When he got back on the plane at BOM for the return journey, they sought him out and told him they now have Kahlua and so can make a Black Russian if he wanted one.

And he was in Economy.

I once showed up one hour in advance of flight at O’Hare for a short domestic hop on UA. I needed to check a bag. I walked in and was confronted with a circus of a line for the bag check (this was before the fees, no surprise). I immediately ducked back out the door and stood in a line of about 15 people at the curb-side check, with my tip cash in hand. Got to the front of that line and was told, “Oh no ma’am, you can’t check these in out here — the cut-off is 45 minutes before boarding.” It was precisely 44 minutes before my departure time at that point. Meanwhile, the cart piled high with baggage was still standing right at the agent’s elbow. I said, “What do you mean, I checked, the bag check cutoff is at 30 minutes” and he said “there’s a different time for bag check at the curb versus inside.” This was posted NOWHERE. Needless to say, by then, it was too late to wait on the indoor line and get my bag checked for the 30 minute indoor deadline. The curb agent refused to add my bag to the pile on the cart that still hadn’t left (and didn’t leave for at least another five minutes), and I was forced to miss my flight and miss a business meeting on the other end. I was absolutely livid, and still am when I think of it. UA should have done a better job of informing people about the bag check time discrepancy, and someone somewhere should have been able to make a one-time override and get my bag on that standing cart. (Or they simply need to rehire a few of the many gate agents they’ve laid off.) There’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to arrive at an airport one hour before a domestic flight and not be able to get on it.

That actually is one of the reasons I try to avoid UA whenever possible. If they aren’t going to provide me with decent service, I would rather not provide them with fare money. I fly US or JetBlue whenever possible.

Ah! so you ARE coming to SF :)
Well, I’m here visiting from the east coast… would have been cool to meet the Crankster himself…

Well, I never actually left security, so while I technically was close, it would have been tough to meet. United really did this one very well. It was a really nice event for all involved. I’m hoping to have a trip report up tomorrow, but man I’m tired.

Well, I’m here visiting from the east coast… would have been cool to meet the Crankster himself…

Yes, Im Premier with them, but was flying coach. UA actually looked after one of their elite passengers, and as tough as I am on them! I remember that day for sure.

A few years back I was stuck on the train out of Paddington, trying to get to Heathrow for my Virgin flight back to JFK. I arrived at Terminal 3, with 15 mins to spare before Departure! Yep!! i called ahead. A VS agent met me at the door, and started to check me in, with a smile she said “this is not gonna be regular VS check-in” I said no worries! lol. She was tearing of tags, rushing through questions. Threw my bags on a cart. They were gone within a minute. She grabbed my arm and had me at security in 2 mins. Walked me through…and on a buggy! I slipped onto the 747 and the door closed right behind me “on time”

I was a CO Elite member back then! Was flying Upper Class, on a CO/VS codeshare ticket! I use to fly Upper with them back then, around 4-6 times a year, so they knew me as a regular Im guessing. It has never been forgotten, and I still fly them!

Its things like this that passengers remember. Over the years, I have urged dozens of people to fly VS over others! …so, things like the above and LH add millions to the bottom line of these carriers! They need to remember that!

Oh – Ive only flown LH twice. Buenos Aires-FRA-LHR. Both flights were awful “cold cold cold” flight attendants and awful food! It spoils the Star Alliance for me, cause I have to navigate around using them! So bad experiences have the opposite result. Ive retold that flight numerous times (as bad memories always retell 10x worse) LH should take not and remember that!!

I went back to the Southwest baggage claim office and told them what had happened. The the DTW office and sure enough, my keys were there (a flight attendant found them during clean up.) They put my keys on the next flight out and brought them to me in baggage claim.

Terrific service.

CF wrote:
asad wrote:
I am right next to SFO, let me know what time you will be here and I’ll come say hello :)
I don’t think I’m going to leave security. I assume you can’t get through security?
Unfortunately not, I work in San Bruno which is next door but I can’t get past security.

Eh, this isn’t a hard one to work past. I’ve done it once, and only once. “Buy” a fully refundable ticket on an airline. (I chose a Skywest flight under my “favorite” carrier’s flag, United for the time I needed to do this.) Check in and go past security. When you get past security cancel your check in (works much better if you’ve got a laptop/smart phone). Then ask for a refund once the plane has left.

asad wrote:
Unfortunately not, I work in San Bruno which is next door but I can’t get past security.

Well, I’ll wave when we depart . . .

asad wrote:
I am right next to SFO, let me know what time you will be here and I’ll come say hello :)

I don’t think I’m going to leave security. I assume you can’t get through security?

Unfortunately not, I work in San Bruno which is next door but I can’t get past security.