It’s New Years Eve, and while my “Predictions for 2012″ post will come later, I can now safely predict the following: United Airlines is going to screw with us on today’s flight home.
How do I know? In point of fact, that merry band of practical jokers — cleverly masquerading as a real business — have already started.
Our early afternoon flight has already been delayed three hours, and our seats — already none too choice to begin with — have been scrambled yet again.
Yay, United Airlines! Well played, my frisky airline opponents.
(Which flight attendant is taking care of Little M again?)
The cherry topping atop this Parfait of Travel Pain is that we’re supposed to show up at the airport in time to make the original flight, just in case they pull their heads out of their… well, anyway.
So we’re looking at three hours in a small, crowded terminal with a trending-towards-savage three year-old, which gives us all plenty of time to ponder the following question:
When exactly did banks, airlines, oil companies and others start treating customers approximately the same way a baby treats a diaper?
Assuming we’re not shifted to seats on the wing (our homage to William Shatner), I’ll see you at SFO. Tom Chandler.
UPDATE: The Skycap told us they’ve got nearly 50 more passengers than seats. Excellent gambit, United! I salute you…
UPDATE: Ha! 4:20 and through airplane hasn’t arrived in HI yet. United, we salute you (guess which salute?).
Remember the day when you looked forward to air travel – dressed up for it – said goodbye and hello to your friends and family at the gate – went from car to window seat in ten minutes? Bah!
Mike(Quote)
Yes I do, but I’m old. I remember when children weren’t trampled at the gate so people could claim overhead luggage space because it costs money to check bags. Or when you actually got the seat you paid for.
I also know I’d better lose the attitude [the airlines have translated business disputes into federal crimes], or I’m riding home in metal bracelets…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
God speed John Glenn.
Smart and Better Looking Brother(Quote)
Let’s see…….5pm here in the Seattle area…L&T has stuffed TC in the overhead to lessen the whining,Miss M is in the cockpit dancing and charming the flight crew OR they have made it to the mainland,surly blogmaster about to throw down maximum snarkiness on Un-tied Airlines….OR he has done that and we’ll see him in a stylish orange jumpsuit
JP2(Quote)
Ha! United is even late when they’re late — the plane hasn’t even arrived at the Mona airport yet. Passengers basically too tired to revolt.
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Sufferin’ Catfish! Just read the last twitter feed …..sounds like the airline is waiting for the Stockholm Syndrome to kick in……Based on this BS, I’ll fly RyanAir again before I give United any money……
JP2(Quote)
Still on tarmac. Kids on plane melting down. Can’t even tell us if we’re flying or not.
Tom Chandler(Quote)