srobak..although it would have been great to have the entire story from all sides,any media outlet or newspaper or internet site,as a whole (excluding those who try to incite)report the information given to them, unless they actually have a reporter who happened to be there at the time...we don't have the whole story or the whole picture,and the cockpit crew as a rule on any airline does not insert themselves into a seating issue,unless the problem is totally disruptive or poses a security issue..although airline personnel are trained to be professional and courteous and handle customer issues with ease,they too are people with feelings and emotions and can be pushed to a limit,whether its a gate agent who is usually the first contact nowadays, or the flight attendant on board..had the gate agent been truly "offended",he or she would have either not given the lady a seat because of her behavior, or told the flight attendant there was an issue,who has the option, by the way, to say, the

(Written on 20/10/2017)(Permalink)

the families of those who "disappeared"will not think of any continuing searches as a "waste of money",no matter who finances the search..although it is pretty much a a given at this point due to the length of time elapsed, that very little if any pieces of an aircraft or remains will be found,at least the families might be able to finally have peace...

(Written on 20/10/2017)(Permalink)

cade foster..i read the article and also the comments associated with it..i agree with you totally,but many of those who commented n the actual article didnt see it that way..they said it was more of a yearly "tradition"..you cannot fix stupid..

(Written on 18/10/2017)(Permalink)

I would say from the article above and one posted today in the newspaper,that bombardier and airbus know how to keep their hat in the ring with no legal complications..a smart chess move!

(Written on 18/10/2017)(Permalink)

cw grady..your point is well taken sir..having worked as a gate agent for many years,i have never seen a pilot or co pilot remove anyone from a flight,unless the security or safety of the passengers and crew was involved..if there is a seating issue,in almost all cases the flight attendant will try to resolve it,or contact the gate agent to resolve it..a captain of course might intervene if the passenger is totally disruptive by name calling,or starting a fight,but the totality of this story is not given,so we don't what the true interaction was between the agents,the flight crew and the passenger..

(Written on 17/10/2017)(Permalink)

if this is true,this would be a sad state of affairs..mergers,although good for shreholders,for the most part are a bad deal for not only the consumer,but the employees of that carrier as well..customer service generally goes "downhill",and route structures are not really improved..united has so many issues with their brand,particularly the way passengers are treated by employees,so I don't think buying out another carrier would improve the situation!!

(Written on 16/10/2017)(Permalink)

roger..well said..this is part of the new trump economic system,which is (as mr spock used to say on star trek)highly illogical...

(Written on 13/10/2017)(Permalink)

regardless of what mr trump and his "cronies" say,(and yes, this is a political issue because of mr trumps hypocritical ideas on "free trade"and making/purchasing in America),a company or corporation should be free to price and compare any purchase,particularly a large order of aircraft,and if they are offered a reasonable deal from elsewhere,make that purchase without being "fined" with an extremely large tariff..i might add mr trump already has had some drama of his own making,with boeing ,and they are an American company..

(Written on 12/10/2017)(Permalink)

I am guessing many of the people commenting here do not know nor understand the rules and regulations of travelling with a service animal,nor a carry on pet..pets can only be carried n if they are small enough to fit in a small carrier that will fit under the seat in front of them..this can only be a cat or a dog..these pets are not allowed per regulations to be taken out of the carrier during a flight, and if that occurs, the flight attendant is supposed to tell the passenger to put the animal back in the carry on..service animals are larger as a rule, and do not require a carrier, but for the convenience of the passenger,that person and their animal who must remain at their feet,,are accommodated on the bulkhead of the aircraft..i mentioned here before i have worked many flights with both service animals and carry on pets, and have not had problems nor heard complaints because most people do follow the rules!!!

(Written on 29/09/2017)(Permalink)

having worked flights with service animals,i can tell you that paperwork and verification,as well as pre booking and advising the airline of a service animal is required..very small dogs and very small cats,no birds or othersuch,are allowed with proper paperwork and a fee to be carried on if the carrier fits under the seat in front of them..usually only one per cabin..these are not service animal,but someones very small pet..service animals are not held on a lap, nor in a carrier,but sit at the owners feet (bulkhead)and are required to wear the vest..these animals do not bark nor cause any inconvenience to others..i have never heard of a person reacting the way this woman did,nor seen anyone die from a pet allergy..i believes she had some issue and was trying to capitalize on getting not only attention, but some form of compensation..if she was truly afraid of an allergic reaction,you can rest assured the crew or the agents at the gate would have made sure she was rebooked on another fl

(Written on 28/09/2017)(Permalink)