United Airlines A320 Diverts to Orlando with Engine Problems

A United Airlines A320 flying from San Juan to Chicago (UA 645) diverted to Orlando, FL, on October 31 due to engine problems.

Source: United Airlines Flight Diverted To Orlando

First They Trash His Guitar, Now They Lose His Suitcase

Dave Carroll, whose trashed guitar inspired the viral video "United Breaks Guitars", has now had a suitcase lost (and found 3 days later) by United Airlines:

Three days later, United discovered that the wayward bag filled with his music gear had been sent to Dallas instead of Colorado. "It is regrettable," said United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski. Carroll, who was reunited Wednesday with his bag, is close to wrapping up the last in a trilogy of songs about his interactions with United. Suppose the latest episode will make its way into the lyrics?

Sources:

Musician can add lost bag to United ditty

United Song Guy Still Can't Catch a Break

United loses guitar man's luggage

The guitar guy and United Airlines, round two

Airline baggage handlers provide more grist for songwriter's mill: Carroll endures luggage fiasco--again

United loses the "United Breaks Guitars" Song Guy's bags

United Airlines Employee Sues for Dead Rat in Cup

A United Airlines employee has sue for discrimination claiming a dead rat was placed in her cup:

Eleanor Solsberry, an African American woman, started working as a ramp service agent for United in June of 2000, according to the suit filed in U.S. District court. In 2008, Solsberry’s Caucasian coworker allegedly began harassing her about her race, the suit alleges. In one instance, the coworker placed a dead rat in Solsberry’s cup. When Solsberry spoke to her supervisor about the incident—after the coworker admitted that “the rat was intended” for Solsberry—he allegedly told her he did not consider the rat incident a form of discrimination.

Source: Dead rat in her cup, woman sues employer for racial harassment

More Fees, More Losses

Industry observers appear to be concluding that the airlines that charge the most fees keep losing more and more money as they drive their customers away. The latest from Jaunted:

... the airlines who lost the most money last quarter were those with most fees. Topping the list of the losers is United with a 21% drop. They changed their checked bag fee policies a few times last year, finally ending with $15 for your first checked bag and $25 for your second. Other losers include Continental and Delta and American, who each dropped between 18.8 and 15% of revenue and have the same baggage fee structure as United. Reasons for the drop in revenue run the gamut of the usual airline excuses, but our guess is that higher fees are driving travelers to book away from these airlines and onto ones with fewer or lower fees. For instance, flying Jetblue versus United to United's home base of Chicago saves you a first checked bag fee, not to mention some dough with the original ticket price.

Source: Baggage Fees Don't Pay For Airlines Who Bleed Money Anyway

Hydraulics Problems on United Airlines A320

A United Airlines A320 (UA 95) flying from Newark to San Francisco on Oct. 30 had problems with its hydraulics systems over Iowa and Kansas:

... and diverted to Kansas City some 210nm southsouthwest of their position. The airplane landed safely 50 minutes after the decision to divert. A replacement Airbus A320-200 registration N483UA reached San Francisco with a delay of 4.5 hours. The FAA said, that the crew reported a hydraulics problem.

Source: Incident: United Airlines A320 near Des Moines on Oct 30th 2009, hydraulics problem

United Airlines 757 Has Engine Problems

A United Airlines 757-200 (UA 177) flying from Boston to San Francisco on Oct. 27 returned Boston with engine problems:

... the crew reported they needed to return to Boston without requesting priority due to an engine thus not developing full power and running down and up. The crew levelled off at 3000 feet. While intercepting the localizer runway 04R the crew declared emergency reporting some "minor engine surges". The airplane landed safely on runway 04R 40 minutes after departure and taxied to the apron.

Source: Incident: United Airlines B752 at Boston on Oct 27th 2009, engine problems

United Airlines 747 Scrapes Engine Pod on Runway

A United Airlines 747-400 (UA 882) flying from Bangkok to Tokyo (NRT) on Oct. 25 apparently scraped an engine pod on the runway when it landed at Tokyo:

A postflight inspection revealed damage to the underside of the #4 (outer right) engine cowling. A runway inspection was requested and revealed a scrape mark of about 9.5 meters on the runway surface. The crew reported, they were not aware that the engine pod had contacted the runway.

Source: Incident: United Airlines B744 at Tokyo on Oct 25th 2009, engine pod strike

United Airline's Efforts to Upgrade Its Fleet

Despite its dire financial position, United Airlines has been trying to replace many (perhaps hundreds) of it current planes, and apparently they were hoping for manna from heaven to assist with the financing:

The carrier initially "sought terms that were considered ridiculous by many, particularly given United's own financial condition and the existing backlogs at Airbus and Boeing," Leeham news reported. "Industry sources said UA wanted the winning manufacturer to buy the 767s and 757s at above market valuations and lease them back at below market rental rates; to finance 100 percent of the new airplanes; and require no downpayment or progress payments."

Source: United Airlines nearing decision on Boeing or Airbus order

Three Injured by Turbulence on United Express Flight

Three people were injured by turbulence on a Saab 340 (UA 6940) flying from Parkersburg, WV, to Washington Dulles on October 24:

descending through 11000 feet about 60nm westnorthwest of Dulles Airport with the fasten seat belt signs illuminated, when the airplane entered a zone of thunderstorms and experienced severe turbulence. Despite being seated the flight attendant and a passenger knocked their heads. The crew continued for a safe landing 30 minutes later, the flight attendant and passenger were taken to a local hospital. A second passenger was treated for minor injuries at the airport.

Sources:

Accident: Colgan SF34 near Washington on Oct 24th 2009, turbulence injures three

Passengers aboard Dulles-bound flight injured during landing

Emergency Landing At Dulles

Hydraulic Failure on United Airlines A320

A United Airlines A320 (UA 418) flying from San Diego to Denver on October 21 suffered a complete failure of one of its three hydraulic systems. Emergency services were positioned on the runway. The plane landed safely and was towed off the runway.

Sources:

Incident: United Airlines A320 near Denver on Oct 21st 2009, hydraulics failure

Plane towed after landing at Denver airport

United jet lands safely at DIA after total hydraulic failure

Injured Passengers Sue United Airlines

Two passengers who were injured when an Airbus A320 skidded off a Chicago runway are now suing United Airlines:

The lawsuits filed by Jamie Scatena and Marc Shannon involve one of three United A320s that were found to have crossed wiring, drawing civil action from the Federal Aviation Administration... Both were on a United A320 that veered into some runway lights after a hard landing at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on the night of Oct. 9, 2007... United subsequently confirmed that both planes — and a third that was not involved in any mishap — had crossed wiring in the main landing gear. Investigators believe the foul-up caused the wheels to lock on both planes that went off the runways.

Sources:

2 sue United in Seattle over Chicago runway skid

Two Sue United Over O'Hare Runway Skid

2 sue United in Seattle over Chicago runway skid

FAA to Fine United Airlines $3.8M for Maintenance Issues

The FAA has proposed a $3.8M fine against United Airlines for aircraft maintenance problems:

... alleges that the airline operated one of its 737s on more than 200 flights after violating its own maintenance procedures on one of the aircraft's engines. In April 2008, the 737 returned to Denver after shutting down an engine owing to low oil pressure indications. During a teardown the following week, mechanics found that two shop towels had been used to cover openings in the oil sump area "instead of required protective caps" when maintenance was done in December 2007.

Sources:

FAA proposes $9.2 million in penalties against US Airways, United

FAA to fine two airlines $9.2 million

FAA proposes fines for US Airways, United

FAA proposes fines against United, US Air for violations

US Airways and United face multimillion dollar fines

FAA proposes fines for US Airways and United Airlines

FAA proposes USD3.8m civil penalty against United Airlines

Chicago-based United Airlines issued millions in fines by FAA

United Airlines Reports 3Q Loss of $57M

United Airlines is reporting a loss of $57M for the 3rd quarter of 2009.

Sources:

United narrows loss, starts to see rebound

3rd Quarter Profit Reports Paint Mixed Picture of Airlines

United's $63 million loss is less than expected

United reduces third-quarter loss to $57 million, swings to operating profit

United Airlines narrows 3Q2009 losses; Citigroup initiates coverage of select carriers

UAL Corporation Q3 2009 (Qtr End 9/30/09) Earnings Call Transcript

UAL Corp. Narrows Loss

United Airlines narrows loss on cost cuts

UAL posts 3Q loss, sees business travel improving

United Airlines parent reduces 3Q loss

United Airlines parent loses $57 million in 3Q, but beats expectations

UPDATE 2-United Airlines parent loss smaller than expected

United Airlines' UAL reports a narrower third-quarter loss

UAL Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results

UAL Corp. Q3 Loss Narrows - Quick Facts

United Airlines Parent Posts Smaller Loss Than Expected

Cabin Depressurized on United Airlines A320

A United Airlines A320 (UA 818) flying from Chicago to Newark on September 26 lost cabin pressure and deployed oxygen masks. The plane landed safely at Cleveland after an emergency descent to 10,000 feet.

Source: Incident: United Airlines A320 near Cleveland on Sep 26th 2009, rapid loss of cabin pressure

United Airlines 747 Blows Tires Shutting Down Several LAX Runways

A United Airlines 747-400 (UA 900) flying from Los Angeles to Frankfurt on September 27 blew a tire in the nose gear, aborted takeoff and had to be towed off the runway. Debris also littered the runway. All LAX runways but one were shut down for several minutes.

Source: Incident: United Airlines B744 at San Francisco on Sep 27th 2009, rejected takeoff

United Airlines Joins the Christmas Club ...

... only instead of saving $10 a week for the holidays, they've added a $10 surcharge (i.e. yet another fee) for customers heading home after the holidays.

Sources:

People like to fly during the holidays - and the airlines want to exploit that

Watercooler: Airlines adding $10 surcharge on 3 busy days

Airlines Add $10 Surcharge Over The Holidays (Arm & Leg Not Enough)

Airlines Add $10 Surcharge On Busy Holidays

Airlines Add $10 Surcharge for Busiest Travel Days

Airlines Tacking $10 Charge for Holiday Travel

U.S. airlines add $10 fee to some holiday fares

Big carriers add $10 surcharge on 3 busy days

Big carriers add $10 surcharge on busy days

Airlines introduce holiday surcharge

US Airlines To Add $10 Peak Travel Day Fee

ATW Daily News

Scrooge would be so proud.

This fee seems to have generated an unusual amount of publicity, probably because it is a fee on holiday travel instead of being applied as a simple fare increase -- same effect but the message really rubs people the wrong way.

Turbulence Injures Passenger on United Airlines 757-200

A United Airlines 757-200 (UA 236)encountered severe turbulence enroute from Los Angeles to Washington Dulles on September 8. The captain turned on the "Fasten Seat Belts" sign ...

A female passenger was in the lavatory at that time and hurried back to her seat, when severe turbulence hit the airplane throwing the passenger against the ceiling while the airplane was descending through FL310. The airplane continued to Dulles for a safe landing. The passenger was brought to a local hospital to be examined for head and back injuries, but did not need to be admitted. Other passengers reported, that service carts in the galleys fell over during the turbulence and cans of soda exploded wetting several passengers.

Source: Accident: United Airlines B752 near Washington on Sep 8th 2009, turbulence injures passenger

United Airlines Furloughs 290 Pilots

United Airlines is laying off another 290 pilots:

As part of the previously announced plan to shrink the carrier, 290 pilots have been furloughed at United Airlines, bringing the total number of out of work pilots to 1,164. The airline has been making periodic workforce reductions as part of its plan to eventually have 7,000 fewer employees.

Overall United Airlines' work force has been reduced 11% compared to last year. Only Northwest Airlines experienced a larger reduction:

... the biggest drop was at Northwest, where employment fell 12.5 percent, as its new owner Delta Air Lines Inc. integrated it. United's work force shrank 11 percent according to the government's calculations ....

The Incredible Shrinking Airline continues to shrink.

Sources:

United Airlines furloughs another 290 pilots as part of 7,000 employee reduction

United Airlines furloughs 290 pilots

Airlines employ 5.9% fewer workers in July

Deep cost cuts leave U.S. airlines a cut above their overseas rivals

United Airlines Cited in Business Week for Outrageous Fees

United Airlines is taken to task by Business Week for its outrageous fees:

Not every airline is completely abusing flyers with fees. Southwest and JetBlue, for example, do not charge for the first checked bag, while Delta and United charge $15/$20. Spirit and Delta charge $90 if your checked bag is more than 50 pounds. Delta charges $175 for an over-sized bag or box that is 63-80 linear inches. Delta and United charge an outrageous $150-$250 change fee for tickets.

Regarding customer service issues at United Airlines and other airlines:

I called United’s chief spokesman Tony Cervone earlier this month to ask him about some of these issues. I actually know Mr. Cervone from his days at General Motors. Apparently, he doesn’t feel it’s good practice to return the call of a major news organization, but he can make the time for a Canadian singer who posts videos to Youtube.

Okay. I can accept that. It’s an interesting strategy. This week, I wrote a story about how companies and brands were focused on earning back trust with consumers by being more open and transparent, by more often entering the public conversation.

I can only assume that United, and Cervone, as well as other airlines, feel they have such a terrible story to tell, and no interest in earning customer satisfaction points with the public, that they are going the other way. Less involvement with consumers, media, the public. Less listening. Less transparency.

This is the screw ‘em, seat-em and soak’em strategy of airlines that Congress needs to put on their radar…as soon as possible.

Source: Airline Fees Run Amok--Paging Congress

Passenger Injured by Turbulence on United Airlines 757-200

A passenger was injured during turbulence on a 757-200 (UA 236) flying from Los Angeles to Washington Dulles on September 8:

A female passenger was in the lavatory at that time and hurried back to her seat, when severe turbulence hit the airplane throwing the passenger against the ceiling.... Other passengers reported, that service carts in the galleys fell over during the turbulence and cans of soda exploded wetting several passengers.

Source: Accident: United Airlines B752 near Washington on Sep 8th 2009, turbulence injures passenger