United passenger threatened with handcuffs to make room for 'higher-priority' travele
Apr 11, 2017, 7:06 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,092
Also lol at the handcuffs thing. Here's an easy trick to get threatened with handcuffs.
(1) Go to a business.
(2) Get into a disagreement with the owner of the business.
(3) Refuse to back down or leave.
There you go. Wasn't so hard, was it? In fact, I know some corner shops where you hope they call the cops rather than take things into their own hands.
(1) Go to a business.
(2) Get into a disagreement with the owner of the business.
(3) Refuse to back down or leave.
There you go. Wasn't so hard, was it? In fact, I know some corner shops where you hope they call the cops rather than take things into their own hands.
Apr 11, 2017, 7:20 pm
#32
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,595
Also lol at the handcuffs thing. Here's an easy trick to get threatened with handcuffs.
(1) Go to a business.
(2) Get into a disagreement with the owner of the business.
(3) Refuse to back down or leave.
There you go. Wasn't so hard, was it? In fact, I know some corner shops where you hope they call the cops rather than take things into their own hands.
(1) Go to a business.
(2) Get into a disagreement with the owner of the business.
(3) Refuse to back down or leave.
There you go. Wasn't so hard, was it? In fact, I know some corner shops where you hope they call the cops rather than take things into their own hands.
Apr 11, 2017, 7:25 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago
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Posts: 681
Prior to the merger, I got 9K miles deposited after they changed an aircraft to TED which had no first class. So I was downgraded but I didn't complain. GS gave me the miles preemptively.
After the merger, Smisek ran United into the ground and Munoz was complicit as a director on the board. I don't think United can win back customers' trust without heads rolling . Starting with Munoz and the BoD.
After the merger, Smisek ran United into the ground and Munoz was complicit as a director on the board. I don't think United can win back customers' trust without heads rolling . Starting with Munoz and the BoD.
Apr 11, 2017, 7:27 pm
#34
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,092
Apr 11, 2017, 7:31 pm
#35
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
I agree this is nothing like it. But this guy isn't a nobody. He'll find a way to make United pay. Rich important people don't like being told they're unimportant.
Apr 11, 2017, 7:34 pm
#36
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Apr 11, 2017, 7:35 pm
#37
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 401
this was rich:
A United employee, responding to Fearns’ complaint that he shouldn’t have to miss the flight, compromised by downgrading him to economy class and placing him in the middle seat between a married couple who were in the midst of a nasty fight and refused to be seated next to each other.
“They argued the whole way back,” Fearns recalled. “Nearly six hours. It was a lot of fun.”
A United employee, responding to Fearns’ complaint that he shouldn’t have to miss the flight, compromised by downgrading him to economy class and placing him in the middle seat between a married couple who were in the midst of a nasty fight and refused to be seated next to each other.
“They argued the whole way back,” Fearns recalled. “Nearly six hours. It was a lot of fun.”
Apr 11, 2017, 7:35 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Any of us who have flown more than a few flights know all about equipment swaps, seat reassignments and downgrades. Most of the time, my feeling is, "Suck it up, cupcake" as there is little point in making a fuss.
OTOH, last summer, my wife and I were returning from CDG on Y award tix after celebrating our 40th anniversary. At check-in, the CSR asked why we had been in Paris. We told her about our anniversary. She smiled broadly and wished us well.
When we arrived at the gate for boarding, the same CSR was working the gate. She signaled me to come to the desk, and handed me two BPs in C. It was a very pleasant flight back across the pond, and I made sure to send a letter to UA complimenting the GA for service above and beyond.
OTOH, last summer, my wife and I were returning from CDG on Y award tix after celebrating our 40th anniversary. At check-in, the CSR asked why we had been in Paris. We told her about our anniversary. She smiled broadly and wished us well.
When we arrived at the gate for boarding, the same CSR was working the gate. She signaled me to come to the desk, and handed me two BPs in C. It was a very pleasant flight back across the pond, and I made sure to send a letter to UA complimenting the GA for service above and beyond.
Did you ever think there might be an issue with agents in the US?
Apr 11, 2017, 7:42 pm
#39
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The fact that there are downgrades and IDB is IMO not the problem. It's the "obey or you'll be in cuffs" policy that seems to be applied systemwide. I get that even large entities can't plan everything to perfection and these thing happen, but if they do, then I expect the airline to do their best, not threaten customers with arrest...
Apr 11, 2017, 7:45 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 144
Apr 11, 2017, 7:48 pm
#42
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Apr 11, 2017, 7:49 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2012
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Posts: 729
The DOT needs to get involved in situations like this. A more consumer friendly version of EU-style laws would put airlines in their place, but unlike in Europe airlines should not be on the hook if the downgrade is the result of a last minute swap or FAM. Airlines should also be forced to offer re-booking on any airline. To repeat what others are saying if I book and pay for a suite in a hotel I doubt I would be dragged out of my room if an elite member shows up; if I buy a premium seat at a sporting event I doubt I would be relocated to a bad seat to accommodate a player's family.
Apr 11, 2017, 7:51 pm
#44
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United is clearly in crisis mode and only now is it starting to dawn on them that the culture of abuse and deceit - which was the hallmark of the former CEO - has metastasized through the corporation and now it is the paying customers who are the subject of the lies and threats and abuse.
Last edited by BearX220; Apr 11, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Apr 11, 2017, 7:53 pm
#45
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The DOT needs to get involved in situations like this. A more consumer friendly version of EU-style laws would put airlines in their place, but unlike in Europe airlines should not be on the hook if the downgrade is the result of a last minute swap or FAM. Airlines should also be forced to offer re-booking on any airline.