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Remember The "United Breaks Guitars" Guy? Guess Whose Bag United Lost On A Flight To Colorado Springs

News Type: Event — Seeded on Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:29 PM EDT
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After baggage handlers at United broke his guitar last summer and the airline refused to pay for the $1,200 repair, Mr. Carroll, a Canadian singer, created a music video titled "United Breaks Guitars" that has been viewed more than 5.8 million times. United executives met with him and promised to do better.

So how was Mr. Carroll's most recent flight on United?

This Everyman symbol of the aggrieved traveler was treated, well, like just another customer. United lost his bag.

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{"commentId":10367722,"authorDomain":"joseph-iluminou"}
Joseph.

You'd think he'd just bite the bullet and go with a different airline.

{"commentId":10367722,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"joseph-iluminou"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#1 - Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:03 PM EDT
{"commentId":10368465,"authorDomain":"killfile"}
Killfile

Apparently you can't get to Colorado Springs on anything else.

{"commentId":10368465,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"killfile"}
  • 4 votes
#1.1 - Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:13 PM EDT
{"commentId":10369977,"authorDomain":"pobox522rlyeh"}
Smiling Jack

Get ready for his next music video. He should be grateful in a way, they've done a great deal to further his career.

{"commentId":10369977,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"pobox522rlyeh"}
  • 4 votes
#1.2 - Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:07 AM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":10367897,"authorDomain":"merrillr"}
Robert.Merrill

Fly the friendly skies!

{"commentId":10367897,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"merrillr"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#2 - Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:19 PM EDT
{"commentId":10367903,"authorDomain":"Wheel"}
Wheel

That is just too funny. :)

{"commentId":10367903,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"Wheel"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#3 - Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:20 PM EDT
{"commentId":10368508,"authorDomain":"syntactictree"}
Syntactic Tree

Poor man. He seems to take it somewhat in stride while still standing up for himself. There are lesser people who, in a comparable situation, would have certainly shouted, tossed expletives, sued for millions, etc. He's found a way to make entertainment - and a living - out of it. Good for him.

{"commentId":10368508,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"syntactictree"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#4 - Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:19 PM EDT
{"commentId":10368566,"authorDomain":"killfile"}
Killfile

Actually, by this point I think airport security should probably be on the lookout for the guy. One man can be screwed over by an airline but so many times before he snaps and walks into the departure lounge with a flamethrower in search of revenge.

{"commentId":10368566,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"killfile"}
  • 5 votes
#4.1 - Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:25 PM EDT
{"commentId":10368658,"authorDomain":"syntactictree"}
Syntactic Tree

=) True.

"I'm the only person pacing around this room," Mr. Carroll said, recalling how he was caught between an order from United staff members to stay and collect his bag, and a federal customs official telling him he had to leave the baggage claim area.

This is what struck me the most.

At that point, I know for certain that - had it been my mom or my wife - she would have had heads on the floor, especially since losing the luggage in the first place would have cost someone at least a limb. They're not too patient. How I turned out - and remain - as calm as I am I will never know, but it's a safe bet on who between the two of us is dying first.

{"commentId":10368658,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"syntactictree"}
  • 3 votes
#4.2 - Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:33 PM EDT
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{"commentId":10369133,"authorDomain":"shub"}
Shub Tnediserp Remrof

At this rate United should just give this guy free rides from now on, and he should never go on united unless it's the only way to get to such a place.

{"commentId":10369133,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"shub"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#5 - Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:23 AM EDT
{"commentId":10369477,"authorDomain":"quinnwr"}
Dubbya R

...which was why he was flying on United — to speak to a group of customer service executives on Tuesday.

Ouch.

{"commentId":10369477,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"quinnwr"}
  • 4 votes
Reply#6 - Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:57 AM EDT
{"commentId":10374655,"authorDomain":"efucci"}
bitemore

I just love that guy! I hope United does give him a lifetime free pass... and that he will use it, except for his luggage (which he really should ship ahead by FedEx or UPS)!

{"commentId":10374655,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"efucci"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#7 - Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:11 AM EDT
{"commentId":10377184,"authorDomain":"quinnwr"}
Dubbya R

How about this?

A free lifetime pass for him...with another seat reserved for his guitar. That way, not only can he be sure it's safe, but if they get trapped in the plane waiting for hours...he can entertain everybody as he writes a new song!

{"commentId":10377184,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"quinnwr"}
  • 5 votes
#7.1 - Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:45 PM EDT
{"commentId":10379703,"authorDomain":"efucci"}
bitemore

#7.1: "...if they get trapped in the plane waiting for hours...he can entertain everybody as he writes a new song!"

I love it!!!!!

{"commentId":10379703,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"efucci"}
  • 3 votes
#7.2 - Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:27 PM EDT
{"commentId":10398692,"authorDomain":"Jamesdevore"}
James.Devore

wonderful idea really needs to be put into practice I just wanna know why he was flying united again anyway... and why not just storm the lobby with guns and rockets and grenades blazing... you know the whole stampede the women rape the cattle pillage and plunder bit till he finds his bag

{"commentId":10398692,"threadId":"712796","contentId":"3441566","authorDomain":"Jamesdevore"}
  • 1 vote
#7.3 - Sat Oct 31, 2009 3:47 PM EDT
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