Why I will never fly United again
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Have you heard the new Iron Maiden[^] single? The sound reminds me a little of his solo work. I really dig the guitarrs... (and of course Bruce's voice - as always)
-- Broadcast simultaneously one year in the future
Wow - thanks, I'll check it out. Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog
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I'm just now back from 2 weeks in the US and Canada. It was mostly a good trip. The main thing that sucked - United Airlines. So, up until now I have flown QANTAS. Having all my stuff stolen on the last trip made me open to change. Someone suggested that United had good frequent flyer plans, good service, etc. So, I gave it a go. On the way out, we were late by 90 minutes in leaving. Why ? Well, they told us that the toilets were broken and they were trying to fix them. In the end, they took off on the basis that we may have to 'hold on' and they would take a pit stop in Honolulu. Luckily, the dunny started to work after take off. Unlike QANTAS, United doesn't have a decent in flight entertainment system. They have a pull down screen that displays a movie in what looks like 340x220 resolution. But that's nothing compared to the service. On QANTAS, you get a bag of goodies to get you through the night. On United, you got close to nothing. Worse, they don't give you an eye mask to help you sleep. There's something I didn't even consider, I've always got one on an international flight ( along with some bed socks, no less ). So, I got no sleep on the flight over. And the food was REALLY bad. On arrival in LA, my United flight to Dallas Fort Worth was just fine. I don't believe I flew United to Toronto, if I did, it was operated by Air Canada, with touch screen entertainment and generally adequate service. On the way back, I flew United operated by Air Canada to Denver, Colorado, and connected to a United flight to Portland. It ran 90 minutes late. And kept changing gates. But I got there OK. The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most beautiful places I have seen in my life. Flying home, I flew to LA from Portland, not sure what airline ( I didn't pay for/organise that one ). I got into LA at 11:30. My flight out was at 10:45 that night. We went to United, and queued for 30 minutes, to be told that I couldn't check in my bags until 6. So, I wandered around LAX with 2 heavy suitcases, my backpack ( which weighed a ton, it had CD's and DVD's, my notebook, two digital cameras, two portable hard drives and anything worth any money in it ) and a box which contained a glass blown bowl I bought for my wife. I got back at 5:30, expecting a 30 min wait again. There was no queue, so I waited 15 min, then went up. They told me no, I had to come back at 6:30. So, as there was no queue, I stood at the head of it and put some tunes on while I waited. I was exausted at this point.
It's nice to see my decision 17 years ago never to fly United again vindicated. They haven't changed a bit. "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9
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Brigg Thorp wrote:
I just flew Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong a couple of weeks ago and the service was impeccable.
Cathay Pacific is good, but you gotta try Singapore Airlines. It's probably the best airline I've ever been in - specially for long distance flights like the ones from India to North America. Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. Also visit the Ultimate Toolbox blog (New)Nishant Sivakumar wrote:
you gotta try Singapore Airlines
I agree. They're one of the best airlines around. I've tried several and now I just stick to it if I can. "Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner" - Ross Edbert Sydney, Australia
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Brigg Thorp wrote:
I just flew Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong a couple of weeks ago and the service was impeccable.
Cathay Pacific is good, but you gotta try Singapore Airlines. It's probably the best airline I've ever been in - specially for long distance flights like the ones from India to North America. Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. Also visit the Ultimate Toolbox blog (New)I agree. I went with Singapore from Frankfurt to Auckland (32 hours, two flights) and the quality was awesome. The only "glitch" is they not allowing more than 7.5 kilos on their cabin luggage. On the way back I found a moron that wanted me to check in my laptop or my camera.
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Brigg Thorp wrote:
All airlines are *normally* charging extra for bulkhead and exit row seats.
I've never heard of that before. A couple of friends of mine were actually "compensated" once when they sat in the exit rows.
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I'm guessing he means 'the rows at the front of the plane next to the main exit door' - which would allow you to be last on, first off the plane - rather than the emergency exit doors over the wings or at the back. Of course the front exit door is also an emergency exit, and therefore they want passengers who are capable of operating the exit and assisting other passengers, but let's be honest: the number of occasions in which you actually need to use the emergency exit doors is very small. If you're going to charge different amounts for different seats, you can expect the airlines to charge more for seats which allow people to get on last and leave first. Stability. What an interesting concept. -- Chris Maunder
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Brigg Thorp wrote:
stewardesses (no men) were extremely friendly and kept referring to me by name.
Sure all others were called by their names ? :->
I'm not THAT good looking. :) Brigg Thorp Senior Software Engineer Timex Corporation
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Brigg Thorp wrote:
All airlines are *normally* charging extra for bulkhead and exit row seats.
Not Southwest. Just get there early enough to be first in line. A small price to pay.
Brigg Thorp wrote:
I've flown many of the US based airlines (American, United, US Air), and the service is horrific.
Which is why I exclusively fly Southwest. That way, I don't have complain about crappy service. Actually, the service for what Southwest does provide has always been great. And I couldn't care less about an entertainment system. I bring my own. A book, my laptop, and if I'm travelling with my son, cards and pocket games. Marc XPressTier
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Marc Clifton wrote:
Which is why I exclusively fly Southwest. That way, I don't have complain about crappy service. Actually, the service for what Southwest does provide has always been great.
That's great, but I have all my miles on other carriers, so I opt for them to get upgrades, etc.
Marc Clifton wrote:
And I couldn't care less about an entertainment system. I bring my own. A book, my laptop, and if I'm travelling with my son, cards and pocket games.
Try using a laptop on a trip to Hong Kong. You'll get one movie in. I watched 6 movies on my recent trip. Brigg Thorp Senior Software Engineer Timex Corporation
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Brigg Thorp wrote:
All airlines are *normally* charging extra for bulkhead and exit row seats.
OK, I've previously gotten those seats for free, this is the first time I've heard that they cost extra. I've never seen them as an option when booking. Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog
If you book online, typically you'll see all the seats for the same price. However, when we book through our travel agent at work, we get discounted fares, but if you choose an exit row or bulkhead seat, there is a $25 surcharge. I don't think this is everywhere yet, but I reckon it will be soon as airlines continue to find ways to bleed money from us. Regards, Brigg Thorp Senior Software Engineer Timex Corporation
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Brigg Thorp wrote:
I just flew Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong a couple of weeks ago and the service was impeccable.
Cathay Pacific is good, but you gotta try Singapore Airlines. It's probably the best airline I've ever been in - specially for long distance flights like the ones from India to North America. Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. Also visit the Ultimate Toolbox blog (New)I know...I know. Everyone tells me they are the best. I just haven't had the opportunity since we have a deal with Cathay for our travel. Many of the people here travel to Hong Kong up to 8 times per year, so we worked out a great price with them. Regards, Brigg Thorp Senior Software Engineer Timex Corporation
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I'm guessing he means 'the rows at the front of the plane next to the main exit door' - which would allow you to be last on, first off the plane - rather than the emergency exit doors over the wings or at the back. Of course the front exit door is also an emergency exit, and therefore they want passengers who are capable of operating the exit and assisting other passengers, but let's be honest: the number of occasions in which you actually need to use the emergency exit doors is very small. If you're going to charge different amounts for different seats, you can expect the airlines to charge more for seats which allow people to get on last and leave first. Stability. What an interesting concept. -- Chris Maunder
Actually, I'm talking about all the exit rows - especially in coach. You get more leg room in an exit row, so many carriers are starting to charge more just because you are taking up more space. Regards, Brigg Thorp Senior Software Engineer Timex Corporation
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Brigg Thorp wrote:
I just flew Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong a couple of weeks ago and the service was impeccable.
Cathay Pacific is good, but you gotta try Singapore Airlines. It's probably the best airline I've ever been in - specially for long distance flights like the ones from India to North America. Regards, Nish
Nish’s thoughts on MFC, C++/CLI and .NET (my blog)
Currently working on C++/CLI in Action for Manning Publications. Also visit the Ultimate Toolbox blog (New)I've twice flown EVA Air (Taiwan based) from Heathrow to Bangkok and both times the service was absolutely impeccable. :) Anna :rose: Currently working mostly on: Visual Lint :cool: Anna's Place | Tears and Laughter "Be yourself - not what others think you should be" - Marcia Graesch "Anna's just a sexy-looking lesbian tart" - A friend, trying to wind me up. It didn't work.
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The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most beautiful places I have seen in my life yup. Do the chickens have large talons?
I agree. I live in the area (about 150 miles northeast) and never passed up an opportunity to go to Astoria, Oregon. Especially if I knew we were going to Multinomah Falls. Gorgeous. :cool: Flynn