[sgalgani]

I am currently stationed in Baghdad, Iraq working for the US Army Corps of Engineers. I recently went on my first R&R (Rest & Recuperation) leave from Iraq and flew to Cancun for vacation. My trip back to Iraq was very unsettling and embarrassing to say the least. Sunday July 20th, 2008 I was scheduled to fly out of Cancun on United Airlines Flight 1696 to Dulles International Airport at 3:30pm. The flight was delayed and did not leave until 7:00pm. My transfer flight to Kuwait left at 9:57pm out of Dulles and I knew I was going to miss it. My Flight landed in Dulles at 10:45pm. I had slept on the entire flight so when we landed at Dulles I needed to use the bathroom. We were herded off the plane down a hallway. When we reached the end there was an older man with Dulles Airport yelling that if anyone’s final destination was DC to go one way and anyone making a transfer flight needed to see the lady standing at a desk in front of us. I knew I had already missed my Kuwait flight so I asked the gentleman giving direction where the restroom was? He told me to go downstairs pass the escalators. I went downstairs and used the restroom only when I returned back upstairs there wasn’t a sole person anywhere in site. The entire building was empty and locked up. There I was locked in a terminal by myself. I panicked, I started calling out for someone to answer but there was no one, not even security. I looked out two doors in front of me and they were locked and there was a drop off outside where the shuttles connect to the building. I figured the flight I was with must have gotten on one of the shuttles and left? I went downstairs and there was no one. The room downstairs where you walk through with your bags had a giant net pulled down and the lights were off. I was really scared and tired. I didn’t know what to do or where my bags were. There was no emergency phone and all I could think of was to set off an alarm. One of the doors downstairs said “Do Not Open, Alarm Will Sound” so I thought well, this will get someone’s attention or I will be in here all night! I opened the door and the alarm started going off and this light started flashing. It was pouring rain and I could see the runway. I stood there holding the door for a few minutes hoping Security or someone would come investigate and that I wouldn’t get shot. No one came, so I saw headlights from a truck coming towards me on the runway. I ran out in the rain and flagged the truck down. It was a worker in a small delivery truck. He was foreign and didn’t speak much English. I told him that I needed help. He said he didn’t really know the airport or where to go and I was scared for my life at this point because I had just got in a truck with a stranger. I told him to just stop anywhere there were people. We turned a corner and saw a building with people working. He asked if I wanted to try and ask them for help and I said yes. I got out and ran up to the workers. It was apparently the place where the airline workers load or inspect luggage? At first a couple of guys just looked at me but didn’t approach me. I said accuse me but I need help, I’m lost. One of the men asked me how I got there and said this is a secured area! I told them that I’m sure it was but I needed help. Finally one older man said come with me and I’ll get help. I followed him and the workers were telling him to be careful with me, I could be dangerous. I was so upset and humiliated. We went into a lounge where workers clock in and take break I guess. The man called security to come get me. I waited 10-15 minutes for Security. I showed him my passport and told him that I was a Government Employee returning from leave to Iraq. The man said that it didn’t surprise him that something like this could happen at that Airport. Another man with security showed up and asked me first to tell him how I got in the room I was in? I told him that the older man beside me let me in with him. I then told him my story and he started to grin and said that he could believe this could happen also. He said that at that moment there was an unattended piece of luggage at one of the gates that was reported to security as suspicious but security still hadn’t come to check on it. He asked me if I had been through Customs and I told him no, I hadn’t been anywhere. He was shocked and he called a policeman to come get me. He also told me that my flight to Kuwait had been scheduled to depart on July 21st at 9:57pm the next night again and that I was already booked on it. We waited a good 15 minutes for the police to show up. Once again I’m standing in the Airport with 2 Security people with me like I am the criminal. I was so embarrassed. I followed the cop outside to his car and got in. He laughed about the situation and was apologetic. He drove me over to Customs and walked me inside. He explained to the man at the desk what happened and that man laughed. The policemen left me with the Customs man. Customs checked my passport and told me to proceed on. I asked him where I needed to go and where to get my luggage? He said to go through the doors and look for the United Office. It just so happened that the United Airlines Office was at the opposite end of the Airport from where I was. I walked forever to the end and found United. I waited in a long line until I went inside to explain my story. The man at the counter told me to follow him and there was my luggage sitting outside the door. I was so happy that at least I found my bags. I asked him what to do about missing my flight? He said that he could give me 50% certificate for a Hotel stay for the night and he did. I went over and called and got a room at Wingate Inn which still cost me $99 after the discount. I went out and got a shuttle to the Hotel, it was around 1:30am when I checked in and went to bed. Even though I had late checkout, I still had to leave the Hotel at 1:00pm the next afternoon. Since my flight didn’t leave until 9:57pm, I was once again wondering around Dulles Airport all day. I want to file a lawsuit against Dulles Airlines. I also want people to be aware of just how unsecure our Airports still are today. Its funny that at one Airport they frisk you and confiscate your canned Coke at the Security checkpoint, but in Washington DC, the Nation’s Capital I got past Customs, Security, set off an alarm, got onto the runway, in a vehicle and walked up to the luggage area carrying a bag and large purse. I don’t know who or what Lawyer to contact but I would love some direction, this cannot go unheard.

[Silent Bob]

So this complaint isn't about United Airlines, this is about you somehow getting locked in an airport. Not for nothin but what i find funny about this is that you left Iraq and getting locked in an airport... you feared for your life????