United's Fan Club

As someone whose job forces me to fly, I strongly sympathize with someone who is publicly airing his grievances with an airline. About a year ago, I had a minor delay while NorthWest switched to a smaller plane and bumped most passengers to a later flight. It was okay, other than spending several extra hours in the airport. Then a NorthWest employee very snottily told me that it was my fault I had to wait. At this point, I had been sitting in airports or airplanes 10 hours and still had more sitting ahead. It would have been hours faster to drive from Columbus to Lincoln [Yahoo! Maps], and I wouldn't have to be told it was my fault.

Personally, the government and the airlines have made flying an unpleasant enough experience that I never fly when I have a choice. Being in the plane during the flight itself is usually quite enjoyable. It is airports that make it not worth it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video below. Contact United Airlines and let them know that you disagree with damaging passengers' items and refusing to pay for the damage.

This is an important lesson for those of us starting our own businesses. Up to now, United Airlines and other airlines were pretty much immune to consumer reaction. They dished out treatment as they saw fit, and your only alternative was to drive to the destination instead. The Internet is enabling ordinary people, the formerly helpless "little guys", to alert the whole world to mistreatment by uncaring corporations. If you cross someone and refuse to make things right, you could be the next company featured on YouTube and Twitter.

IceRocket tags: customer service