Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Desperation ..

Stuck in one of the worst airline check-in system failure event !!! The great United Airlines flight from Newark to Frankfurt and the dreaded system failure.

Over reliance on technology. The check-in systems went down in the middle, and the queue built up. Built up for more than half kilometer, and by 2.5 hrs. Standing in the line, for 2.5 hrs, I could hear a lot of sighs ! Lot of anxiety of missing the flight, although UA started announcing that the flights are not going anywhere without people in the line. But the snag continued.

And then the announcement came, where they offered free upgrades for people who can travel the next day, free change in plan - no extra charge for extra luggage - so on and so forth !

In an attempt to save face, make some people with flexible plan to go home and come back next day.

During this packed event of unilaterally standing it out, forever, I over heard this couple ! The wife was traveling somewhere. The husband was in the queue with her, supporting through the delay.

He was definitely jittery, and so were most who feared missing the flight.

After, un-intentionally following the conversation, I could easily understand that the husband really wanted to be alone for a few days :) Desperate.. and the thought of his wife flying out was making him happy inside. But the system snag got him !

His wife kept saying, "I really dont have to be there tomorrow. I can go even 2 days after. Free upgrade, more luggage !!" She was getting excited around it. While the husband was smooth talking her in to having patience and wait it out !

Finally, the line moved ! And the husband looked relieved although the wife was OK.

As it moved a few feet, I could not avoid the guy sending a iPhone message - "She is goin dude .. plan is on. will meet ya in 20".

1 comment:

DivSu said...

Yay! You are coming after all ;) And what a sneaky guy you are ;) ;)