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Yet another video from Dave Carroll of United Breaks Guitars
Elliott.org, Chris Elliotts excellent travel blog, posted the third United Airline's bashing video from Dave Carroll, the man behind United Breaks Guitars. That's right, a third song and video. Did you even know that there had been a second? Look, we get it, United broke this dude's guitar. And the airline has a pretty dodgy customer service record. Most American legacy carriers do. And people love ripping on airlines, the TSA, airports, airplanes, airplane food, rolling luggage, the weather and virtually anything else that you can think of that may or may not be travel related. There are a lot of easy (and often deserving) targets for scorn, mockery and bitterness out there. But at what point does a campaign become less about the cause and more about shameless self-promotion?
Dave Carroll may have wandered away from advocacy and towards fame-grabbing somewhere along the way. His second video garnered nearly 1/8 the viewers of the original. Could he be desperate to remain in the limelight? You probably didn't even know who Dave Carroll was until you read the first sentence of this post. We know the song but not the person. Why? Probably because we don't care that much.
So, while his songs are catchy and his message is still accurate, we're left wondering what the endgame is here. United has responded to both of his previous videos. So, at this point, it all seems kind of selfish. But maybe we're just cynical.
What do you think of Dave Carroll's motivations for producing a third United Airlines-related song and video? Vote below and share in the comments.
| a vigilant consumer advocate. | |
|---|---|
| an opportunist who is using United for his own personal gain. |
Filed under: Airlines, Video, Consumer Activism
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
'CAL' Mar 4th 2010 1:43PM
WHEN THE QUALIFYING FOR N.R.A. OLYMPICS CAME TO TOWN AND WE MET THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM IRELAND AT L.A.X., IT SEEMS THAT HIS GUN HAD ARRIVED 'BROKEN' ON CONTINENTAL AIRLINES. WE TOOK HIM OVER TO THE CONTINENTAL COUNTER WHERE THEY (CONTINENTAL) PROCEEDED TO INFORM HIM THAT 'HE MUST HAVE BROUGHT IT BROKEN BEFORE HE EVEN GOT ON THE PLANE'. CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT??
A SECOND SITUATION WITH A VERY, VERY LARGE CORPORATION - U.P.S. ~
WE SENT A BOTTLE OF SYRUP TO AN ELDERLY COUSIN IN ANOTHER STATE, WRAPPED VERY, VERY CAREFULLY. OBVIOUSLY IT WAS NOT WRAPPED GOOD ENOUGH AS IT DID ARRIVE BROKEN. WHEN WE PUT IN A CLAIM ($4.00), WE HAD TO BATTLE U.P.S. FOR 'ABOUT' 6 MONTHS OVER THIS. THEY HAD ALL KINDS OF EXCUSES. WHAT'S WITH THESE LARGE CORPORATIONS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO HANDLING PACKAGES (SMALL or LARGE). THAT IS THEIR JOB, ISN'T IT??
mike Mar 4th 2010 1:14PM
oh what the hell , if the man wants to make videoes and songs about , dont pay attention if it irks you so much
Jose Mar 4th 2010 1:21PM
The reader can spin that in different ways. I can say, if you destroyed my drums and got defensive about my reaction, you'll have more than a couple of songs to worry about.
The one thing that has always been clear to me is that the actions of stellar individuals far outshine the policies and behaviour of the companies they work for.
Robin Mar 4th 2010 1:41PM
Get over it! I just flew UAL and was very surprised at how good the service was! Try Delta and you'll appreciate UAL.
James Mar 4th 2010 2:06PM
I hate country music, but this guy is talented. I fly with my $2000 classical guitar sometimes, but they always let me put it in the locker at the front of the plane when I explain it to them. I would never let it sit out on the runway.
GuitarMan Mar 4th 2010 4:37PM
It is United with whom he is dealing. What does he expect.
Is this time and energy well spent by him? Get over it, call your homeowners insurance, and have them pay out.
With so much time on his hands; he could be doing things that would make a real difference. There are people in need, soup kitchens that could use some extra hands, houses that need to be repaired or built. This person is run of the mill, self centered, me first.......BS.......The 95 year old widow, who lives next door to you buddy-boy, could use a little help.......
Joe American Mar 4th 2010 6:32PM
If one were to take UAL headquarters and turn it upside down, start anew with a new management team United may actually turn out to be a good company once again, sad such a legacy can be turned into what united has become today.