F#@%ing United Airlines!!!!

Frankie · 06-13-2005, 09:57 AM

HELP!!!

My 82 year old mom, had a very rough time of traveling from Indiana to Iowa the other day, thanks to the friendly skies of United. The delay in the first leg of the flight caused her to miss her Chicago connection. Booked on the next flight from Chicago there was five separate delays. Long story short, whereas she was supposed to arrive in Des Moines at 4:30 pm she arrived a little past 9:30 pm. On top of that, they neglected to give her the wheel chair service we had asked for in both Chicago and DM! ON TOP OF THAT, her new suitcase was badly ripped open. The United baggage claim woman rudely washed her hands (United's hand) off of any responsibility for that. "You need to contact the manufacturer!" Pure bull crap!!

Now that I'm trying to contact United, I only get many levels of recordings, none having anything to do with our problem. Googling United customer service hasn't been helpful.

I know United is going bankrupt and probably don't give two bird droppings about the customer. Nevertheless, I need your advice.

06-13-2005, 10:01 AM

You really want advice? I don't think you're going to like it.

United and every other airline is just that, an airborne taxi service. They don't have nurses on staff. If your mother is 82 and wheelchair bound, she needs to have an accompanying nursemaid or your going to continue to be disappointed no matter which airline you fly. Or, she need not fly at all.

Frankie · 06-13-2005, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

You really want advice? I don't think you're going to like it.

United and every other airline is just that, an airborne taxi service. They don't have nurses on staff. If your mother is 82 and wheelchair bound, she needs to have an accompanying nursemaid or your going to continue to be disappointed no matter which airline you fly. Or, she need not fly at all.

Mom's not wheelchair bound. But weakened by age. Lives in Indiana close to one son. But visits the other two once a year each. We've been asking and receiving wheelcahir service for her especially through larger airports. That's never been outside of the norm. Nor, the airlines owning up to their damaging of one's property through neglect and mishandling. Sorry Phob, I don't agree with your point.

**ptlyon** · 06-13-2005, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

Nor, the airlines owning up to their damaging of one's property through neglect and mishandling.

And that isn't the airlines fault. Once you check in luggage and it goes on that conveyor belt it is handled by the airport staff, not the airlines.

06-13-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

Mom's not wheelchair bound. But weakened by age. Lives in Indiana close to one son. But visits the other two once a year each. We've been asking and receiving wheelcahir service for her especially through larger airports. That's never been outside of the norm. Nor, the airlines owning up to their damaging of one's property through neglect and mishandling. Sorry Phob, I don't agree with your point.

I don't expect you would agree since you're intimately involved.

I think the bag is a separate issue. Weather delays are another issue entirely. Given the alternatives, I'll take Momma arriving 5 hours late.

The 3rd issue:
I think that any person who can't get around for themselves should either pay a premium for babysitting or bring along their own babysitter. You can't expect an airline to hold somebody's hand for $89.95.

Frankie · 06-13-2005, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

I don't expect you would agree since you're intimately involved.

I think the bag is a separate issue. Weather delays are another issue entirely. Given the alternatives, I'll take Momma arriving 5 hours late.

The 3rd issue:
I think that any person who can't get around for themselves should either pay a premium for babysitting or bring along their own babysitter. You can't expect an airline to hold somebody's hand for $89.95.

More like $289.95.

**Donger** · 06-13-2005, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

More like $289.95.

Damn. Expensive peanuts.

06-13-2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

More like $289.95.

From Indiana to Iowa? Your kidding. I can fly all the way across the country for that. I can fly my wife and I to London for a little more than that.

For $289.95 on a 45 minute flight, you should expect a happy ending.

jspchief · 06-13-2005, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

Mom's not wheelchair bound. But weakened by age. Lives in Indiana close to one son. But visits the other two once a year each. We've been asking and receiving wheelcahir service for her especially through larger airports. That's never been outside of the norm. Nor, the airlines owning up to their damaging of one's property through neglect and mishandling. Sorry Phob, I don't agree with your point.

Oh, so you're saying you've always had good service in the past, but just want to bitch about the one time you didn't get it.

In other words, they get it right more often than not.

Frankie · 06-13-2005, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

Oh, so you're saying you've always had good service in the past, but just want to bitch about the one time you didn't get it.

In other words, they get it right more often than not.

We got average, acceptable service genarally. This one was TERRIBLE. What's worse, I had insisted and convinced my mom to come and visit as she was using advancing age as the excuse not to travel here.

06-13-2005, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

We got average, acceptable service genarally. This one was TERRIBLE. What's worse, I had insisted and convinced my mom to come and visit as she was using advancing age as the excuse not to travel here.

You should listen to your mother, young man.

Oxford · 06-13-2005, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

You really want advice?
United and every other airline is just that, an airborne taxi service.

That I agree with, HOWEVER she is their customer and they did accept her as a passsenger (without medical qualifications) so in that respect they should help her within the bounds of the airport. Bag and weather what can you do. It would not surprise me to find something in the ADA act (admittedly as poorly crafted as that abortion is), that covers this aspect of public travel.

But, travelling on an airline is not what it used to be!

**Rain Man** · 06-13-2005, 10:02 AM

Never route through Chicago, unless it's through Midway.

wutamess · 06-13-2005, 10:03 AM

Phob,
Well put...
In other words... stop your bitching... man up and S.T.F.U!

Your bitching will get you nowhere and you already know this.

Eleazar · 06-13-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

United and every other airline is just that, an airborne taxi service. They don't have nurses on staff. If your mother is 82 and wheelchair bound, she needs to have an accompanying nursemaid or your going to continue to be disappointed no matter which airline you fly. Or, she need not fly at all.

I agree. If they can restrict pregnant women from flying once they are so far along in their pregnancy then why can't there be other standards of health and/or mobility applied for people travelling alone?

I'm not aware of many airlines that are turning a profit these days. You can't expect them to offer hand and foot treatment at the price-war fares that people expect. IMO if someone needs this kind of attention they should have someone else accompanying them.

06-13-2005, 09:57 AM	Topic Starter
Frankie Banned Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	F#@%ing United Airlines!!!! HELP!!! My 82 year old mom, had a very rough time of traveling from Indiana to Iowa the other day, thanks to the friendly skies of United. The delay in the first leg of the flight caused her to miss her Chicago connection. Booked on the next flight from Chicago there was five separate delays. Long story short, whereas she was supposed to arrive in Des Moines at 4:30 pm she arrived a little past 9:30 pm. On top of that, they neglected to give her the wheel chair service we had asked for in both Chicago and DM! ON TOP OF THAT, her new suitcase was badly ripped open. The United baggage claim woman rudely washed her hands (United's hand) off of any responsibility for that. "You need to contact the manufacturer!" Pure bull crap!! Now that I'm trying to contact United, I only get many levels of recordings, none having anything to do with our problem. Googling United customer service hasn't been helpful. I know United is going bankrupt and probably don't give two bird droppings about the customer. Nevertheless, I need your advice.
Posts: 26,959

06-13-2005, 10:01 AM	#2
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	You really want advice? I don't think you're going to like it. United and every other airline is just that, an airborne taxi service. They don't have nurses on staff. If your mother is 82 and wheelchair bound, she needs to have an accompanying nursemaid or your going to continue to be disappointed no matter which airline you fly. Or, she need not fly at all.
Posts: n/a

06-13-2005, 10:02 AM	#13
Rain Man Seize life. Be an ermine. Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $-532449 VARSITY	Never route through Chicago, unless it's through Midway. __________________ Active fan of the greatest team in NFL history.
Posts: 145,330

06-13-2005, 10:03 AM	#14
wutamess MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lee's Summit Casino cash: $4711637	Phob, Well put... In other words... stop your bitching... man up and S.T.F.U! Your bitching will get you nowhere and you already know this.
Posts: 8,290