Get Your Grump on Thursdays - Was (What's chapping my @ss today?)

[NYCfixie]

My wife and I are NOT going to London today because United Airlines sucks and cancelled our Boston to Newark flight.

Their solution had us flying tomorrow from Boston to Chicago, a several hour layover in Chicago, and then flying from Chicago to London for a total duration of over 22 hours. Really?

We called and after an hour of me telling the United Airlines reservation agent what flights to put us on and what seats were available (I was logged into united.com at the time because apparently it was too difficult for her to get the same information from the United Airlines reservation system she was using) we are back to going to London via Newark tomorrow with less than a 2 hour layover in Newark.

We have had it with United Airlines. This is not the first time they have messed up a vacation due to cancelled/changed flights with little notice. They suck. Yes, I know this is a 1st world problem because we are spending a week in London and then a week in Paris but staying an extra day in Boston is not the same as have our original day in London.


‪#‎UnitedAirlinesSucks‬

I am constantly amazed at how terrible United Airlines is at customer service.

We were supposed to leave 2 weeks ago Saturday. They cancelled out flight and then we basically rebooked ourselves on Sunday. We get to the airport on Sunday and they tell us our Boston to Newark flight is delayed so we are not going to make our Newark to Paris connection. The United Club agent books us on a Virgin flight and tell us to change terminals.. We get to Virgin and they say it is a code shared with Dekta so we need to change terminals again. We run through the airport, beg TSA to let us through the front of the line and we barely make our flight to London. Out bags make it to Londom 3 days later. WTF!!!!!

Now two weeks later after a very nice London and Paris vacation we are stuck in Paris because United screwed us again. The inbound flight (from Newark) is so late that by the time they turn it around to go back to Newark we will not make any of the Boston connections. All flights via DC are full. When we pointed out to the agent what had transpired on the way here and now that it is guaranteed that we will be sleeping in Newark Airport she offered us a meal voucher. We begged anyone who would listen to us but they refuse to put us on either of the Paris to Boston direct Air France flights that both have tons of seats.

United Airlines is simply the devil. As a more than 20 year business and personal customer (I even worked for the United advertising agency for a few years), I am transferring all my miles to American Express and cancelling my United Visa card.

I really hope karma returns the favor to each and every useless United Airlines person we spoke with who was absolutely no help in making our lives easier...or at least not worse.

[colker]

Bike related. Still can't dial in the Serotta, going to work on it again this weekend. It should be close to the Pegoretti based on a T-square and other measurements. I feel bunched up on it. I'm comfortable on the Pegoretti and can really turn some wattage but it was making some "replace the UT bearings" noise tonight. I'm bitching about a Pegoretti and a Serotta so overall, things aren't so bad.

Weird.

[Matthew Strongin]

Bike related. Still can't dial in the Serotta, going to work on it again this weekend. It should be close to the Pegoretti based on a T-square and other measurements. I feel bunched up on it. I'm comfortable on the Pegoretti and can really turn some wattage but it was making some "replace the UT bearings" noise tonight. I'm bitching about a Pegoretti and a Serotta so overall, things aren't so bad.

Same saddle and/or bars? Assuming you are first measuring the saddle position relative to the bb and then the reach from the saddle, things should feel pretty close...unless the bars or saddle have a different shape and then all bets are off.

[gggross]

I am constantly amazed at how terrible United Airlines is at customer service.

We were supposed to leave 2 weeks ago Saturday. They cancelled out flight and then we basically rebooked ourselves on Sunday. We get to the airport on Sunday and they tell us our Boston to Newark flight is delayed so we are not going to make our Newark to Paris connection. The United Club agent books us on a Virgin flight and tell us to change terminals.. We get to Virgin and they say it is a code shared with Dekta so we need to change terminals again. We run through the airport, beg TSA to let us through the front of the line and we barely make our flight to London. Out bags make it to Londom 3 days later. WTF!!!!!

Now two weeks later after a very nice London and Paris vacation we are stuck in Paris because United screwed us again. The inbound flight (from Newark) is so late that by the time they turn it around to go back to Newark we will not make any of the Boston connections. All flights via DC are full. When we pointed out to the agent what had transpired on the way here and now that it is guaranteed that we will be sleeping in Newark Airport she offered us a meal voucher. We begged anyone who would listen to us but they refuse to put us on either of the Paris to Boston direct Air France flights that both have tons of seats.

United Airlines is simply the devil. As a more than 20 year business and personal customer (I even worked for the United advertising agency for a few years), I am transferring all my miles to American Express and cancelling my United Visa card.

I really hope karma returns the favor to each and every useless United Airlines person we spoke with who was absolutely no help in making our lives easier...or at least not worse.

Have to agree with you about United - they are the worst airline by far. Just had a bad situation with them this week. Had to cut my vacation short in order to make it back for a funeral. Called customer service and had to spend several hundred dollars to get back. Said they would send an email with new flight info - never did. I check on line and find out they had the flight in the REVERSE order from what I needed. Called to get it changed. Said they would send an email conformation - never did.

Spent lots of money for poor service. Can't tell you how many times I have had to drive from Chicago to Green Bay because of a "mechanical", usually on Friday night - thanks United.

[Chad]

Martin,
I have a child in this age group. I keep considering the nuclear option, interested to see how your situation turns out. They're good kids, just takes the gene that controls their ability to be considerate of others a while to develop i guess.

Not trying to pit mom versus dad but when I try to drop the hammer mom always gets soft. I guess that can be good, even us out, but it sure can be difficult to get a point across.

Good luck.

[UnfilteredDregs]

Martin,
I have a child in this age group. I keep considering the nuclear option, interested to see how your situation turns out. They're good kids, just takes the gene that controls their ability to be considerate of others a while to develop i guess.

Not trying to pit mom versus dad but when I try to drop the hammer mom always gets soft. I guess that can be good, even us out, but it sure can be difficult to get a point across.

Good luck.

I'll let you know you know.

I've always had to be the heavy and I kind of resent it but no matter how much I've tried to get Mom to step up to the plate she falls short and allows for triangulation. Feels guilty. Kids need framework. I'm actually step-dad since she's three so I've had to be inventive. We get along amazingly well, I'm Dad, she's said so herself. Bio-Dad is a real POS, she took out a restraining order against him some time ago ... I've always fostered the idea to intellectually challenge things soooo, she possesses a lot of moxie and sometimes gets really big for her britches. I will not coddle those moments. If she wants to put on her big girl pants I'm more than ready to put on my big boy pants.

Bottom line is those with no consideration for others need to learn what it feels like, perspective. Big ego. So... Stay tuned to see if there's been a lesson learned. She's been very scarce lately soooo, I'm sure the lightbulb has fizzled on.

[cash]

I'll let you know you know.

I've always had to be the heavy and I kind of resent it but no matter how much I've tried to get Mom to step up to the plate she falls short and allows for triangulation. Feels guilty. Kids need framework. I'm actually step-dad since she's three so I've had to be inventive. We get along amazingly well, I'm Dad, she's said so herself. Bio-Dad is a real POS, she took out a restraining order against him some time ago ... I've always fostered the idea to intellectually challenge things soooo, she possesses a lot of moxie and sometimes gets really big for her britches. I will not coddle those moments. If she wants to put on her big girl pants I'm more than ready to put on my big boy pants.

Bottom line is those with no consideration for others need to learn what it feels like, perspective. Big ego. So... Stay tuned to see if there's been a lesson learned. She's been very scarce lately soooo, I'm sure the lightbulb has fizzled on.

Good luck, and for perspective, at least she's not a former stripper who was impregnated by a heroin addict. Don't ask how I know such pain. But I love my grandson to the moon and back.

[bigbill]

Same saddle and/or bars? Assuming you are first measuring the saddle position relative to the bb and then the reach from the saddle, things should feel pretty close...unless the bars or saddle have a different shape and then all bets are off.

Both bikes have Regals and 3T bars. This afternoon while I was waiting out some weather, I measured everything again and it was all jacked up. The saddle position on the Serotta was almost 3cm forward in relation to the Pegoretti's saddle position. Should have seen that with the saddle to bars measurement. I adjusted it all and did a quick 25 after the storm blew through. Felt much better. Now I need to swap out the bearings on the Pegoretti. I've got a set in the tool box, about a 20 minute job.

[colker]

Both bikes have Regals and 3T bars. This afternoon while I was waiting out some weather, I measured everything again and it was all jacked up. The saddle position on the Serotta was almost 3cm forward in relation to the Pegoretti's saddle position. Should have seen that with the saddle to bars measurement. I adjusted it all and did a quick 25 after the storm blew through. Felt much better. Now I need to swap out the bearings on the Pegoretti. I've got a set in the tool box, about a 20 minute job.

3cm is a lot.

[znfdl]

My son will be going to college for his freshman year tomorrow. I am already missing him, as he is a great kid and we do a lot of things together.

I was able to give him some sage advice, no tattoos, no piercings, no grandchildren, and stay out of jail.

[TTX1]

Fast descent. Slow moving flying insect at eye level just ahead, hovering like a hot air balloon.

Time to avoid, but somehow the bug course corrects, you're really moving, surface is loose, and.... Gulp!

The bug is scooped in to your gullet as if by force induction hood scoop / jet engine intake.

The worst part: a bumble bee is scoping your trachea.

Somehow I managed to expell said pollinator without a sting.

Exciting moment.

PS, agree that UA is way downhill. I used to be CO Exec Plat. I let it lapse and spend most of time on AA these days. Air travel sucks in general, but it really sucks if you don't have some status.

[s_curran]

Its really sad how normal this is becoming,

Via Twitter:
"In last 24 hrs:
1 biker killed in Lincoln
1 biker srsly injured in Waltham
3 pedestrians struck in Dorchester
1 ped struck in Quincy"

Once again, the roads in Waltham and Lincoln are normal training roads for myself.

[joosttx]

Head cold on a plane

[robin3mj]

Smith helmets and shades are supposed to play nice with each other with regards to parking your glasses on the helmet when you want then off your face for a bit.
Great in theory, but for any surface less level than a freshly paved airport runway, the shades bounce off my helmet constantly.

[dually]

Dealing with a supposed 'brand ambassador' for a very well known bicycle company. I'm somehow responsible for his obvious negligence that caused minimal damage to his bike. However, I was the one with a bruised hip, torn chamois, fascial stretch thearapy and multiple massages. #kickrocks

[Chad]

My son will be going to college for his freshman year tomorrow. I am already missing him, as he is a great kid and we do a lot of things together.

I was able to give him some sage advice, no tattoos, no piercings, no grandchildren, and stay out of jail.

I'd be happy with 3 and 4. As long as the piercings are not those gauge type things.

[bigbill]

Low job satisfaction day. Part of my job as an engineer is to take on problems and do root cause analysis. In my previous job I operated and maintained nuclear reactors and managed radioactive material, I'm thorough and anal retentive when it comes to compliance. Now I'm in high speed manufacturing and have been doing analysis on other departments. I present my findings which include a lack of standards and insufficient standards where they even exist. The supervisors didn't even know there were requirements. Now I'm being treated in a hostile way because I uncovered a lot of dirt and managers are embarrassed. I just report what I find and provide courtesy copies before it's officially released to the plant manager. I have two more years here and then The Boy is out of high school. There really isn't another job for me around here without taking on 2 hours of commuting each day.

[colker]

Low job satisfaction day. Part of my job as an engineer is to take on problems and do root cause analysis. In my previous job I operated and maintained nuclear reactors and managed radioactive material, I'm thorough and anal retentive when it comes to compliance. Now I'm in high speed manufacturing and have been doing analysis on other departments. I present my findings which include a lack of standards and insufficient standards where they even exist. The supervisors didn't even know there were requirements. Now I'm being treated in a hostile way because I uncovered a lot of dirt and managers are embarrassed. I just report what I find and provide courtesy copies before it's officially released to the plant manager. I have two more years here and then The Boy is out of high school. There really isn't another job for me around here without taking on 2 hours of commuting each day.

Don't go anywhere and let them deal w/ their incompetence. Fvck those managers.

[Drew]

Low job satisfaction day. Part of my job as an engineer is to take on problems and do root cause analysis. In my previous job I operated and maintained nuclear reactors and managed radioactive material, I'm thorough and anal retentive when it comes to compliance. Now I'm in high speed manufacturing and have been doing analysis on other departments. I present my findings which include a lack of standards and insufficient standards where they even exist. The supervisors didn't even know there were requirements. Now I'm being treated in a hostile way because I uncovered a lot of dirt and managers are embarrassed. I just report what I find and provide courtesy copies before it's officially released to the plant manager. I have two more years here and then The Boy is out of high school. There really isn't another job for me around here without taking on 2 hours of commuting each day.

I deal with this same situation a lot. The key is to get the buy-in of the plant manager and get you both on the same page, that you're not there to get people fired, you're there to make the company better as a whole. Granted, if you uncover something grossly screwed up that should have been caught, it's a different story... but usually the supervisors are just coping with the pressure that they already have from their commanders. So they don't have time to create standards. Key is to make sure everybody is pulling the ship the same way, and if you don't have buy-in and some "peacemaking" by the plant manager, you're screwed.

[spopepro]

My local camera shop got robbed. Which is kind of funny because my shop is a film only outfit, and the jerks didn't even bother to take the leicas, voightlanders, polaroid sx-70, the 20x24 paper...

They smashed a case and took the cameras from the clearance table, which matt says "we can't even get people to buy this stuff" I'm bummed because it's a hassle, cleanup and repair will cost, and it's not like a film only store these days is swimming with extra cash. I'll probably swing by and pick up something just because.