Jan 30, 2024, 12:22 am
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)
Feb 18, 2018, 11:44 pm
#1966
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS 1MM / Hilton Diamond / Bonvoy Gold / Hertz PC
Posts: 396
Feb 19, 2018, 6:37 am
#1967
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: UA GS ,QF Plat
Posts: 686
early. My needs are that stuff works and I get there on time ,attention is not one.I would say and I am sure others GS members have the same experience that if you are behind the blue curtain it is rare to be called out for your status,I'm fine with that, generally I find that GS traveling recognition stops with a thanks for your business at the GA
Feb 19, 2018, 7:46 am
#1968
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K 1.45MM, Marriott+SPG Plat, Clear, Nexus, Global Entry and MEX Viajero Confiable
Posts: 1,777
I've had a few of the FA's in F acknowledge my GS status.. one kindly states "my most loyal customers".. I'd say probably 10% of the time. I would also say I get asked first for my meal choice roughly 30% of the time. Usually, they just go front to back. I have never been asked for my second choice 
Feb 19, 2018, 6:23 pm
#1969
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,271
I've had a few of the FA's in F acknowledge my GS status.. one kindly states "my most loyal customers".. I'd say probably 10% of the time. I would also say I get asked first for my meal choice roughly 30% of the time. Usually, they just go front to back. I have never been asked for my second choice
Apr 23, 2018, 5:33 am
#1970
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, DL Diamond, NK Gold, Mariott LT Plat/Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 925
This might not be a DYKWIA story, but they were awful. The couple (he was about 70 and she in her late 50s or so) seated across from me in 5A/5B drove the FAs nut and were rude throughout the entire flight. Here are some of their greatest hits:
- PDB - They made the FA list every drink available and then asked for about 5 things that they wanted that were not available (grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, Chianti).
- She and her husband start insisting to the FA that United Wi-Fi is not working while we're still parked at the gate. Yes, it's not supposed to work but she insists that it always does for her. She then asks the flight attendant to confirm that she'll be able to watch her YouTube videos. He says she cannot stream video. She replies "United used to be a good airline."
- The FA took the man's jacket as he was waving it at him. 10 minutes later he wanted it because he was cold. 20 minutes later he wanted it hung up.
- When meal orders were taken they came to my husband and me (we were the only 2 GS in F) and took our meal orders first. While he was talking to us, she shouted from 5A that she needed a salad because she's on a diet and can't eat anything else. The FA gave her a salad but it didn't appear that she had status because the FA took her husband's order after everyone else.
- About halfway through the flight she starts singing...loudly and quite awfully. This continues for about 10 minutes (I can hear her even with headphones on). The passengers in front of her ask her to be quiet. Both her husband and she are appalled. She says she needs to work on her music. I looked over and she was taking notes while she sang something. She took the pen from another FA and never gave it back.
- We're about to land and they are pushing the call button demanding that they need to know what baggage carousel to go to. The FA opens the app and tells them. She exclaims "I never trust that app, go ask the captain." The FA walks to the front and walks back. He repeats the number and goes back to the galley.
- Deplaning they tried to push past me and the people in row 4.
Apr 23, 2018, 5:56 am
#1971
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 1,482
I am surprised they didn’t put their luggage sideways in the bin. Normally that goes hand in hand.
Apr 23, 2018, 6:14 am
#1972
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: In between IAD and DCA
Programs: UA Plat 1.1MM , Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,262
LAX-IAD, sitting in the exit row on a 739 (row 21 to be exact). Row 21 on other side gets up in aisle after we're at gate about to deplane. While we get closer to getting off, woman in row 20 scolds a woman from row 21 that "I leave the plane first since I'm ahead." Row 21 woman didn't want to escalate and just said OK, but honestly ridiculous from row 20 woman.
Apr 23, 2018, 6:39 am
#1973
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
Don't forget the obligatory gripping that an F ticket does not include UA Club access on the ground. Fortunately, EWRFlyerAL wasn't exposed to the pre-flight joy this couple most assuredly provided to the UA staff on the ground...
Apr 23, 2018, 9:15 am
#1974
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
I guess you should be happy these two jomokes are not your neighbors or relatives. Hope it was a short flight
Apr 23, 2018, 11:22 am
#1975
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SLC
Programs: United Gold, Hilton Silver, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 768
This might not be a DYKWIA story, but they were awful. The couple (he was about 70 and she in her late 50s or so) seated across from me in 5A/5B drove the FAs nut and were rude throughout the entire flight. Here are some of their greatest hits:
- PDB - They made the FA list every drink available and then asked for about 5 things that they wanted that were not available (grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, Chianti).
- She and her husband start insisting to the FA that United Wi-Fi is not working while we're still parked at the gate. Yes, it's not supposed to work but she insists that it always does for her. She then asks the flight attendant to confirm that she'll be able to watch her YouTube videos. He says she cannot stream video. She replies "United used to be a good airline."
- The FA took the man's jacket as he was waving it at him. 10 minutes later he wanted it because he was cold. 20 minutes later he wanted it hung up.
- When meal orders were taken they came to my husband and me (we were the only 2 GS in F) and took our meal orders first. While he was talking to us, she shouted from 5A that she needed a salad because she's on a diet and can't eat anything else. The FA gave her a salad but it didn't appear that she had status because the FA took her husband's order after everyone else.
- About halfway through the flight she starts singing...loudly and quite awfully. This continues for about 10 minutes (I can hear her even with headphones on). The passengers in front of her ask her to be quiet. Both her husband and she are appalled. She says she needs to work on her music. I looked over and she was taking notes while she sang something. She took the pen from another FA and never gave it back.
- We're about to land and they are pushing the call button demanding that they need to know what baggage carousel to go to. The FA opens the app and tells them. She exclaims "I never trust that app, go ask the captain." The FA walks to the front and walks back. He repeats the number and goes back to the galley.
- Deplaning they tried to push past me and the people in row 4.
Apr 23, 2018, 12:43 pm
#1976
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
About halfway through the flight she starts singing...loudly and quite awfully. This continues for about 10 minutes (I can hear her even with headphones on). The passengers in front of her ask her to be quiet. Both her husband and she are appalled. She says she needs to work on her music. I looked over and she was taking notes while she sang something. She took the pen from another FA and never gave it back.
How could anyone think this is acceptable behavior?
Apr 23, 2018, 5:07 pm
#1977
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
This might not be a DYKWIA story, but they were awful. The couple (he was about 70 and she in her late 50s or so) seated across from me in 5A/5B drove the FAs nut and were rude throughout the entire flight. Here are some of their greatest hits:
- PDB - They made the FA list every drink available and then asked for about 5 things that they wanted that were not available (grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, Chianti).
- She and her husband start insisting to the FA that United Wi-Fi is not working while we're still parked at the gate. Yes, it's not supposed to work but she insists that it always does for her. She then asks the flight attendant to confirm that she'll be able to watch her YouTube videos. He says she cannot stream video. She replies "United used to be a good airline."
- The FA took the man's jacket as he was waving it at him. 10 minutes later he wanted it because he was cold. 20 minutes later he wanted it hung up.
- When meal orders were taken they came to my husband and me (we were the only 2 GS in F) and took our meal orders first. While he was talking to us, she shouted from 5A that she needed a salad because she's on a diet and can't eat anything else. The FA gave her a salad but it didn't appear that she had status because the FA took her husband's order after everyone else.
- About halfway through the flight she starts singing...loudly and quite awfully. This continues for about 10 minutes (I can hear her even with headphones on). The passengers in front of her ask her to be quiet. Both her husband and she are appalled. She says she needs to work on her music. I looked over and she was taking notes while she sang something. She took the pen from another FA and never gave it back.
- We're about to land and they are pushing the call button demanding that they need to know what baggage carousel to go to. The FA opens the app and tells them. She exclaims "I never trust that app, go ask the captain." The FA walks to the front and walks back. He repeats the number and goes back to the galley.
- Deplaning they tried to push past me and the people in row 4.
Apr 24, 2018, 1:11 am
#1978
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Apr 26, 2018, 7:22 pm
#1979
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: SWA CP, UA MP, Hilton G, SPG G
Posts: 69
LAX-IAD, sitting in the exit row on a 739 (row 21 to be exact). Row 21 on other side gets up in aisle after we're at gate about to deplane. While we get closer to getting off, woman in row 20 scolds a woman from row 21 that "I leave the plane first since I'm ahead." Row 21 woman didn't want to escalate and just said OK, but honestly ridiculous from row 20 woman.
I hate the back end bum rushers....it is like driving slow in the passing lane.
Apr 28, 2018, 10:56 pm
#1980
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
It was 10 years ago, and a lady had her 70 lb lab at her feet, middle seat. Tells the window guy to step over the dog- Oh, Heck no! We are getting ready to deplane and since it was so long ago, I inquire about if she is training a service animal. She said no, the dog is to help her with the stress of flying. The plane is completely quiet and I just say "You know what makes flying less stressful for me? Leaving my dog at home."
If you are that close to the edge on flying, you need to do something else. If you fly enough that you justify having a flying buddy dog- you really need to do something else.
If you are that close to the edge on flying, you need to do something else. If you fly enough that you justify having a flying buddy dog- you really need to do something else.