United Airlines flubs response to computer outage

Another crisis, another airline.

Following Delta’s debacle in which it charged soldiers returning from Afghanistan $200 for their fourth bag and mishandled the response, it was United Airlines’ turn.

United appeared to be caught flatfooted when its computer systems went down for nearly five hours Friday night. Many passengers were furious that there was no information available. Lines at airports were long, especially in Los Angeles where they stretched out the doors. A reported 2,500 passengers were impacted at LAX.

Press reports note only brief tweets from United providing apologies for delays, but little else. News media reported calls and e-mails to United went unanswered.

Looking at United’s Twitter site on Sunday afternoon, not much information had been added, although it did want to talk to @richardmarx for a video he posted in which he blasts the airline about the 4:33 mark.