United Airlines did us WRONG

[PlatypusMan]

Originally Posted by whse56

Sweet Jesus, how did you keep from going psycho on someone? I can't imagine having a Merry Xmas trip like that. Hopefully you send this post to American Airlines, I'm sure you will just get a meally mouthed reply but you never know.

Actually, the reply I suspect he would get would be:

"Thank you for contacting us at American about your recent poor experience with United Airlines. Have a special day!"

[IrishSquid]

Originally Posted by PlatypusMan

Actually, the reply I suspect he would get would be:

"Thank you for contacting us at American about your recent poor experience with United Airlines. Have a special day!"

Priceless

[Mtrewyn]

After that flight I think I would sent it to The FAA as well as all the Carriers that service KC, and all the airports that you went through, and that repeat it to anyone that will listen.

That is horrible!! that is like the nightmare we all dread about flying.

[DivingCRNA]

Originally Posted by Navy OnStar

First....I don't have the words for your experience! You obviously handled it much better than I would have.......They would be setting bail for me right now for choking half a dozen people.

As far as the weather, most large commercial airports have approaches that go down to 100ft. That means that when the plane reaches 100ft if the pilots cannot see the runway they HAVE to wave off. There are some Cat III approaches that will actually land the plane they are so accurate but not every airport has the approach nor does every plane. Since Navy Helicopters don't have the ability, I don't know all the specifics, but I believe only the largest airports in the country currently use them (Denver, Houston, Atlanta, DC, LA, etc)

We were at O'Hare and the pilot told us on the intercom that the vis was 1/4 mile when he tried to land.

[DivingCRNA]

By the way, the whole trip was not terrible. I just put the bad stuff here in the complaints to clean up the rest of the report later. I am waiting to write up the fun stuff when I have the UW pics from my brother in law and my pics.

The cord that goes between the computer and the camera is in my checked bag

[DivingCRNA]

Originally Posted by Mtrewyn

After that flight I think I would sent it to The FAA as well as all the Carriers that service KC, and all the airports that you went through, and that repeat it to anyone that will listen.

That is horrible!! that is like the nightmare we all dread about flying.

I have flown a lot, and never had anything like this happen. I have been delayed and held over night, but never lost bags both ways...

[teknitroxdiver]

Originally Posted by Navy OnStar

First....I don't have the words for your experience! You obviously handled it much better than I would have.......They would be setting bail for me right now for choking half a dozen people.

As far as the weather, most large commercial airports have approaches that go down to 100ft. That means that when the plane reaches 100ft if the pilots cannot see the runway they HAVE to wave off. There are some Cat III approaches that will actually land the plane they are so accurate but not every airport has the approach nor does every plane. Since Navy Helicopters don't have the ability, I don't know all the specifics, but I believe only the largest airports in the country currently use them (Denver, Houston, Atlanta, DC, LA, etc)

CAT II approaches get you to 100' AGL, CAT III is an autoland-only system. Runways appropriate for that day's wind conditions at ORD are equipped with both systems. (Runways 14L/R) However, it would depend on the specific airplane he was in (United flies CRJ-700s, A-319s, 737-300, 757-200, and CRJ-200s from MCI-ORD) whether it was certified for CAT II/III approaches. Also the aircraft would have to have performed an autoland landing within a certain number of days.

Basically what I'm saying is the pilot didn't "chicken out", it was not legal for him to continue the approach. With the no doubt large number of aircraft in the holding patterns waiting to land, it would be a long time before that aircraft would get a chance to try again, possibly longer than the aircraft had the fuel for.

[DivingCRNA]

An update. My new friends at US Airways told me they have ALL my bags and they will be in Joplin for pick up tomorrow morning. They offered to deliver, but I want to involve fewer folks in the process.

A person at the baggage counter in KC personally called me. Now THAT is customer service.

I will have regs for New Year's Day.

[Formerly 45yroldNewbie]

Let me just throw out there that if anyone gets stuck @ O'Hare they can give me a call and I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I'm only about twenty minutes from there and a little friendly local knowledge can be very helpful in a stressful situation. You can reach me via my cell# (312)-446-8871.

As for United I've noticed it is either sink or swim with them. Sorry your trip had its "issues" but glad you got to dive and enjoy some sun.

[CPTOZZY]

The last time I paid for a United flight it was also a nightmare.
It was 1999 and I was taking my son to the USTU Taekwondo Nationals in Las Vegas. His entire Taekwondo team was with them, 40+ Kids from 8-18 plus Various parents and Coaches etc. - I would guess at least 25% of the passengers.

During the flight some of the kids would swap seats to talk to thier buddies, didn't inconvenience any other passengers at all. No complaint from the flight crew or any passenger. Then our teams Head coach (who is of Egyptian Descent) swapped seats to talk to one of the Parents/coaches. This snooty Bitchy Attendant told him he could not change seats. he explained that it was just for a moment so He could talk to this individual without blocking the Isle. The Flight attendant said if he didn't return to his seat immediatly he would be Arrested!
Now, at this time I'm in the back of the plane waiting to use the Restroom. I'm not wearing the team jacket (that most, including the Head Coach) were. I ask the flight attendants that were in the galley what was going on, and one of them told me that they were worried that "that Middle Eastern Man was a Terrorist", and that they had plans to "hold him" once the plane landed.
I explained that he was not a terrorist, that he was the head coach of an elite Taekwondo team. The flight attendants seemed embarrassed, but sure enough after we landed, security detained our head coach !! Luckily the guy he had been talking to was the Police Cheif of Rockville, MD (and would soon become Chief of Police for the US Supreme Court), and we also had several high $$ Attorneys etc. whose kids were on the team.

Anyway, Security Let him go within a very short time, but no apologies for the absolutely horrible treatment that he was given.

I vowed never to fly United again, but being Active Duty Military, sometimes when flying on official business I have no choice....

BTW My son won Gold and Bronze at the Nationals that Year!

The Head coach has since been named as the United STates National Collegiate Coach, and is one of 5 Coaches who will coach our athletes at all major international events, including the next Olympics