Beware of U.F.L.

By Shannon in Miscellaneous on Oct 22, 2007 4:45PM

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s … an electric shaver? Low-rise capris? A James Michener book? Holy cripes, DUCK!!!

This very well could have been the scenario yesterday in the vicinity of Midway Airport. Seems a Delta plane bound for Atlanta (or “Hotlanta,” as one of our coworkers insists on calling it) experienced a pressure abnormality soon after takeoff. Upon inspection, it was revealed that one of the bin doors holding the luggage at bay had come ajar, loosening two bags unto the Chicagoland area. Now that’s how you lose luggage! Passengers were shuffled onto another plane so the door could be fixed, but so far, no word on where the rogue bags ended up.

Things may look bleak for those two unlucky customers, but they should thank their lucky stars this didn’t happen on a United flight. In a Tribune article that revives the moth-eaten term "brickbat," Chief Executive Glenn Tilton outlined his strategy for United's rescue. Nestled amongst the mergers and divestments is a plan to charge passengers a fee to ensure their baggage comes off the plane first. Because God forbid you should wait the whole five minutes to scope out your bags. We've heard time is money, but this is ridiculous.

Image via katewilloughby.blogspot.com.