United pilot paid for a stranded college student's flight
Jun 17, 2019, 9:20 am
#1
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United pilot paid for a stranded college student's flight
Mensch* "plane" and simple 
https://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...ht/1475337001/
*and for those who are not MoT
or don't know the definition of the the word "mensch"...a person of integrity and honor
https://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...ht/1475337001/
*and for those who are not MoT
or don't know the definition of the the word "mensch"...a person of integrity and honor
Jun 17, 2019, 11:03 am
#5
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Jun 17, 2019, 11:51 am
#6
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Flight Aware does not indicate any flight within the past three months diverted to SEA.
Jun 17, 2019, 12:06 pm
#7
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AS, HA, and SY all operate HNL-PDX; AS and HA also operate OGG-PDX. AS also operates KOA-PDX and LIH-PDX, but nothing was flown during the past three months (Wikipedia cites KOA-PDX as regularly scheduled, and LIH-PDX as seasonal).
Flight Aware does not indicate any flight within the past three months diverted to SEA.
Flight Aware does not indicate any flight within the past three months diverted to SEA.
Jun 17, 2019, 12:26 pm
#9
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Yes she could have but it is not out of the question to expect the original carrier to resolve the situation and fly them? Depending on how regular of a traveler the individual may be or how many times they had made the trip, they may have not been familiar with the options. While I might feel comfortable going rogue, I understand travel is stressful and confusing to many.
Many 19-year olds are just learning how to be independent. Some could have done this on their own and others will struggle. It was the other carrier that dropped the ball. Koodos to the UA employee for understanding some need extra help.
Many 19-year olds are just learning how to be independent. Some could have done this on their own and others will struggle. It was the other carrier that dropped the ball. Koodos to the UA employee for understanding some need extra help.
Jun 17, 2019, 12:28 pm
#10
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The whole story is strange.
The dad was about to go buy a ticket and pick her up? She is "stranded" 125 miles from her destination and you fly 2500 miles to escort her the last 125 miles, and then presumably fly 2500 miles back? Surely he could have just booked her a flight (like the UA pilot did) for a lot cheaper? Or even just gotten her a lyft or uber (no more than $200? Still cheaper than a Hawaii RT). Even an expensive car service would be cheaper.
We are talking about a 2 hr drive in a highly-populated area with many transportation options, not lost on top of a mountain or deep in a jungle.
Then you add in the lack of flight diversions...
If this is fake news I'm going to be upset.
The dad was about to go buy a ticket and pick her up? She is "stranded" 125 miles from her destination and you fly 2500 miles to escort her the last 125 miles, and then presumably fly 2500 miles back? Surely he could have just booked her a flight (like the UA pilot did) for a lot cheaper? Or even just gotten her a lyft or uber (no more than $200? Still cheaper than a Hawaii RT). Even an expensive car service would be cheaper.
We are talking about a 2 hr drive in a highly-populated area with many transportation options, not lost on top of a mountain or deep in a jungle.
Then you add in the lack of flight diversions...
If this is fake news I'm going to be upset.
Jun 17, 2019, 12:33 pm
#11
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before UA would spend the money for the video, suspect they would have verified the story
Jun 17, 2019, 1:33 pm
#13
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It would be nice if the "media" would actually fact-check and dig up stuff rather that just regurgitate whatever video UA posts. I hope UA is at least paying the USA today for this advertising disguised as a news story.
Jun 17, 2019, 8:45 pm
#15
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This experience was not a learning experience for the college student. Tears then a UA pilot comes to the rescue.
The UA pilot could have sat down with her, have her come up with options, discuss those, then offer possible solutions. That would be a learning experience. However, she may have then called him a creep.
Better learning experience:
Student: wahhhhhh
UA pilot: don't cry. awww, why are you crying?
Student: my HNL-PDX flight was diverted to SEA. I got a hotel voucher but the airline (SY? AS? HA?) forgot about me. wahhhhh.
UA pilot: Let's sit here and try to figure out a plan. What do you think you should do?
Student: Maybe call a taxi? Maybe call Dad and ask that he come?
UA pilot: Any other possible solutions?
Student: Oh, the internet.... Bolt Bus, Greyhound Bus, Alaska Airlines SEA-PDX?
UA pilot: Good thinking! I'll pay for your SEA-PDX way on AS but before I spend all that money, can you look up a cheaper way?
Student: Yes, I'll call the airline or visit their ticket counter and ask that they provide air transportation. I'll consider taking the light rail to downtown then Bolt Bus to Portland for $18 if they are stubborn.
UA pilot: Great thinking! You're now a problem solver! Here's some pocket money for the bus and for some snacks. Fly the Friendly Skies.
----
I learned at lot when travel went south. My first time was when I was a kid traveling by myself. The airline didn't provide a sitter but just gave me a hotel voucher. Luckily, the hotel accepted it even though I was not 18 or close to 18.
The UA pilot could have sat down with her, have her come up with options, discuss those, then offer possible solutions. That would be a learning experience. However, she may have then called him a creep.
Better learning experience:
Student: wahhhhhh
UA pilot: don't cry. awww, why are you crying?
Student: my HNL-PDX flight was diverted to SEA. I got a hotel voucher but the airline (SY? AS? HA?) forgot about me. wahhhhh.
UA pilot: Let's sit here and try to figure out a plan. What do you think you should do?
Student: Maybe call a taxi? Maybe call Dad and ask that he come?
UA pilot: Any other possible solutions?
Student: Oh, the internet.... Bolt Bus, Greyhound Bus, Alaska Airlines SEA-PDX?
UA pilot: Good thinking! I'll pay for your SEA-PDX way on AS but before I spend all that money, can you look up a cheaper way?
Student: Yes, I'll call the airline or visit their ticket counter and ask that they provide air transportation. I'll consider taking the light rail to downtown then Bolt Bus to Portland for $18 if they are stubborn.
UA pilot: Great thinking! You're now a problem solver! Here's some pocket money for the bus and for some snacks. Fly the Friendly Skies.
----
I learned at lot when travel went south. My first time was when I was a kid traveling by myself. The airline didn't provide a sitter but just gave me a hotel voucher. Luckily, the hotel accepted it even though I was not 18 or close to 18.