Complaint Review: United Airlines - Nationwide

The following is a sequel to the rip-off report that I filed approximately 1 week ago.  In my last report I descibed how United Airlines had given me a choice to either return home a day later; after spening the night in a city not on my itinerary; or to cut my vacation a day short; all with no compensation, and all to accommodate United's schedule change.

The arrogance of United continues on the flight to my vacation destination:

1.  The flight was delayed for 42 minutes due to "Operations", according to United.  Of course, this delay was not announced until after all passengers were boarded; which meant that we got to spend that 42 mintues in the plane with no air conditioning, on the tarmac. 

2.  My United flight on November 28 was scheduled to depart at 12:54.  We departed at 1:36.  The significance of this is that it is the noon hour.  Had the delay been announced, which United itself caused (see paragraph 1), then I and other passengers could have dined in the terminal prior to the flight.  But, unawares, I and others presented themselves at the terminal early so as to fascillitate an on time departure.  United offered only something less than a Happy Meal for $4.  Not even a small bag of peanuts was complimentary.

3.  My luck continued.  Seated behind me was a young mother with two small children.  These were typical small children...unruly in that they delighted in kicking that back of mine and my wife's seat.  Since the plane was half empty I decided to attempt to accomplish something productive while waiting on United to address their "operational"  issues. So as to be discreet I walked to the front of the cabin; and after describing the issue with the passengers in the next row behind mine, requested that my wife and I be allowed to move to two of the empty seats more forward in the same cabin.  We could, but the flight attendants advised that they would have to charge $140, or $70 each; as United charges more for these seats.  Keep in mind... all the seats to which I am referring were in the COACH cabin.  

4.  To top it all off, if you want to watch a movie on this 2:22 flight, all you need to do is swipe your credit card.

To recap and summarize.  My current experience began with United Airlines cutting my tropical vacation short by one day to accommodate United's schedule change; thus far with no compensation.   We have a 42 minute flight delay which could have been announced in the terminal; but instead United held all passengers on this flight hostage on the tarmac; again to accommodated United's schedule.  When United had an opportunity to accommodate a very reasonable request; one that cost United absolutely nothing; rather than granting the request, United sought to further capitalize. 

I am old enough to remember the days when you dressed up to go on a flight.  That included the flight attendants.  In that era the airlines were competing for passengers, and were concerned with customer satisfaction.  That is not the reality of the current environment.  However, I fly enough to know that not all airlines operate as does United.  Why would anyone knowingly choose to be treated in such a manner?  Knowing what I now know; why would I ever again during my time on earth choose to do business with United Airlines?