November 3rd, 2005
Greatest Airline Complaint Letter Ever Written: Don’t Sit in Seat 29E
If you haven’t tried flying this lately you are in for a bracing nightmare of long lines, and airport staffing that has gone through so many reductions, everything from baggage handling to screening lines from hell are at record highs/delays, etc. I am about to fly to Manila in a few weeks (pray for me) but here’s a real life letter from a guy who just couldn’t take it. Hilarious!
Read the Complete Letter Here Hilarious!
Lockergnome's Tech News Watch says:
Greatest Airline Complaint Letter Ever Written: Don’t Sit in Seat 29E
If you haven’t tried flying this summer season you are in for a bracing nightmare of long lines, and airport staffing that has gone through so many reductions, everything from baggage handling to screening lines from Hell are at record highs/delays, e…
July 6th, 2005 at 9:09 am
Steve Nelson says:
That’s why I always use SeatGuru before I fly!
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Continental_Airlines/Continental_Airlines_Boeing_737-800_A.php
July 6th, 2005 at 1:40 pm
Bob says:
Does the “Trackback by Lockergnome’s Tech News Watch” comment need to follow every article? It’s getting annoying.
July 6th, 2005 at 2:19 pm
Alice says:
Sorry Bob - that’s automated when a site picks up an article.
And great post about seat guru - I just saw that I have bad seats. Thanks Steve!
July 6th, 2005 at 7:24 pm
jeanannd says:
Makes me NOT want to fly Continental. Yeeech!
July 7th, 2005 at 1:52 am
orgoguy says:
I love my airline people. This guy zoomed from San Diego to Houston in 4 hrs at 500 mph and is complaining about his SEAT! You don’t like it…walk or drive. This letter is bunk!!! No one with a SERIOUS complaint draws pictures like this, prints in ink, uses terms like “asses”, and misspells stentch [sic] and puzzel [sic]. Pfffft is what I say.
July 7th, 2005 at 5:31 am
Dave says:
Also, seat 29_D_ NOT 29E is directly next to the bathroom on a 737-800.
A quick check of flight 888 on Continental’s website shows it is a flight FROM Houston TO Panama City Panama (though that could be a change from 12/04 when this was alleged to have occurred).
I’m a frequent flyer. If this single “report” makes jeanannd not fly Continental Airlines, then jeanannd is an imbecile. In recent years, Continental has been consistantly among the highest rated US airlines.
Frankly, Alice, I’m ashamed to see that you now promte this sort of thing. It’s sophomoric at best. Where is the “realtechnews” in this story?
July 7th, 2005 at 11:51 am
Alice says:
Hi Dave,
I posted this for basically two reasons, one it was funny and because everyone is flying more this summer holiday season, here was a guy who got his voice heard on the Internet.
Seconds, a user then told us about seatguru.com which was so amazing, and a great find for me (I fly over 120K miles a year on American and actually leave from NY today to London Sat.) and that tip helped me change one seat from questionable to great. So, sometimes you learn something after all.
Thanks for your feedback though, we like to keep it serious and all tech, but every now and then you need a laugh, and this was a good week for that.
July 7th, 2005 at 7:02 pm
/ says:
As I see it many folks are already uncomfortable with airplane
travel. To have to go through what this PERSON did would be unacceptable. As for all the derogatory remarks about this PERSONs grammer, all I have to say is, “Spoken like true Sadists” NOBODY puts themselves in other peoples shoes anymore,and to speak of ones slightly less accurate grammer? This world is going to hell, and all Sadists have first class tickets to get there….Hope y’all dunt choke on yer champagne, and caviare..
July 10th, 2005 at 11:29 am
GOSH says:
BORIS
July 11th, 2005 at 9:21 pm
GOSH says:
Sam BIG EGO
July 11th, 2005 at 9:22 pm
D - The Real One says:
Basing on the terms, if you actually take the time to write a stupid letter like that - during the flight, while the occurance that you are writing about is STILL happening - you are not serious. At an altitude high enough to move about the cabin, it would be likely of someone to GET UP and ask someone on the plane - a worker of course. But no, this person did not. They decided to write a sloppy, inaccurate letter COMPLAINING about a problem that they chose. Why seat 29E? Get up, and find a new seat. No idea who wrote it, but they are moronic.
Thanks for the Seat Guru, Steve! I’m only 14 but I can tell my dad about it for sure.
July 12th, 2005 at 4:07 am
Mr.xxx says:
in regards to what you said “D-the real one”, you do relize that generaly planes are booked full what you think the planes have random seats for just that reason lol. of course there could have been one or two seets emptey. Without knowing all the circumstances regarding his indvidual problem i think you should not asume he is a moron. ever think that maybe he did ask and they said no ? of course he never said that but it could have been somthing he forgot to mention.
July 12th, 2005 at 4:07 pm
Space Madness dizot nizet says:
This makes me think of Mal
An open letter to Continental Airlines…
July 12th, 2005 at 4:37 pm
D - The Real One says:
I hope you did notice that I put I’m only 14. Plus I’ve only been on a plane once, I was asleep the entire time.
July 13th, 2005 at 2:26 am
Gary says:
Great site, great story!
July 15th, 2005 at 9:46 pm
Dev says:
Why do these things always seem to come out of Houston? I’ve read a hilarious complaint about a Houston hotel in Power Point form as well as one about a Houston restaurant.
This city licks balls.
July 17th, 2005 at 12:20 am
aaron says:
I feel for the guy! The idea of sitting on a plane while people lean into your space just before and after dropping their pants doesn’t sit well with me. And more importantly I’ve learned two things from this story; make sure not to get that kind of seat and respect that poor soul who IS sitting in that kind of seat (hold it! and lay off the beer while on the plane!) COLLEGEHUMOR.com feels your pain
July 17th, 2005 at 7:56 am
SPF20 says:
Dev,
Most of this comes out of Houston because that is where Continental is stationed. It’s a major airport, and one of the main hubs for Continental to take on connecting flights. Therefore the hotels are used more, restaurants, etc. Look at one of those maps next time you’re on a continental flight at the back of the book tracking all the flights….they all go to Houston, Chicago, or Atlanta.
July 17th, 2005 at 9:06 am
El mas Pingon says:
We got a copy of this at work a long time ago. Ther is actually one page missing. Had another drawing of how a dudes ass was right in his face while waiting to get in the lav..
July 17th, 2005 at 9:13 am
H. K. says:
I’m using seatguru.com from now on whenever I fly! Thanks to Steve Nelson for posting!
__________________________
Shameful off topic plug: Let Kathleen build your small business web site OR help you maintain your site when your workload gets too heavy! http://www.kallenweb.com
July 18th, 2005 at 9:58 am
Deb Driver says:
Gee, now I know why I bought my own plane, and fly it myself. Haven’t ridden on an airliner since 1975. Don’t miss being jammed into an aluminum tube with 200 other miserable assholes and 20 screaming kids.
July 18th, 2005 at 2:02 pm
Nick says:
So about 7 or 8 comments up there with different names (hm) all USE the OCCASIONAL capslocked WORDS that really don’t feel a need to be capitalized and defend Continental Airlines’ honor.
’s funny.
July 21st, 2005 at 12:47 pm
blog.phillip.hurst.com says:
Funny Link Dump
Hor or Not with Google Maps
- Talk about the utlimate stalker tool. Combines Hot or Not data and
pictures …
July 23rd, 2005 at 11:52 am
What To Fix says:
Blogging Changes Staffing Relationships
Fed up with parking at where you work? It used to be you just had to suffer. Now you can take pictures and put it on your blog for the world to see, like this Yahoo employee did. Everything is more public these days, for better or worse, like this meat…
July 26th, 2005 at 2:45 pm
Patrit Parmvi says:
ava divine fucking machines
Greatest Airline Compl…
October 19th, 2005 at 3:39 pm
Ryan says:
LOL!! I love the little diagram the person drew. I mean seriously, you can be a bit more professional than “stink-shield” or “ass-to-my-body factor”. If you’re going to write a complaint to a corporation, be formal. Lol, the guys at Continental probably got a good laugh at this and threw it away.
Ah.. the wonders of modern-day flying. Flying is fun, but there are so many little things to poke fun about it. I got a great laugh out of this one!
October 31st, 2005 at 9:48 pm
Jim Rome says:
That post was epic!! and with that, I like the poop flushed down those poopers am OUT!!!
November 3rd, 2005 at 1:25 pm
Jim Rome says:
One more thing clones. Please for the love of God remember something my dear ol grand dad taught me. If you sprinkle when you tinkle, be a sweetie and wipe the seatie!!!
November 3rd, 2005 at 1:28 pm
Discount Hotels Stayin Mike says:
I feel fortunate never to have had an experience like that. I can only imagine what it must have been like trapped on a plane for hours smelling the crap of other passengers. Yikes.
January 12th, 2006 at 9:28 am
casido says:
best there is
March 9th, 2006 at 8:30 pm
blojk says:
trackbacklsod
March 10th, 2006 at 8:07 am
Paul bunyan says:
I like the site design keep up the good work
March 18th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
manowar says:
I thought this was hilarious, but it’s perfectly true. Just came back on Continental from Mexico City to Fort Worth to Boston on an MD80. I didn’t sit in 29E (may have different number on this jet), but I sure as hell felt sorry for the person who did, because I sat right next to him. I got the blocked window seat right up against one of the rear fusilage engines, and the continous droning and reving wiped out my hearing for an entire day.
Worse, all I could think about was some bird getting sucked in and broken pieces of turbine blade penetrating both the inner cabin wall and my skull.
June 19th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
naomi says:
Hello! Very interesting and professional site. nokia6630
July 26th, 2006 at 11:57 am
Carlos Rene Guerra says:
Airline customers have no shortage of things to be disgruntled about these days — long delays caused by additional security procedures, crowded and uncomfortable
planes, cutbacks in the availability of amenities (such as food and pillows), flights that arrive and depart late, etc. The customer who wouldn’t like to complain about some aspect of air travel these days is probably far more the exception than the rule.
August 10th, 2006 at 12:37 am
iolanda says:
i think that was funny, it wasnt meant to be serious complaint, its one of those funny stories that you bring up at chistmas and family gatherings. my collegue at RAC uk are sat here laughing at some really funny letters and can relate to some of the things that happen.
lighten up as you americans say.
February 3rd, 2007 at 3:39 am
ClapekDodki says:
bizarro
July 16th, 2007 at 7:18 am
ClapekDodki says:
racconti
July 17th, 2007 at 3:37 am
kztkijfwwm says:
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! mmsntknmnrf
October 30th, 2007 at 4:47 am
darcna says:
cacazel
November 18th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
bberg009 says:
Awsone site..
Here is some more fun Travel experience, but not as ‘fun’ as sitting in seat 29E, and probably not as well written either..
———–
After spending almost $10,000 on plane tickets to Austalia for our family vacation, Quantas refused to give a single frequent flier mile to our American Airline accounts (they are one-world alliance partners).
However, after the travel is completed, Quantas instructs American Airlines, that the flights does not “qualify for frequent flier milage”. No such stipulations were made when we booked the tickets, after confirmation, nor is it printed on our intiniary, tickets, boarding passes,emailed confirmations or receipts.
Only after travel is completed and paid for do they refuse credits. Quantas, also does not respond to emails nor direct contacts.
DETAILS:
We bought the tickets (5 of them) on Qantas web site (not American Airlines) and paid Qantas. The ariline never told us that miles was not awarded during the search, booking process nor the payment process. When we added our frequent flier miles numbers nothing was told, when the flight was rebooked by the airline, nor when we flew, they never provided any information in any confirmation, ticket, boarding pass or receipt.
It was only after the flight was completed that they refused any credits.. We paid almost $1,800 per ticket and was basically defrauded. Here is what Qantas sent us as confirmation when we booked on-line at their web site (see if you can find any reference to no ff miles beside the ‘N’ class which they later told us meant we got nothing)..
INITINARY 12JUN IAD LAX
——————————————————————————–
QANTAS ITINERARY ABN 16 009 661 901
QANTAS AIRWAYS CONTACT CENTRE USA 14JANUARY07
2801 E. ELVIRA BUILDING B
TUCSON AZ 85706 PH 1 800 227 4500
BOOKING REF: Z65AWB
YOUR ITINERARY AND TRAVEL DETAILS:
QANTAS AIRWAYS QF3082 ECONOMY CLASS (N) CONFIRMED
DEPART 12JUN07 WASHINGTON/DULLES INTL 1745
ARRIVE 12JUN07 LOS ANGELES/INTL 2020
OPERATED BY AA AMERICAN AIRLINES
ARRIVES AT TERMINAL 4 5:35 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : BOEING 757-200/300 NON SMOKING
SEATS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) : 15A 15B 15C 15D 15E
—————————————————————-
QANTAS AIRWAYS QF12 ECONOMY CLASS (N) CONFIRMED
DEPART 12JUN07 LOS ANGELES/INTL 2230
ARRIVE 14JUN07 SYDNEY/KINGSFORDSMITH 0605
DEPARTS FROM TERMINAL 4
ARRIVES AT TERMINAL 1 14:35 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : BOEING 747-400 NON SMOKING
SEATS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) : 52H 52J 52K 53J 53K
—————————————————————-
QANTAS AIRWAYS QF11 ECONOMY CLASS (N) CONFIRMED
DEPART 08AUG07 SYDNEY/KINGSFORDSMITH 1325
ARRIVE 08AUG07 LOS ANGELES/INTL 0945
DEPARTS FROM TERMINAL 1
ARRIVES AT TERMINAL 4 13:20 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : BOEING 747-400 NON SMOKING
—————————————————————-
QANTAS AIRWAYS QF3003 ECONOMY CLASS (N) CONFIRMED
DEPART 08AUG07 LOS ANGELES/INTL 1415
ARRIVE 08AUG07 WASHINGTON/DULLES INTL 2200
OPERATED BY AA AMERICAN AIRLINES
DEPARTS FROM TERMINAL 4
4:45 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : BOEING 737-800 NON SMOKING
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 am
Miss Priss says:
Want A Great Experience…With No Seats Next To The Lav (Since They Are In The Very Back Of The Bus)…Fly VIRGIN AMERICA!!!
March 16th, 2008 at 11:49 am
John Carter says:
I know who wrote the letter. I did a handwriting analysis and it is real. This is an actual letter.
May 13th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Sapphire M says:
I am about to set off a letter chain of acid prose style letters to Heathrow’s BAA… after a torrid experience with Jet Airlines, when neither the airline nor the airport had sufficient wheelchairs or scheduled competent, knoledgeable, efficient, effective, resource management…. To be able to get two disabled elderly people onto a plane safely without completely screwing up the exercise…In an entirely ridiculous episode that appeared staged directly out of some English sitcom…
Watch this space…
June 7th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
shachero says:
no matter what i’m traveling on…plane, bus, train….i don’t do seats near lavs…and i totally empathize with people that end up in those seats/vicinities.
June 12th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Phil E. Drifter says:
Totally photoshopped, I can tell, i’ve seen a few photoshooped images in my day. The shadows are all pixelated and grainy.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Dwindle says:
It should be noted that Continental doesn’t make airplanes. Most of their longer range planes are 737s, built by Boeing. These complaints are valid, I know the seat in question, but I see little recourse. Planes are uncomfortable and miserable, just the nature of the beast.
December 25th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Angela Foster says:
Hey let me first say, view the seats and buy early so you can get a better seat. If you think this persons experience was bad, trying flying a foreign airliner. We had to make a return to the airport to pick up some high ranking people once after take off. Once we had to reland after take off to close a door. Another time our airplane had loose missing seats. Some flights people sat on the floor during take off and landings. I have flown every airline around the world, some great, some a mess but I must say as an American we do have problems with our airlines but compared to other countries they don’t compare!!!
January 6th, 2009 at 11:33 am
lololol says:
lololololol!
January 24th, 2009 at 1:53 am
LMFAO says:
this is one of the funniest things I have read in awhile. LOL LOL LOL
January 29th, 2009 at 7:25 am
free mmorpgs says:
Lol that was a funny read but I have a hard time believing a plane would have a seat like that..
I’ve never flown Continental so I don’t know how they do it but on Turkish Airlines even economy seating is wide, comfortable and you get all the free wine you want!
February 27th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Pvt Jones says:
Lol great letter. Reminds me of this stuff: http://www.rollzero.com/chads-letters
March 8th, 2009 at 9:49 am
taco says:
i think your a f@*#ing fag that sucks dick and fuckes his grandma in the ass with a pipe so fuck you and your grandma and bob fuck you to
April 1st, 2009 at 9:21 am
Meltdownman says:
Take a look at this
Take a look at this website:
(cut and paste)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhkm6sgPdtk&feature=related
April 5th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
baggy says:
Dave.
A package has just arrived for you marked FRAGILE.
I think it’s your sense of humour.
Come and get it.
April 7th, 2009 at 2:02 am
Phil E. Drifter says:
Maybe this guy should be a little more careful when selecting his seat on flights.
April 7th, 2009 at 4:39 am
nic says:
Oh sure, blame the engineer. Because it’s always the engineer’s fault…
April 18th, 2009 at 9:56 am
a mad nigga says:
lol thats hella funny bad hand writeing
June 29th, 2009 at 7:38 am