 am
#52
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When they call in to ask about their EQM the CSR will want to know their PNR, Ticket Number, Flight numbers, and a bunch of other stuff that doesn't appear on a mobile boarding pass.
Jul 14, 2012, 9:41 am
#53
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Wonder what part they needed.
Couple months ago UA was going to cancel DUB-IAD because the partition/shade on the flight crew rest wasn't working.
Few hours later, they rebooked all F passenger to Emirates so the flight crew had that section all to themselves.
Was just happy to go.
There's mechanical.....and there's mechanical.
Couple months ago UA was going to cancel DUB-IAD because the partition/shade on the flight crew rest wasn't working.
Few hours later, they rebooked all F passenger to Emirates so the flight crew had that section all to themselves.
Was just happy to go.
There's mechanical.....and there's mechanical.
Jul 14, 2012, 9:48 am
#54
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PEK has a 24-hour transit visa, albeit one is not supposed to leave the terminal. And from my experience the Chinese are not as inflexible as some would make out. The airline should be able to issue the appropriate paperwork to get you the required visa if it is a longer delay...and pay the fee if required.
A couple of months ago I had a half-day transit at PEK. My inbound arrived at 6am and the outbound (on another carrier) departed at 5pm. I was prepared to sit in the CA lounge for 11-hours but because the official transit visa desk was not yet open, I was told to use the diplomatic line. The officer checked my documents and with no problem issued me a visa (stamped not the sticker that would be a normal tourist visa) and instead of channeling me through the lane that would take me back into the departure hall, he sent me through to join everyone else who were taking the train to the main terminal and arrivals hall. From there I was able to check in for my onward flight (I had a small roller bag and in cabin carrier bag) and day-checked my bags downstairs. Hopped the train into the city for a few hours. Had no trouble when I returned getting through immigration with the visa I had been given...even though technically I was supposed to stay at the airport, airside.
I expect UA did protect their premium passengers (and 1Ks?) on other flights and airlines, but the number of coach passengers made it impossible to get everyone onto alternative flights. Also pretty sure it was easier to confirm those "stranded" on future flights, get them hotels and 48-hour visas, and give them an extended stay in one of the most interesting cities in the world!
A couple of months ago I had a half-day transit at PEK. My inbound arrived at 6am and the outbound (on another carrier) departed at 5pm. I was prepared to sit in the CA lounge for 11-hours but because the official transit visa desk was not yet open, I was told to use the diplomatic line. The officer checked my documents and with no problem issued me a visa (stamped not the sticker that would be a normal tourist visa) and instead of channeling me through the lane that would take me back into the departure hall, he sent me through to join everyone else who were taking the train to the main terminal and arrivals hall. From there I was able to check in for my onward flight (I had a small roller bag and in cabin carrier bag) and day-checked my bags downstairs. Hopped the train into the city for a few hours. Had no trouble when I returned getting through immigration with the visa I had been given...even though technically I was supposed to stay at the airport, airside.
I expect UA did protect their premium passengers (and 1Ks?) on other flights and airlines, but the number of coach passengers made it impossible to get everyone onto alternative flights. Also pretty sure it was easier to confirm those "stranded" on future flights, get them hotels and 48-hour visas, and give them an extended stay in one of the most interesting cities in the world!
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.2/Diamond - TIMATIC: Visa/Entry Requirements]
Code:
National USA (US) /Embarkation USA (US) Transit China (People's Rep.) (CN) Destination Thailand (TH) ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW [Visa Information - Transit] China (People's Rep.) (CN) [Information For Normal Passports] TWOV (Transit Without Visa): Visa required, except for Holders of confirmed onward tickets for a max. transit [[TIRULES/R32]] time of 24 hours. Transit incl. two stops, with a total transit time of 24 hours, within China (People's Rep.) is permitted. Visa required, except for Nationals of USA holding confirmed onward tickets for a max. transit [[TIRULES/R32]] time of 48 hours, provided arriving at and departing from Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) or Pu Dong (PVG) airports. - All transiting passengers are subject to passport control. Passengers in transit are required to hold passports or passport replacing documents that are accepted for entry into China (People's Rep.). For more details on document requirements, please enter China (People's Rep.) as a destination. - Leaving the airport transit area is allowed.
Jul 14, 2012, 10:38 am
#55
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There is no restriction necessitating pax stay in the airport. See the bolded [mine] portion at the bottom.
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.2/Diamond - TIMATIC: Visa/Entry Requirements]
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.2/Diamond - TIMATIC: Visa/Entry Requirements]
Code:
National USA (US) /Embarkation USA (US) Transit China (People's Rep.) (CN) Destination Thailand (TH) ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW [Visa Information - Transit] China (People's Rep.) (CN) [Information For Normal Passports] TWOV (Transit Without Visa): - Leaving the airport transit area is allowed.
Number two, you can (and I did) go to town.
And with regard to having a visa just to transit China, well apparently Chinese understand things happen and extend the TWOV (again, see China forum).
EmailKid
Jul 15, 2012, 8:40 am
#56
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Jul 15, 2012, 11:10 am
#57
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There is no restriction necessitating pax stay in the airport. See the bolded [mine] portion at the bottom.
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.2/Diamond - TIMATIC: Visa/Entry Requirements]
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.2/Diamond - TIMATIC: Visa/Entry Requirements]
Code:
National USA (US) /Embarkation USA (US) Transit China (People's Rep.) (CN) Destination Thailand (TH) ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW [Visa Information - Transit] China (People's Rep.) (CN) [Information For Normal Passports] TWOV (Transit Without Visa): Visa required, except for Holders of confirmed onward tickets for a max. transit [[TIRULES/R32]] time of 24 hours. Transit incl. two stops, with a total transit time of 24 hours, within China (People's Rep.) is permitted. Visa required, except for Nationals of USA holding confirmed onward tickets for a max. transit [[TIRULES/R32]] time of 48 hours, provided arriving at and departing from Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) or Pu Dong (PVG) airports. - All transiting passengers are subject to passport control. Passengers in transit are required to hold passports or passport replacing documents that are accepted for entry into China (People's Rep.). For more details on document requirements, please enter China (People's Rep.) as a destination. - Leaving the airport transit area is allowed.
If you walk into a Chinese consulate in the US in the morning with your paperwork filled out right, you can pick up your visa that afternoon for $170 all in. It's not that bad of a process at all, provided you show up about 20-30 minutes before it opens and get to the head of the line. Of course you can always farm out the visa process too.
It is reassuring to know that we'll be able to get a 24-hour transit visa to get out of the airport in case TG or UA has other plans for us though.
Jul 15, 2012, 10:45 pm
#58
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Thanks for the responses; I've been to China several times on business but this time around, just want to have my 2 hour connection from TG to UA and be back to the US. And I'd rather not have to pay cash upfront for if (when) UA screws up. Haha.
It is reassuring to know that we'll be able to get a 24-hour transit visa to get out of the airport in case TG or UA has other plans for us though.
It is reassuring to know that we'll be able to get a 24-hour transit visa to get out of the airport in case TG or UA has other plans for us though.
Jul 16, 2012, 8:20 am
#59
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This was one of the lead stories on Good Morning America today: http://abcnews.go.com/US/united-pass...ry?id=16784289
Jul 16, 2012, 8:24 am
#60
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This was one of the lead stories on Good Morning America today: http://abcnews.go.com/US/united-pass...ry?id=16784289
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...hina-days.html
This quote takes the cake: "Spokesman for the airline Rahsaan Johnson said: 'It was a very tough time for the customers. We hope they give us another chance to win their business'
No apology. No acceptance of responsibility. Just a passive acknowledgment that it was "tough" for the customers and a passive wish for "another chance" - really?
Talk about tone deaf.