How Much Do I Hate United….

Let me count the ways….. But today, Northwest actually cemented the fact that my trip to Portland would start out with a hellish experience.

As Sophia would say….… “PICTURE IT…..”

Philadelphia Airport at 4:45AM on Thursday. An attractive young (ahem) man arrives to find the very first United flight out to their main hub (Chicago) is already late… and he will miss his connection to Portland thereby throwing his entire travel day in jeopardy before it begins….

Well, I waited in line for about 30 minutes while only ONE ticket agent was working at the United desk at Philadelphia International Airport. ONE!

When an agent finally helped me, I was told United had no way to get me to Portland until tonight (my original arrival time was 10am), so they rebooked me on Northwest. So I had to lug all my crap over to another Terminal and wait in another line. (I *better* get credit by United for my frequent flier miles!)

That’s where I met Deann from Northwest Airlines. One would expect I would have actually been treated at least as well as a human being, right? Wrong.

I politely explained to her that I was moved over from United and really needed to speak to an agent. She barked with a lot of attitude, “You can just move over there out of the way and I’ll get an agent when one is free.” Okay.

So I did.. and waited another 10 minutes. Two agents had been free, yet Deann decided to let me wait. I waved my ticket and asked if anyone was going to help me. (Keep in mind.. if I don’t check in within 30 minutes, bye-bye luggage…..)

Deann shouted across the room: “What did I tell you? No one is ready for you. I’ll decide when you are going to be helped.” Then she came across the room and said again, “I’ll decide when you are gonna be helped!! (and she added a slur under her breath).” Um, needless to say I got quite angry.

The desk agent, Lynne, initially refused to help me at all because I was so angry. But then Deann couldn’t help herself…. she shouted again, “Don’t be looking at me and rolling your eyes at me!” Lynne realized she had an psychotic employee on her hands, so I wound up getting aisle seats on both flights, and tagged as a “Premium” member.

Deann will be finding herself on the wrong end of a formal complaint next week.

I finally made it to Detroit. Where things got a lot better.

Oh, and Cute Sleeping Airport Guy wasn’t bad either….

It was then off to Portland, OR… and the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation’s Annual Meeting…

-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com