[tamarav]

I posted my United story in the overbook section, but wanted to add this lovely story about the united personell at dulles airport.

I was among a bunch of other people who were bumped from their flight. There was a number of people who were bumped from a Pittsburgh flight while I was waiting in line. They were not getting any help from these gate people, as they were only 2 people, dealing with 7 or 8 planes at the same time. The gate people were horribly rude to everyone, but this took the cake. Those particular people were beginning to get desperate and kept after the woman at the gate, and finally, she walks back, slams the door, and says 'there are 44 people on that plane, and no more are getting on there now!' This is a plane that carries 70 passengers, and she left those people stranded! HOw is it that she could get away with doing something like that? Do the flight attendants and pilots not notice this? Can they do nothing?

[ChrisH]

Late reply to this, but....

Had the pilots/ flight attendants been aware of this, they would have probably said something, but the pilots/ flight attendants are not over the gate agents, so really, they wouldn't be able to do much, other than report it. It was completely wrong what the gate agent did, and I hope that you, and these other passengers reported it.

I know of an agent who was fired for stuff like that, but it does take a formal complaint, usually from more than one passenger, for that to happen. The particular agent I am talking about, had eight total letters sent, from seperate passengers, regarding an incident, which is why he was fired.

[tamarav]

Yes, I did make a formal complaint...many of them. I would be very suprised if alot of other people didn't complain as well. There were an awful lot of angry people there that night.

I don't put blame on the pilot or crew, but I do fault the airline in general. They should not only insist on courteous employees, but also have honest booking practices.