Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is DYKWIA stories (Traveling on United Airlines)
DYKWIA stories (Travelling on United Airlines) (Archive)
#46
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
That 1K is not the laughing point.
We have seen DYKWIAs. So really nothing's special. Beside, if I was the GA, I would have rebooked that 1K immediately (as he was so fear).
UA gives out miles apparently no reason. So does that mean when we compliment employees now and then we get compensated?
That must be a change that we all like
He would have been a US DM Chairman instead. 1K?
We have seen DYKWIAs. So really nothing's special. Beside, if I was the GA, I would have rebooked that 1K immediately (as he was so fear).
UA gives out miles apparently no reason. So does that mean when we compliment employees now and then we get compensated?
That must be a change that we all like
He would have been a US DM Chairman instead. 1K?
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
#48
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SEA, OGG(I wish)
Programs: was UA 1K now Gold, cuz UA 1.3 MM; HA,DL,AS (no status in these), Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,238
So I'm on a CRJ-200 a couple of days ago & I'm not *that* tall (5'10" w/ shoes) & even so I was almost to the ceiling. So on deplaning I grinned at the FA & remarked something on the order of "Good thing you don't fly charters for basketball teams", and (punch line here), she said, "But we do".
#49
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kitchener, ON, Canada
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,266
So I'm on a CRJ-200 a couple of days ago & I'm not *that* tall (5'10" w/ shoes) & even so I was almost to the ceiling. So on deplaning I grinned at the FA & remarked something on the order of "Good thing you don't fly charters for basketball teams", and (punch line here), she said, "But we do".
#50
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: IAH
Programs: UA,AA,WN, Marriott & Hilton Gold
Posts: 169
So I'm on a CRJ-200 a couple of days ago & I'm not *that* tall (5'10" w/ shoes) & even so I was almost to the ceiling. So on deplaning I grinned at the FA & remarked something on the order of "Good thing you don't fly charters for basketball teams", and (punch line here), she said, "But we do".
#51
Moderator: Mileage Run, United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The City/Honolulu
Programs: UA 3MM; Hyatt Glob*****; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,473
So I'm on a CRJ-200 a couple of days ago & I'm not *that* tall (5'10" w/ shoes) & even so I was almost to the ceiling. So on deplaning I grinned at the FA & remarked something on the order of "Good thing you don't fly charters for basketball teams", and (punch line here), she said, "But we do".
#52
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ORD/EGE
Programs: UA GS/Global Entry
Posts: 191
I Met Mr. DYKWIA
Ok I've been wanting to post this for a while and now that the dust has settled I think it is a good time. Anyways, I was traveling in BF a few weeks ago Europe-USA on an INTL 757. We were delayed about an hour and waiting to board. GS was called to board and I started walking up through the lane when another customer(lets call him Mr. GS) literally ran in front of me and handed his BP to the GA. I was about to say something until I glanced at his BP and saw that Mr. GS was my seatmate for the next 9 hours..so I kept quiet.
Once onboard, FA came around taking PDB orders and when she got to us Mr. GS had gone to the bathroom. I was quickly served a Diet Coke and besides the little boarding incident which was forgettable, I was ready for a nice flight. The drama began when Mr. GS returned and seeing my drink, wanted to order one for himself (totally fine). Anyways, FA serving drinks had moved on to cabin prep work and Mr. GS tried asking her for Champagne but she seemed busy and did not hear him. Finally on the second try the FA heard him and told him no problem but it would be a minute. No more than 30 seconds later still Champagne-less, Mr. GS bolts up to the front of the cabin to a different FA and loudly explains how he is a GS member, flies 300k miles a year, spends $100K, and that he has been on the plane for 6 minutes without a glass of champagne. I was shocked he would make such a scene for something so small.
Fast forward to the end of the rant, Mr. GS returns to his seat. I was really hoping some FA would deliver this man his champagne, but after another minute or so, it still was not there. Next thing I know, Mr. GS is on the phone with GS reservations and ranting to them about how he has not received a drink and how unacceptable this service is. While he was on the phone, the ISM (who was fantastic) came over and began to apologize to Mr. GS, but Mr. GS wouldn't hear it and forced the ISM to talk to GS reservations and apologize. Anyways, ISM apologized profusely and Mr. GS simply responded "that's ok I'll just let them know when I get back to UA corporate offices."
I of course knew that Mr. GS was lying and not really a UA exec, so I am just shocked at how disrespectful and inconsiderate he was. The weirdest part came next. (BTW he has Champagne at this point) Mr. GS picked up his phone, and began saying things like: "Flight Attendants: three out of ten. ISM: 2 out of 10. Ground crew: 6 out of ten." (Clearly reporting scores) I think to myself wow maybe he is talking to someone at HQ but look over and when he removes his phone from his ear it is off!! I am very iPhone familiar and 100% positive that the phone was either asleep or off and he simply made this fake phone call to try and make me think he is someone important at UA.
I see the FAs talking to the Captain and looking over at Mr. GS clearly discussing what to do with him. I go up to them and explain what I have seen and apologize on behalf of all GS for his behavior. They are all shocked and have never seen anything like this. Captain called HQ and asked if it was ok to kick Mr. GS off the plane, but HQ told him since he is a GS "only if he is a true risk to the safety of other pax and crew" can he be kicked off. Captain took down my name and info and told me that I may receive a call in the next few days to discuss what I saw for their investigation. Long story short, we took off, Mr. GS ordered a full dinner but then intentionally went to sleep right after take off, woke up on approach, and stormed off the plane upon arrival. I received a few calls from HQ the following week and simply recounted what happened...and even received an E-Cert! Overall just a crazy story I wanted to share with you guys to hear your thoughts.
Once onboard, FA came around taking PDB orders and when she got to us Mr. GS had gone to the bathroom. I was quickly served a Diet Coke and besides the little boarding incident which was forgettable, I was ready for a nice flight. The drama began when Mr. GS returned and seeing my drink, wanted to order one for himself (totally fine). Anyways, FA serving drinks had moved on to cabin prep work and Mr. GS tried asking her for Champagne but she seemed busy and did not hear him. Finally on the second try the FA heard him and told him no problem but it would be a minute. No more than 30 seconds later still Champagne-less, Mr. GS bolts up to the front of the cabin to a different FA and loudly explains how he is a GS member, flies 300k miles a year, spends $100K, and that he has been on the plane for 6 minutes without a glass of champagne. I was shocked he would make such a scene for something so small.
Fast forward to the end of the rant, Mr. GS returns to his seat. I was really hoping some FA would deliver this man his champagne, but after another minute or so, it still was not there. Next thing I know, Mr. GS is on the phone with GS reservations and ranting to them about how he has not received a drink and how unacceptable this service is. While he was on the phone, the ISM (who was fantastic) came over and began to apologize to Mr. GS, but Mr. GS wouldn't hear it and forced the ISM to talk to GS reservations and apologize. Anyways, ISM apologized profusely and Mr. GS simply responded "that's ok I'll just let them know when I get back to UA corporate offices."
I of course knew that Mr. GS was lying and not really a UA exec, so I am just shocked at how disrespectful and inconsiderate he was. The weirdest part came next. (BTW he has Champagne at this point) Mr. GS picked up his phone, and began saying things like: "Flight Attendants: three out of ten. ISM: 2 out of 10. Ground crew: 6 out of ten." (Clearly reporting scores) I think to myself wow maybe he is talking to someone at HQ but look over and when he removes his phone from his ear it is off!! I am very iPhone familiar and 100% positive that the phone was either asleep or off and he simply made this fake phone call to try and make me think he is someone important at UA.
I see the FAs talking to the Captain and looking over at Mr. GS clearly discussing what to do with him. I go up to them and explain what I have seen and apologize on behalf of all GS for his behavior. They are all shocked and have never seen anything like this. Captain called HQ and asked if it was ok to kick Mr. GS off the plane, but HQ told him since he is a GS "only if he is a true risk to the safety of other pax and crew" can he be kicked off. Captain took down my name and info and told me that I may receive a call in the next few days to discuss what I saw for their investigation. Long story short, we took off, Mr. GS ordered a full dinner but then intentionally went to sleep right after take off, woke up on approach, and stormed off the plane upon arrival. I received a few calls from HQ the following week and simply recounted what happened...and even received an E-Cert! Overall just a crazy story I wanted to share with you guys to hear your thoughts.
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,309
Someone leads a very miserable real life existence if they need to make themselves feel that important on an airplane.
#54
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD/LHR/NRT
Programs: UA GS, Hyatt Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 87
Sounds a bit more like Mr. Unhinged would be a better name than Mr. DYKWIA.
#55
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
He must have been fairly drunk already. Hope they revoke his GS.
#56
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Midwest
Programs: UA GS, UA 1.6MM, AA LT PLT, AA 2.6MM, Intercontinental Royal Ambassador
Posts: 838
Wow, I hope to never run into this guy. As a fellow GS, I would like to apologize to all UA staff who have to deal with a guy like this. Unreal.
#57
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I see the FAs talking to the Captain and looking over at Mr. GS clearly discussing what to do with him. I go up to them and explain what I have seen and apologize on behalf of all GS for his behavior. They are all shocked and have never seen anything like this. Captain called HQ and asked if it was ok to kick Mr. GS off the plane, but HQ told him since he is a GS "only if he is a true risk to the safety of other pax and crew" can he be kicked off. Captain took down my name and info and told me that I may receive a call in the next few days to discuss what I saw for their investigation. Long story short, we took off, Mr. GS ordered a full dinner but then intentionally went to sleep right after take off, woke up on approach, and stormed off the plane upon arrival. I received a few calls from HQ the following week and simply recounted what happened...and even received an E-Cert! Overall just a crazy story I wanted to share with you guys to hear your thoughts.
#58
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Absolutely too bad he wasn't offloaded.
#59
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: UA, Starwood, Priority Club, Hertz, Starbucks Gold Card
Posts: 3,952
Thanks for sharing the story. I actually feel sorry for Mr. Dykwia. Sounds like he had a frustrating trip. It might have been his conscious decision to sleep through the flight instead of creating more stress for the crew.
#60
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PBI / FLL / YUL
Programs: UA 1K, Delta Plat, AA Plat, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 1,983
OP - well done on handling this appropriately.