[hadenough]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeDJ

And apparently in this post-911 world we live in, airlines are teaching the crew that they can forego customer service in the name of security. Many crew members now consider any request from a passenger or any difficulty they may be experiencing as an opportunity to exercise their role as security officers. They can now dump a drink or an entire meal on you and you are required to simply sit there and smile. Any hint of displeasure or objection on your part will result in your being I.D.'d as an unruly passenger who will be detained and inconvenienced even further.

Oh, airplane employees have been skilfully exploiting 9/11 for over a decade now. Does it work for me? Can I get on one of their aeroplanes, act like a total prat, and say "oh, but 9/11!" I think I know what will happen to me.

This asymmetry of power, and a willingness to use it without the slightest hesitation, is what I hate more than anything about flying on UA. A few minutes before the aeroplane crossed the point where I would be a million miler, the purser decided to go off on me. My crime was apparently to look at my phone (which was in aeroplane mode) to see what time it was - this somehow became "taking photographs of the crew". With twelve hours remaining on this flight after the confrontation, I did not enjoy it. At least I wasn't arrested upon arrival. However, having now achieved million miler status, I think I'm rather unlikely to reap any benefits - that would require flying on United airlines.

My incident occurred on the only economy-class flight on a six flight itinerary. My own personal experience is that you are much less likely to be treated like a criminal in UA business class, although judging from some of the experiences others have had, it might still happen.

UA flight 895, departing ORD July 22, arriving HKG July 23. I've asked "customer care" where I can send the cut up pieces of my million miler card (when it arrives) so that the purser will receive it. No response so far, and I'll be surprised if anything other than a form letter ever comes.