There is a story on a local Marine that is blowing up on Facebook. Jake Klaverweiden recently graduated from Marine Corp boot camp recently and was home on a short leave prior to reporting for his mos training.
He shows up with his family at the Salisbury Airport for a flight on US Air to Charlotte this morning Mind you he was in full uniform with travel papers and orders to report to camp Geiger in Jacksonville NC. Ticket agent tells him they are sorry that he had been bumped.
With no other viable options his parents had to drive him to NC so he would not be AWOL. The worst part of it was the customer services agent response when they were told he was flying on orders. There reply was " what do you think he is more important than anyone else". Jake's father is retired Salisbury PD Sergeant Jay Klaverweiden.
New Posts to fall below.
I guess the only crappier thing was the fact that not another traveler gave up their seat for him. You don't get bumped in private, so other travelers had to hear what was going on, especially in that tiny facility.
ReplyDeleteHow does the airline decide who to bump from flights? It would be interesting to see who replaced the Marine. Absolutely DESPICABLE. The disrespect for our military starts with the President, he coddles terrorists and threatens to cut military budgets in order to get his way. He uses the lives of our brave soldiers to implement his progressive plan to transform America into a European country. Stand with our brave soldiers or stand in front of them.
ReplyDeleteThat's just wrong. Would be wonderful to get Southwestern Air in Salisbury, with connections to BWI.
ReplyDeletewell lets just look at this for a moment.Its not another travelers job to give up their seat...would have been nice but...while i do respect military people as i am former air force the agents response was true. Had he flown out of a larger airport this may not have been an issue.Bashing the airline is wrong they are a company just like any other that has issues from time to time.Although its an unfortunate situation when the airline bumped him there is no warning on the screen thats says hey you bumped a marine...getting bumped while traveling happens all the time...can we find something way more important to talk about...the situation was resolved so id say no real story here...
ReplyDeleteThis builds character for the young Marine, how you ask? Well, as Marines, we adapt and over come! It will prepare him for many more snafu's that are sure to come.
ReplyDeleteSecond off, I can't believe none of those Knuckleheads on that flight would give up their seat for this hard charging devil dog! Thanks to his folks for getting him Camp Geiger for his MCT (Marine Combat Training) so he wouldn't be UA.
Simper Fi Marine, And above all else, YOU WILL NOT QUIT!
first of all how do any of you people know for sure that the other people on the flight were aware of who was bumped.This entire story is based on a RUMOR..first of all if common sense was applied here the marine in question would have planned his travel better and out of bwi.I guess a lesson learned for all involved. And really 12:08 we need to all get together and take up a collection to buy you a life..Good luck Marine!!!And God bless you!!
ReplyDeleteToo bad. Nice young man-met him at Sam's last week while he was ringing the Salvation Army Bell. USAir did same thing to my son (also a Marine) last year on his way home for Christmas. The alternative flight was offered just 1 day before his flight back to CA. Does this family need any help with gas money?
ReplyDeletefrom what I read he had a seat and was bumped. what made the person that bumped him superior to a Marine that is on specific traveling orders??
ReplyDeleteJoe,I've found in my limited travels that most of the employees of US Air are pompous asses who think they rule the air.I take Bay Country shuttle to BWI and it's actually cheaper and sometimes even faster.
ReplyDeleteI fly out of Salisbury for conveinence only. Its getting as bad as Philadelphia. All of the workers their to include the US air agents, the TSA and the rental car people, could care less if you are there or not and show no sense of compasion for the elderly or people that take a little longer to process their boarding. Come on US Air, there are not that many passengers and flights that you have to deal with at Salisbury. Act like you care.
ReplyDeleteGood ole "us air". and salisbury. What a team.
ReplyDeletehe chose to be a marine, just like i chose not to. i can appreciate what he is doing. but if i was traveling, i dont know that i would have given up my seat. i doubt many of the other commenter’s would have either.
ReplyDeleteI'd be a little careful making such a statement and assumption on this matter anjd whether or not this apparent act turely occured. This flies in the face of a recent policy change that US Airways introducted only a few weeks ago were US Airways began offering priority boarding to all active military members in uniform.
ReplyDeleteMilitary members will board first, before first-class passengers and the airline's most frequent fliers.
I always called them Useless Air and that was 30 years ago. Nothing's changed.
ReplyDeleteWe need a competitor at SBY that offers regional jet service to FL, CLT, etc... as well as middle America destinations and US Airways will either shape up or close up! They suck at service and act as if the flying public owes them a debt of gratitude for letting them fly on US Air!
ReplyDeleteWhen you have time to spare fly US Air.
ReplyDelete1:32 PM, you are really ignorant. I'd give my seat up any day for anyone in the military. They have orders, if they don't show up they are considered AWOL and you wouldn't give up your seat to help them? They are out there protecting you and your freedom every single day - I like being free in this country and I want it to remain that way so that's why I would take a later flight and give my seat up but a$$holes like you think it's always just about you all the time and it might interfere with your plans. Shame, shame on you.
ReplyDeleteI guarantee none of you would want to live in a country where the military tells a private company (an airline in this case) what to do. what happened to all you Ayn Rand Capitalists out there, you can't possibly tell you are in favor of this type of government intervention in the private sector. If the airline wanted to bump him then so be it, its their choice as a private company. Plus, the guy was going to training, not like they were waiting for him on the front lines.
ReplyDelete@1:32 I'm sorry but I find your comment to be the most ignorant comment that I've ever read on this or any blog. Because he, like many others, "chose to be a Marine" you are able to choose not to. If men didn't volunteer you would be forced to go or face federal punishment. Enjoy your warm bed tonight or spending the holidays with your family and pets while the "morons" making that possible for you, spend their holidays alone in the desert. Thank the troops not because they protect us but because they allow you to be home. People forget that.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the story goes, sorry to hear but glad he made it in time.
We all need to boycot US Air and also picket the Salisbury terminal maybe even demand they leave Salisbury!
ReplyDelete@2:05PM, there are a lot of people with a lot of jobs that i wouldnt want to do. many of them are just as important to my way of life as the marines. like i said, i appreciate him, certainly didnt call him a moron. but you may be, if that was the most ignorant thing you have ever seen on this blog...forget about any other blog.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he was the last one to buy a ticket?
ReplyDeletePlain and simple. The
ReplyDeleteMarine should have never been bumped for any reason. This young Marine has chosen to place his life on the line for us citizens any time he is ordered to do so in order to protect our freedom and rights. Shame on us as a society because such actions just underscore how pathetic we have become as a nation and society. Do we have no respect for the very individuals that protect us 24/7?
You can say whatever you want, US Air
ReplyDeletedid not do the right thing this young
Marine should have been permitted to board the plane. US Air shame on you!!!
12:14 must work for the airline. Jakes father was a Marine also. What a let down this must be. i have to agree Uslessair forever.
ReplyDeleteGod Speed Jake!
Military personel board first when they have a seat. There are many reasons this Marine could have bumped, i.e. standby. Many Military personel fly standby for cost. I am not saying this is the case. The problem with people being bumped is do to the elimination of flights in many small markets. many flights are overbooked and the incentives for volunteering to give up your seat are gone. In addition many airlines charge for any changes with cost which are shocking. I would have gladly gives up my seat for this Marine.
ReplyDeleteLets get a few things straight here.
ReplyDelete#1, this young man paid full price for his ticket.
#2, he was NOT on standby.
#3, he was picked out of ALL of the passangers and someone made a very stupid mistake.
#4, I have ALL of my facts straight in this Post, so don't challenge me as if I don't.
2:44 if you don't want to be a doctor, no one will make you if there aren't enough "volunteering". And you basically call them morons if you say, "they chose to do it". If you haven't served, that's ok so long as you're grateful for those who do. So, give up your seat, pick up an occasional tab or simply fly your flag. our country was built by tremendous sacrifice and giving up a short flight seat for a boy who's man enough to taste fear you haven't had to sniff would be an easy decision for anyone I'd care to know. The Marines I know would never expect a seat to be given up. In fact, if you asked my friends for their shirts, they'd give them. You don't ask for their protection but they give that too and long after they retire their uniforms. They volunteer it. Oorah.
ReplyDeleteEveryone can boycott US Air as much as they like, kick them out of town, the whole nine yards. That said, no respectable airline or its subsidiaries (American, United, Delta, SW, etc) would have an interest in running a regional carrier to/from Salisbury. With BWI, Philly, Dulles, Reagan, and Norfolk all within a 3 hour drive, there are a multitude of flights without worrying about whether the regional carrier operates a hub at any of those major airports.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, Piedmont (the regional US Air subsidiary) is headquartered in Salisbury and they operate flights up and down the east coast, so don't expect them to pack up and move out anytime soon.
Great story Joe! Scratch US Air off my list!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI thought he was on standby, as I was years ago in the Army. Now that I find out that he paid full price for his ticket, I am really pissed off. The US Airline employee must have voted for Obama.
ReplyDeleteJoe, I agree with your comment " booked ahead" as I am sure with your grandson new Marines are required to have travel booked and comfirmed BEFORE they leave from graduation at boot camp weather it be bus or air . This was the case with my son... Thank you Jake!!!
ReplyDeleteThis was an egregious mistake on the part of Piedmont. With that said, boycotting the airline and running them out of town would hurt the several dozen people who work there and would become unemployed. And for all those wanting Southwest to come here... Southwest doesn't have regional service to any town.. only major hubs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 522. You can boycott and hope for another carrier, but southwest will be here when wegmans is...which means..not in my life time.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, you are bumped only when the airline over booked. It is sad that airlines still practice this. Having been bumped several times, I can it stinks, but using a "company" you are at the mercy of their policies. I don't know if the policy really states anything about our service man or not, but in reality they don't scan the crowd and pick who ever is irking them or whatever. It is not determined by the ticket taker to my knowledge.
So do I feel sorry for this young man, at first I did, but then I realized that his parents got to spend a few more hours with him and that makes me smile. Kind of like a blessing in disguise.
Take it from a seasoned traveler with 4 small kids, if you want "mostly on time" goto BWI or Dullas. I have only used Salisbury in a severe emergency.
In our home we call them "UselessAir". They have lived up to their name once again.
ReplyDeleteTo all of those who asked why should someone have to give up their seat for the Marine. I suggest that US Air should not have sold a seat they didn't have to the Marine. For that matter, why should US Air sell seats they don't have to anyone.
ReplyDeleteOverbooking should be illegal. If anybody else sells you something they don't have it's called fraud and they can go to jail.
Joe, Thank you for bringing this to our attention. To those that feel Jake Klaverwiden should not have received consideration or was not worthy of your seat on that fight. I say the following, check yourselves and be sure your not off your meds! Do you know how many fine young men like Jake have laid in the sand of the God forsaken countries of Afghanistan, Iraq and more dying while crying out for their mom, dad or other loved won as the blood left them and they died? Do you know what it's like for those that don't die to carry on after they watch this or perhaps they are following another vehicle and watch the men they serve with get blown to pieces by an IUD? You seriously need to apologize to Jake, his father Jay and the rest of his family that are being supportive of an 18 year old son who wants to serve his country and it's citizens knowing that he may never come back? Give me a break I'm am ashamed to live in the same country you people do! He was entitled to his seat as a paying passenger and that apart from everything else is enough. Do you know how many people get bumped from flights in Salisbury because some big shot has business somewhere? Give me a break there should of been people lining up to give him a seat and don't say no one knew about it I know better. Give me a break we have the finest fighting force in the world and it's all volunteer. Perhaps you would take me up on an offer for a one way ticket for your child to Iraq, Afghanistan or some other god forsaken place in the mideast where they very well may die and you live with that while someone whines on a blog about It doesn't matter that he's serving his country. Unlike you I will sign my name to my comments and everyone knows me so if you want to have a spot of tea and chat please do get up with me I'd love to meet you folks!
ReplyDeleteChip Carper Hebron,MD
As a former ticket agent, there was a certain amount of cut off time for checking in, whereas if they were late, unfortunately their seat was given to someone on standby. Would be interesting to know if the Marine checked in one hour prior to flight time, which is the normal checkin time and also, did he checkin online the day prior to print out his boarding pass. These are those important things that a lot of passengers do not take into consideration and show up at the airport less than 20 mins before flight time. Even with a full fare ticket, if you are late/past the cut off, your seat can be released to standbys.
ReplyDelete8:10-Get over yourself. If you get to the Salisbury airport an hour before your flight, you'll be sitting around waiting for the security personnel to show up. There is certainly no need to show up an hour before your flight in Salisbury.
ReplyDeleteHey Joe, Answer this: Did he check in online and print his boarding pass out or just show up at the airport? Why won't post any posts regarding this? I hope all the once a year fliers boycott usair. I'm a gold member, fly out Salisbury often and could use less "i get one trip a year fliers" whining and complaining. They can drive to FL or where ever the go for vacation.
ReplyDelete10:08: Word for word, copied directly from the US Airways webpage Airport Check-in Times
ReplyDeleteAlways get to the airport with plenty of time to check in, get your boarding pass, clear security and get to the gate. If you're seated in an exit row, be sure to check in at a kiosk with an agent.
US Airways closes passenger and baggage check-in 30 minutes prior to departure for domestic travel and 60 minutes prior to departure for international travel.
If you're traveling from Atlanta, Honolulu, Maui, Orlando, Seattle or Washington Dulles airports, you must check in at the airport at least 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time – whether you're checking bags or not.
If you're leaving from one of these airports and you have a bag to check, you must check in at least 45 minutes before departure:
Atlanta
Baltimore
Buffalo
Charlotte
Dallas
Denver
Honolulu
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Maui
Orlando
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Pittsburgh
Raleigh-Durham
Reno/Tahoe
Seattle
Tampa
Washington (Dulles)
•If you are not checked in and waiting in the boarding area at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time for domestic U.S. (30 minutes for international travel), your reservation may be canceled and you will not be eligible for denied boarding compensation.
•Save time and check in online for domestic and international flights beginning 24 hours and up to 60 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time.
•Use the airport kiosks for convenient, self-service check-in at the airport.
•If your seat assignment is in an exit row, you must check in with an agent. You can use a kiosk as long as there is an agent there to print your boarding pass. If you’re seated in an exit row and traveling out of Phoenix, the kiosks near security check point A and B do not have agents near by and you should check in downstairs.
•Please allow additional time for parking and security lines.
And also 10:08: US Airways policies on active Military traveling on US Airways, and to their families.
ReplyDeleteUS Airways offers special rates to military personnel traveling on an officially excused absence and to discharged personnel within seven days of discharge¹. Special rates are also applicable for military dependents². Children are eligible for the military dependent fare as follows:
•An individual who is at least 15 years old must accompany children under the age of 5 on all sectors in the same compartment.
•Children ages 5-14 may travel unaccompanied only on nonstop flights.
•Children 15-17 are accepted without restrictions.
Special rates are not available to personnel on temporary duty orders traveling to or from their temporary duty station. For more information about Military Leave travel, call US Airways at 800-428-4322.
¹The military passenger must carry valid active duty identification or separation papers.
²Military dependents must be a relative of the military passenger. A military dependent must present a Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card marked "active."
Anon 8:10 - 10:08 Simple, check in online 24 hours prior to your flight.
ReplyDelete".while i do respect military people as i am former air force"
ReplyDeleteThe Air Force is not considered part of the military.
Deer hunters, US Air planes make great targets!
ReplyDeleteIt sucks he was bumped, but to those of you blaming it on Obama, you really should get something else to cry about. Your obsession is just too too funny.
ReplyDeleteBecause there are less flights these days, the planes are filling up quicker and especially because of the holidays approaching. It would be good to know if Jake followed all the advance checkin procedures (i.e. checking in online day before, arriving at the airport way ahead of time knowing he could be AWOL if he missed the plane (common sense) , etc. If he arrived less than 30 mins prior to his flight and had not checked in online the day before especially if he was checking bags, yes he could be subject to denied boarding on a full flight. I know quite a few military travelers and they arrive at the airport EARLY to make it a point that a situation like this will not happen to them. The days of arriving at the Salisbury Airport less than 30 mins before your flight are history. Obviously 1008PM has not flown since 9/11 changed the travel world!
ReplyDeleteHey 811am, "Deer hunters, US Air planes make great targets!", that was just out of line.
ReplyDeleteSo you're basically advocating that hunters start shooting at overflying airplanes with, in the case of Salisbury airport, 50 people on board. Real classy.
Well,I think i have listened to it all,but the end result is us air muffed up plain and simple,does not matter if he got there late the thing is THEY overbooked,he had a pre-purchased ticket,as long as he got there befor the plane left, that seat should be his period.If i have an app.to have my hair cut at 2pm i dont show up at 1pm and expect lunch.next questioned is did he get his refund? this is called greed get all the money you can we will deal with the rest later,if we fill this flight they will have to wait for the next.
ReplyDeleteIt's truly sad that a random collection of sentences like this can be posted on the internet and considered "news". This "story" wouldn't have made it through the editorial process at a middle school newspaper. There are more holes here than a piece of swiss cheese: Did the author attempt to call the station manager at the airport to get further details? When did the marine arrive at the airport? There are way too many pieces of missing information here.
ReplyDeleteThe only way the marine's seat would be given away (involuntarily denied boarding) without the airline first asking for volunteers to give up their seats would be if he arrived at the airport late. If he was checked in, was through security, and was at the gate on time, and the flight was in fact oversold, the gate agent would've asked for volunteers to give up their seat in exchange for compensation. There are usually always folks willing to give up their seats and take the next flight in exchange for a voucher. I would especially imagine that someone would be willing to volunteer their seat for an active duty marine traveling on orders. The fact that this didn't happen leads you to suspect that perhaps he didn't show up on time--but as the article was so poorly written, we don't know any details about what actually happened.
Please understand that he is in the airline's eyes a business traveler. If he showed up late, then he gets a later flight with a change fee. If they over book the flight and he is on a cheaper fare, the people who paid more will get their seat instead of him. It is all based on priority.
ReplyDeleteThe military members today act as if there is no third amendment. USAirExpress and Piedmont are both privatized companies that have gone out of their way in Salisbury to treat these business travelers (that are military members) with some extra respect by allowing them elite benefits.
Not defending the company for what happened. But this is what happens when companies outsource important jobs instead of keeping them in house. Given the airports in question, I take it this was not a US Airways Mainline flight but and Express carrier operating as usairways. These express carriers are the worst. A good example is the Colgan Air crash which gave Continental a bad name. I always fly usairways, and can tell you as a frequent flyer, the mainline carrier is much different then their express carriers. I always give up my f/c seat to military if they are in uniform or not. Its the least i can do for them serving our country.
ReplyDeleteThis entire thread is exhausting with people jumping on the "let's hate on Airways bandwagon." Andrew's 1:26 PM (14 Dec) post was cause for relief-- finally, someone who's thinking and expressing himself critically.
ReplyDeleteTo the 4:33 PM comment, you're rather misinformed about the way US Airways has structured its Express brand. Your points are based on the false premise that US Airways has farmed out its ground handling responsibilities. At some stations, particularly out west, yes-- this has happened. And yes, all legacy carriers excluding Southwest contract with regional carriers to operate flights. That's how airlines are even able to serve stations like Salisbury in a cost effective manner!
But Piedmont Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of US Airways Group. As such, Piedmont staff (your gate agents, among others, in SBY) are afforded the same benefits and carry the same responsibilities as mainline employees. All aircraft and crews that pass through SBY are Piedmont employees-- not contract employees. Finally, there is a common protocol that we as ticket agents follow in the event of an overbooking in order to solicit volunteers and keep things moving on time.
Speculation as to the circumstances of this particular incident is unproductive-- we don't know what happened that morning, quite simply. As a couple of others have mentioned, there's no vetted story here-- just a hodgepodge of information to get readers riled. Before bashing, some of the folks in this thread--the author included--might be advised to attempt to learn a bit more about the incident before passing judgment that, quite frankly, reeks of ignorance.
the main problem here was he probably didn't show up earlier enough to get on the flight. also the gate agent was doing her job, the computer told her to bump him so she did what she was told.
ReplyDeletethere could of been a thousand things worse that could of happened to him that day.
Yeah, Any form of military cant just show up at the last second expecting to be treated like royalty from commercial carrier, it's his fault in a way because he probably showed up like 30 mins before it left and expected everything to be fine. you need to be at an airport 1-2 hours before departure.
ReplyDeleteAs a gate agent, not for USAirways (if you are going to bash the airline, at least use the correct name) but for another airline, I must say that the agents followed proper procedure here. I come from a military family, so before you start cursing me out, I do have the utmost respect for the military and for those serving. What irritates me is the idea that we should worship the ground of those serving and the notion that they can do no wrong. If this young man had done what he was supposed to and followed the established guidelines, he would have checked in a minimum of 60 minutes prior to departure, not 32. We have rules and guidelines to follow too, and I'm sorry, but just because you have on a military uniform doesnt mean I'm gonna bend over backwards to make your life any easier. Also, there are way too many holes in this story, and I just find it hard to believe someone who transposes "there" for "their"...really irritates me. Finally, consider yourselves dang lucky you have USAirways Express service, because you will NEVER see Southwest Airlines in SBY.
ReplyDeleteAirlines do not just tell a person he's "bumped" when he checks in. All airlines are required to solicit volunteers before anyone is bumped (aka involuntarily denied boarding). If no one accepts the airline's compensation offer and volunteers, then most airlines will involuntarily deny boarding to the last passenger to check in.
ReplyDeleteIf the ticket agent did make the comment that was alleged, it was inappropriate. There should always be a higher level of respect for anyone serving their country.
This story, as presented, seems very slanted. It would be interesting to know the whole truth of the situation.
The story does not give enough details to understand the situation. The author reports the family's version of events and apparently did not ask the airline for comment.
ReplyDeleteIf the airline employee made the comment that was reported, it was inappropriate. However, treating a member of the military like other passengers is not reprehensible. It is a matter of equality. If jake was on orders, he should have made sure that he got to the airport early.
Members of the military deserve respect but do not deserve to be treated like royalty. Thankfully, we do not live in a military dictatorship.
Having Served in our military, and now on the civilian side, AND as a crew member at an airline, I can safely say- I don't rely on my uniform be it military or airline to get me on board an aircraft when it is my job as a passenger to get my body to the airport at a certain time- I, as an individual have the responsibility to be where I need to be at the appropriate time, and to do the appropriate actions to assure that my travel plans are to the specifics that are afforded to me. I, like many others are adults. We have responsibilities. If I have not held up my end of that bargain, I should not expect someone else to take that burden from me, no matter if I have protected our borders, or helped a woman give birth in a cab- it was MY responsibility to have been there- not I would not create a situation out of my own need- I would state FACT, and accept my role in the situation. I would be ASHAMED if someone else that holds a grudge against the airport or it's management that would use it to spread mis-truths and rumor. I have made mistakes in the past and will again in my future. I am human. But, I DO NOT, AND WILL NOT place the blame on someone else for my actions- where in truth this has been the case. I was not the individual in this case, but I do know what happened there. USAirways employees do nothing more than they are trained to do- and when we, as the travelling public do what we need to do? There isn't an issue no matter WHO we are.
ReplyDeleteIts obvious we have a lack of information here. As a gate agent I truly find it hard to believe this situation took place in the manner reported. As a gate agent I have seen people arrive late and when I tell them they are too late to make the flight, they will get upset and say we bumped them from the flight. In this situation, I bet the flight was not oversold.
ReplyDeleteHe probably arrived late and had bags to check in. Checking him in would have delayed the flight. This may explain the agents remark. I for one would like to hear from the agents on duty.