After the conference, I went back to the airport for my flight home. We boarded the plane on time, but the aircraft computer kept trying to improperly pressurize the cabin. After sitting at the gate for awhile, they let us back inside. The flight was delayed about four hours, and by the time it left, literally no one on the flight could make their connections in Houston. I'm writing this from a hotel in Houston, waiting for the first flight out to Columbus in the morning. Assuming that flight runs on schedule (which is a big assumption), I will have spent 18 hours waiting for Continental/United's delays, not counting scheduled layovers. Compare with 8 hours of total time in the air.

I understand things happen, not every flight goes smoothly. But, this is two of my flights in a row with serious aircraft problems - not counting a 3rd flight they offered me a seat on instead that was delayed a similar amount. That number of equipment failures, just in my own sphere of consciousness, really does not make me feel safe flying Continental/United. I've been a loyal United customer since I moved to Chicago in 2001, but that has all changed. I can't risk my life on some company that's willing to regularly fly poorly maintained aircraft just to try and save a buck.

To complete my frustration, United does not have a customer service telephone number. In order to make any comments, complaints, or requests, one is required to submit a ticket online and wait for them to email back. There are numerous accounts online documenting the fact that United really doesn't care and does not respond often or well. This is, of course, only to be expected from a company that won't let me talk to an actual person about my experience.