Saturday, July 11, 2009

For every frustrated airline traveler - revenge is a dish best served cold

By now, you may have heard this story on CNN or Fox, or perhaps someone has mailed you the link. If not, here's a post for every frustrated airline traveler out there! Canadian musician Dave Carroll was on tour with his band Sons of Maxwell. A fellow passenger on their United flight looked out the window in horror as she spied baggage "handlers" tossing instruments around like frisbees. After nearly a year of frustration attempting to receive compensation from the airline for his damaged guitar, Dave promised United that he would write 3 songs and produce a video documenting his trials and tribulations. The following is the first video, as it appears on Youtube - I think he has tapped into a VERY deep well of frustration with airline travel. This video has received about 2 million hits in less than a week! This struck close to home for us. As you know my husband and daughter are both musicians. Their instruments become very special to them and seeing this just made me cringe. As DH put it, "why do you think I NEVER travel with my guitar if we have to fly"? As for me, I'm not afraid to fly, but I absolutely hate to fly. Spending my hard earned money to be herded into a flying tube of virus laden air is not my idea of a good time. The lack of customer service and respect for the passenger's comfort and convenience is just the icing on the cake. Which is why we only travel by air when time constraints leave us no alternative. Does anyone remember when flying was an event? I guess this just proves that United has forgotten it's own motto "Fly the Friendly Skies" I hope you enjoy this video. I thought it was a very clever way to make a point.



19 comments:

Kat said...

Postscript: After this story aired on CNN, United is now offering an apology and says it will use this video for "training purposes"!
Kathy

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Kathy that was not even funny,...but so true..there is no speical service with flying anymore...My daughter who just flew told me you even had to buy peanuts now...and its $15.00 for every check in bag you take..I am flying on United July 28 to Texas and I am dreading this flight...The only thing my daughter got offered on a 6 hour flight was FREE water...What a shame when we are paying top $$$ and no service...Great video my friend...thanks for sharing...May you have a Great and safe weekend my friend..Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Kat, this is really a great song, too bad it is real. I use to fly all the time with work and now I hate to fly. It really is a very bad experience. Too bad. Great post. Hugs, Marty

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh Kat...What a sad state of affairs when customers have to use the internet and negative publicity to get results from, as Clark Howard says, customer no service! In this economy, companies should be so grateful for paying customers! I don't think I'll be flying United! Thanks! Have a great weekend...hugs...Debbie

Lori E said...

Yay Canada.

Brenda Pruitt said...

Why I don't fly no more, no more, no more, no more... For some crazy reason that Hit The Road Jack song lit me up! I think I must have been out in the heat too long earlier...
Brenda

Unknown said...

Sad but true, hope we have a better experience in August when we fly out west!! Sue

Sandi (Meme) said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog, I enjoyed hearing from you, ya'll come back now, ya hear? :)

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Good for him! I sure hope this gets the attention of the airlines. Thanks for sharing this. laurie

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Kathy,
Oh that's terrible to hear.
I usually don't mind flying but I have to admit it's been a few years now. I's probably changed.

Thanks for your wonderfully kind comment on our home today. I always appreciate when you visit.

Have a blessed Sunday.
~Melissa :)

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Kathy, what a story! As a musician myself, I am so sorry to hear about that mistreatment, but since I am a pianist, I don't think they can toss my piano around!They certainly made a great song - and a point! - out of that ridiculous behavior from United. Thanks for sharing. Linda

Lynette said...

Kathy - I'll check the video out when I get home. I keep my volume "off" at work and didn't want to risk it here.

I'll check back in later - sounds to me though from the comments that United is doing a little to late, eh?

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...

I agree with what you said about being stuffed into a flying tube with virus laden air....how about the crying, ill behaved kicking children behind your seat as well.... whose parents are oblivious to what their kids are doing to the seat in front of them? When you fly, you have no choice as to who you'll be stuffed into the seats around you. I think this is well deserved! United wake up! Standing ovation for Dave Carroll and Sons of Maxwell!

niartist said...

Oh - this is great. I can't tell you how many times I have had things broken in stowed luggage after it was tossed around like a frisby in some extreme competition to see who can fling it the furthest! Oh, and I caught your Outdoor Wednesday post too! LOVELY! Makes me miss Texas - even though I wasn't that near to the coast when I grew up there. I bet you had a great time! :)

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Wow...isn't a shame that a person has to take things into their own hands so to speak. I haven't flown in many years. My daughter flies all the time and so far hasn't had any incidents. I hope things are well your way.. darling I would glad send you some rain, they are calling for more this a.m. and then hopefully, the next 11 days are suppose to be dry. I know we're in for a heat wave soon so should be grateful for the cooler temps and the rain, but I sure wish it would come a bit on the slower side instead of all at once.. lol hugs ~lynne~

xinex said...

Oh so true, Kathy! I won't even check in expensive luggage in airlines anymore because they never come out clean, not to mention of them getting damaged.I have so many with broken zippers, I do not know how they can break zippers. They break off the dangling thing that you need to pull the zipper up and down..Christine

Shellbelle said...

This is why I prefer to drive cross-country when I can, plus the great scenery! Loved the song, great band.

Speaking of driving cross-country, you ask about my 10 day stay on the set of Urban Cowboy. I'll try and give you the condensed version.

One of my closest friends for many years was Debra Winger's hairstylist for the movie. (Most recently she did Jean Smart for Samantha Who?) Anyway, I was driving to Florida from California and stopped in to spend a few days with my friend Suzy. So, I was on set everyday and if you've never partied with a film crew, let me tell you — they work hard and play hard! I think they bought out the local stores of cowboy hats and boots! They were filming at Gilley's while I was there and the commissary was set up across the street. The day they shot the Dolly Parton look-alike contest was hysterical! When all those actors (including one man) crossed that road to eat in their costumes, well honey, they stopped traffic! It was a hoot.

Travolta rented one of those Malibu Gran Prixe places the day of his birthday and it was closed to the public that day. Needless to say, everyone had a great time and ended up at Tuscon's that evening. We had been going to Tuscon's already, so they were expecting us. They set up a pyramid of champagne glasses and started pouring from the top as we arrived. That is also the night I was introduced to Upside-down Margaritas! It was a wild, crazy time that I will never forget. The stories that come from that trip are numerous and many shall go with me to the grave (j/k). The year was 1979 and I was much, much younger then. My party days are over, but not forgotten! lol

Nancy said...

Laughing!!! Kathy - you made my day. This is the funniest, truest thing!!!
The three amigos in the sombreros just cracked me up. Good for the group - what satisfaction.
And yes, I remember when flying was an EVENT. You dressed up and even wore high heels. (See how old I am...they weren't even called heels then, they were HIGH heels!!!LOL) Thanks for the great start to the day my friend. Hugs, Nancy

Mary Bergfeld said...

This was a humorous response to a sad situation that never should have happened. I appreciate your posting this for us. I wanted to thank you for visiting my blog today. I hope you'll join us often.