I have to go to NYC tomorrow. I’m flying a red eye tonight and flying one back Friday night. Despite not really liking United (I never did get that refund from this debacle), it was the last seat available in the time period I needed so I took it.
When I booked the flight, I made sure it was a non-stop flight (United Flight 315 from La Guardia) so I could take a sleeping pill and zonk out.
I just looked at my flights and saw a strange little notation about stopping in Denver. So, I called United. The conversation, word-for-word, went like this:
A-M: Hi! I’m flying from La Guardia to Seattle tomorrow night on flight 315 and I notice there’s a stop in Denver. Do I have to get off the plane?
United: Yes, you do have to get off the plane, change flights and board another plane.
A-M: Really? Because, um, I bought non-stop.
United: This is a non-stop flight.
A-M: Really? Because I could swear that this is one stop. I mean, landing, getting off the plane, boarding another plane … that all really sounds like a full stop to me.
United: It’s not considered a stop because no passengers are getting on the plane.
A-M: Are you sure? Because stopping, disembarking and boarding another plane sounds an awfully lot like a real stop to me.
United: I’m sorry we were not able to meet your travel needs today. Have a safe flight.
So now when we book non-stop planes it really doesn’t mean NON STOP??? It just means that the plane isn’t going to stop and add more people to it??? OMG! I’m getting so disgusted with the airline business. My husband worked for the airlines and after 13 years was laid off. My neighbor was laid off after over 30 years of service. Then to read this: I just get more miffed than I already am!! They are (can’t use the word I’d like to)! I hope your trip goes well AM and that you can find a chance to sleep (somehow) in between there).
LOL – Carrie said it!
ARE YOU KIDDING??
Wow, sounds like something that would happen to me. I hope you at least get a little sleep and have a fun trip!
I have never been on a plane, but I must say from what I am not missing much!
are you sure you weren’t talking to a robot pretending to care? lol
Hysterical! Nothing like double talk to make your day.
Wow – good for you on your “quick” trip to NYC (my *favorite* city)! I have taken the red-eye from Seattle to Newark with a stop (flew Northwest), but the last time I did that I was 10 years younger than I am now!
I really wish that conversations like the one you had with United customer service was NOT the norm nowadays. What happened? It is frustrating that some companies we need and some how we tolerate this because we have to.
Have a safe trip and I hope you have nice weather in NYC. Do have a fabulous time and enjoy the city!!
Nope. Think of me, tonight at 12:35 a.m., changing planes in Denver … cursing all the way =))
Are you kidding?