T-shirt on a UA flight yesterday
Jan 22, 2019, 12:56 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
I honestly don't understand what the big deal is or how this can be "disruptive." And what in the world would make the crew uncomfortable with flying with someone wearing the shirt? Do they think its going to make everyone agree and create a mob situation or something? Its a tacky but meant to be funny shirt, some people just need to take things a little less seriously.
Jan 22, 2019, 1:19 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
Jan 22, 2019, 1:20 pm
#33
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
You mean the international airline that does not fly RJs aka Barbie's #DreamJet , yet still has fast free gate-to-gate satellite wifi on every airplane free for their mid-tier elites, AKA A-List Preferred? Think they'd find the t-shirt as a billboard TBH.
Jan 22, 2019, 1:26 pm
#34
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
I personally think the t-shirt is humorous, albeit a bit classless. I can't fathom that an employee would consider kicking a passenger off for wearing something like this, especially when I see far more offensive attire (or, often, lack thereof) on many of my flights, like bare feet on the bulkhead, yet those passengers are allowed to continue to fly. 
Jan 22, 2019, 1:30 pm
#35
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 261
But hey, they save a million dollars a year with that method, so good deal.
Jan 22, 2019, 1:32 pm
#36
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 261
I personally think the t-shirt is humorous, albeit a bit classless. I can't fathom that an employee would consider kicking a passenger off for wearing something like this, especially when I see far more offensive attire (or, often, lack thereof) on many of my flights, like bare feet on the bulkhead, yet those passengers are allowed to continue to fly.
Jan 22, 2019, 1:34 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
Especially in Mexico, apparently. Oh boy I miss the 1970s, even though I was not born yet.
Jan 22, 2019, 1:57 pm
#38
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO South Bay
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 3,052
... I respect each of your opinions, and ask you do the same for mine. While I personally think the t-shirt is classless and tacky, and honestly won't accomplish a damn thing, other than to solicit lots of opinions on this forum, to each his own.
If any of you are LHR bound tonight, see you on board, but please don't wear the t-shirt!
LOL, I'm not a sky waiter, I'm even worse, I'm the more obnoxious, more power tripping, ego inflated pilot who's tasked with getting you safely to your destination.
If any of you are LHR bound tonight, see you on board, but please don't wear the t-shirt!
LOL, I'm not a sky waiter, I'm even worse, I'm the more obnoxious, more power tripping, ego inflated pilot who's tasked with getting you safely to your destination.
Jan 22, 2019, 2:50 pm
#41
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
The t-shirt is frankly bizarre and juvenile. Who would bother to take the time and trouble to do that....?
But I am incredulous at the mooted response of at least one UA employee. When I was a public-facing employee and I witnessed this level of customer discontent, I called attention to it and made sure that top management knew about it. The instincts expressed in this thread are the precise opposite of that. Blame the victim, er customer!
I guess I'll be the first in this thread to raise David Dao.... But that and the sentiments expressed above suggest a curious culture at UA -- a culture that you normally associate with govt. bureaucracies of dodgy totalitarian regimes.
But I am incredulous at the mooted response of at least one UA employee. When I was a public-facing employee and I witnessed this level of customer discontent, I called attention to it and made sure that top management knew about it. The instincts expressed in this thread are the precise opposite of that. Blame the victim, er customer!
I guess I'll be the first in this thread to raise David Dao.... But that and the sentiments expressed above suggest a curious culture at UA -- a culture that you normally associate with govt. bureaucracies of dodgy totalitarian regimes.
Jan 22, 2019, 3:04 pm
#42
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Does Non Rev count?
Posts: 588
Ok, breaking my rule, and replying.
Folks, make no mistake, MANY of us have made UA management aware of our shortcomings. Truly, myself and many others have been the squeaky wheel about lots of operational stuff. I personally want the airline to do better, and I know many, many of my peers feel the same way. There is also a consensus among some, that regardless of what we do, UA has become the poster child for what is wrong, both accurate and perceived about the airline industry.
Yes, we have to do better as a company. I can assure you, I have sent pics of those t-shirts to several people within the airline who can help to address these things.
Having said that, the t-shirts are ridiculous. But, maybe part of that is because I'm frustrated that our hard and soft product isn't better. I'm just a pilot, and the only thing I can do is make those above me aware of the issues, and try to instill in the crew, a sense of pride.
Folks, make no mistake, MANY of us have made UA management aware of our shortcomings. Truly, myself and many others have been the squeaky wheel about lots of operational stuff. I personally want the airline to do better, and I know many, many of my peers feel the same way. There is also a consensus among some, that regardless of what we do, UA has become the poster child for what is wrong, both accurate and perceived about the airline industry.
Yes, we have to do better as a company. I can assure you, I have sent pics of those t-shirts to several people within the airline who can help to address these things.
Having said that, the t-shirts are ridiculous. But, maybe part of that is because I'm frustrated that our hard and soft product isn't better. I'm just a pilot, and the only thing I can do is make those above me aware of the issues, and try to instill in the crew, a sense of pride.
Jan 22, 2019, 3:06 pm
#43
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
Safe travels, sir! BTW, I think the many if not most agree with your statement above. Classless and tacky; probably won't accomplish anything. But you went one step further by implying the person should be forced to remove the shirt or cover it up. You would have no legal standing at all for requesting that. If the person were an employee, they could be fired. That is legal. But you have no such control over a passenger. IMHO, but IANAL!
I had a bad experience from an FA a couple weeks ago. What could I do? Talk back? Take the risk of him being "offended" ?
Face it, we've all been pummeled into submission.
Jan 22, 2019, 3:07 pm
#44
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Ok, breaking my rule, and replying.
Folks, make no mistake, MANY of us have made UA management aware of our shortcomings. Truly, myself and many others have been the squeaky wheel about lots of operational stuff. I personally want the airline to do better, and I know many, many of my peers feel the same way. There is also a consensus among some, that regardless of what we do, UA has become the poster child for what is wrong, both accurate and perceived about the airline industry.
Yes, we have to do better as a company. I can assure you, I have sent pics of those t-shirts to several people within the airline who can help to address these things.
Having said that, the t-shirts are ridiculous. But, maybe part of that is because I'm frustrated that our hard and soft product isn't better. I'm just a pilot, and the only thing I can do is make those above me aware of the issues, and try to instill in the crew, a sense of pride.
Folks, make no mistake, MANY of us have made UA management aware of our shortcomings. Truly, myself and many others have been the squeaky wheel about lots of operational stuff. I personally want the airline to do better, and I know many, many of my peers feel the same way. There is also a consensus among some, that regardless of what we do, UA has become the poster child for what is wrong, both accurate and perceived about the airline industry.
Yes, we have to do better as a company. I can assure you, I have sent pics of those t-shirts to several people within the airline who can help to address these things.
Having said that, the t-shirts are ridiculous. But, maybe part of that is because I'm frustrated that our hard and soft product isn't better. I'm just a pilot, and the only thing I can do is make those above me aware of the issues, and try to instill in the crew, a sense of pride.
Jan 22, 2019, 3:20 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,909
Nothing juvenile or offensive about it - if they wanted to draw attention this is far more effective than writing to united. Being kicked out would be even better.
Kudos to the folks desperate enough to try this - too bad ppl have to go such lengths to highlight an obvious problem...
Kudos to the folks desperate enough to try this - too bad ppl have to go such lengths to highlight an obvious problem...