If you’ve been following this bazaar tale when United Airlines kicked me off a flight because a flight attendant thought I was a security threat. (see the previous blog for details).
United Airlines contacted me and shed more light on the situation. In their investigation of the incident, they learned that the flight attendant thought I said, “Is there a LEO on board.” LEO is an abbreviation for Law Enforcement Officer. “I actually said, will you be serving a meal on board.” I asked all my friends and family if they knew what a LEO was and the only thing they would come up with is that it is an astrological sign.
Although “meal” and LEO could be mixed up, she further said that she then asked me to clarify my request. She did not. That was an absolute lie. And I’m willing to take a lie detector test to prove that she made her statement about security and then walked away. There was no clarification, no questions—nothing. I had also never heard the term LEO before in my life.
It was six o’clock in the morning and quite frankly, she seemed a little out of it. Maybe it was too early for her, maybe she didn’t sleep very good the night before but trust me and my version.
United said that they will take my testimony and continue the investigation and get back to me again. They have been very cooperative and let’s see if we can get this behind us.
I’ve gotten a lot of response to my incident with United and would like to answer some of the issues raised.
Some questioned why I didn’t ask the flight attendant to clarify herself as to why my questions was perceived to be a security issue. My response: “It seemed so bazaar that I dismissed it as being some strange rule that they recently had to follow.”
Another comment I got was, “Does your mileage usage relate in any way to your security. Even a frequent flyer could go off his rocker.” I will tend to agree with this statement so my status as a United 1K flyer was a minor factor in this case.
Somebody wrote that I should sue the airline for defamation of character. I’m sure we can settle on something to avoid any lawsuit.
I was surprised at how many people from different countries wrote me. And I’ve heard that this made radio and newspapers as well. That was not my intention but let’s see how United settles this case. Stay tuned and unless your name is Leo, don’t dare mention that name on an airplane.
A bazaar is a marketplace. Your incident was bizarre.
Well, I -am- a LEO (born July 24). Can I fly free? With a meal? Being a LEO… can I take my handgun on flights?
I would wonder and pointedly ask United if they desired to keep my business.
Don’t know how many miles you have racked up but I would be asking for 1K life status if you don’t already have it.
I think the most important thing UA should focus on is why they left your baggage on the flight if they escorted you off for security reasons.
Rob, this is a great idea, thank you
I found your story through a tweet and I was shocked and appalled by it. Mainly because I’ve experienced UA’s disrespect 3 times already. I’m writing a series on my blog about my UA nightmares and linked it to your story. I hope things get sorted out. As for me, I’m steering clear of them and not recommending them to friends or family. It’s the least I can do to help others avoid experiencing what I’ve gone through. Here’s the shortlink: http://wp.me/pwp2S-9E
Well thank god that Hawaiian has a new flight from Vegas direct to Maui.
Flying has become such an unpleasant experience. I used to actually enjoy flying until 10 years ago when things became understandably more difficult. I figured the situation would be temporary and become more streamlined but the opposite has happened. Now the airport has become a place where one feels like they are guilty of something simply for being there. I’d feel less demoralized and inconvenienced visiting a super-max prison. Best of luck to you.
P.S. On an unrelated note, are there any plans to market the ColorVision brand of BluBlocker glasses in anything other than a clip-on. I’d like it if they were offered in a polarized lens as well. (The lens I’m speaking of is the one that has a color enhancing effect. It’s not amber or yellow, but a grayish or purple or blue-green color depending of the incidence light it’s being observed under.)
That was one of my favorite sunglasses but they are no longer being made. Yes, we do have them in clip ons but that is all. Sorry to disappoint you. Yes, travel has become a challenge and your comments are well taken.
Joe
After just coming back from a flight where the flight attendant was a horrible communicator, I can be thankful that she wasn’t THAT horrible.
I’ve also never heard the term LEO before, but I’m wondering if there have been many other cases of this happening. Also, I’m wondering if she was on ‘high alert’ (for whatever reason) in her own head to take such an innocent question and hear something completely different without clarifying.
RB really does have a great point about your business. It would say an awful lot about them if they don’t make an effort to please you in some way after such a stupid error on their part.
What a weird situation. Make sure you update how it all turns out.
Whoops! Just noticed how old this post is. I guess you didn’t write about it aftewards so I will check it out online to see what happened.
I finally made peace with United. They were responsive, made a number of adjustments so I was compensated for the inconvenience and we all agreed it was fair. Thanks all of you who have responded to this and for all of your comments.
Joe Sugamran
Obviously she had the blues at the time. You should have offered her a BluBlocker.
Good point. Why didn’t I think of that.
You describe the former Soviet Union here. Only on their airports happened things like that.
Maybe some former comunists have taken over the airlines at UA and they are doing what they learned back home in USSR. Dasvidania!