Maggie's Farm

The worst airline I've ever flown was United. Now that it merged with Continental, I still have all my Continental miles, meaning I am sort've locked into my nemesis for at least a little while longer.

United remains truly awful. I've flown them 3 times this year and each flight had issues on both sides of all 3 round trips. Delays due to weather were a small part of the problem, but became a big part when their baggage policy caused delays due to overhead bins being filled, meaning baggage handlers had to take bags, normally in overheads, below into the hold.

I wrote them a letter, explaining that their policy is flawed. If they want people to carry on, then either:
A) enforce the bag size and # of bags OR
B) let people check 1 bag, up to 50 pounds, for free

A would still cause delays, but save them the issues seen with people bringing huge bags to try and stuff into overheads, along with 3 extra small bags to stuff under seats.
B would eliminate the problem altogether. Doesn't it make sense to choose the airline that charges $370 for a ticket with the free bag versus the $350 airline that's going to charge you $25 a bag? Make the fees as upfront and honest as you can! Speed the process!


I received a letter back from United. They informed me option A was likely to be enforced now (indeed it was on my last flight), which they hoped would help. It didn't. There were still delays, because as I pointed out, when the rules let you do something, people will try to stretch the rules, and this will cause delays.

At least United doesn't steal. Sort've. My wife's bags were all opened. We realized this after the fact when things had shifted from one pocket to another and the zippers weren't in their customary closing place (we always zip to the bottom left). Nothing was gone. It's just mind-boggling that someone went through your stuff.

Yeah, I hate United. Add all this to the fact they cancelled 100,000 miles of mine without informing me and they are just a bunch of winners in my book.