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| - After 23 years of scrimping & saving to put my son through school, the day finally arrived: he was graduating with a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from University of Washington in Seattle. My wife and I booked an early Friday flight that would ensure we got there for his graduation that evening. Due to parking lot construction, we got to curbside check-in 44 minutes ahead of departure time. We were told we couldn't check our large suitcase because they cut off at 45 minutes before flight time. Went inside and asked a supervisor if they couldn't waive the rule, because if they didn't, I was going to miss my son's graduation. She said no, that was their policy. She informed I would have to take a later flight, the arrival of which was after the graduation ceremony. I asked if they could at least try to get the bag on the plane and said I didn't care if it made it to Seattle with me. She said, "no, you must travel with your bag."
Thus, I had to take a later flight. And after 23 years of effort guiding my son through school, I missed my reward: seeing him receive his PhD.
I wrote to United to complain. I received a letter back saying they had looked into the matter and found that the policy at the airport was no bags after 45 minutes ahead of departure (Yeah, I know that. And, I know it's a policy, not a law.) They sent me a voucher for $100 off a future flight on United. I threw it out. It would have been much more appreciated if they had apologized for not using common sense and allowing a policy exception.
Because of their inflexibility, I missed one of the most important events in my son's life.
United, you really, really disappointed me.
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