[Hank Man]

We flew out parents First Class from Newark to Seattle and back. They are 90 and 87, so we took them to check in, arranged for wheel chairs in advance, and double checked everything before heading to Seatac airport. Just as we were getting to the first class check-in line, a former NBA basketball player physically shoved in front of us and laid down a golf bag and disappeared to return with another golf bag. The Continental check in staff went gaga over the basketball player and immediately began to attend to his every need, EXCEPT he wasn't in first class. He wanted some sort of upgrade, but didn't have a ticket for it. The Continental agent pulled over another agent, and two agents began to help the former NBA player. One agent told us to use the check-in kiosk because they were busy. We did. Meanwhile our aging parents, who were on First Class and had preprinted boarding tickets, stood around for 20 minutes while two agents ignored them to attend to the basketball player without a First Class ticket. We asked the agents if they could call up the wheel chairs for our parents, and they told us brusquely to "Go sit down". Later we asked them about the two wheel chairs, and they sounded surprised that we needed two, not one. When we pointed out that two wheel chairs were in their record and we had confirmed it, they brusquely told us that what was in the record didn't count, we had to make it clear to them in person. We had, but they were too busy with the basketball player to remember. When the wheel chairs eventually arrived, the agents told us to get going. We reminded them that they still hadn't checked in our parents' one bag. Again they were surprised even though we had clearly indicated on the check-in kiosk that we had one bag to check. NEVER again. Being on First Class meant less than being a former NBA player who hadn't even bought a First Class ticket. We couldn't even check in as fast as those on coach, and the premium we paid for our aging parents was ignored.

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

Based on the Continental-United merger, and the third-world quality of United service, I suspect you saw what will be an example of typical Continental-United service in the future. If you purchased the first class tickets with Continental miles then you were obviously stuck with Continental. Otherwise, Alaska Air operates two non-stop flights, both offering first class cabins, Newark - Seattle. However the Alaska check-in staff, at Newark, may work for Continental. So, even on Alaska, you might be dealing with ticket counter Nazis in the case of a Newark departure.

[Gromit801]

Alaska's Newark staff is a sub-crontractor like Menzies. Not from another airline.

[Hank Man]

This event took place in Seattle.

[Sabra]

Ever since the merger, CO's customer service has been in the toilet. I've been a loyal "elite" pax of theirs for over a decade and ever since they've become "United," they have been deplorable.