Are UA a LCC now?

[Scarlett]

I expected more, but deep down, I should have known better: I've flown UA enough to know that "Friendly" is 99% marketing speak...

Flew Aus to the US on the weekend in UA J (int'l) / F (dom) with two connections in the US to reach my final destination. Trip was supposed to be SYD-SFO-IAH-ORF. Even though SYD-SFO was delayed a little, I made the first connection because I had over three hours in SFO. Was looking forward to the next leg more than usual for a UA flight as it was F and it was on a B787 so nicer than most other dom LOTFAP options.

A/c for SFO-IAH was late getting in to the gate, yet FlightAware showed that it had landed on time. Gate agents advised that there was some sort of problem at the gate and 'baggage' was mentioned although the pax were delayed getting off as well, so it didn't make sense to me. I had wandered down to the gate approx 1220 local for a 1251 dep and caught the messages of pax just unloading and the start of the delay. First our flight was delayed to 1305. Then 1329. Then 1335. My 58min transit in IAH was starting to look a little dicey. And I was hoping to get some beef brisket during the transit (those Texans know how to BBQ). Gate agent noted that people might have issues with connections in IAH, but was trying to be reassuring that it would be sorted out in IAH if it became a necessity. And having heard the words about late arriving a/c and, I can't remember the exact words, but it was certainly something like the delay being a United issue due to the problem with the unloading, I wasn't too concerned.

We started boarding just before 1300 and received good news once onboard that it would be a quicker than usual flight so should be able to make up some lost time. Then we sat there. And waited some more. No announcements from the crew about why, we just sat there. Eventually pushed back at 1350 and departed just after 1400, so over an hour late, but I still had hope due to tailwinds and usual UA padding of flight schedules (their vain attempt to not be in the bottom few airlines in the US for timeliness...which they continue to fail).

Landed at IAH just after 1900 and my 1930 departure to ORF left me with a glimmer of hope. But again we were forced to wait. This time we waited 5 mins for the gate agent to manoeuvre the jetbridge over to the a/c. Pay peanuts; get monkeys...
As it was the last flight for the day I ran through the terminal to the connector train then ran to the gate to find that at least one UA a/c had managed to depart on time! Bugger. So I headed to the UA desk and they had helpfully booked me on a 0600 flight the next morning (via EWR - only direct flight is the evening one).

So this is the thing that annoys me: sorry sir, it says here that the delay to your flight was due to ATC so we'll rebook you but you need to sort yourself out. No transfer, no hotel, no meal allowance, no care. Rather rude considering the cost of a J return fare Aus-USA, but that's the friendly skies for you. I know enough about United to understand that if it's ATC or Wx, then that is their policy. But everything I'd heard indicated it was a UA problem. Tried explaining the comments we were given in SFO, but 'computer says no' so I may as well have been talking to a concrete post. The other issue was that I also couldn't get my checked suitcase for the evening as that "may take a couple of hours to get it to you sir"

Booked myself a hotel next to IAH and carried on with the trip the next day. (IAH-EWR in F and then EWR-ORF in Y due to it being an ERJ145 which is Y only)

First world problems, but annoying nonetheless... and pretty much typical of my experiences with UA. So on the upside:
- I arrived safely at my destination.
- 50% of my flights were late but not too significantly affect the trip.
- The view of Manhattan and Lady Liberty were pretty spectacular on finals for EWR. Cloud/fog was covering the middle of the buildings but the tops were sticking out and the statue was clear. Plus the morning sun was shining on it all very nicely. Camera wasn't in easy reach unfortunately.
- Should get more status miles out of the extra flight, so that'll help with maintaining *G.
- I haven't been shot by anyone yet.
- Trump is still all over the news here and he's is hilarious. Scary, but hilarious. Some 'Merkins actually take him seriously??!!??
- There's no such thing as bad J/F (you could be stuck down the back... and I am frequently enough) but if it was my choice I'd not be flying UA again.
- My return trip home (same UA ticket) has two 40 min connections (one of which is ORD in winter): what could possibly go wrong?

 

[get me outta here]

Take heart, my relo just got off from SFO this morning having bought the cheapest Y fare possible and was upgraded to PE (or whatever they call it) and had 3 PE seats so got 8 hours more or less level sleep. He's happy.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So this is the thing that annoys me: sorry sir, it says here that the delay to your flight was due to ATC so we'll rebook you but you need to sort yourself out. No transfer, no hotel, no meal allowance, no care.

While it helps if the airline arranges accommodation (saves you having to look around), on the flip side it gives you much greater flexibility to do it 'on your own'. No waiting while they process dozens of passengers. No limits of the food and beverage side and you can choose a good hotel.

Your insurance will cover everything and probably a good chance you were tucked up in bed a fair bit ahead of when the airline would have managed to get you there.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

While it helps if the airline arranges accommodation (saves you having to look around), on the flip side it gives you much greater flexibility to do it 'on your own'. No waiting while they process dozens of passengers. No limits of the food and beverage side and you can choose a good hotel.

Your insurance will cover everything and probably a good chance you were tucked up in bed a fair bit ahead of when the airline would have managed to get you there.

I always wondered why airlines wouldn't put a temp hold on a bunch of rooms after a delayed flight that is not their problem, knowing full well there are xx_ pax with connecting flights that would need a hotel. Then, sell the room to them. "Sorry no free hotel, but United has secured a low rate of $xx_ for you at the Marriott tonight... present this coupon at reception..." Instant revenue generator and the airline looks like a saviour!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I always wondered why airlines wouldn't put a temp hold on a bunch of rooms after a delayed flight that is not their problem, knowing full well there are xx_ pax with connecting flights that would need a hotel. Then, sell the room to them. "Sorry no free hotel, but United has secured a low rate of $xx_ for you at the Marriott tonight... present this coupon at reception..." Instant revenue generator and the airline looks like a saviour!

While US airlines don't go to the extent of holding rooms (I can see some big logistics problems), they do sometimes have discounted rates as you suggest.

Here's UA's policy https://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/travel/policy/Pages/FlightDelaysandCancellations.aspx

For events outside of our control, such as weather, we may be able to help you find a local hotel at a discounted rate, but we do not cover hotel or meal expenses. If this situation applies to your travel, you can ask a United airport representative about discount hotel options.

I believe some airports also have passenger assistance services with similar access to discounted hotel rates. I don't know of the actual discount available, I'll ask my US travel expert when I next speak to them.