It's United they grind us for every penny they can.
Mar 16, 2019, 7:23 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wildomar, CA USA
Programs: 2MM United, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 61
Stewardess, LOL Who flies and still uses that term? Not sure if this is a real post but I lost any sympathy as I continued to read. They just joined and should read a few of the other threads to avoid this 'experience" since they have so many miles with UAL.
Mar 16, 2019, 7:26 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne MEL Calgary YYC
Programs: UA1K, QF Plat, *A & Marriot Gold, OW Emerald, Hyatt Hertz PC CanPass Nexus APEC Global Entry
Posts: 468
This OP account of events has to be 100% true, when someone 6foot tall lists allegiant as one of the top 10 airlines you know they know what they are talking about...........
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 16, 2019 at 8:54 pm Reason: Discuss the issues, not the poster(s)
Mar 16, 2019, 7:31 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,161
I for years have had a United Airlines milage card. I was very loyal and traveled all over the world with United. But after traveling to Costa Rica two years ago and being charged six hundred dollars to bring my surfboards back I switched to Alaska Airlines. OMG I had no clue how bad service was with United until I had something to compare it to. My only regret is that I have hundreds of thousands of points to use up. And each time I use them it cost more to get to the same place with less service.
For example I flew back from Huston and the seats were so bad that it threw my back out and still two days after I am still in pain. I would have moved to a better seat with more leg room but I was afraid that I would have gotten beaten up.
On the way there we were sitting behind the exit row and asked if I could move up. I am six two and my knees were touching the set in-front of me. My hubby asked for me and the stewardess told him that I could not because of the weight and balance. But if he paid the extra it would then not be a weight and balance issue. I am a pilot and for the life of me I can't see how the weight of a credit card transfer changes the weight and balance and were I would input that into my flight computer if it did.
Another example is a trip that I am taking to Ontario. I ended up paying over 450 USD to get basic upgrades to the now any seat that you want that has anything like leg room cost. They even charge more for isle and window seats. So in reality if you are a loyal milage card holder for over 30 years you now get less and less with every flight and have to pay cash for any up graded seat or service. I am surprised that they don't make us pay to use the toilets but then I am sure that they have considered that option.
United has certainly moved to live up to its reputation as being the worst airline on the business. And after dealing with them for years I am amazed at the customer care that I am getting from Alaska, SouthWest, American and even Allegiant. My only regret is that I have to still suffer just to use up the points I have left. But I did very much enjoy cutting up their milage card.
Oh did I mention that no-one else I have used charges for the fist checked bag. Yet United charged us for SJC to Houston and again to Roatan for each bag; yet Alaska doesn't even charge for Surfboards anymore as they treat it as just another piece of checked luggage. It's United they grind us for every penny they can.
For example I flew back from Huston and the seats were so bad that it threw my back out and still two days after I am still in pain. I would have moved to a better seat with more leg room but I was afraid that I would have gotten beaten up.
On the way there we were sitting behind the exit row and asked if I could move up. I am six two and my knees were touching the set in-front of me. My hubby asked for me and the stewardess told him that I could not because of the weight and balance. But if he paid the extra it would then not be a weight and balance issue. I am a pilot and for the life of me I can't see how the weight of a credit card transfer changes the weight and balance and were I would input that into my flight computer if it did.
Another example is a trip that I am taking to Ontario. I ended up paying over 450 USD to get basic upgrades to the now any seat that you want that has anything like leg room cost. They even charge more for isle and window seats. So in reality if you are a loyal milage card holder for over 30 years you now get less and less with every flight and have to pay cash for any up graded seat or service. I am surprised that they don't make us pay to use the toilets but then I am sure that they have considered that option.
United has certainly moved to live up to its reputation as being the worst airline on the business. And after dealing with them for years I am amazed at the customer care that I am getting from Alaska, SouthWest, American and even Allegiant. My only regret is that I have to still suffer just to use up the points I have left. But I did very much enjoy cutting up their milage card.
Oh did I mention that no-one else I have used charges for the fist checked bag. Yet United charged us for SJC to Houston and again to Roatan for each bag; yet Alaska doesn't even charge for Surfboards anymore as they treat it as just another piece of checked luggage. It's United they grind us for every penny they can.
Mar 16, 2019, 9:45 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 413
Here's the problem. You decided not to buy Economy Plus for the extra legroom you feel that you desperately need. You then get on board and claim you need the extra legroom (expecting it for free) because you're tall. Seriously? The argument that "I didn't know the seats were so close together" doesn't work, because you can buy the seat you wanted from the FA after boarding (even in flight).
If the FA decided to let cheapskates cheat the system and move up for free using whatever excuse they can make up, every other passenger will want to do the same. That's the bigger picture here, and why the FA is correct to deny.
You have the chance to buy E+ for extra legroom. Buy it.
If the FA decided to let cheapskates cheat the system and move up for free using whatever excuse they can make up, every other passenger will want to do the same. That's the bigger picture here, and why the FA is correct to deny.
You have the chance to buy E+ for extra legroom. Buy it.
Mar 16, 2019, 9:59 pm
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 836
Stewards and Stewardesses are completely appropriate. I still use the term all the time. That’s what ‘flight attendants’ are (well, supposed to be).
Mar 16, 2019, 10:20 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,014
Lest we forget, the OP’s post title summarizes her real complaint.
Mar 16, 2019, 11:28 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: LAS HNL
Programs: DL DM, 5.7 MM, UA 3.1 MM, MARRIOTT PLATINUM, AVIS FIRST, Amex Black Card
Posts: 4,479
" stewardess " are you kidding? This is 2019. Why not call them a "stew", they love that. 
I am no lover of UA, but they do run a good, professional operation. It sounds like AS fits your needs. Surf's up! If you want to sit in the front of the plane, PAY FOR IT, like everyone else did. Unbelievable.
I am no lover of UA, but they do run a good, professional operation. It sounds like AS fits your needs. Surf's up! If you want to sit in the front of the plane, PAY FOR IT, like everyone else did. Unbelievable.
Mar 17, 2019, 5:09 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,691
On the way there we were sitting behind the exit row and asked if I could move up. I am six two and my knees were touching the set in-front of me. My hubby asked for me and the stewardess told him that I could not because of the weight and balance. But if he paid the extra it would then not be a weight and balance issue. I am a pilot and for the life of me I can't see how the weight of a credit card transfer changes the weight and balance and were I would input that into my flight computer if it did.
If you do it ad hoc, there's no systemic way to inform the dispatcher and flight crew of the new CG.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 17, 2019 at 11:34 am Reason: Discuss the issues, not the poster(s)
Mar 17, 2019, 5:55 am
#24
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,784
Dear OP, Please migrate over to AA or Southwest. I’m sure you’ll be much happier and so will I.
Mar 17, 2019, 6:33 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,838
Quite a few people in the US who don’t hang out on Flyertalk still use that term.
Mar 17, 2019, 7:13 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: The Netherlands
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 79
first post, no sence, fake.....I am happy OP flies Alaska and not United....please keep flying Alaska
Mar 17, 2019, 8:05 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SEA, SFO, PRG
Programs: UA 1k, Delta Gold
Posts: 77
United operates an airline in one of the most brutal and competitive capitalist environments on this planet. They don't get generous amounts of subsidies like flag carriers that people love (Emirates, Singapore Airlines, etc.), and like most capitalist institutions how much you get valued by United is directly proportional to how much you're spending on their flights.
Mar 17, 2019, 8:09 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,089
If you want to be treated well on any airline, you have to be in a premium class - whether by paying for it, miles, status, however you can swing it. And even then, it is not a guarantee.
it is unfortunate that is the way it is, but it is. With so much demand for the lowest cost ticket, I don’t expect it to change.
it is unfortunate that is the way it is, but it is. With so much demand for the lowest cost ticket, I don’t expect it to change.
Mar 17, 2019, 8:31 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
I for years have had a United Airlines milage card. I was very loyal and traveled all over the world with United. But after traveling to Costa Rica two years ago and being charged six hundred dollars to bring my surfboards back I switched to Alaska Airlines. OMG I had no clue how bad service was with United until I had something to compare it to. My only regret is that I have hundreds of thousands of points to use up. And each time I use them it cost more to get to the same place with less service.
For example I flew back from Huston and the seats were so bad that it threw my back out and still two days after I am still in pain. I would have moved to a better seat with more leg room but I was afraid that I would have gotten beaten up.
On the way there we were sitting behind the exit row and asked if I could move up. I am six two and my knees were touching the set in-front of me. My hubby asked for me and the stewardess told him that I could not because of the weight and balance. But if he paid the extra it would then not be a weight and balance issue. I am a pilot and for the life of me I can't see how the weight of a credit card transfer changes the weight and balance and were I would input that into my flight computer if it did.
Another example is a trip that I am taking to Ontario. I ended up paying over 450 USD to get basic upgrades to the now any seat that you want that has anything like leg room cost. They even charge more for isle and window seats. So in reality if you are a loyal milage card holder for over 30 years you now get less and less with every flight and have to pay cash for any up graded seat or service. I am surprised that they don't make us pay to use the toilets but then I am sure that they have considered that option.
United has certainly moved to live up to its reputation as being the worst airline on the business. And after dealing with them for years I am amazed at the customer care that I am getting from Alaska, SouthWest, American and even Allegiant. My only regret is that I have to still suffer just to use up the points I have left. But I did very much enjoy cutting up their milage card.
Oh did I mention that no-one else I have used charges for the fist checked bag. Yet United charged us for SJC to Houston and again to Roatan for each bag; yet Alaska doesn't even charge for Surfboards anymore as they treat it as just another piece of checked luggage. It's United they grind us for every penny they can.
For example I flew back from Huston and the seats were so bad that it threw my back out and still two days after I am still in pain. I would have moved to a better seat with more leg room but I was afraid that I would have gotten beaten up.
On the way there we were sitting behind the exit row and asked if I could move up. I am six two and my knees were touching the set in-front of me. My hubby asked for me and the stewardess told him that I could not because of the weight and balance. But if he paid the extra it would then not be a weight and balance issue. I am a pilot and for the life of me I can't see how the weight of a credit card transfer changes the weight and balance and were I would input that into my flight computer if it did.
Another example is a trip that I am taking to Ontario. I ended up paying over 450 USD to get basic upgrades to the now any seat that you want that has anything like leg room cost. They even charge more for isle and window seats. So in reality if you are a loyal milage card holder for over 30 years you now get less and less with every flight and have to pay cash for any up graded seat or service. I am surprised that they don't make us pay to use the toilets but then I am sure that they have considered that option.
United has certainly moved to live up to its reputation as being the worst airline on the business. And after dealing with them for years I am amazed at the customer care that I am getting from Alaska, SouthWest, American and even Allegiant. My only regret is that I have to still suffer just to use up the points I have left. But I did very much enjoy cutting up their milage card.
Oh did I mention that no-one else I have used charges for the fist checked bag. Yet United charged us for SJC to Houston and again to Roatan for each bag; yet Alaska doesn't even charge for Surfboards anymore as they treat it as just another piece of checked luggage. It's United they grind us for every penny they can.
Internationally you have more options, particularly redeeming UA miles.
Mar 17, 2019, 8:34 am
#30
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,399
" stewardess " are you kidding? This is 2019. Why not call them a "stew", they love that. I am no lover of UA, but they do run a good, professional operation. It sounds like AS fits your needs. Surf's up! If you want to sit in the front of the plane, PAY FOR IT, like everyone else did. Unbelievable.
I am no lover of UA, but they do run a good, professional operation. It sounds like AS fits your needs. Surf's up! If you want to sit in the front of the plane, PAY FOR IT, like everyone else did. Unbelievable. Aren't they called stews on private charter yachts? {Guilty of having watched Below Deck on Bravo TV.}