Is it always this bad?
Jun 28, 2022 | 2:55 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,619
Status is a debased currency at EWR
Put on
a special flight Monday night-UA3032. Came within a hairs edge of CX. Finally took off 2.5 hours late. Captain was gracious in apologizingsaid current state of affairs was worst he has seen in 37 years of flying
Really sorry to hear about your struggles this trip. But you have coined my new favorite expression of the EWR experience: "endless carousel of misery"
This is soo true.
I was hit by irrops on Thursday morning and 1k desk could find no alternate way to get me from EWR to anywhere close to CVG all day, in any class of service. There is NO capacity to absorb disrupted passengers, and many cancellations. It is bad.
I ended up renting a car and driving 10 hours to get home.
Wow. That's a bad day. A stark reminder that Global Services faces the same fate as the rest of us at EWR...
Hope it didn't mess you up too badly.
This is soo true.
I was hit by irrops on Thursday morning and 1k desk could find no alternate way to get me from EWR to anywhere close to CVG all day, in any class of service. There is NO capacity to absorb disrupted passengers, and many cancellations. It is bad.
I ended up renting a car and driving 10 hours to get home.
Wow. That's a bad day. A stark reminder that Global Services faces the same fate as the rest of us at EWR...
Hope it didn't mess you up too badly.
a special flight Monday night-UA3032. Came within a hairs edge of CX. Finally took off 2.5 hours late. Captain was gracious in apologizingsaid current state of affairs was worst he has seen in 37 years of flying
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 28, 2022 at 4:23 pm
Jun 28, 2022 | 3:26 pm
#33
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: YYC
Programs: United 1K, Accor Platinum, Qatar Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 380
So I ask again and the agent says if he makes that change I will lose my upgraded seat LAX-SYD as the class is no longer available. I push back again and agent states he checked with a supervisor and I would lose the Polaris seat LAX-SYD if I switch to the earlier connecting SFO-LAX flight. At that stage I responded do not touch the reservation. I know the Chat Agent was wrong but I sure as heck did not want to sit in coach for 14 hours. So that was 90 minutes of my life I will not get back.
They insist that any changes to the reservation, doesn't matter how minor they are, will result in the loss of ALL confirmed upgrades.
I've asked if this is a new policy and they say it's always been like this, which is clearly a lie.
At least the 1K line still can help with these but totally agree that it's a bad state of affairs at United atm. Soon they'll be as bad as Air Canada's.
Jun 28, 2022 | 6:56 pm
#34
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: PHL, LHR
Posts: 259
I have a flight next week that had a schedule change a few months ago that results in a 56 MCT in LAX going from Terminal 8 to Terminal 7. I am catching the flight to SYD. I thought there may be another schedule change so held off contacting them. Reservation still notes eligible for a one time change.
My flights are: SAN-SFO-LAX-SYD.
Th reason it is not SAN-LAX is because that would result in me getting a 6am flight from SAN connecting to a 10.30pm flight to SYD.
So I was going to have an agent in the Polaris Lounge in IAD work on it last week but it was during the wild weather of the north east and they were dealing with pax trying to get home..
I called the 1K line when I got home and they asked if not traveling within 72 hours to use the Chat function. Okay I understand there are pax with urgent issues trying to get home. After waiting 60 minutes I get an agent. I explain to him I want to catch an earlier SFO-LAX flight telling him the flight number I want to swap from and the flight number i want to swap to. Chat agent starts off with so you want to change your EWR-LAX flight. Ummm no - are you looking at the reservation. Oh yes okay so you want to arrive into LAX at such and such a time (which is closish to the current time I will be arriving) and I say no and agent goes and yes sorry an hour earlier. I respond yes please. Agent says that will cost you a additional if you want to keep the business class seat to SYD. I push back and say it shouldn't cost me anything. Agent comes back and says yes you are right. So I ask again and the agent says if he makes that change I will lose my upgraded seat LAX-SYD as the class is no longer available. I push back again and agent states he checked with a supervisor and I would lose the Polaris seat LAX-SYD if I switch to the earlier connecting SFO-LAX flight. At that stage I responded do not touch the reservation. I know the Chat Agent was wrong but I sure as heck did not want to sit in coach for 14 hours. So that was 90 minutes of my life I will not get back.
I am now going to ask at SAN when I check in if they can put me on the earlier SFO-LAX flight.
It is a bad state of affairs at United atm. I feel for the agents but telling a customer they will lose their confirmed upgrade if they switch to an earlier connecting flight is a horrible feeling. I have been watching my reservation like a hawk as I know loads to Australia are high and I want ro keep 1A!
My flights are: SAN-SFO-LAX-SYD.
Th reason it is not SAN-LAX is because that would result in me getting a 6am flight from SAN connecting to a 10.30pm flight to SYD.
So I was going to have an agent in the Polaris Lounge in IAD work on it last week but it was during the wild weather of the north east and they were dealing with pax trying to get home..
I called the 1K line when I got home and they asked if not traveling within 72 hours to use the Chat function. Okay I understand there are pax with urgent issues trying to get home. After waiting 60 minutes I get an agent. I explain to him I want to catch an earlier SFO-LAX flight telling him the flight number I want to swap from and the flight number i want to swap to. Chat agent starts off with so you want to change your EWR-LAX flight. Ummm no - are you looking at the reservation. Oh yes okay so you want to arrive into LAX at such and such a time (which is closish to the current time I will be arriving) and I say no and agent goes and yes sorry an hour earlier. I respond yes please. Agent says that will cost you a additional if you want to keep the business class seat to SYD. I push back and say it shouldn't cost me anything. Agent comes back and says yes you are right. So I ask again and the agent says if he makes that change I will lose my upgraded seat LAX-SYD as the class is no longer available. I push back again and agent states he checked with a supervisor and I would lose the Polaris seat LAX-SYD if I switch to the earlier connecting SFO-LAX flight. At that stage I responded do not touch the reservation. I know the Chat Agent was wrong but I sure as heck did not want to sit in coach for 14 hours. So that was 90 minutes of my life I will not get back.
I am now going to ask at SAN when I check in if they can put me on the earlier SFO-LAX flight.
It is a bad state of affairs at United atm. I feel for the agents but telling a customer they will lose their confirmed upgrade if they switch to an earlier connecting flight is a horrible feeling. I have been watching my reservation like a hawk as I know loads to Australia are high and I want ro keep 1A!
Jun 29, 2022 | 4:37 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,639
Why not just take an Uber from SAN to LAX and skip all the hullabaloo with multiple connections? I visit family every year in Carlsbad and Uber to and from LAX b/c i can get the transcon lie flats out of either PHL or EWR anyways, you can do it in under 2 hours and costs you ~$130. One seat and relax.
I contacted Uber about the incident and they apologized and asked me to give them another chance. I did so and the driver arrives telling me they need gas and then starts heading for the San Diego Airport as they "know" better than the Uber app. The driver then proceeds to take all kinds of weird exits and I nearly miss my flight.
I tried a third time with Uber and they told me they had no drivers that wanted to drive to LAX so fortunately a very good friend drove me to LAX as I was quite upset I was going to miss my flight.
Needless to say those three Uber experiences put me off taking an Uber from San Diego to LAX.
Another friend has suggested doing a one way rental car but if I am by myself then I cannot use the HOV lanes.
Jun 29, 2022 | 12:38 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: PHL, LHR
Posts: 259
I have done this three times with Uber. The first time the Uber driver did not want to take me to LAX from San Diego.. Ended up paying for a town car as did not want to miss my flight..
I contacted Uber about the incident and they apologized and asked me to give them another chance. I did so and the driver arrives telling me they need gas and then starts heading for the San Diego Airport as they "know" better than the Uber app. The driver then proceeds to take all kinds of weird exits and I nearly miss my flight.
I tried a third time with Uber and they told me they had no drivers that wanted to drive to LAX so fortunately a very good friend drove me to LAX as I was quite upset I was going to miss my flight.
Needless to say those three Uber experiences put me off taking an Uber from San Diego to LAX.
Another friend has suggested doing a one way rental car but if I am by myself then I cannot use the HOV lanes.
I contacted Uber about the incident and they apologized and asked me to give them another chance. I did so and the driver arrives telling me they need gas and then starts heading for the San Diego Airport as they "know" better than the Uber app. The driver then proceeds to take all kinds of weird exits and I nearly miss my flight.
I tried a third time with Uber and they told me they had no drivers that wanted to drive to LAX so fortunately a very good friend drove me to LAX as I was quite upset I was going to miss my flight.
Needless to say those three Uber experiences put me off taking an Uber from San Diego to LAX.
Another friend has suggested doing a one way rental car but if I am by myself then I cannot use the HOV lanes.
Also, depending on your price point - check out Blacklane. Its a little pricier, but its basically an Uber-like car service thats built for intra-city travel.
Jun 29, 2022 | 12:42 pm
#37
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 73,210
FYI ... there is a dedeciated Ride Services, including Uber and Lyft forum
Jun 29, 2022 | 2:03 pm
#38
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Global
Programs: United 1K, Qatar Gold, Etihad Gold, Hilton Diamond, InterCon RA, PC Plat, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,465
I've only flow UA once in the last 12 years or so.
We spent 12 hours at EWR recently trying to get a flight to London for which we were booked in Premium Plus, with Premier Access on our boarding passes.
The flight was ultimately cancelled. After 55 mins on hold I got through to a UA agent who rebooked us for 2 days later, and told me it was still PP seats.
Fast forward to checking in online - the seats are regular economy.
Called UA, 1h8 mins on hold and then agent tells us there is no PP seating on that flight, that's why.
Called UA again, 55 mins on hold. Agent tells us there is PP on the flight but it's full. We ask about getting PP on the flight home, they say it's full. I go online to see it's not full, they have seats. They then say they will put us in PP but put us in an economy plus seat. When I point out it's Economy Plus they keep telling me it's premium plus.
Another 55 mins on the phone and we speak to a supervisor who again, says they can't give us the seat class we've been booked in since Feb. They can't put priority bags on our luggage (like we had for our cancelled flight).
Is it always this bad? Are they always so slow to take calls, and have no discretion at all to help? Is it only the passengers who fly this roulette game every week and have thousands of miles racked up that they help?
We spent 12 hours at EWR recently trying to get a flight to London for which we were booked in Premium Plus, with Premier Access on our boarding passes.
The flight was ultimately cancelled. After 55 mins on hold I got through to a UA agent who rebooked us for 2 days later, and told me it was still PP seats.
Fast forward to checking in online - the seats are regular economy.
Called UA, 1h8 mins on hold and then agent tells us there is no PP seating on that flight, that's why.
Called UA again, 55 mins on hold. Agent tells us there is PP on the flight but it's full. We ask about getting PP on the flight home, they say it's full. I go online to see it's not full, they have seats. They then say they will put us in PP but put us in an economy plus seat. When I point out it's Economy Plus they keep telling me it's premium plus.
Another 55 mins on the phone and we speak to a supervisor who again, says they can't give us the seat class we've been booked in since Feb. They can't put priority bags on our luggage (like we had for our cancelled flight).
Is it always this bad? Are they always so slow to take calls, and have no discretion at all to help? Is it only the passengers who fly this roulette game every week and have thousands of miles racked up that they help?
Jun 30, 2022 | 5:26 am
#39
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Boston
Programs: Hotels: Golden Airlines: B6 Mosiac
Posts: 317
Cause of Delays and Cancellations.
I normally fly B6, but had some United Credit I needed to use so booked BUF-EWR for last Monday. Sunday night get an email that our flight is Cancelled.
UA3432 Mon, Jun 27, 2022 and no flights till Tuesday. But we are near airport so they get us on 3438 on Sunday that is schedule for 7:39, it's delayed till 8:33, then lands at 9:56, and takes over an hour to wander over to the gate, getting to the gate at 11:14, then another 15 minutes to get the jetbridge fixed..
1. Could someone help me determine the reason for the initial cancelation, and subsequent delays that too a 1.5-2 hour flight to a 5+ hour orderal, united's fault? They seem to just blame everything on ATC nowadays. I am out a hotel night in NYC that I had to book last minutes so that was fun and want to have all my facts straight in my letter to them.
Thanks
UA3432 Mon, Jun 27, 2022 and no flights till Tuesday. But we are near airport so they get us on 3438 on Sunday that is schedule for 7:39, it's delayed till 8:33, then lands at 9:56, and takes over an hour to wander over to the gate, getting to the gate at 11:14, then another 15 minutes to get the jetbridge fixed..
1. Could someone help me determine the reason for the initial cancelation, and subsequent delays that too a 1.5-2 hour flight to a 5+ hour orderal, united's fault? They seem to just blame everything on ATC nowadays. I am out a hotel night in NYC that I had to book last minutes so that was fun and want to have all my facts straight in my letter to them.
Thanks
Jun 30, 2022 | 8:49 am
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,934
I'll wade in that it IS typical for EWR. It is a circus and I will do almost anything to avoid a connecting through there. Especially bad for INTL arrivals where you need to find your way through a confusing process to get to the gate for your onward flight. Security alone would make it a circus, and that's just one step in the process. At least they could train the staff not to bark at you.
Jun 30, 2022 | 1:43 pm
#42
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,345
As much as you're going to hate to hear it, it is ATC. Been an ongoing problem at EWR due to airport congestion and additional restrictions being placed on the NY area (and increasingly other areas of the country) due to FAA staffing triggers. UA is proactively trimming the EWR schedule to reduce instances of this happening (I believe they just loaded the revised schedule through August). But given basically every day the ATC Operations plans have "N90 - STAFFING TRIGGER, ISLIP AREA 2100-0100Z" it's going to continue to be rough going through EWR for the foreseeable future. For what its worth - many FAA facilities are running staff on a 6 days on 1 day off schedule currently - that's how bad their staffing challenges are, and long term having employees on that schedule is only going to make things worse as they burn out controllers causing them to leave completely.