[TravelerABQ]

My non-stop flight from San Francisco to Albuquerque was cancelled because United didn't have a crew. I wish what happened next was unique, but it appears to be the new norm:

1) United insisted they could only get me home the next day at 6 pm. The next day was my 8 year old's birthday. No one cared and the supervisors were indifferent or rude.
2) After one hour of "trying," they found me a flight getting in a 12 pm when a high-mileage frequent flier who I became friendly with showed them what was available from his cell phone.
3) They booked me in a hotel 20 minutes away. Not so bad, but the United rep specifically informed me the shuttles come every 15 minutes. After 20 minutes of waiting, I called the hotel and found out the shuttle only comes when requested (another 30 minute wait).
4) The United rep told me there would be shuttles back to the airport, but they only started running after my flight departed, so of course I needed to pay for a taxi.
5) For all of this, they offered me a $100 voucher.
6) I requested higher compensation twice, but United stated this was their policy and refused. They added that they fulfilled their contract by getting me home, so any voucher is simply a testament of their goodwill.
7) When I asked them how to file a grievance, they stated they could not provide me with such information and I'd have to figure it out on my own.

Sigh. I can miss work, have my non-stop downgraded to a stop-over, be inconvenienced, given misinformation, rude service, and dismal options, and United can throw a $100 voucher at it and all is well. I have to wonder if cancelling light flights is done intentionally as a cost-saving measure. Whatever the case, the lack of accountability or sincere effort to make things right is disheartening.