Help With Disgusting United Airlines Complaint
Jan 8th, 2007, 01:41 PM
#21
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Just curious - did you also complain about the outdoor pissoirs that stink up half the city of Paris? Sorry, but I think UA was more than gernerous. I would never have felt they "owed" me something for something out of their control. Is it any wonder airfares are so high with so many people demanding compensation because everything isn't perfect for them? Thanks for rteminding me why I left the business...
Jan 8th, 2007, 01:51 PM
#22
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You've just added another reason to my list of why I HATE bulkhead seats. My first is that there is usually far LESS leg room. You can normally stretch your feet out under a seat in front of you, but the bulkhead prevents that. And yes the bathroom right there annoys me. I once did a bulkhead seat flying with my mother, and the highly perfumed antiseptic smell from the bathroom was unbearable. Not to belittle your problem, but I think I almost could have preferred the urine smell to that equally disgusting odor.
So no bulkhead seats for me, thank you.
So no bulkhead seats for me, thank you.
Jan 8th, 2007, 02:01 PM
#25
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Sorry, Nina...I, too, am cursed with a Super Nose. While I hope this can be resolved to your satisfaction I honestly don't think you'll get more than a refund of the upgraded miles. After all, you didn't actually contact bodily fluids or waste and United did get you to your destination in a timely fashion.
On our last trip to Rome on American the plane was changed twice because of mechanical failures and then was routed to London. By taking a connection with British Air we did finally arrive in Rome...19 hours later than expected and without luggage for the first four days. AA claimed BA lost it; turned out AA sent it to Prague and BA never had it, but they were the ones who finally found it for us after AA refused to assist.
After we got back I complained in writing and by phone to all levels and we eventually received a voucher for 2,500 miles each. And that was it. Stuff happens, and it's not so much wanting compensation as wanting to hear the folks at the airline recognize they screwed up: a heartfelt "I'm so sorry things went so badly; that's not how we aspire to do business with our valued customers" goes a LOOONNNNGGG way to keeping people loyal to an airline.
We could have used miles but instead chose British Air for our next trip to Rome--and it was worth every penny.
Good luck and I hope this battle doesn't spoil the pleasure you did enjoy on your trip.
On our last trip to Rome on American the plane was changed twice because of mechanical failures and then was routed to London. By taking a connection with British Air we did finally arrive in Rome...19 hours later than expected and without luggage for the first four days. AA claimed BA lost it; turned out AA sent it to Prague and BA never had it, but they were the ones who finally found it for us after AA refused to assist.
After we got back I complained in writing and by phone to all levels and we eventually received a voucher for 2,500 miles each. And that was it. Stuff happens, and it's not so much wanting compensation as wanting to hear the folks at the airline recognize they screwed up: a heartfelt "I'm so sorry things went so badly; that's not how we aspire to do business with our valued customers" goes a LOOONNNNGGG way to keeping people loyal to an airline.
We could have used miles but instead chose British Air for our next trip to Rome--and it was worth every penny.
Good luck and I hope this battle doesn't spoil the pleasure you did enjoy on your trip.
Jan 8th, 2007, 02:08 PM
#27
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I agree they easily could have cancelled the flight due to the defective toilet. So which is better -- making a couple people unhappy because of the smell, or making a couple hundred people unhappy because their flight was cancelled? Would any airline have chosen the latter?
Jan 8th, 2007, 02:09 PM
#28
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Hey Zeus, yes I did complain about the outdoor pissors - I take full responsibility for this. Notice that very few of them are left in Paris - or maybe you haven't been to Paris recently - if at all 
Since when is a leaking toilet out of their control? It didn't happen in mid air, the plane arrived in Paris from Australia that way, the leak was acknowledged, and according to the attendants, nothing was done but the posting of the sign, and it was used for the entirely separate flight to IAD. Who is responsible for the repairs ... the passengers? United obviously didn't think it was important enough to take care of it and that a handwritten 'out of order' sign was sufficient. I wonder how long that sign and the disgusting odor stayed there? Next time I'll make sure DH wears his tool belt.
Sorry that I missed you when you were 'in the business', you must have been a real pleasure to deal with. They probably set up a separate department just to deal with your attitude and the ensuing complaints.
I paid for a urine free flight and that is what I expected to receive - WOW, what an opportunist I am. I actually hope that I will have to endure urine, vomit, whatever, just so I can cheat the airlines out of a few dollars or some FF miles.
Since when is a leaking toilet out of their control? It didn't happen in mid air, the plane arrived in Paris from Australia that way, the leak was acknowledged, and according to the attendants, nothing was done but the posting of the sign, and it was used for the entirely separate flight to IAD. Who is responsible for the repairs ... the passengers? United obviously didn't think it was important enough to take care of it and that a handwritten 'out of order' sign was sufficient. I wonder how long that sign and the disgusting odor stayed there? Next time I'll make sure DH wears his tool belt.
Sorry that I missed you when you were 'in the business', you must have been a real pleasure to deal with. They probably set up a separate department just to deal with your attitude and the ensuing complaints.
I paid for a urine free flight and that is what I expected to receive - WOW, what an opportunist I am. I actually hope that I will have to endure urine, vomit, whatever, just so I can cheat the airlines out of a few dollars or some FF miles.
Jan 8th, 2007, 02:09 PM
#29
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Nina, I think (if it matters) that they owe you the 60,000 (or 30,000 miles each) you used to upgrade. Some upgrade: p*## on the way over, and economy on the way back!
What I do is akin to the last poster's suggestion: First I find the company's headquarters address. This isn't always as easy as it sounds, but it is always on their annual report, and a list of officers is usually there, too.
Then I fire off a well considered letter to at least one person at the top. This has worked for me in getting some satisfaction, a couple of times.
What I do is akin to the last poster's suggestion: First I find the company's headquarters address. This isn't always as easy as it sounds, but it is always on their annual report, and a list of officers is usually there, too.
Then I fire off a well considered letter to at least one person at the top. This has worked for me in getting some satisfaction, a couple of times.
Jan 8th, 2007, 02:30 PM
#30
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Nina, I just wanted to chime in again with some support. To me, it doesn't sound like you are being self-centered or demanding. It only sounds like you wanted what you paid for, and didn't get. Aint nothin wrong with that.
Jan 8th, 2007, 02:36 PM
#33
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I agree they owe you the 30,000 miles for your return flight..no question, you paid in cash and miles for those BC seats and did not get them.
Your stinky seats, I'd probably settle for the 15,000 miles but I should would put the word around every travel site about the lousy customer service. I do think it was a health hazard in addition to an inconvenience, They obviously did not drain the tanks, which may have held up your flight and may still have left the restroom OOS, but would have eliminated odors . I'm surprised more people didn't complain.
Your stinky seats, I'd probably settle for the 15,000 miles but I should would put the word around every travel site about the lousy customer service. I do think it was a health hazard in addition to an inconvenience, They obviously did not drain the tanks, which may have held up your flight and may still have left the restroom OOS, but would have eliminated odors . I'm surprised more people didn't complain.
Jan 8th, 2007, 02:51 PM
#34
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At first I thought, gee, why didn't the FA just call for volunteers from coach to switch their cramped, but smell-free seats, for your more spacious ones. Then I thought about just what this would entail:
"Excuse me ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. Would anyone like to switch seats with Ms Nina66 and her husband in business class --- just a minute please, you all should know the seats smell like a tomcat sat on them during the full moon. Now, does anyone want to....the gentleman in 15E did you raise your hand...oh, sorry, he was just reaching for a magazine....Ms Sue_xx_yy in 28A thinks she might...no...she's just found out lemon soup is on the menu and she's changed her mind.....doesn't anyone want to switch....doesn't anyone....we'll throw in our 4711 eau de cologne offer for free...."
*******
I actually did ask my husband if he'd switch and he thought about it a bit and wanted to know if this was an overnight flight, and would he get to sleep (with his mouth open) most of the time. I said yes (was I right?) and he said, yeah, probably. So looks like a reinstatement of the FF miles you used to upgrade is a fair exchange, according to my n = 1 market survey. However, as you yourself realize, at some point the game isn't going to be worth the candle. Sorry about your nose, Nina, and I'm looking forward to [the rest of] your trip report!
"Excuse me ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. Would anyone like to switch seats with Ms Nina66 and her husband in business class --- just a minute please, you all should know the seats smell like a tomcat sat on them during the full moon. Now, does anyone want to....the gentleman in 15E did you raise your hand...oh, sorry, he was just reaching for a magazine....Ms Sue_xx_yy in 28A thinks she might...no...she's just found out lemon soup is on the menu and she's changed her mind.....doesn't anyone want to switch....doesn't anyone....we'll throw in our 4711 eau de cologne offer for free...."
*******
I actually did ask my husband if he'd switch and he thought about it a bit and wanted to know if this was an overnight flight, and would he get to sleep (with his mouth open) most of the time. I said yes (was I right?) and he said, yeah, probably. So looks like a reinstatement of the FF miles you used to upgrade is a fair exchange, according to my n = 1 market survey. However, as you yourself realize, at some point the game isn't going to be worth the candle. Sorry about your nose, Nina, and I'm looking forward to [the rest of] your trip report!
suze
Jan 8th, 2007, 04:41 PM
#36
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Sue__xx__yy - yes it was an overnight flight. Your senerio made me laugh as DH and I did the same thing over and over .. to try to relieve (pun intended) the situation.
The leak was directly in front of my feet and no other seats were close to it. I have no idea if anyone one else noticed it, as we discussed it with no one but the attendants.
I have asthma and worry about my what goes into my lungs. Also being a diabetic it is not good to go for such a long period without eating. My hips did appreciate the forced fast though. I will continue to request bulkhead seats as with my 4-10.5" height, ample leg room is rarely an issue. DH is 5-11 and he has room to stretch his legs in bulkhead. We especially like the privacy with no one in front of us leaning back in our direction, and it is so much easier to get up to walk regularly without disturbing the people in front of us. As I said before, the bathroom is not always directly in front of our seats, probably more often than not, it is at the back of the cabin.
FauxSteMarie, with a name like that, you must be an expert on phoney stories. And ... we don't take vacations, we take trips -
Normally I have a very positive attitude towards things, and stay away from flaming other posters, but today I am enjoying giving it right back to those of you who are constantly negative and finding fault with other's posts and opinions.
I have nothing to defend here, as most of you realize, and for those of you who are enjoying jabbing me - I only hope that I can be more understanding when you post your trip problems - if in fact you actually travel or just do it vicariously through this board.
Today I partially understand where you are coming from - occasionally being petty and mean spirited feels good, but not on a regular basis, it turns you into a dour, depressed, jealous person - not my style.
The leak was directly in front of my feet and no other seats were close to it. I have no idea if anyone one else noticed it, as we discussed it with no one but the attendants.
I have asthma and worry about my what goes into my lungs. Also being a diabetic it is not good to go for such a long period without eating. My hips did appreciate the forced fast though. I will continue to request bulkhead seats as with my 4-10.5" height, ample leg room is rarely an issue. DH is 5-11 and he has room to stretch his legs in bulkhead. We especially like the privacy with no one in front of us leaning back in our direction, and it is so much easier to get up to walk regularly without disturbing the people in front of us. As I said before, the bathroom is not always directly in front of our seats, probably more often than not, it is at the back of the cabin.
FauxSteMarie, with a name like that, you must be an expert on phoney stories. And ... we don't take vacations, we take trips -
Normally I have a very positive attitude towards things, and stay away from flaming other posters, but today I am enjoying giving it right back to those of you who are constantly negative and finding fault with other's posts and opinions.
I have nothing to defend here, as most of you realize, and for those of you who are enjoying jabbing me - I only hope that I can be more understanding when you post your trip problems - if in fact you actually travel or just do it vicariously through this board.
Today I partially understand where you are coming from - occasionally being petty and mean spirited feels good, but not on a regular basis, it turns you into a dour, depressed, jealous person - not my style.
Jan 8th, 2007, 05:07 PM
#38
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i hope you also don't consider this a 'negative' response but i think you should just accept the fair offer from the airline. that's just life. sometimes things are not pleasant. they offered compensation and i would take it and move on.
as others said, cancelling or delaying the flight would be the only other option most likely....even if you would have preferred this, it is not your choice.
i respect the airline for holding their ground on this and it sounds like they handled it professionally.
as others said, cancelling or delaying the flight would be the only other option most likely....even if you would have preferred this, it is not your choice.
i respect the airline for holding their ground on this and it sounds like they handled it professionally.
Jan 8th, 2007, 05:21 PM
#39
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It would have been nice if the airline would have blocked off those seats as unusable due to urine leakage. They don't need to cancel the whole flight -- they could have bumped people or denied 2 stand-by's or 2 unconfirmed upgrades, and nina and husband could have sat somewhere else in business or even in coach with their upgrade miles re-deposited into their accounts. Even in that sitting in coach scenario, I would feel a little screwed but it would have been a much better option (for me anyway) than smelling piss for 9 hours.
Jan 8th, 2007, 05:34 PM
#40
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I think Fishee had a good solution to the problem. Too bad, the airline did not think it through. I agree that smelling urine for a transatlantic flight would have been unbearable. I, too have a supernose and it would have been extremely unpleasant for me. What did the passengers do with one less bathroom on board? There's always a line waiting. And wasn't it possible for them to clean the mess while the airplane was flying? It seems like they should have been able to remedy the situation somewhat and at least reduce the unpleasant odor. I have no idea what correct compensation should be, but had they offered a sincere apology both on board and during the telephone conversations, they could have avoided a lot of negative discourse.
