pdx1M

I agree that on flow control delays I stay close because those frequently move up. But when there is no plane there due to a late arrival (confirmable via the app) or the like I certainly expect that I won't have to camp out at an empty jetway on the chance that UA will make a plane appear and not bother updating their systems to show that. I am just surprised that so many folks don't see UA's lack of effective and timely communications as a real problem in cases like this. By all means find a new plane and get the flight going but update the freakin system info - that's what all this technology and connected world stuff is all about.

WineCountryUA

Sure that's the issue but in the situation, if UA re-schedules, who is going to get hurt. The one standing on principal???

Kacee

+1
Do you want to make your flight or get left behind full of "justified" anger?

One of the defining attributes of the frequent traveler is knowing how to reach your destination notwithstanding whatever obstacles weather, crowds, and yes, airlines (not just UA) may throw in the way.

alex_b

I specifically said airport, not terminal. I agree there are bits of LGA, EWR and IAD that are individually worse that bits of LAX. But as an overall airport experience such as getting between terminals, security, rude and unhelpful staff, terrible customs and immigration processing and general rundown-ness, I think LAX takes the overall prize.

This is very true, especially when trying to plan a course of action, inaccurate information is worse than no information.

I often SDC from a delayed flight to an earlier also delayed flight, most of the time it works but occasionally it winds up biting me in the behind usually because the information UA were providing was inaccurate.

mgcsinc

No one thought you were talking about LAX...

Anyway, you're completely wrong about LAX.

IADCAflyer

Ill give you a third....Weight/balance issues. Out of BUR yesterday the plane was too heavy to take off on Runway 26. They unloaded a couple bags and got clearance. We then got a ground stop for 45 minutes.

Of course, as soon as they announced the ground stop, three passengers demanded be let off the flight. They got off - with their bags. The two bags that were previously unloaded were reloaded.///

What a fun one that was.

The club agent at SFO was beyond wonderful at getting me rebooked yesterday and protecting me on a later SFO-EWR flight.

Of course, that was counterbalanced by the gate agent that wiped out my remaining PNR resulting in all my seats being reassigned - going from a E+ seat to a middle E- seat in Row 31. He also managed to screw up my EWR-DCA connection seat - moving me a from 2A to 22D.

WTH.

mduell

It didn't say "original" or "scheduled" or anything to lead you to believe it was something other than the current status. It says "Departs".

No, which is why I never said that; the situation is always in flux. I'm skeptical the mobile app showed old info after being refreshed when UA had already sent email notifications and notified third parties like me. I'm unable to verify your claims any system ever indicated a 2+ hour delay.

All of the United flight alerts I can find in my email archives reflect the estimated departure time at the time of the email.

Regardless, if I'm seeing conflicting information, I'm going to put myself in a position to determine the ground truth.

I schedule myself to arrive at the airport at a normal time even if my flight is posted delayed, so I don't end up a sweaty mess. The unforseen happens, and I've certainly ended up as a sweaty mess at the gate, but I'm not self-imposing it when the airline posts a delay.

In this case, they notified him more than an hour before the doors closed that it would be 7p departure.

Bear96

Meh, I usually look at it as a good thing when a flight is no longer delayed, or at least less delayed than previously expected.

gengar

The issue is the lack of communication and/or lack of clarity in the communication.

JohnMacWW

I am not saying that communication could not be better will ALL airlines. It is a simple fact though that, if you know airline flight information is not always kept current and you know that things can change suddenly, and it matters to you whether or not you catch a flight, then you should weigh any discomfort or inconvenience resulting from having to stay closer to the gate or going over near it periodically, with the discomfort and inconvenience you would suffer if you miss the flight. If the pain of missing the flight is severe enough, then yep I will camp out somewhere near. But of course, if the gate is empty, then I do not need to be there. But if most of the passengers are staying in the area, the gate attendant is staying at the gate, etc, then I know things could change quickly. Its all relative. In the situation of the OP, I do not think he was choosing to ignore the risk of a flight being moved up, instead, it seems like he was unaware. He is now though.

+1
And yep, this is not a UA thing, its travel in a world with imperfect systems and people running them. Happens all the time to all carriers.