[Jgruntfest]

I was on the phone Wed the 25th with Sam's/Expedia trying to sort it all out. Continental just agreed to refund the flight fee. The issue in their system was the Unaccompanied Minor Fee, which at the time of booking she was not. We were instructed to pay the fee at the check in counter. Which was US Air. So my qestion now is who is at fault? US Air? United? Who should have seen the issue and resolved it immediately?

[Jgruntfest]

The byzantine world of airlines in which he buys a ticket from Sam's Club, who deliver their service through Expedia, who bought the ticket from Continental, who sold a United Flight number, operated by US airways is ludicrous. If they want to operate that way, the minimum that should be required is that they have systems to allow each other to co-ordinate and deliver the service they have sold. There is no other industry which would get away with this... and you are being moronic when you say that the customer is a fault.[/quote]

VERY wel stated-Thanks

[Gromit801]

Best bet, eliminate the 3rd part ticket sellers. Go to the source.

[jimworcs]

How exactly would that have helped? If he bought the ticket from Continental directly, are you saying the problem wouldn't have existed? Continental were a 3rd party selling agent, selling a United numbered flight on a US Airways operated flight.

It is also bad advice if you have connections with different airlines. For example, if you are travelling say from Little Rock to London and have to change somewhere, best use an agent. If you buy direct, you will have to buy a ticket for the international portion of the flight from a US carrier. US based carriers are almost NEVER better than the international competition. There are dozens of airlines flying from the US to London, and I would choose almost all foreign airlines over US airlines for that route, with the possible exception of Air India, who are also appalling. If you buy from an agent, you can interlink with Virgin for example and if something goes wrong the agent will assist you. (In theory).

[Silent Bob]

You are being a total prat. He was given an itinerary which told him to go to the US Airways counter. He did go to the US Airways counter

No Jim, this shows your ability to merely skim a note rather than read it in it's entirety. the mother and daughter did not go to the US Airways Counter, they first went to a United Counter and the Op even stated in his first complaint it was a US Airways flight operated by United, which was entirely false. Was it the Op's fault? YES! Why? well read his itinerary, it clearly states it's a US Airs flight, why go to a United Counter? It's called owning up to the problem rather than placing blame to someone else. It doesn't matter the codeshare shell game, it only matters that the information given is correct and concise, which it was. I've already stated that United doesn't fly to Charlotte and that was correct, I stated that the return flight was on Continental (which is why the ticket number was Continental) was also true. I also stated that the mistake was misreading the itinerary, which by the OP's own admission was also TRUE.

Was it the Op's fault: A Big Whopping Yes.


You can defend all you want Jim, but that doesn't change the fact that no one is to blame here but that of the OP misreading the itinerary and Expedia not explaining this on the day he was on the phone with him.

[jimworcs]

Is it me who is skimming or you? This quote is taken directly from the first post by the OP..

My ex-wife then went to a US air counter and was referred back to the United desk.

Which bit of that didn't you understand? She went to the United desk first... but also went to the US Airways desk. Meanwhile, the OP was also on the phone to Sam's Club.

What were they supposed to do? Set up a live conference with Sam's Club, Expedia, US Airways, United and Continental?

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by PHXFlyer

On Nov. 25 US Airways flight 1825 was a flight from Reagan National (DCA) to Charlotte (CLT) which continued on to Myrtle Beach (MYR). Care to tell us now who was at fault here? If your ex-wife brought her to Newark they were at the wrong airport. But I don't think that's what happened. Sam's Club totally messed up your ticket! That's what you get for purchasing your ticket at Wal~Mart. Better call Bentonville, Arkansas and stop blaming the airlines for this mess!

Originally Posted by Jgruntfest

If you see the itinerary above I guess your info was wrong but thanks for caring

This more than proves that you still don't get it. My post was absolutely correct. United flight 1825 operaterd by US Airways was indeed your daughter's flight from EWR to CLT. US Airways flight 1825 (their own flight number on their own plane) was the DCA to CLT flight. This, and the fact that you shop at Wal~Mart, says a lot!

[Silent Bob]

LMAO!!! Jim, it still shows YOU as the skimmer!! In the very beginning of the complaint it states:

My ex-wife brought her to the United desk as recomended by the intinerary print out. (Even though it was a Continental booking for a US Air flight operated by United???) When my daughter and her mother arrived at the check-in counter they were instructed that my daughter's ticket

You skimmed over the very first paragraph where this is stated. And by the OP's own admission, by posting the itinerary here, the print out does not state that they go to a United counter, it states they go to a US Airways Counter. And you don't need to setup a conference with all those people, just talking with Expedia is just fine.

[jimworcs]

How many cocktails have you had? I said.. she went to the United desk first and then went to the US Airways desk. How does it work in bob's land? If the problem was that they should have gone to US Airways, how did it come about that when they did, US Airways couldn't help..and guess where US Airways sent them... back to United!!

[The_Judge]

This is fun. Not a helpful post but just an observation.

[Silent Bob]

First Jim, you're hopelessness in trying to defend this op is showing your worth which is absolute zero. Good job. Second, we really don't know if US Airs could or couldn't help them since the mom and daughter were back and forth between airlines, which if they had read the itinerary clearly, it states where they needed to be - US Airs. There's no reason why US Airs couldn't help them since Charlotte is their hub. However there was no reason to go back to United because They Don't Fly To Charlotte!!! On top of that the OP wasn't even there, he was in Charlotte calling Expedia to find out what happened and how to fix the problem.

So to say that it was the airline's fault is wrong, the itinerary that's posted here, by the OP himself, clearly shows where they needed to go, but it was misread. Reread the op's posts just one more time Jim, and before you do, wipe the airline hate crust from your eyes just this once and maybe just maybe you'll get it. mmmm-kay? (now that's being a prat)


I'll also accept your name calling as a win for me since you have no way to counter but otherwise.

[Leatherboy2006]

To the OP, next time save yourself the hassle and book online yourself, either directly with expedia or the airline itself....ok I confess I get the hives just looking at Wal-Mart and Sam's, to many small family business's have been hurt(driven out of business) because of them

[jimworcs]

Ok Bob,

You are right... my simple little brain just can't understand. To me, you are tying yourself up in knots desperately trying to find a tenuous way in which you can blame the customer and it is ridiculous. But clearly, I have not got your superior logical and analytical skills. This will be my final attempt to understand, but I fear I am a lost cause:

You argue this would not have happened if the Exwife and Daughter had gone to the US Airways desk.

THEY DID GO TO THE US AIRWAYS DESK AND US AIRWAYS COULDN'T HELP THEM

Your position then appears to be that because they went to the United desk first in error, then all that followed was their fault.

Why? What difference does it make that they went to the United desk first in error? Did it hurt US Airways feelings?

You state
There's no reason why US Airs couldn't help them since Charlotte is their hub

THEY DID GO TO THE US AIRWAYS DESK AND US AIRWAYS COULDN'T HELP THEM

So Bob... can you explain your position just one more time.. because I am clearly too stupid to understand your logic..

You seem to be saying it was the OP's ex-wife and child's fault for mis-reading the itinerary. They should have gone to the US Airways desk, but in error, they first went to the United Desk. When they were unable to help them, they then went to the US Airways desk. However, by going to the United desk first, this had somehow disqualified them from getting help from the US Airways desk?

Help, my brain is hurting.

Why didn't US Airways help them? ~ Just answer that simple question for me. Maybe then I could understand, because it is hard for my little brain to cope when I have my anti-airline crust in my eyes.

[Silent Bob]

Ultimately Jim, you're not gonna get the answers you seek, because the mother (who all this mess happened to) is not here to tell her side; this whole tale of woe is from a 3rd person perspective. I stand by my words.

First they went to United, probably waited on a Que, got to the counter and Oops, we don't fly there, US Airs does, but by the time they arrived at the US counter their flight was gone.

Now I'll give you this much, why didn't US airs help them? Maybe because it was a Continental ticket? that would be my guess. The OP did the right thing to call Expedia, but why not ask the big question Jim: Why didn't Expedia help him when he called?

Most likely because it was a voluntary change (they missed the flight because they erred by misreading the itinerary) and were gonna charge them to rebook. Or maybe the ticket was so cheap that once the plane left, and they no showed, poof no more ticket?

We really don't know because the person that this happened to is not here to say what needs to be said.The OP was in Charlotte the whole time and did not know what happened until after the fact.

But ULTIMATELY had they gone to US airs, where their itinerary told them to go IN THE FIRST PLACE, they would not be in this mess. But the blame lies with them and Expedia.

[jimworcs]

Thanks Bob, I thought it was me.. but you confirmed by suspicion. You havn't got a clue why US Airways didn't help them... so you are now making things up to try and reconcile the illogic of your position.

Have you ever heard of cognitive dissonance? You appear to be suffering from it. You have two contradictory positions and are holding on to them in the face of the evidence. Here they are... from within the same post:

But ULTIMATELY had they gone to US airs, where their itinerary told them to go IN THE FIRST PLACE, they would not be in this mess

Now I'll give you this much, why didn't US airs help them? Maybe because it was a Continental ticket? that would be my guess.

Can you see the contradiction Bob?

Now.. onto the rest of your farrago of nonsense:

First they went to United, probably waited on a Que, got to the counter and Oops, we don't fly there, US Airs does, but by the time they arrived at the US counter their flight was gone.

Except, according to the OP, the flight hadn't gone by then. Why make up this scenario, when the OP has told you different? It only after they had been to US Airways and then got sent back to United by US Airways that they ran out of time. Why make up facts when the OP has given us them?

Then you ask me, why didn't Expedia help them? I don't know Bob, but I asked the question first. Why are you asking me that? Here is a quote from another of my posts...

The byzantine world of airlines in which he buys a ticket from Sam's Club, who deliver their service through Expedia, who bought the ticket from Continental, who sold a United Flight number, operated by US airways is ludicrous. If they want to operate that way, the minimum that should be required is that they have systems to allow each other to co-ordinate and deliver the service they have sold. There is no other industry which would get away with this... and you are being moronic when you say that the customer is a fault.

See how I argued my point there Bob? My argument is exactly that if the ridiculous labrythine marketing networks of the airline industry involves 5 different companies (Sam's Club, Expedia, United, Continental and US Airways) for a single direct flight from EWR to CLT the least they can do is have systems which allow each other to co-ordinate and deliver the service they have sold. All 5 players should be able to understand what is going on here.. afterall, it is their own ridiculous schemes which create this confusion.

Ultimately Jim, you're not gonna get the answers you seek

You are right there Bob.. because there is no sense or logic in your position. I was seeking a logical explanation for your position, and your last post confirms what I thought. There isn't one.

I admit.. I start from a customer orientation... I am unashamedly pro-consumer in my approach to these issues. However, I can point to many posts where I have recognised that the customer is in the wrong. You start from a position of supporting the airline... fair enough. However, the way in which you have turned and twisted to make this the customers fault is bizarre.

[mars6423]

the ex-wife and the daughter did the right thing, they DID go to the US Air desk, even if they went to other desks (all except continental) and the US Air should have got her on the paid flight and this shouldnt have been a deal or a problem

Even if they went to United then they should have been assisted with what to do and how to go about it, the airlines messed up, even with or without a misread of the itinerary, this is a combo of mess ups i believe, on everyones part sam's/walmart, expedia and the airlines

all could easily be avoided if things were clear and straightforward, if things are shown to the customer in basic terms and follow through than these kind of scenrios may not happen

If you buy a ticket with one airline (continental) where one part is on US Air as a United codeshare than it should clearly be marked and be able to check in online on the website of the carrier you brought the ticket with (then that airline provides proof of checkin to the airline your going on so that it is simple for the customer and it is the airlines responsibility) and have it clearly state where to go when your at the airport

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by mars6423

all could easily be avoided if things were clear and straightforward, if things are shown to the customer in basic terms and follow through than these kind of scenrios may not happen

If you buy a ticket with one airline (continental) where one part is on US Air as a United codeshare than it should clearly be marked and be able to check in online on the website of the carrier you brought the ticket with (then that airline provides proof of checkin to the airline your going on so that it is simple for the customer and it is the airlines responsibility) and have it clearly state where to go when your at the airport

I don't think it could have been more clearly stated:

Originally Posted by Jgruntfest

Flight summary

Wed 25-Nov-09
Newark (EWR)
Depart 2:45 pm
Terminal A to Charlotte (CLT)
Arrive 4:41 pm 538 mi
(866 km)
Duration: 1hr 56mn
UA UNITED
Flight: 1825
Operated by: US AIRWAYS

3Economy/Coach Class ( Seat assignments upon check-in ), Boeing 737-400
Please check in with US Airways. If checking in at a kiosk, use your name rather than confirmation number.

As for online checkin since the OP was dealing with an unaccompanied minor I doubt they would have been able to checkin online. Most airlines disable online checkin if there are unaccompanied minors, pets, or anything else "out of the ordinary" in the reservation.

[mars6423]

i understand that, i mean in general it would be more helpful, when it is a person that doesnt need assistance than it would be easier for them to check in with one airline and be automatically checked in with the airline they are flying with

it was clear but i am sure that many people who do not fly frequently wont look at that, they will only see the airline they booked with and have no idea that they need to go to another airlines desk since they didnt read the booking

[jimworcs]

Well, they did their best. She tried United and US Airways and her ex husband was on the phone with Expedia. That was 3 out of the five...

Lets face it.. they got PATHETIC service.

I need to go and calm down now.. I think mars just agreed with me and I am feeling a bit wobbly.

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by mars6423

i understand that, i mean in general it would be more helpful, when it is a person that doesnt need assistance than it would be easier for them to check in with one airline and be automatically checked in with the airline they are flying with

it was clear but i am sure that many people who do not fly frequently wont look at that, they will only see the airline they booked with and have no idea that they need to go to another airlines desk since they didnt read the booking

Perhaps the itinerary of all codeshares should read this way:

US Airways flight 1464
Marketed as United flight 1825 under codeshare agreement

Even though you did not buy this ticket from US Airways, please check-in with US Airways. You will be flying on a US Airways Aircraft and are subject to US Airways published fees for baggage and other added services.

[jimworcs]

Ok, now I am getting really scared... I have agreed with mars and phxflyer... has anyone got any tranquillizers?

[mars6423]

jim it seems that lately we have been agreeing on more stuff

businesses arent there for people, businesses are there to make one thing and one thing only, money/profit, there are no such things as good/fair business, its an evil world, and the airline industry has gone to the extreme in that case (with US based airlines...esp delta....winning the "race" to worst companies to follow in a industry that noone should base their business on, delta have almost an monopoly on terrible service and screwin customers over)

[jimworcs]

It was a short lived romance mars.. because I so profoundly disagree with this...

businesses arent there for people, businesses are there to make one thing and one thing only, money/profit, there are no such things as good/fair business, its an evil world

that I don't even know where to begin. What I do know is that the philosophical discussion that could follow if I responded would be so far off topic and so inappropriate to be in the United thread.. I think it is just best to say...

I completely, totally and utterly disagree.

[The_Judge]

Ok, I want in. I will agree with Mars to the extent that many airlines have shareholders and like it or not, they are there to make money for them. If an airline has a choice between making money and doing less for a passenger or being more customer friendly at the cost of making more money, they will choose the former, no question.

I also see Jim's point that in fairly tale land that all businesses will cater to the customer first before the almighty ....... (insert whatever monetary type you like) This is the way it used to be in this industry and the way it should be again but it is NOT the way it is now.

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by mars6423

businesses arent there for people, businesses are there to make one thing and one thing only, money/profit, there are no such things as good/fair business,

Without people (customers and employees) there would be no profit. And there is such a thing as a good business, or there were. The family owned hardware, appliance and clothing stores on "Main St." of every small to medium sized community. Unfortunately Wal~Mart opened up just down the street and now Mom and Pop can't compete. So sad.