I have a question, is anyone really not going to fly on United just because of this? I’m not looking to be argumentative, I am really curious as to how this is impacting United’s business.

ok, yeah cool song, and cool idea but really–what is up with the “let’s pretend to be mariachis” thing they’ve got going?

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Frank, for real? I’m asking b/c I’ve almost always flown either SWA or Continental due to where I live (they’ve got the most options and they’re the cheapest)…I’ve never had any issues w/dress code on SWA and I am certainly nowhere close to Amish in dress style I just responded b/c it almost seems like we’re in different worlds or something, I was wondering if maybe you were thinking of another airline?

I even took my kids, by myself, to my gf’s funeral. In the airport, they were awful…loud, running around, my 2 YO lost his shoes, then he started melting down…he rarely does it but he had saved it up all day for just the worst possible time. I had to strap him to his carseat so he wouldn’t run off and get lost, and he kicked and screamed even after that, and actually moved the carseat across the floor with his kicking and screaming. NOT pretty in the least. It was a once in a lifetime tantrum (for him). Granted, they weren’t loud and obnoxious (well, not too much) once we got on the plane, but I was seriously worried they wouldn’t let us on. They did, and they were great…

I do get your comment on the fat thing though. Not real nice.

I have to say some of their other policies are asinine as well, but the rest of the airlines have the bar set so low that by comparison I can put up with just a few asinine things.

We actually like the train best, if it’s convenient and we have the time. Still some ridiculous employees with attitudes (where don’t you get that these days?) but overall it was a much better experience for us to travel with the kids (we did get a family sleeper car). I just wish there were more choices, it’s only Amtrak and their routes ALL go through Chicago, so if I want to go from Houston to Seattle I have to go to Chicago first, which is a bit out of the way. Not real convenient for really long trips so much (unless you live in Chicago, or it’s on the way).

Ok well I’m rambling. I was just surprised by your statements…I don’t fly much anymore b/c I hate the airport so much, so maybe I’ve missed out on some news. I still don’t know what they’re talking about with the United and guitars, either. Maybe I’ll google it.

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Frank, wow, thanks for the links. I had heard about the woman and toddler but thought that was an aberration for this particular airline, apparently not. Based on *my* flying experience, they’re still less assholish than the *rest* of the airlines I’ve flown on (NW, after their merger with Delta, was one of my *worst* experiences)…but this is *the* reason we’ve started taking our business elsewhere, to the train, when possible. I can’t stand any of the airlines and use them only when time is of the essence and things can’t be arranged any other way other than to not go at all.

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Yeah, they don’t have many flights here, and I only took them once they had merged. Delta was always terrible IME, and NW under Delta has been about like Delta. My few experiences with Delta may be the reason I actually like SWA and Continental by comparison. I’m with you though, there’s really no “friendly skies” or good way to fly anymore…there’s just shades of bad or worse (which may vary by airline depending on where you live or what crew you happen to get). So I guess you could say my *positive prejudice* is the train. Again, not b/c it’s so great, just b/c I’m not using the airlines, and we have our own private room, meals are free with the family car fare (which is about the price of a plane ticket), we can move around, we have a place to sleep and shower if there are delays, etc. I used to LOVE flying (pre-9/11), but these days it’s gotten a bit like a police state in the airport and uncaring, surly service in the airlines themselves, as if they’re entitled to our business or whatnot.

Well, thanks for the links and info…I had missed most of it but it does just confirm my opinion that *all* the airlines are overrated and need a wake up call (just pretty sure they won’t get it). I keep trying to get people to think of other options and take some of their business away from the airlines whenever possible, but it’s just not possible for a lot of people due to time constraints/ lack of other options, or they refuse to consider anything else, or some combo of the above.

Regardless of airline, Laureen, have a safe and uneventful trip!