As previously reported, I was a passenger on an United Airlines flight (UA 473) which unexpectedly depressurized as the plane was descending into the Fort Lauderdale (Florida) area. (It was one heck of a ride.)
Within hours of landing, I received an automated e-mail from the airline apologizing for the incident. The note read as follows:
On behalf of United Airlines, we want to express our sincere apologies for your experience with flight 473 on February 8, 2013.
At United, we take pride in being a reliable part of your travel plans and your satisfaction is of paramount importance. I invite you to visit the following website to select a token of our appreciation.
http://www.united.com/appreciation
Please have your flight information handy when you visit the site. Family members who traveled together under the same email address should access this site individually.
Thank you for your time. Again, your satisfaction and your business is important to us and we look forward to serving you better in the near future.
Sincerely,
United Airlines
Customer Care
While it was a nice gesture to receive that e-mail as quickly as I did, I wasn't impressed with what United thought was an appropriate "token of appreciation" for undergoing that horror.
After clicking the link, and entering my flight information, here's what the company was offering:
9,000 miles? ...
A $200 travel certificate? ...
10% off a future flight? ....
That's their idea of compensation ... for scaring the living bejesus out of their customers?
Fuhgeddaboudit!
(To be continued.)