United Breaks Guitars - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

schteve_d · 07-09-2009, 10:33 PM

I got this in an e-mail today. I thought it was funny enough to share. Read the full story in youtube. I eagerly await the next two installments! What a great publicity "stunt" for the band as well as being a terrible one for United...over a few hundred bucks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

I'd of finally figured out how to embed it but I don't think you get the story that way.

Bobblehead · 07-09-2009, 10:34 PM

In reading that Random thoughts thread, I think you will see a brief discussion (and conclusion) in there.

Kjesse · 07-24-2009, 12:05 AM

What a great story... the video now has over 3.7 million views and this artist is getting bookings and attention like he never could have hoped without this viral hit.

And United's shares plunged (but since have rallied due to a good financial report) after the video went viral.

http://www.seoptimise.com/blog/2009/...s-youtube.html

You can't say this song/video caused all of that stock loss, but it certainly contributed.

Its a catchy tune actually, and the video cracks me up. I've been following the story and its inspiring... the little guy getting revenge against the big impersonal corporation.

united · 07-24-2009, 08:01 AM

So this thread isn't about me. That's a relief!

Kjesse · 07-26-2009, 03:39 PM

Nah, this particular incident just happened to become famous.... sometimes the market is irrational (actually, often, the market is irrational).

Maritime Q-Scout · 07-26-2009, 04:09 PM

not bad exposure for a Nova Scotian musician. I don't know a whole lot of songs by The Sons of Maxwell, but I hope that this helps to springboard them to be more successful.

In addition, I get to make poke fun at a clumsy friend of mine who works on a United Airlines account here in Sydney.

Don't give the guitar to Pat, he works for UAL, and you know United breaks guitars!

bcb · 07-26-2009, 06:52 PM

Good! Next, they can make a video about being groped by airport security

starseed · 08-19-2009, 10:14 AM

Sequel is out.

The original video has over 5 million views!

mykalberta · 08-19-2009, 10:22 AM

What did he expect.

He shipped fragile items and didnt pay for luggage insurance? Bags are not treated like royalty with airlines. They are treated as stackable items. In the belly of a plane you can stack approx 12 suitcases high in a typical plane from here to the US. If you luggage happens to be at the bottom, well then so be it, your fragiles might get crushed. The only luggage that isnt handled like that is full fare first/biz class.

Handles typically rip off, shoulder straps break. Its no like someone is maliciously cutting them, but when they are handled like you have 30 minutes to unload and off load a plane with typically 1.5 bags per passenger speed is the key, not softly handling econo luggage.

Also if United could fire those handlers they would. Unfortunately Chicago rampies are some of the most union heavy in all of North America.

Tyler · 08-19-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

What did he expect.

He shipped fragile items and didn't pay for luggage insurance?

I don't think he expected to see baggage handlers tossing items on the tarmac that were obviously guitars with such obliviousness. I don't think he's out of line in that regard.

Cactus Jack · 08-19-2009, 10:47 AM

That has be worried for next year when I travel with a guitar. I would purchase the additional insurance but is it worth it? If you have a $1,000 guitar sure but I imagine the insurance isn't $50, so if you have a $100 guitar it may not be worth it to purchase the insurance when you can by an equally average one just in case to replace.