T-shirt on a UA flight yesterday
Jan 22, 2019, 5:39 pm
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Rewind 5 years and we didn’t even have WiFi on planes. It’s pretty funny how quickly a culture of entitlement develops about a “substandard” product which is light years ahead of where we were just a few years ago.
Having said that, I am the first to say that I’m 100% guilty. I complain all the time about the WiFi. Although I also have better things to do with my time and money than make cr*p T-shirt’s advertising my displeasure.
Just submit a refund request and move on! That’s what I do if the WiFi is inoperative for the time I need it on the flight. UA will pay more attention to refunds given than to cheesy T-shirts
Having said that, I am the first to say that I’m 100% guilty. I complain all the time about the WiFi. Although I also have better things to do with my time and money than make cr*p T-shirt’s advertising my displeasure.
Just submit a refund request and move on! That’s what I do if the WiFi is inoperative for the time I need it on the flight. UA will pay more attention to refunds given than to cheesy T-shirts
2. "substandard" is not as compared to how something was 5 or 50 or 500 years ago. It doesn't matter how much bubble gum cost when you were a kid. It's as compared to (a) the product that's currently advertised, and (b) the product that's currently offered by competitors.
3. There was absolutely wifi on planes 5 years ago. Wifi on planes was new and hip back in 2008.
Jan 22, 2019, 5:59 pm
#62
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,677
Grounds? How would you like for me to wear a shirt to your place of employment with something negative about it? I don't care what you say, I'm sure it would bother you at some level. NOW, having said that, yes, the WIFI can be slow and problematic. Not arguing that one bit, and it's something we do need to improve upon.
Would I have them removed from the plane if they refused, I honestly don't know... Removing someone from one of my flights is not something I take lightly, and I usually try to figure out an alternate to doing so. But, sometimes it can be out my hands, if the FA's refuse to fly, and then I have to weigh inconveniencing an entire plane full of people, versus one or two.
Would I have them removed from the plane if they refused, I honestly don't know... Removing someone from one of my flights is not something I take lightly, and I usually try to figure out an alternate to doing so. But, sometimes it can be out my hands, if the FA's refuse to fly, and then I have to weigh inconveniencing an entire plane full of people, versus one or two.
The First Amendment says the government can't prohibit your speech. No government action at play here.
That said, if I saw a t-shirt like this in my business, directed at one tiny portion of the business that admittedly sucks, worn by an obviously loyal customer, I would laugh. If it said "United Pilots Effing Suck" it would be more offensive and less laugh-worthy.
That said, if I saw a t-shirt like this in my business, directed at one tiny portion of the business that admittedly sucks, worn by an obviously loyal customer, I would laugh. If it said "United Pilots Effing Suck" it would be more offensive and less laugh-worthy.
Jan 22, 2019, 6:10 pm
#63
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,225
Wearing T Shirts on a plane complaining about WiFi. Now I have seen everything.
Jan 22, 2019, 6:20 pm
#64
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,147
Please explain to me why or how this shirt would make anyone uncomfortable. It's a shirt. Now if the guy had no shirt on at all, well that's something to (rightfully) get uncomfortable over.
Jan 22, 2019, 6:21 pm
#65
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Rapid Rewards, AAdvantage, SkyMiles
Posts: 2,931
Not posting his picture here as I have no permission, but I love the guy that goes around wearing a "Save the Tulip" t-shirt with the old UA tulip logo on it. PMUA employees love it and get a kick out of it while the PMCO employees hate it.
Jan 22, 2019, 6:23 pm
#67
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Rapid Rewards, AAdvantage, SkyMiles
Posts: 2,931
Also I was watching a video where some guy wore a shirt through the security checkpoint at SEA that said "F... the TSA". TSA got very triggered by it and ending up calling someone from Delta over, the airline the passenger was flying on. After reassuring the Delta agent that he would take off the shirt before boarding his flight Delta was OK with it and the TSA let him through, albeit still very triggered.
Jan 22, 2019, 6:23 pm
#68
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 380
I wouldn't say it never works. It has worked on one of four flights for me this year 
Jan 22, 2019, 6:31 pm
#69
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: BDL/NYC/BOS
Programs: UA/*A Gold, Global Entry, Marriott Plat, Hilton+IHG Gold, Hertz PC, DL
Posts: 1,752
Jan 22, 2019, 6:37 pm
#70
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,349
Jan 22, 2019, 6:45 pm
#71
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 690
It's very easy to imagine GS pax who are bound by corporate policy and/or negotiated contracts to fly with a given carrier, and, either as part of that agreement, or by virtue of, you know, spending lots and flying lots, have achieved GS status. We recently learned that Apple employees flying out of SFO, for example, can very quickly attain GS status. Such folks are likely to want good WiFi service, but have no other real option when it comes to business travel.
Jan 22, 2019, 6:51 pm
#72
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,225
It's very easy to imagine GS pax who are bound by corporate policy and/or negotiated contracts to fly with a given carrier, and, either as part of that agreement, or by virtue of, you know, spending lots and flying lots, have achieved GS status. We recently learned that Apple employees flying out of SFO, for example, can very quickly attain GS status. Such folks are likely to want good WiFi service, but have no other real option when it comes to business travel.
Jan 22, 2019, 7:13 pm
#73
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
Also I was watching a video where some guy wore a shirt through the security checkpoint at SEA that said "F... the TSA". TSA got very triggered by it and ending up calling someone from Delta over, the airline the passenger was flying on. After reassuring the Delta agent that he would take off the shirt before boarding his flight Delta was OK with it and the TSA let him through, albeit still very triggered.
Jan 22, 2019, 7:23 pm
#74
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SAN
Programs: UA
Posts: 204
Aircraft didn't always have Wi-Fi. Maybe time to learn how to use one of those things that's a bunch of pages all stuck together on one side... 
Jan 22, 2019, 7:35 pm
#75
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966