Mid-Atlantic US Winter Storm (Weekend of 12/19) and Impact to UA's Operations
Dec 20, 2009, 10:34 am
#286
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LAS
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Southwest A-List Preferred
Posts: 2,846
Good morning FT.
No surprise that today is cleanup and recovery day. Still some significant challenges in WAS for all carriers, and of course in cities where the snow is still coming down. At Dulles, the airport is working hard to clear snow from runways and taxiways but, as you can imagine, the snow has to go somewhere. It's blocking some gates, which is slowing arrivals.
As you've probably noticed online, we're sending in some of the bigger birds to IAD and also running extra sections at several airports including JFK, BOS, CLE, BWI and SEA.
The phone lines and wait times still are a big challenge. As you can imagine, there are lots of customers who are calling who do need to speak with an agent... and lots who are calling who don't need to speak with an agent. End result is longer wait times for everyone. We're trying to drive traffic to our Web site and keep people away from the phone lines if they're not traveling today or not REALLY needing personal assistance. We hope that will reduce wait times for those needing agent assistance.
You all will love this: Flight 641 blocked in 6 minutes early at ORD from BWI. I read that and let out a big WooHoo! Lots of folks in Elk Grove are pushing to do more of that.
Meanwhile, again, help us get the word out. Tell your neighbors, friends, Facebook and Twitter followers: anyone who is traveling should FIRST go to united.com/travelwaivers to confirm existing (or rebooked) reservations and flight status. Only after checking online should a person call reservations (and preferably, don't call unless you're traveling today). And only go to the airport after reconfirming flight status online. And sign up for EasyUpdates.
Thanks friends.
UnitedPR
No surprise that today is cleanup and recovery day. Still some significant challenges in WAS for all carriers, and of course in cities where the snow is still coming down. At Dulles, the airport is working hard to clear snow from runways and taxiways but, as you can imagine, the snow has to go somewhere. It's blocking some gates, which is slowing arrivals.
As you've probably noticed online, we're sending in some of the bigger birds to IAD and also running extra sections at several airports including JFK, BOS, CLE, BWI and SEA.
The phone lines and wait times still are a big challenge. As you can imagine, there are lots of customers who are calling who do need to speak with an agent... and lots who are calling who don't need to speak with an agent. End result is longer wait times for everyone. We're trying to drive traffic to our Web site and keep people away from the phone lines if they're not traveling today or not REALLY needing personal assistance. We hope that will reduce wait times for those needing agent assistance.
You all will love this: Flight 641 blocked in 6 minutes early at ORD from BWI. I read that and let out a big WooHoo! Lots of folks in Elk Grove are pushing to do more of that.
Meanwhile, again, help us get the word out. Tell your neighbors, friends, Facebook and Twitter followers: anyone who is traveling should FIRST go to united.com/travelwaivers to confirm existing (or rebooked) reservations and flight status. Only after checking online should a person call reservations (and preferably, don't call unless you're traveling today). And only go to the airport after reconfirming flight status online. And sign up for EasyUpdates.
Thanks friends.
UnitedPR
Dec 20, 2009, 10:35 am
#287
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lawrence KS
Programs: UA 1K, DL PM
Posts: 445
At IAD now, having flown in from MCI. They're short-staffed here and not all the gates are operational.
It's packed but operations here (at least in concourse A) are far less chaotic than I expected.
My next flight to MCO is on time, for now I'm relaxing in concourse B where it's nearly empty..
It's packed but operations here (at least in concourse A) are far less chaotic than I expected.
My next flight to MCO is on time, for now I'm relaxing in concourse B where it's nearly empty..
Dec 20, 2009, 10:35 am
#288
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: (SJC)
Posts: 2,198
Oh nelly.
UA897 today is going to leave, kind of on time, but have an unscheduled stop in SFO.
IAD-(SFO for crew change)-NRT
this means he will miss his NRT-SIN connection and even miss SQ11, last flight out.
This is kinda ......, since we leave for bali that next morning.
1k desk after 24min of hold, said she can't help and only ops in NRT can look for flights that next morning. All flights are Zero'd in NRT, and SQ11 is the last of the night.
UA897 today is going to leave, kind of on time, but have an unscheduled stop in SFO.
IAD-(SFO for crew change)-NRT
this means he will miss his NRT-SIN connection and even miss SQ11, last flight out.
This is kinda ......, since we leave for bali that next morning.
1k desk after 24min of hold, said she can't help and only ops in NRT can look for flights that next morning. All flights are Zero'd in NRT, and SQ11 is the last of the night.
Dec 20, 2009, 10:40 am
#289
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LAS
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Southwest A-List Preferred
Posts: 2,846
^ smart. I imagine all the inter-hub flights over the next 24-48 hours will be heavily booked and could use the extra lift.
Dec 20, 2009, 10:43 am
#290
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: LA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver, former UA 1K, SPG AMEX addict
Posts: 236
UnitedPR not kidding re: phone waits
this 1K is now on HOUR THREE of hold on a call re: reservations...
Dec 20, 2009, 10:44 am
#292
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 363
On 6878 to CHO now about to leave on time...
Dec 20, 2009, 10:46 am
#293
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
FWIW, @UnitedAirlines is getting big props on Twitter for getting updates out via Twitter in a timely manner.
http://twitter.com/jdcoffman/status/6861902233
http://twitter.com/rachelclarke/statuses/6860369160
http://twitter.com/SKHolt/statuses/6852738329
http://twitter.com/sahrabara/statuses/6853215776
http://twitter.com/global_gourmet/statuses/6849343598
http://twitter.com/misterjt/statuses/6842188455
http://twitter.com/IanSohn/statuses/6829907218
http://twitter.com/msholin/statuses/6829455247
http://twitter.com/bguthrie/statuses/6864240716
http://twitter.com/macjp/statuses/6863314725
http://twitter.com/greglil/statuses/6862466811
...and on and on and on. Nice job.
http://twitter.com/jdcoffman/status/6861902233
http://twitter.com/rachelclarke/statuses/6860369160
http://twitter.com/SKHolt/statuses/6852738329
http://twitter.com/sahrabara/statuses/6853215776
http://twitter.com/global_gourmet/statuses/6849343598
http://twitter.com/misterjt/statuses/6842188455
http://twitter.com/IanSohn/statuses/6829907218
http://twitter.com/msholin/statuses/6829455247
http://twitter.com/bguthrie/statuses/6864240716
http://twitter.com/macjp/statuses/6863314725
http://twitter.com/greglil/statuses/6862466811
...and on and on and on. Nice job.
Dec 20, 2009, 10:55 am
#294
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 61
My update: I was on hold for three hours (Calling, waiting one hour, hanging up and re-dialing per twitter advice), and then a 120 minute wait with no success. My local UA counter opened at 5:15am, so I decided to drive to the airport to try to cancel my trip prior to flight time to retain some value. The United employee helped me to get through to someone but even she had a long hold time as well. She thinks she was able to cancel it out, but wasn't certain. Good luck to everyone trying to get through on the phones today!
Dec 20, 2009, 11:23 am
#296
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: (SJC)
Posts: 2,198
1k line has protected on NH111 next day at 10:40am. Won't give C, haha, asked many a time.
Or wait full day and get NC reinstated. I think Y in NH111 is ok, plus a minor mile bonus.
Or wait full day and get NC reinstated. I think Y in NH111 is ok, plus a minor mile bonus.
Dec 20, 2009, 11:31 am
#297
Join Date: Nov 2001
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, DL Plat,Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott PP, National EE,Hertz PC
Posts: 679
No mile bonus as UA elites only get the bonus on UA/CO/US or LH trans-atlantic flights...
Dec 20, 2009, 11:48 am
#298
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: (SJC)
Posts: 2,198
NH111 is irr ops. I guess it will be reg UA 875 mileage.
Dec 20, 2009, 11:48 am
#299
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,856
Great proactive actions --- now if folks can just get to IAD -- supper shuttle is canceling, most taxis are not running, metro on limited operation ... DOT cams seem to show major roads clear ... really need to be creative to get to IAD
Dec 20, 2009, 12:26 pm
#300
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: ORD
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 1,211
Feb and March schedule changes hit in the last day or two, so this will add to the call levels. My changes were minor, so I'll wait a few days to confirm.
This is another SIMPLE task that should be able to be accomplished on the web site.
This is another SIMPLE task that should be able to be accomplished on the web site.