Dec '09 UA Security Procedures-operational changes on INTERNATIONAL flights? [Merged]
Dec 26, 2009, 9:04 pm
#46
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To be consistent, they should not reveal flight times any more either since if you know you're departing Chicago at x and you want to do damage to a plane over Denver it wouldn't be too tough to figure out when you'd be there, map or not. Beware of anyone who looks at their watch in flight. 
Dec 26, 2009, 9:05 pm
#47
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I can confirm the IFE nonsense is not limited to int'l flights - I just got off UA722 ORD-IAD, and the IFE was all shut down about 2 minutes before we pushed back. As we were taxiing out they came on the PA and said "you might have noticed that the IFE is inoperative - this is due to the recent security issues".
So much for my nice 763 C seat...
So much for my nice 763 C seat...
Dec 26, 2009, 9:22 pm
#48
Join Date: May 2005
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This is just absolutely ridiculous and any reasonable smart person can figure out where they are. I am just curious if somebody invents clothes that will blow up whether we all need to start flying naked.
What exactly do they try to protect us from ? Also will LH do the same nonsense ? If this does not stop until my next international flight in January I will only fly international carriers and just let my GS status expire.
What exactly do they try to protect us from ? Also will LH do the same nonsense ? If this does not stop until my next international flight in January I will only fly international carriers and just let my GS status expire.
Dec 26, 2009, 9:28 pm
#49
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I have a feeling that foreign airlines will ignore this nonsense. So, just don't fly on any US flagged carrier if you can.
Dec 26, 2009, 9:33 pm
#50
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Why do people keep referencing the TSA? The TSA isn't mandating that US carriers shut off IFE on flights... UA is making that decision on their own are they not?
- T
- T
Dec 26, 2009, 9:51 pm
#51
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,358
The airline industry is competitive and is in financial trouble. I cannot imagine that United would take it upon itself to do such an illogical "security" measure which eventually would cause its customers to use other airlines that do not subscribe to the same tactics.
Dec 26, 2009, 9:54 pm
#52
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Will be traveling PVG-SFO Tuesday. Anybody have information as to additional pre-boarding measures? Is it still 1 carry on and 1 personal item, i.e. computer bag? Or is it strictly one carry on?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Dec 26, 2009, 9:57 pm
#53
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,358
I think every frequent flyer should start complaining now - not to TSA, because that would be futile, but to the airlines they fly on. They are the people who stand to lose the most. Here is what I've sent United and American.
I think every frequent flyer should start complaining now - not to TSA, because that would be futile, but to the airlines they fly on. They are the people who stand to lose the most. Here is what I've sent United and American.
Quote:
I'm certain that right now, given the events of the last 36 hours, that operations at all airlines including United are in a bit of disarray.
Once things have had a chance to settle down, I hope United will take the lead in pushing back at the simply inane and unnecessary new security measures TSA has imposed on the airlines.
Requiring people to remain in their seats for the last 60 minutes of an international flight is not only stupid (a potential terrorist will simply get up at 75 minutes before landing, if that is his plan) but ultimately unmanageable. The reality of a 60 minute "no stand" requirement for an international arrival at Washington Dulles means that a passenger won't be able to use a restroom for almost 90 minutes. Some people simply need to urinate more frequently that others. Does United intend to force people to soil themselves?
Simply put, turning off all IFE is going to drive people away from United to airlines that have power to seats in coach - which United's aircraft currently lack. Moreover, how does IFE even post a security risk? The route map? Come on, anyone with a watch can calculate when an aircraft makes landfall after an over water flight.
I would complain to TSA, but they owe their continued existence to crackpots like this recent idiot, and they don't stand to suffer from making flying an increasingly unpleasant experience. United, and all other airlines, on the other hand, do stand to suffer if people simply decide to stop flying.
Please help to stop this madness, and stop handing terrorists a victory by participating in TSA overreaction.
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Dec 26, 2009, 10:00 pm
#54
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Dec 26, 2009, 10:04 pm
#55
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I flew on DL today and IFE was working the entire time with the map. It was SFO-ATL. So this might be limited to UA.
Dec 26, 2009, 10:16 pm
#56
Join Date: Apr 2008
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I have more than two hundred thousand elite qualifying miles this year. When I read about this nonsense I'm thinking there is a good possibility that I will have very few miles this upcoming year. This is because, at the present time, I am considering canceling my January and later international trips until this stupid "security" panic settles down.
Between more "security" together with less comfort on the aircraft, making trips will be more of a chore than pleasure.
If I learn that foreign carriers are exempt from these new "rules" I will certainly use foreign carriers as much as possible.
I love United but the stress of all the unnecessary associated nonsense called security takes away from the pleasure and anticipation of a trip.
Maybe in a few days I will feel different about the changes and will convince myself to put up with the nonsense. My January trips are just around the corner.
In an earlier post, I remarked that the terrorist incident was an isolated case and was largely due to airline employee errors. Were it not for the errors made by the airline employees (not United) the incident would not have happened. Therefore, we, the passengers are being punished for the errors of the airline employees.
Last edited by dgcpaphd; Dec 26, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Dec 26, 2009, 10:17 pm
#57
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i flew Fra-SFo today (26th). All UA flights delayed , LH on time. .... We had no video,audio,power port for laptop (bring your own dvds), seatlamp, no invidual reading light, lights came off and on when the flight attendent wanted to be on....
Was like in prision but with nicer blankeds and pillows ;-) missed my connection by 10 min because my bag came last ...
boooked again the wrong airline....
jr
Was like in prision but with nicer blankeds and pillows ;-) missed my connection by 10 min because my bag came last ...
boooked again the wrong airline....
jr
Dec 26, 2009, 10:38 pm
#58
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Hands down, the best idea here yet. 
Back on topic:
Obviously, turning off IFE will do nothing to deter someone determined to do harm to a flight. CLEARLY, there is more to this whole story/situation than either the TSA, US Government, or UA is letting on if turning off the IFE is the "fix."
UA PR needs to get out in front of this before it devolves (further).
Back on topic:
Obviously, turning off IFE will do nothing to deter someone determined to do harm to a flight. CLEARLY, there is more to this whole story/situation than either the TSA, US Government, or UA is letting on if turning off the IFE is the "fix."
UA PR needs to get out in front of this before it devolves (further).
Dec 26, 2009, 10:44 pm
#59
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I'm thankful that someone has gone ahead and started this thread as I was wondering what the exact "increased security measures" were going to be. I'm in TPE right now, with a TPE-NRT-SEA-PDX flight coming up in a week, so it'll be interesting, to say the least. I was also in Asia during the liquid explosives incident in a couple of years but thankfully that blew over by the time I was headed back to the States.
Sure, I'd like the IFE as much as the next guy but what drives me crazy is this no movement for an hour prior to landing. I can't wait to be looked as suspiciously every time I go to the restroom during a flight.
Dec 26, 2009, 10:49 pm
#60
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Well, this just confirms that someone from UA has to step up and explain. Who made the call to discontinue IFE, for how long will this be in effect, and why? Passengers are owed these answers at a minimum.