Postcards From Maui (United Airlines Sucks)

Aloha from Kihei, Maui. It’s 2:14am Hawaiian Standard Time. 8:14 back home, so I’m awake. I don’t want to sound too negative, as I sit here in paradise, awaiting daybreak and my first cup of coconut coffee. There are just a few things you should know, if you plan on traveling here at any time in the future. Yes, United sucks. In fact, all airlines suck. We’ve come here just about every route imaginable on every major carrier who flies here. We have horror stories for all of them. In spite of that, we keep coming back. It’s still well worth the pain. It’s that nice here. Any time you’re traveling 4600 miles in a cramped space, there is going to be some level of discomfort. But, why does the level keep going up? This isn’t just me. This is the airline herding you like cattle into the tightest space possible. Even when you pay for extra legroom (Which is a joke. You should automatically have that extra 6 inches of legroom), there’s no guarantee you’ll have it, as so many flights get cancelled and you’re herded onto another already full plane to make sure absolutely each seat is filled. You get whatever is left over. Flying used to be fun. Now it’s arduous. If you’ve flown anywhere lately, you know. Multiply that by the hours of travel time. Don’t blame 9/11. TSA does a pretty good job moving people through. Blame the greedy airlines, who continue to use 9/11 as an excuse to charge all of these extra fees. I won’t list them all. You know all too well. There are a few which are an insult to your intelligence. Like baggage fees. Why? Especially, when they charge you for every single piece, and have tried to even charge you for a carry on. They want vacation travelers. Do they think you should go with nothing? Early boarding fees are another. Paying extra to board the plane among the first, actually slows the boarding procedure. And why don’t they load the plane from back to front? When they random board, everyone in the forward rows stops to put their carry ons in the overhead compartment, while the entire flight stands there waiting for someone to retrieve their book, water bottle, Ouija board, etc. out of their carry on before they sit down. First class and “Economy” plus seats serve a dual purpose. They make even more money, and they serve as a symbol. They tell everyone in coach they are inferior, and should not complain. And now, I’m done complaining. As I said, these are things you should be aware of. You’ll have an easier time, if you prepare yourself mentally for a very long day. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised with no glitches. Either way, the breathtaking scenery and wonderful experiences which await, will quickly make that flight a distant memory.