Flying the "Unfriendly Skies": The Pilots Step Up

Several days ago, I published an article which told the story of how United Airlines' inexcusable cancellation of a family's reservations denied them the opportunity to visit their father and grandfather prior to his impending death. Since that time United has come up with excuse after excuse (all of which were fabrications) and never made any attempt at restitution to the family.

Yesterday, the pilots at United, through their union, the Airline Pilots Association, stepped up and presented the family with a check for $11,693 to reimburse them for the funds they forfeited as a result of United's actions and failure to accept responsibility.

The pilots' union at United issued the following statement along with their check to the family:

United’s treatment of this family not only is inexcusable; it is an embarrassment to the dedicated and professional pilots and other employees who take pride in this airline. United Airlines, even after the bumbling chain of events by management created such a devastating financial loss for this family, refused to accept responsibility and take any actions toward making them whole. The pilots of United Airlines, however, could not stand idly by and allow this to happen.

Gerry Braun, columnist for the Union Tribune in San Diego, wrote the original and follow on articles detailing United's despicable treatment of this family and the pilots' attempt to make things right. Check out the original article and Mr. Braun's follow-up article by clicking the links below.

Flying the "Unfriendly Skies": A Despicable Story
United Full of Excuses, But Family Gets Relief

Leave No One Behind: Author's Considerations

Last month I posted an article, Leave No One Behind: What Would You Do? The author, Capt Rick Rubel, USN (Ret), a distinguished professor of ethics at the US Naval Academy, presented a commander's most difficult moral decision: How many healthy servicemembers will I risk to bring home one servicemember or a body?

Capt Rubel recently posted his analysis of the scenario on the MOAA website. His insight is worth reading. Check it out. Below are links to, both, the original article and Capt Rubel's analysis. While you are on each site, be sure to check out the readers' comments at the bottom. They, too, are very illuminating and great food for thought.

Leave No One Behind: What Would You Do?

Leave No One Behind: Author's Considerations

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