Bouquets to United Airlines

[flying_duck]

Hi All,

Theres plenty bad out there about the legacy US airlines, but United really came through today. Bouquets much deserved.

Back in May I flew MEL - LAX - DEN - YYZ. Both layovers were quite long, and it was a really long day as the MEL-LAX leg left at 1:35pm. Exhausted, with the UA plane at the cough end of Pearson, walking across tarmac to get to the building, the works. It wasn't until I was <2km from the plane, landside in the now shut down Pearson at 12:30am, that I realised my iPad was still in the seat pocket of 1D. My iPhone was dead, so I couldn't ring the airline. All the check in desks shut. Information desk shut.

Long story short, ended up getting in the hire car, driving 2 hours to my destination, and ringing it in when I woke up the next day. I didn't hold much hope, especially not after the first month or so. Today I get an email that they may have found my iPad, but want to ensure it is mine and to give more information. I gave them the possible pin combinations, a description of what the screensaver picture might be, etc. Turns out, its a match! They're express shipping it back to me for $35USD.

It's not the money its the peace of mind that I have my photos and data and logins back. It's the peace of mind that some scumbag doesn't have all of that. It's the peace of mind that the plane cleaners and cabin crew do the right thing.

Anyway, happy to be UA Premier Gold and very very pleased to be having my iPad back soon. Looking forward to flying them again.

 

[TomVexille]

Always good to hear a good news story in amongst the rest

 

[NM]

What a relief! Thanks for sharing. It is indeed good to know these things work out properly sometimes.

 

[RooFlyer]

Good stuff ... glad to hear of the experience.

Once, I left my iPad at a charging station in the (small, crowded) terminal at Belize City. I was on-board my American Airlines flight and realised it had been left behind when getting things ready for the flight. I mentioned it to a FA, asking if they might radio one of the ground people to see if they might be able to retrieve it (it was walk-across-the-tarmac to board); not all all hopeful of any result. FA said no, but the pilot might be able to help ("No, no..." said I ). I was in first row of J, so pilot, who was standing in the coughpit doorway overheard and asked what was up. I explained and he asked me if it was easily identifiable (fortunately yes) then just said "leave it with me". He then de-planed and walked back into the terminal!!

Abt 10 mins later he came back, iPad in hand! I was speechless but of course managed a gushing thanks and also wrote a very positive note to AA Customer Service.

I think he may have been going back anyway, maybe for a bathroom break, but still ...

Sometimes the Travel Gods are with you.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Great story FIFO and well done UA - I hope you were able to get makes of individuals who facilitated this great result and send off emails to mgmt acknowledging them.

 

[flying_duck]

Great story FIFO and well done UA - I hope you were able to get makes of individuals who facilitated this great result and send off emails to mgmt acknowledging them.

I wish I could! It's managed by a third party company, so I only have the first name of the person who confirmed it was mine this morning, who isn't UA.

 

[UP4014]

Good news story. Yes as you say easy to bag a US airline, personally I've never had any issues at all with US carriers UA, AA and Alaskan mostly flown, with UA and AA the preferred for me. (I'm not a LCC guy)

Matt

 

[flying_duck]

As an update, it arrived today. $35USD in Fedex costs later, and a chipped/cracked case. Otherwise, it is not doing too bad. I should be able to sell it for what I paid for it (given I have a new one) so more than happy days!

 

[flying_duck]

And its sold for $50 less than I paid for it as "mates rates". Yay! Christmas money