United Airlines Flight - UA 1161
Pros
- Non-Stop Flight
- 1 Full Can of Coke
Cons
- Poor Leg Room
- Uncomfortable Seat
- Having to Check my Bag when I did not need to
I had an opportunity to attend a blogging conference in San Fransisco last week but I have not flown in an airplane in about 12+ years. The flight out there was great, no problems, no concerns, no hiccups, and for not having flown in some time, I was thankful it went so smoothly.
Even with having to deal with TSA for the first time, since it didn’t exist the last time I flew, was pretty easy. Just follow the rules, and I was through in under 2 minutes. All that worrying for nothing, since I had no snags with that in either direction.
So what went wrong? It was my flight home.
Flight UA 1161 – United Airlines flight SFO – CLE on Sunday 2/22/2015
So let’s break down what went wrong. Delays occur, I can understand that. Things happen, yes, I can understand that. I got to the airport earlier than normal that day, so that I could possibly get something to eat before I fly. I was able to do that, $17 for breakfast was a little expensive to me, but again, things have changed since the last time I flew. I got that.
So I am back at the gate, anxiously awaiting for it to arrive, so that I could be on my way home. Then everything starts going down hill from there. As they were bringing in the ramp to load up to the plane to allow everyone off, somehow it gets stuck, stops moving, and there are groups of people trying to figure out what to do, so that they can get everyone off the plane, who had just arrived.
They had to use a forklift, to keep the bridge steady, and secure enough for everyone to get off the plane. Well, just shortly after everyone was off the plane, we get the announcement, that we are to move from gate 74, over to 73, as they plan to move the plane. This sets us back another hour and a half, as they have to move and clean the airplane. I understand this, but again just one of the hiccups of the flight to come.
Now for this trip, I traveled light. I only had my carry-on bag. Nothing extra, no small personal item bag, or briefcase or duffel bag like other people had. Just one normal, flight sized carry-on piece of luggage. So as everyone is finally getting to board the plane, that is already late mind you, and behind schedule, I get up to the podium to scan my ticket, when one of the UA workers there, goes and grabs my bag and says I have to check it. I asked why, and was told that the plane was full and that there would be no room for it in the overhead compartment. Now mind you, I have one bag, not the multiple items that others had boarding the plane. So I grab my portable charger device and reluctantly turn my bag over to them. So I board the plane, and what do I begin to see? As I pass rows and rows of seats that already have passengers sitting and situated, yes, you guessed it, empty spots in the overhead compartments on the way back to my seat. How many open spots? If I was to guess, about 10-12 of them.
So I get to my seat, sit down, and think to myself, how was that fair at all? The could have let me try to see if there was a spot before taking it away from me. Then if there wasn’t, checking it then, no? That might have made sense. Let’s not go with that idea.
We get into the air, I am flying home, and that was what was getting me through this, getting to go home and see my wife again after a couple of days of being away. It was that time of the flight where drink service was to begin. I am like good, going to get me something to drink, calm myself down, and try to just not think about everything else and get home. My turn to order, yeah! I ask for Coca-Cola, and they ask if I want the can, I said sure, as I was thirsty, and wanted the rest. So they fill the cup half way, hand it to me, and they hand me another already opened can, that had less than half of it left, and they move the cart away. So I pour some more into the cup and its gone, I get almost a full cup out of it with the ice in it. Wow, did I feel important. Not!
Mind you, the second time they came around, I got a full can out of it. Just rubbed me the wrong way with everything else that had gone wrong that day, up to that point.
We finally land, and I think “yes, time to go home”, nope, I forgot I have to now go find baggage claim to get my bag. Would have been nice to have pulled it from one of those many open spots that was available, especially after all the other stuff people were allowed to bring on, and store up there. So off I go to baggage claim, by this time my wife is circling the pick up area, as they don’t like you to sit too long, and I keep texting “I will be out as soon as I can”. I got to baggage claim. How long do you think it took for the conveyor belts to start moving? I will give you a hint, it was between 19 and 21 minutes.
So I finally have my bag, go outside, finally see my wife waiting for me, load up my bag, and on our way home. I get home, and I wanted to share with my wife a souveiner I bought for our Christmas Tree while I was in San Fransisco. I open my suitcase, open the bag, and sure enough it was broke. My thoughts automatically went to pondering, would that have happened if I did not have to check my bag? I think it would have not. I was thankful my iPad and Galaxy Tab survived the trip, again never would have thought I would have had to check my bag, since it was the only thing I had on me.
So what did I learn? that although I had never flown with United Airlines prior to this incident, that I don’t think I want to fly with them again. It would take some really good kindness and generosity for that to happen again. I also learned that all people don’t get treated fairly when you fly, as I think if someone had just took time to check, I could have brought my bag with me in the first place.  Lastly, that I hope experiences like this don’t happen to anyone else.
Thanks for taking time to check this article out. Leave any comments you have below. What have been some of your experiences with flying?
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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What a time-consuming nightmare!! The airline caused the delay and, yet by the way, they were treating you – you might as well as been a terrorist!!
When we were coming home from Florida or AA, we had am hour & 1/2 lay over. They said it was because of the weather. What a little rain! We had to sit the whole time & it was hot in there. Forget getting any service. By the time our plane took off, we were hot, parched and stiff. I think for all they put us through, they should offer something in the way of compensation!!!
Thank you so much for your comment Sue! I do appreciate it. Still waiting for a reply from them. ~Tom
This is horrible. I know that my husband flies frequently and hates to check his bags too. I hope that they will see your blog post and respond appropriately. FYI, don’t fly Spirit Airlines.
I personally haven’t flown in over 10 years and so much has changed.
Thank you for your comment. I will try not to fly Spirit! ~Tom
Oye. I wish I could say I was surprised. I fell regularly for 10 years and I had way more dissatisfied experiences than I can count. While I’ve never flown with United, I can tell you other airlines are the same. My MIL is a flight attendant so I try not to bash the airlines too much lol. I hope they read this!
I am not a fan of flying. At all. I always seem to run into some trouble at airports – I cannot believe breakfast was $17! That’s the first thing that caught my attention. I am a cheap person so I would cringe at spending even $10 haha! I also hate when they barely give you anything to drink. Planes make my throat dry, so half of a cup of soda wouldn’t cut it for me. As far as having to check a bag (a carry on at that!) sounds ridiculous to me. If it’s a small carry on, you should be allowed to put it under the seat in front of you.
So sorry you had such a rough flight home! Hopefully the next one is better! 🙂
Flying these days can be a very frustrating experience. It is very expensive and any convenience is gone. I usually handle all the little annoyances easily, but I get really annoyed with delays.
I would definitely take the time to complain, not to their lil I don’t care complaint section. Straight to the CEO of United Airlines. Youll get nowhere if you try anywhere else. I learned that the hard way. That is ridiculous that you couldn’t carry your bag on when there was empty spots and end up having your bag treated so badly that it was broke. No excuse whatsoever.
I think this article is a bit of an over reaction. Delays and technical difficulties are usually out of most control.
As for your suitcase, you should never check electronics, that’s a given, you should have taken them out before checking it. Granted you didn’t want ti, buy they made you (again I get that you didn’t want to check it) but had those electronics been damaged they wouldn’t be responsible for it.
Did you pay for this ticket? Or was it provided to you? Did you have a choice of airline?
I hardly think united is going to take your complaint seriously. You haven’t flown in over 12 years, hardly a frequent flier. It would take some really good kindness and generosity for that to happen again. This statement makes it seem you’re just out to get something for free, which this flight already was???!! It would take some really good kindness and generosity for that to happen again.Â
Hi Jenny, thank you so much for your response. It made me want to to do one of two things at first. One, delete your comment, and move on. Secondly, I had considered for a second to take my article down. I changed my mind on both. I am a proponent for free speech and open minded thought so here is my reply.
1. On your comment of Delays, I had already said and I quote:
I had already addressed that I understood delays occur, I only included it, because of the overall dis-satisfaction of the overall service at this time, but I am well aware that things occur.
2. Responsibility: Again, maybe you are right about grabbing everything, but let me see, to carry 2 tablets, my phone, the charger I had grabbed, all without a bag to put them in, oh that’s right they forced me to check my bag, I would have had an interesting time juggling those, in an economy seat without possibly damaging them myself.
3. Paying for the ticket. You might have a point there. Albeit it, a small one. What does it matter if I paid for the ticket, or if someone else did. Does that change the rules on how customer service is to be provided? If this was you in my shoes, and I paid for your ticket, would you expect less than the person sitting next to you that paid for their ticket? I don’t think so. (By the way, the ticket was provided for me everyone, I will make an anecdote to the article covering that).
4. Taking my complaint seriously. What does the time since I have flown, have anything to do with customer service? So you are telling me that if you had a bag with you, that say had a family heirloom in it, and you were not able to take it out of your carry on, and it was the only bag you brought for the whole trip, that if it got damaged because they made you check your bag, when again walking to your seat, you see empty spots in the overhead compartments, with the plane almost full, that you would not be upset? I was one of the last 3 people to board the plane based on my seating group. With that many open spots, and having to check my bag, yes I was upset, not to mention the time I lost having to wait for my bag when I got to Cleveland at baggage claim.
5. The last time I flew regularly, I was flying with Continental Airlines. I “never” had a problem with them, great customer service, flawless flights, I was a loyal brand customer in that aspect. Sure, 12 years later I will be starting to fly more often, but I don’t want things like what happened to me on this flight to keep happening again. I might take that line out “It would take some really good kindness and generosity for that to happen again” out, but that does not change the aspects of what went wrong with this flight, and my concerns with it.
Thank you again for your comment, love having you here. So where have you been on all my other articles and reviews? Would love people like you who voice opinions and thoughts. Have a great day Jenny, thanks for being here at A Medic’s World. ~Tom
I hope you didn’t have to PAY for that checked bag. I would definitely dispute it.