There’s a limit to Friendship
I have 1172 Friends on Facebook. They’re all Friends, but they aren’t all friends. How could they be? Who could possibly have time to devote to 1172 friends? But they are all people (or groups) I know. So when I agree to Friend someone, it’s because I know them. That’s my personal rule.
With “liking” — which recently replaced becoming a “Fan” — my rule is this: I click to Like if I do indeed like whatever it is. Danger Mouse, the Founding Fathers of the United States, the Duino Elegies, My Dinner with Andre — these are all things I am now publicly on record as Liking.
But now what I think I need is a Dislike button. And maybe also a Hate It button. I really want these. Why? Because United emailed me to ask me to Like them. And the thing is: I hate them. Passionately.
Why?
- Always late. (I don’t care what their lying blurb says. I’ve been there for it. Waiting for it, to be precise.)Charging exorbitant fees to check bags.
- Canceling flights.
- Rude customer service.
In June, the last time I flew United — and I hope indeed it was the last time — a long-time gate agent actually took me aside and apologized for the way company policy forced him to treat me. “I hate the way we have to treat customers now,” he said. “I think we’re ruining our business. I’m sorry.” I appreciated hearing that — but it did nothing to help me. Two months prior, I was almost stranded over night in Tucson (not a happy prospect) because they canceled my flight with no backup plan. (I booked onto another airline.)
Have I let United know about these things? You bet. Emails. Phone calls. I even sent something called a letter. I’ve gotten form replies or silence. Nobody cares.
So, when I got this lame inducement to Like United, I emailed them again. Here’s what I said: “But I HATE United. I wouldn’t Friend you if you flat-out GAVE me two tickets.”
That felt good, but it didn’t last long. I still want my Dislike button.
August 5th, 2010 at 3:12 am
You’re right. Airlines these days don’t seem to five a sh*t about anyone, but United really rubs their arrogance in your face.
August 5th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
On my latest flights with American Airlines things went well. No lost luggage, flights were on time, and they arrived early at their destinations. Of course last year they ripped a zipper off my luggage.
Spirit Airlines that flys out of Atlantic City’s airport just began charging $45 for a carry on bag, $30 if you pay in advance.
August 8th, 2010 at 7:58 am
Now, of course, United has merged with Continental, where I’ve been a frequent flyer for years. Continental’s been the perfect airline for us: everywhere we go regularly is a nonstop flight from Newark, the airline offered bonus miles for booking the site on continental.com (where the fare has invariably been the cheapest anyway) and taking NJ Transit to the AirTrain (built by Continental) is the best way to get to the airport. Fortunately, we had enough miles for two round-trip tickets this month before United finally takes over and the airline is completely screwed up. We’ll give them a try next time we’re headed out to DFW or Kansas City or Paris (god, I hope that one is soon!) but I don’t foresee that lasting long: fortunately, JetBlue offers non-stop from Newark to Burbank the next time we’re headed out your way!
August 10th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
United Airlines is simply scum. There are some very nice people who work for them, but if I ever meet one of their slimy, greedy, incompetent executives in a dark alley; Watch out! The worst airline hands down. Long live Southwest! For their customer service, long-term planning, consistency. They only have one type of plane, so all of their pilots can fly all of their planes, and they never downsize a plane and make customers forfeit seats, and, oh yeah, they don’t charge you a fee to change your plans!!