'Thanks for flying Useless Airways ...'

[supercruiser]

You are assuming that he knew that the reservation consisted of two fares and that an interline baggage transfer would be necessary. 98% of people who buy these tickets have no idea. They go to a web site like Expedia.com, punch in "Pittsburgh, PA" and "Shannon, Ireland", travel dates, and then select one of the many options.

I was non reving to LGA recently from PIT, and we were taking a 45 minute atc ground delay, not uncommon as the weather was lousy in LGA. Sitting next to me was a couple that had driven from E. Ohio to fly on US to LGA scheduled into LGA at 5:35pm; then had to claim their bags and catch ground transportation to JFK to make a 7:40pm departure to Dublin on Aer Lingus! (Actual arrival into LGA was only 15 minutes late at 5:50) No possible way to do this, even if the weather was great and there was no atc delay or rush hour trafffic in NY on a Fri evening at 5:30pm.

They had used one of those travel web sites to book their ticket, obviously not knowing that their itinerary was impossible. They did mention that they were coming back to PIT via BOS ten days later, so having to spend a night in NY and lose one of their days of vacation was not the end of the world to them.

 

[Prince of PAWOBs]

Hi, everybody! It's been a while.

Well, I read the McNickle article. I can't blame the guy for being angry. It was a shame his baggage got lost, and yes, US is partially to blame, because we could have at least confirmed that his baggage was transfered to EI. That probably would have saved us from bad PR and the "useless" reference in his op-ed piece.

Having said that, I think the majority of the blame has to go to EI. Unless Boston really dropped the ball on finding out who these bags belonged to (which I'm pretty sure they didn't; drop the ball, that is), Aer Lingus probably has them the whole time and had ZERO clue as to what should be done with them.

US deals with tons of EI bags everyday, inbound and out. Check any end-of-the-night flight from Boston to Pittsburgh and you'll find that more than half of the local bags are coming from an EI connection in Boston. My point is that US has experience transfering bags to and from EI, and that, save one particular station in Eastern Pennsylvania, our people are pretty adept in locating baggage in our possession and providing our customers answers.

I wish Mr. McNickle better luck next time he travels abroad using multiple carriers. I also suggest to him that he heed the advice of the frequent flyers and employees who post on this board as to how one should pack when flying on extended trips.

Oh, and one last non-sequitur for everyone: If you happen to be pulling a jet for some money-raising stunt and a certain CEO happens to be there, ask him if he'd like to stand in for the chocks when the event is over. See if he says something like, "I'll get back to you on that."

See ya!

 

[LCC_#1]

If a "man" has to write a follow up piece on those that disagree with him, then God help us. He can dish it out, but can't take it. What a total baby!! Somebody's true colors have just appeared. Something didn't feel good in the gut about this one and he has proven me correct. A TRUE journalist has a tough skin and doesn't have a need to lash back. This "man" is a true WUSS!! Now go ahead and defend the idiot.

 

[LCC_#1]

Did he write a follow-up? If so could you post the link?

Mcnickle's Load of Crap

 

[N965VJ]

Hey Bob,

It looks like he took a swipe at you:

And another -- who made a point of noting his "Chairman Preferred" status (well, la-tee-dah) -- cited "poor planning" on my part. Buying a ticket, packing a bag and expecting it to arrive with me is "poor planning"?

Amazingly, these kinds of high-brow responses outnumbered those complaining of similar experiences by nearly 4-to-1. And that suggests that we, as a nation, not only sadly accept the unacceptable from those whom we pay a premium to do a job but, tragically, rationalize and defend it.

I’m not surprised he didn’t engage you with a response to your email.

 

[JS]

Originally posted by Colin McNickle:

Buying a ticket, packing a bag and expecting it to arrive with me is "poor planning"?

Gosh I was wondering the same thing earlier on this thread. Too bad neither of us got a good explanation from our resident know-it-all Chairman's Preferred.

I find it interesting that the Trib bashers neglected to mention the fact that Mr. McNickle got an apology from a US Airways captain. It takes up half the article, if any of you people could be bothered to read the whole thing without foaming at the mouth.

 

[LCC_#1]

Gosh I was wondering the same thing earlier on this thread. Too bad neither of us got a good explanation from our resident know-it-all Chairman's Preferred.

I find it interesting that the Trib bashers neglected to mention the fact that Mr. McNickle got an apology from a US Airways captain. It takes up half the article, if any of you people could be bothered to read the whole thing without foaming at the mouth.

You know what is sad? The fact that this spineless weasle felt he had to write a follow up because he didn't like criticism. Yes, I read the entire article and as far as the apology from a captain? You see it one way and I see it another. He found someone that told him what he wanted to hear and proceeded to belittle those that didn't.

There is NO DOUBT that he deserves an apology and compensation, but when someone who is suppose to be a professional writes such a hissy fit as he did and can't be man enough to take the heat, I DO have to wonder what REALLY happened on his trip. Mcnickles decided to use his power as a journalist to fight an injustice, but failed to get his message out with his delivery. He says 4-1 are for him? If so he wouldn't have the need to lash out at those that disagree. I saw not ONE quote from those supporters. Not to worry, if he reads this, he'll have a new story, SEE, HERE THEY ARE. THEY AGREE WITH ME. After 14 Useless Airs, he lost his credibility.

Advice for him? Stay in Pittsburgh, little boy, you'll never make it in a city like New York. Your readers and editors would laugh you out of the city with your childless abuse of power. The big boys don't abuse the power of the press because they are critcized. They are real men and women who realize we live in a country with differing opinions. These professionals have tough skin. Maybe it's time to grow some. Sounds like the crap that goes on in DC. Is your daddy Senator Foley?

BTW...the pilots need to aplogize was no more than a third of the article...NOT half.

 

[trvlr64]

Gosh I was wondering the same thing earlier on this thread. Too bad neither of us got a good explanation from our resident know-it-all Chairman's Preferred.

I find it interesting that the Trib bashers neglected to mention the fact that Mr. McNickle got an apology from a US Airways captain. It takes up half the article, if any of you people could be bothered to read the whole thing without foaming at the mouth.

Hey JS...if this is the CP you refer you.... let me tell you MISS THANG .....Mr. McNickle didn't refer to his apology from the pilot is his FIRST "editorial". So this follow up piece was prompted because he received emails from me and PineyBob and who else knows. Obviously he can't take the heat from people who actually fly all over the country and globe for work. And who know exactly HOW TO PLAN for travel hiccups.

So does this fluff piece upset me? NO! But I'm inclined to not email him but to call him directly and tell him myself he's a selfabsorbed JACKA$$. He left his phone number in this editorial this time along with his email address.

And since you don't live in the Pittsburgh area, let me tell you. I won't use the TRIB to wrap fish or place in the bottom of a bird cage.

 

[Travels2mch]

Gosh I was wondering the same thing earlier on this thread. Too bad neither of us got a good explanation from our resident know-it-all Chairman's Preferred.

I find it interesting that the Trib bashers neglected to mention the fact that Mr. McNickle got an apology from a US Airways captain. It takes up half the article, if any of you people could be bothered to read the whole thing without foaming at the mouth.

And kudos to that Captain!!