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But the hours were ticking by as he fidgeted in his uncomfortable seat at O’Hare International Airport. Cantwell tried reading. He walked into a gloomy bar and ordered an overpriced beer. “It’s really unproductive,” he recalled. “I was kicking myself, saying I should have driven.” Six hours late, the plane finally took off.
That memorable episode occurred during United’s Summer from Hell in 2000, when a pilot slowdown combined with bad weather and an aggressive flight schedule to tangle the nation’s airways.
These days, Cantwell still flies a lot, but not always on the hometown airline. Leaving aside the hard feelings about the “brutal” summer of 2000, Cantwell said the problem with United is fairly simple: It charges way too much for last-minute business travel.
Earlier this month, for instance, Cantwell had five days’ notice to arrange an overnight visit to a customer in New York. United wanted $960 for a round-trip coach fare, while low-cost discounter ATA wanted $324.
“How can anybody justify a $600 premium?” Cantwell asked. All they’re doing is taking advantage of those business travelers such as myself.”
So he flew ATA. He took his seat aboard a clean, new 737, and was greeted by a friendly flight attendant who served him the customary peanuts as they made their way smoothly to LaGuardia, he said.
Still, Cantwell recognizes that United has certain advantages, including more frequent service and a global route network, which justify charging a premium ? but not triple the price.
“If United and American were within 10 or 20 percent of the discount carriers, I would fly them,” he said. “They should get more competitive with the low-cost airlines.”