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By John
Apologies for the absence folks, just spent a week recharging my batteries at a VMI pal's lakehouse in Minnesota.
United Airlines is like The Godfather: just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. Late flights, double bookings, cramped seats, indifferent employees...you know, the usual cornucopia of crappy service that my tax dollars shield from a much-deserved bankruptcy.
So whenever I'm ready to just burn all my miles with United and switch to the more military-friendly American, United guilts me into sticking with the poor bastards.
This time it was a Fourth of July first class upgrade, courtesy of my military ID card. Complete with the "thank you for your service" handshake from the United desk rep. The sweet little lady talked me off the edge. Now look on the topic of pulling out my military ID instead of civilian credentials, yes...I could just as easily show my Virginia driver's license and yes, it'd probably be easier to pull out of my wallet than my acetate covered military CAT card. But there's a "John Noonan" registered on the 'Do Not Fly' list, probably some IRA butthole, so flashing my active duty creds smooths over the otherwise rocky check-in process.
I'm not trying to be a sneak with the card, in other words.
So flight in was terrific. Flight out? Not so much.
Late as usual. Like, 11 at night late. And I was already in a foul mood because they wouldn't upgrade a limping Iraq war veteran (82nd boy) who is now on permanent disability due to an IED blast near Falcon, out in the box. Offered my miles even, so a 24 year old tethered to a cane might have a little extra legroom. No dice. I got the 'preferred customer' line. "Uh, can you point to someone who United should prefer in first class more than that guy," I ask?
Hit the same wall. He stayed in coach. Screw them.
Not a choice cap for an otherwise wonderful vacation, spent drinking and wakeboarding on a beautiful Minnesota lake. In that order, too. Wheee.
And now I'm back to my semi-pissed off, limbo state with United. Meh. There's probably some longer post here about the collapse of once-great American economic institutions like our carriers, Kodak, the auto industry, etc...but y'know, I'm kinda tired.
And my Ford is running great.
Good to be back!
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Comments
Formerly an Eastern Airlines customer, until that great airlines was no more, and now my loyalties are with American Airlines. They have almost always, from what I have both seen and heard, treated the Military with the respect which you all so rightly deserve.
Beware of Air Canada, though. They tend to feel that they're so invincible that it's best to fly into a nor'easter than around the beast.
Air miles or no, had I been there it would have been a different carrier or a long walk home.
Veritas et Fidelis Semper
Heck, if anyone finds a decent airline, let me know. I always feel like I am in a greyhound bus in the sky.
late flights, sitting on tarmacs, lost luggage...you name it.
I am not even sure if there is a good airline at this point.
I will settle for one with a working restroom.
Hope your battries are recharged, and the water skiing helped!
"...the usual cornucopia of crappy service that my tax dollars shield from a much-deserved bankruptcy."
LOL What a great line!
The Bastards.
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Airtran. Use it every month to get to and from drill in WPB. Cheap, and it views with Southwest for the number-one on-time slot. Only once have I encountered any delays that I could reasonably attribute to gross inefficiency.