For only the second time since I have been writing this
blog, I am posting a negative commentary. We recently returned from a great
trip to Ireland and Scotland. While we flew Air Canada from Chicago to Dublin
and Aer Lingus from Edinburgh to Chicago, we had to get from Kona to Chicago. I
have waited a week to write this to see if I calmed down, but it hasn't
happened. We flew United from Kona to Chicago, much to our sorrow.
As usual from Kona, we flew the red eye to San Francisco
and then on to Chicago. Knowing how bad the seating is, we upgraded to Economy
Plus to get some leg room, which was fine. Once we reached cruising altitude,
the flight attendants came around with beverage service. That was the last time
they were in the cabin for the rest of the flight. For five hours that sat
around talking, ignoring the passengers. I guess they have classes in how to
treat their passengers by not providing service.
On the flight from San Francisco to Chicago we were not
able to upgrade and sat in the rear of the plane. It was the most uncomfortable
ride I have ever had. My knees were pressed against the seat in front of me so
that it was not possible to move. Being locked in that position all I could do
is listen to the flight attendants complain about United. It must really be a
company that really "cares" about its employees, because the flight
attendants had nothing nice to say.
The flights from Chicago to Dublin and from Edinburgh to
Chicago were delightful. We had absolutely nothing bad to say about them. The
seats were comfortable and the flight attendants continually provided service.
Coming back to Kona from Chicago was even worse than
flying out. The flight out of Chicago left over an hour late. Even though
Chicago is the main United hub, they had no pilots to fly the plane. Pilots had
to brought in from Houston. Rather than board the passengers so that all was
ready when the pilots arrived, they waited until the pilots arrived to board
the passengers. Consequently, the plane arrived in San Francisco late and we
missed our connection by about five minutes. We were told that there was no way
to hold the plane while the passengers from Chicago made their way to the gate
on the other end of the terminal. They also said they did not have the
technology to find out where our departure gate was. Funny, I can remember
flights over thirty years ago when the flight attendants would read off a list
of gates for connecting flights. I guess United is thirty years behind
everybody else technologically.
But wait, it gets worse. When we got to the connecting
gate, the plane was still there but the door had been closed, consequently we
couldn't board even though one of their employees tried to get us on. If they had people meet the Chicago plane
with carts and called ahead, we could have made the flight, but United doesn't
have that kind of technology. Maybe in a few years they might upgrade to 1980s
technology.
So we went to the customer service counter to get
scheduled on another flight. There was no one waiting for service so we walked
up to the counter only to be told that we entered through the Premier Class
line and would have to enter through the Coach line. So I took one step to the
side and now it was alright to approach the counter. They must have intensive
training in how to insult their passengers. It seems everyone that works for
United has been screened so that they all have a nasty streak. We did get
scheduled on a flight the next morning and they gave us vouchers for a hotel
and meals. The hotel voucher paid for a Hilton Double Tree which was very nice.
The meal vouchers were for $7.00. Where can you get dinner or breakfast for
$7.00? The United fiscal people must still be back in the 1930s.
So I must recommend that you never fly United. We are
limited in Kona, but I will fly to Honolulu to catch a flight rather that use
United. It was the worst flying experience I have ever had. Especially since
Air Canada and Aer Lingus were so nice.
