Airline service has officially hit rock bottom

[Single Seat]

Found this on another board. Absolutely disgusting. I'd be ashamed to work for them, and I'm willing to bet the lawyers are all chomping at the bit to take this one on.

It's a shame such a prestigious career path, and a once revered mode of transportation has been reduced to this.

Even for evil airline stories, this one may shock you. How about:

• Holding $5,000 in tickets from a family for six months, then telling them the day before that the flight has been canceled;
• When confronted with the fact that the flight hasn't been canceled, telling the family that the reservation has been lost;
• Finally admitting that they've bumped the family from the flight and were lying about the cancelation and the lost reservation;
• Offering replacement seats on multiple planes and days, splitting the family up on different flights and depositing them at different islands;
• Offering to get them there 5 days into a 7 day vacation, part of which was scheduled to spend time with a family member who was dying in a hospice in Hawaii;
• Refusing to write a letter on the family's behalf so that they can collect their insurance payment on the house they rented but never used.

With one act of disregard, United destroyed the vacation, cost the family over $10,000 in house rental fees that they can't get back, and forced them to cancel the trip. The dying family member they didn't get to see passed away in early June.

 

[nzachman]

Thats terrible. I am assuming this type of incident isn't a one time deal or limited to United Airlines. I also heard on the news here a couple of days ago that some airlines are making soldiers returning from Iraq/Afghanistan pay $25 to check their gear. Thats a nice way to say thanks for flying with us today and fighting in Iraq/Afghanistan. That being said, flying still beats driving.

 

[fc2spyguy]

Thats terrible. I am assuming this type of incident isn't a one time deal or limited to United Airlines. I also heard on the news here a couple of days ago that some airlines are making soldiers returning from Iraq/Afghanistan pay $25 to check their gear. Thats a nice way to say thanks for flying with us today and fighting in Iraq/Afghanistan. That being said, flying still beats driving.

I don't expect special treatment for being in the military. I never have, and never will. That being said, I don't pass up any deals either. Besides, all the soldiers have to do is get a receipt and claim it on their travel.

 

[Brett327]

I don't expect special treatment for being in the military. I never have, and never will. That being said, I don't pass up any deals either. Besides, all the soldiers have to do is get a receipt and claim it on their travel.

Yeah, no kidding. If there is a fee for checked bags, everyone should pay. After all, it's not like it's coming out of the servicemember's pocket anyway - that's what travel claims are for.

Brett

 

[Smacked_in_ATL]

I don't expect special treatment for being in the military. I never have, and never will. That being said, I don't pass up any deals either. Besides, all the soldiers have to do is get a receipt and claim it on their travel.

Exactly, so whats the big deal?

 

[cosmania]

I think the big difference for the military is that most servicemembers have gear that they MUST carry. This isn't extra pairs of tighty-whiteys, this is kevlar, flight gear, books, etc. The fact that they have to check 2 bags has nothing to do with their own personal vanity. I think the policy is OK, but I could see exceptions for military based upon their dual lives.

 

[picklesuit]

I have to say that there have been days where I didn't have the $25 in my pocket while travelling for the Gov't. That being said, I would think a Gov't Travel card could be used.

 

[Aether]

IIRC, an article I read said the fee was for a THIRD bag. Soldiers going on deployment (or returning from) were allowed a second bag for free. Maybe it was just that airline, though.

And the airline made the same excuse: They can get a receipt and get reimbursed. The argument against this was, "In a war zone, geting a couple hundred dollars back might not be your top priority."

 

[Brett327]

IIRC, an article I read said the fee was for a THIRD bag. Soldiers going on deployment (or returning from) were allowed a second bag for free. Maybe it was just that airline, though.

And the airline made the same excuse: They can get a receipt and get reimbursed. The argument against this was, "In a war zone, geting a couple hundred dollars back might not be your top priority."

Some airlines are charging for ANY checked bags - I just experienced that w/ US Airways. At any rate, it's not a charge for people's vanity, but a way for the airlines to cover some of their increased costs based on the price of fuel. WRT the military, it's a non-issue, as the servicemember doesn't pay a cent of it.

Can we please stop whining about it like it's the height of injustice?

Brett

 

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

Yea the bag fee really shouldn't be a big deal to anyone. It pains me when someone gets angry with me when I tell them it costs $15 to check their bag. Then they pull out a platinum american express business card.

Seriously though go get a quote on FedEx or UPS for sameday shipping on a 40lb piece of luggage. You'll take the $15 charge. It's not like it doesn't cost the airline to carry the luggage. It does and it is directly related to fuel.

 

[gaetabob]

Last week, if I'm remembering right, American Airlines CEO announced that he was reversing the policy and not charging military on orders for checked baggage because it initially comes out of the service member's pocket, and even though it's put on the travel claim, it can be a pain and take a while to get the travel claim back. Not sure if that was for all military on orders, or only those headed to the sandbox. Regardless, it's a nice gesture...

 

[PropAddict]

Airline service has officially hit rock bottom

Aren't you the commensurate optimist?

So, I weigh 155 lbs. The guy across the aisle from me had to weigh 300. Why should we both be charged the same?

Unless it's a trip longer than a week, I cram all my stuff in a backpack and carry it on the plane. Why should I pay the same baggage fees as the guy who brings a carry on and a suitcase?

I will snag a bag of peanuts and a bottle of water from the attendants. Why should I pay the same as the lady who keeps downing coffee refills like it's her job?

I bring my own magazines on the flight. Why should I pay the same as the guy who needs reading material supplied in his seat back pocket?

I use the head before I board the plane. Why should I pay the same as the guy with the enlarged prostate who uses the lav every 5 minutes?

If fuel prices keep climbing, I would not be surprised to see the airlines expanding their Point of Service charges in the areas mentioned. After all, when deciding whether to fly somewhere or not, we often just look at the initial ticket price. Call me short-sighted, but I don't usually factor in taxes, Sept 11 fees, cab/parking fees to get me there, and airport concessions while I'm waiting. I look at that ticket price, like most people. And the cheaper they can make it, the more likely folks are to fly.

Welcome to air travel in America. Leave your sense of entitlement at the gate.

 

[picklesuit]

Aren't you the commensurate optimist?

So, I weigh 155 lbs. The guy across the aisle from me had to weigh 300. Why should we both be charged the same?

Unless it's a trip longer than a week, I cram all my stuff in a backpack and carry it on the plane. Why should I pay the same baggage fees as the guy who brings a carry on and a suitcase?

I will snag a bag of peanuts and a bottle of water from the attendants. Why should I pay the same as the lady who keeps downing coffee refills like it's her job?

I bring my own magazines on the flight. Why should I pay the same as the guy who needs reading material supplied in his seat back pocket?

I use the head before I board the plane. Why should I pay the same as the guy with the enlarged prostate who uses the lav every 5 minutes?

If fuel prices keep climbing, I would not be surprised to see the airlines expanding their Point of Service charges in the areas mentioned. After all, when deciding whether to fly somewhere or not, we often just look at the initial ticket price. Call me short-sighted, but I don't usually factor in taxes, Sept 11 fees, cab/parking fees to get me there, and airport concessions while I'm waiting. I look at that ticket price, like most people. And the cheaper they can make it, the more likely folks are to fly.

Welcome to air travel in America. Leave your sense of entitlement at the gate.

Joining the mile-high club with an United Airlines stewardess will now cost $25 for the transfer of weight aft of CG. Cash only please.

 

[Single Seat]

Joining the mile-high club with an United Airlines stewardess will now cost $25 for the transfer of weight aft of CG. Cash only please.

Yeah, that txfr of weight being the 55 y/o, 250 lb stew you're hooking up with. No thanks.

Nice thread jack. I was talking about these people being screwed out of 10 grand and a chance for the kids to see their dad before he died, and you guys in two comments turn it into bag checking!

The more things change....

 

[gaetabob]

sorry...

back on topic, I think that family definitely has grounds for a law suit. I rarely support law suits, but this is one of those occations. I don't think money would truly make things right, but the right jury and judge could set a verdict that might start to get the the airlines' attentions. It'll probably add fuel to the congressional debates on passengers' bill of rights...