Las Vegas from 36,000 feet

NO pictures for this experience and the only time my pickup spent was taking me to the airport and picking me up at the end of the trip.


On May 12th, I left Idaho Falls on United Airlines for a workshop in Las Vegas. (I know, I know - but some people actually go to Las Vegas for work.) The flight left on time from Idaho Falls. When I arrived in Denver, I checked the flight status board where my flight was listed as DELAYED. These were not the words that I needed to read. The flight was supposed to leave at 8:05 p.m. The airplane was still on the ground in Las Vegas due to a "mechanical condition." I appreciated that the airline wanted safe jets to ferry passengers. During our wait, the terminal agents seemed reluctant to share any news, good or bad. As a result, feelings of frustration increased in most passenger in the waiting area, based on the conversations that were easy to hear.


The jet was fixed and arrived at 9:30 p.m., which was after the 9:05 p.m. flight from Denver to Las Vegas had left. Once the aircraft arrived, we the waiting passengers were "urged" to get seated quickly so the flight crew would not become "illegal." (I took this to mean that the flight crew may be in a working status longer than the FAA allows.) As such the door of the aircraft was closed at about 9:58 pm. Loading of luggage continued for another 10 minutes. After the aircraft left the gate, it took its position in line on the taxiway for departure.


The jet had a new feature (at least new for myself). Channel 9 on the audio system allowed the passengers to listen in on the exchanges between the pilots and air traffic control. A thunderstorm was moving over the Las Vegas airport (LAS). the pilot was directed to a holding pattern over Bryce Canyon. However, according to the pilot, there was insufficient fuel to go into a holding pattern over Bryce Canyon, UT, while waiting for weather conditions to improve at LAS. The pilot requested and received a heading and altitude for diverting to Los Angeles. I appreciated the pilot's choice to reach a safe destination with sufficient fuel to land safely.


Based on the information from Channel 9, the flight attendants were given incomplete information to pass on to the passengers once the decision to continue to the alternate destination (initially announced as different than LAX). Once at the terminal at LAX (arrived at the terminal at 12:30 am), the agents were efficient at rebooking passengers onto the next available flight. I believe I saw six representatives helping passengers.


We were strongly encouraged to retrieve our luggage from the baggage claim area. About one-half of the passengers did so, of which I was one. The other group stayed in the boarding area and were eventually provided pillows and blankets. Those who retrieved bags were unable to return to the boarding area since the TSA clearing area was closed for the night, to reopen at 4:30 am. There were few places to sit in this area, and no blankets or pillows were offered. The temperature seemed to drop through the night to about 65 degrees. For those passengers dressed for arriving in Las Vegas heat, the temperature was uncomfortably low.

Pink slips were provided for a "discounted rate" at nearby hotels. When one passenger found that the discounted rate at the nearby Travelodge was $113 plus tax, the discount seemed to be inadequate. This contributed to my observation that the representatives who were helpful in rebooking flights seemed uninformed and unwilling to help the many passengers with obtaining minimally acceptable sleeping arrangements. Some concern and courtesy after the rebooking was completed would have softened this weather-related event.


I found a bench to try to get some rest. The cleaning crews were working in the same area. The powered floor scrubber and the powered buffers were incredibly noisy. The cleaning crews were wearing the same ear proctection that the people use when directing an aircraft to the unloading ramp. So at 4:00 a.m. I joined the line to recheck my one bag for the 6:30 a.m. flight to LAS. At 4:30 the TSA screening area opened. By 5:00 a.m. I was back in the boarding area.


The McDonalds opened early and I had a two breakfast burrito meal with orange juice. Somehow my energy did not improve with this meal. I arrived in Las Vegas just before 8:00 a.m. Yes, this one and one-half hour direct flight from Idaho Falls to Las Vegas on Allegent Airlines turned into a flight "that would never end." After getting the rental car, checking into the hotel, and showering, I arrived two hours late for the workshop.


The return flight was much less eventful, even arriving in Idaho Falls 30 minutes early.


I filled out a satisfaction survey on the United Airlines web site. Additionally, I sent an e-mail to their Customer Relations link with the following conclusion. "However, for me, this event has convinced me that I would never fly on United Airlines again. If I find that UAL is the only airline to a required destination, I will first consider a nearby location and obtaining alternate methods to complete the trip (car rental, train, bus, boat, etc.) Additionally, I plan on sharing my experience with my colleagues and family. I have not had the opportunity to fly on your airline for a number of years. As such, I had no store of positive experiences to counter this one negative experience."


To my complete surprise, I received a response from their customer service group the following morning. They apolozied and accepted responsibility for the unfortunate treatment in Las Angeles. Additionally, they promised to send a voucher good for $150 for future travel on the airline. The voucher arrived in the mail a week later, true to their word. Dang, I may have to give them another chance.