US AIR is now US AIRWAYS. Or is it America West under wraps? One thing it is--on this day--is an incompetent and rude airline. At 10:15 this morning, US AIRWAYS gave another slipshod performance as they obstructed my check-in for a flight from Philadelphia to Houston (within the 24-hour window).
"Sorry we can't access the seating chart at this time, see an agent at the airport ticket counter or use an automated ticketing kiosk," the message read, as it rejected me yet again (I tried 3 or 4 times before I gave up). By the way, this is standard operating procedure for US AIRWAYS, especially when one is flying on a US AIRWAYS affiliate. They can't run their own airplanes on time, and so what do they do? They add another party to the equation and then hide behind an automated computer message.
But AHOY--there was help. "Click on Live Help!", the screen read. I did. Guess what? I was greeted by a form to fill out, before I was permitted to chat with a "Live Help" agent. And the form included a box with space to describe my problem. I filled out the form--with the same information on my reservation--and I described my problem, which was that I was traveling with a 9-year old kid, and waiting until I got to the airport to check in was a large hassle, which is why I had accepted their offer to check-in online.
I clicked again--on the "Live Help" icon. "Sorry, all of our representatives are busy," it read. Could I make it up? No queue to get in, no alternative suggestions, no nothing. ("Kiss off," is my interpretation of that screen.) And so, in desperation, I clicked the back arrow to retrieve the words I had written to describe my dilemma, because I stupidly thought I might try again later, and that would save me from having to compose another message. The words were gone.
For 5 years, my family has used this airline to shuttle 3 children between parents and grandparents in Houston and Philadelphia. We have used US AIRWAYS simply because the parents live close to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. It is rare to enjoy a hassle-free flight with this company; Late departures, late arrivals (very late), tardy baggage retrieval, rude agents (there are some nice employees, but I wonder how any of them keep their heads up with so many unhappy customers). And did I mention high prices? Thank you Southwest for bringing down the cost of travel in Philadelphia.
Never again. I hate US AIRWAYS--and I hate myself more for giving them my money. From hence forth it will be SOUTHWEST AIR. I will gladly drive the extra miles to and from Houston's Hobby Airport and when I roll past George Bush Intercontinental Airport on I-45, I will hoist a middle finger to salute US AIRWAYS.
When will the government stop bailing out these losers, and let them die?
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