I'm going through a sad, albeit overdue, break-up.
We started seeing each other when I moved to Chicago in 2004. It was casual at first; we enjoyed spending time together, but there was no commitment. I guess I got in deeper than I realized, because by the next year I had made Premier status and I admit it, I really liked the way United treated me. Boarding first, getting free economy plus seats, not to mention certificates for first class upgrades… we were very compatible, and life was magical. Sure, there were tough times-- the occasional canceled flight or luggage snafu--but then United would charm me all over again and we’d laugh about our little tiffs.
I remember clearly the day I finally stated my feelings. By then we’d been together a few years, and things were pretty intense. I refused to see any other airline. United had my heart, and it was time to say it already. I needed to make an earlier flight. It was a slow day at O’Hare and two agents chatted with me about my standby request. One of them said, “Okay, you’re all set,” and I said, “So my chances look good to get on standby?” He said, “Actually, I just went ahead and put you on the flight; here’s your boarding pass.” Tears came to my eyes. “This is why I love your airline so much,” I said. "United loves you, too!” the agents replied. I think they really meant it.
Fast forward to 2011. I checked in for my flight back from Cincinnati (via Chicago) last weekend and decided to request standby so I could make it home before 10 PM. In a shockingly callous gesture, my former love asked me for $75 for the privilege of trying to make standby, no guarantees. I had tears of a very different sort in my eye as I fished out my credit card. It just felt so cold, and so wrong. Did all those years and all those miles mean nothing?
Maybe United knew my heart wasn’t really in it anymore… not since my move to Philadelphia, a US Air hub. I explained when I left that long distance would be hard, though I’d make it back to O’Hare as often as I could… but I guess the airline saw though me. And I sensed that United changed, too, spending too much time chasing the elite Premier Execs and 1K fliers, sneering a little at the lowlier Premier types.
Since my airline seems to think it can do better, I’m gracefully saying goodbye. I haven’t even come close to flying enough miles to retain Premier status next year. And honestly, I don’t see that it will make much difference to my life anymore. I'm ready to see who else is out there and what I’ve been missing all these years.
Oh -- but since I'm still feeling a little raw about the split, this is not the time to tell me that all airlines are insensitive, self-serving and greedy these days..
I remember clearly the day I finally stated my feelings. By then we’d been together a few years, and things were pretty intense. I refused to see any other airline. United had my heart, and it was time to say it already. I needed to make an earlier flight. It was a slow day at O’Hare and two agents chatted with me about my standby request. One of them said, “Okay, you’re all set,” and I said, “So my chances look good to get on standby?” He said, “Actually, I just went ahead and put you on the flight; here’s your boarding pass.” Tears came to my eyes. “This is why I love your airline so much,” I said. "United loves you, too!” the agents replied. I think they really meant it.
Fast forward to 2011. I checked in for my flight back from Cincinnati (via Chicago) last weekend and decided to request standby so I could make it home before 10 PM. In a shockingly callous gesture, my former love asked me for $75 for the privilege of trying to make standby, no guarantees. I had tears of a very different sort in my eye as I fished out my credit card. It just felt so cold, and so wrong. Did all those years and all those miles mean nothing?
Maybe United knew my heart wasn’t really in it anymore… not since my move to Philadelphia, a US Air hub. I explained when I left that long distance would be hard, though I’d make it back to O’Hare as often as I could… but I guess the airline saw though me. And I sensed that United changed, too, spending too much time chasing the elite Premier Execs and 1K fliers, sneering a little at the lowlier Premier types.
Since my airline seems to think it can do better, I’m gracefully saying goodbye. I haven’t even come close to flying enough miles to retain Premier status next year. And honestly, I don’t see that it will make much difference to my life anymore. I'm ready to see who else is out there and what I’ve been missing all these years.
Oh -- but since I'm still feeling a little raw about the split, this is not the time to tell me that all airlines are insensitive, self-serving and greedy these days..
2 comments:
this blog post helps explain why airlines are so bad and what has happened to your "airline-relationship"
http://life.salon.com/2007/06/01/askthepilot234/
Judged by the common experience of United, I'd say this another example of a good woman falling for
the "bad boy." Always a sad story...
The Unstructured Man
Post a Comment