UA20, IAH-AMS, 09 July diverted because J passenger doesn't get preferred meal choice
Jul 13, 2023, 12:02 am
#76
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: LAX IAH AMS
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 1,269
As a Global Service passenger that often finds himself without a meal on long haul Polaris flights due to UA glitches, catering mishaps, and overall customer service people that don't care, I can empathize with this passenger. United doesn't care about its passengers. And they definitely don't care about the garbage they serve on board pretending to be food when they do actually manage to serve it.
Jul 13, 2023, 12:53 am
#77
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: TYO
Programs: United Premier Gold
Posts: 168
If you go to the actual TikTok link, the poster says there was much more before this that was worse (and probably prompted the diversion).
Between this and the "that guy ain't real" lady from a few days ago, I think we're safely back in pre-COVID flight insanity lol
Between this and the "that guy ain't real" lady from a few days ago, I think we're safely back in pre-COVID flight insanity lol
Jul 13, 2023, 4:45 am
#78
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 71
The FAs must have felt threatened or that there was the potential for violence . It's a short clip of what was almost certainly a protracted incident
Jul 13, 2023, 6:58 am
#79
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,125
De-escalating a situation takes significant effort. I suspect after a long period of high travel stress (especially on UA ) effort was in short supply.
Example:
I flew AF long haul business last week.
I had already noticed a guy in the lounge drinking beer. That gentleman seemed a bit "off" boarding (agitated) and I heard him asking for a second glass of pre-dept. champagne.
30 minutes into the flight I use the lav. While washing my hands I hear loud arguing from the galley. I exit and that same gentleman points directly at me and shouts "it was him!" - while continuing to argue with 3 FAs. I have absolutely no clue why he is pointing at me. We had absolutely no previous interaction and he was still seated when I walked to the lav. The lead FA (also very agitated and starting to lose her cool) tells him we are going to divert if he doesn't follow instructions. It's a 10 hour flight so Im' thinking let's calm this guy down.
While I pass him I ask him calmly and in a very friendly manner if there is anything I can do for him - that I am very happy to help. He tells me he has a prostate issue and urgently needs to use the lav. I commiserate, tell him that must be a challenge, that the lav is now free and to please feel free to use it. The lead FA doesn't like my intervention and tells me she's in charge but stops arguing. The guy grunts, darts into the lav and the rest of the flight is uneventful. But does have quite a few more drinks. Upon exiting the plane he chews out the lead FA: "worst flight of my life".
I think I made the right call.
Wonderful flight, food, and service by the way.
Example:
I flew AF long haul business last week.
I had already noticed a guy in the lounge drinking beer. That gentleman seemed a bit "off" boarding (agitated) and I heard him asking for a second glass of pre-dept. champagne.
30 minutes into the flight I use the lav. While washing my hands I hear loud arguing from the galley. I exit and that same gentleman points directly at me and shouts "it was him!" - while continuing to argue with 3 FAs. I have absolutely no clue why he is pointing at me. We had absolutely no previous interaction and he was still seated when I walked to the lav. The lead FA (also very agitated and starting to lose her cool) tells him we are going to divert if he doesn't follow instructions. It's a 10 hour flight so Im' thinking let's calm this guy down.
While I pass him I ask him calmly and in a very friendly manner if there is anything I can do for him - that I am very happy to help. He tells me he has a prostate issue and urgently needs to use the lav. I commiserate, tell him that must be a challenge, that the lav is now free and to please feel free to use it. The lead FA doesn't like my intervention and tells me she's in charge but stops arguing. The guy grunts, darts into the lav and the rest of the flight is uneventful. But does have quite a few more drinks. Upon exiting the plane he chews out the lead FA: "worst flight of my life".
I think I made the right call.
Wonderful flight, food, and service by the way.
Jul 13, 2023, 7:11 am
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,056
I wonder if any charges will be brought against the removed individual.
Jul 13, 2023, 8:42 am
#81
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 5,000
De-escalating a situation takes significant effort. I suspect after a long period of high travel stress (especially on UA ) effort was in short supply.
Example:
I flew AF long haul business last week.
I had already noticed a guy in the lounge drinking beer. That gentleman seemed a bit "off" boarding (agitated) and I heard him asking for a second glass of pre-dept. champagne.
30 minutes into the flight I use the lav. While washing my hands I hear loud arguing from the galley. I exit and that same gentleman points directly at me and shouts "it was him!" - while continuing to argue with 3 FAs. I have absolutely no clue why he is pointing at me. We had absolutely no previous interaction and he was still seated when I walked to the lav. The lead FA (also very agitated and starting to lose her cool) tells him we are going to divert if he doesn't follow instructions. It's a 10 hour flight so Im' thinking let's calm this guy down.
While I pass him I ask him calmly and in a very friendly manner if there is anything I can do for him - that I am very happy to help. He tells me he has a prostate issue and urgently needs to use the lav. I commiserate, tell him that must be a challenge, that the lav is now free and to please feel free to use it. The lead FA doesn't like my intervention and tells me she's in charge but stops arguing. The guy grunts, darts into the lav and the rest of the flight is uneventful. But does have quite a few more drinks. Upon exiting the plane he chews out the lead FA: "worst flight of my life".
I think I made the right call.
Wonderful flight, food, and service by the way.
Example:
I flew AF long haul business last week.
I had already noticed a guy in the lounge drinking beer. That gentleman seemed a bit "off" boarding (agitated) and I heard him asking for a second glass of pre-dept. champagne.
30 minutes into the flight I use the lav. While washing my hands I hear loud arguing from the galley. I exit and that same gentleman points directly at me and shouts "it was him!" - while continuing to argue with 3 FAs. I have absolutely no clue why he is pointing at me. We had absolutely no previous interaction and he was still seated when I walked to the lav. The lead FA (also very agitated and starting to lose her cool) tells him we are going to divert if he doesn't follow instructions. It's a 10 hour flight so Im' thinking let's calm this guy down.
While I pass him I ask him calmly and in a very friendly manner if there is anything I can do for him - that I am very happy to help. He tells me he has a prostate issue and urgently needs to use the lav. I commiserate, tell him that must be a challenge, that the lav is now free and to please feel free to use it. The lead FA doesn't like my intervention and tells me she's in charge but stops arguing. The guy grunts, darts into the lav and the rest of the flight is uneventful. But does have quite a few more drinks. Upon exiting the plane he chews out the lead FA: "worst flight of my life".
I think I made the right call.
Wonderful flight, food, and service by the way.
Last edited by zombietooth; Jul 13, 2023 at 8:48 am