noplasticshowers

Back in the old days when United had equipment problems (which understandably happens sometimes), they would get another plane to the gate immediately and fly to their destination within an hour or two. Now under Jeff Smisek’s pathetic leadership, operations is so screwed up that United does the mystery five hour delay followed by a flight cancellation. Leave em hanging and then strand em!

Jeff Smisek explains that he can neither run an airline nor tie his shoes.

For the second “flight” in a row, this has happened, and today it’s my birthday to boot. So I get rebooked on a flight that departs 8.5 hours after the one I was supposed to be on. And I get to be in a middle seat for 5.5 hours.

Was my business impacted again? Of course. I am supposed to be on a private cyber war panel in San Francisco this afternoon and have other business meetings as well (including recording a podcast). If you count on United to get you where you need to be for business, you should choose another airline.

Email trail:
Confirmation number:
United flight UA1429 on February 25 is delayed due to aircraft servicing.
Now departs: 12:30 p.m. on February 25 from gate D29, Washington, DC (IAD – Dulles)
Now arrives: 3:06 p.m. on February 25 at San Francisco, CA (SFO)
====
Confirmation number:
United flight UA1429 on February 25 is delayed due to aircraft servicing.
Now departs: 3:00 p.m. on February 25 from gate D29, Washington, DC (IAD – Dulles)
Now arrives: 5:49 p.m. on February 25 at San Francisco, CA (SFO)
====
@1:27pm
Confirmation number:
United flight UA1429 from Washington, DC (IAD – Dulles) to San Francisco, CA (SFO) on February 25 is canceled.
====
Confirmation number:
United flight UA1474 will depart from gate D21.
Departs: Gate D21, Washington, DC (IAD – Dulles) at 4:55 p.m. on February 25
Arrives: San Francisco, CA (SFO) at 7:58 p.m. on February 25

All that and a middle seat to boot (though see below).

Top it all off with a hugely unsatisfying call with “Customer Care” through the 100K desk (apparently routed to Camaroon call center).

On a slightly brighter note (like, say a 25 watt bulb), @united tweet people switched me from a center seat to a window. I can pretend I am 10 years old today! Better than middle I guess.