Flying the "Unfriendly Skies": A Despicable Story

We all know how the flying experience in this country has deteriorated over the past 30 years. This deterioration was not a result of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. It was well underway by that time, although the terrorist attacks may have exacerbated the situation. In fact, this deterioration was the result of greedy, unscrupulous CEOs and airline managers stuffing their pockets while competing in a deregulated market. They did so to the deliberate detriment of their employees, their airlines and the flying public. You know some of the names: Frank Lorenzo, Carl Icahn, Richard Ferris, Steven Wolf, Glenn Tilton, etc. United Airlines may be the worst of all, thanks to the most corrupt top and middle level management imaginable. I know. I was a pilot with United for nearly 13 years prior to my retirement. There are, literally, hundreds of stories of the airlines' horrible treatment of passengers.

Below, is one such story of United's despicable treatment of a family that had plans to visit their father one last time prior to his impending death. The family had this trip planned a year ahead of time and had purchased tickets a full six months before the flight. Thanks to the misguided policies and brazen response of United Airlines, this family never had their last reunion with their father before his death. Gerry Braun, columnist for the Union Tribune in San Diego, wrote this article. Contrary to the title, there are countless stories like it. Click on the link, below, to read it.

Bad Airline Stories Are Nothing Like This