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Home  >  United Airlines  >  Senator Ted Cruz Misses United Airlines Flight, Throws Such A Fit That Police Have To Be Called
United Airlines

Senator Ted Cruz Misses United Airlines Flight, Throws Such A Fit That Police Have To Be Called

Matthew Klint Posted onMarch 22, 2022March 22, 2022 38 Comments

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R – TX) has a love-hate relationship with United Airlines. While he detests the carrier’s mask policy and employee vaccine mandate, he claims to have solidarity with front line employees. But not in Bozeman, Montana, after Cruz was late to check-in for his flight and did not receive an exception, prompting a hissy fit and even a call to airport law enforcement.

Tardy Ted Cruz Misses Airport Check-In Cutoff For United Flight, Prompting Angry Reaction, Police Response

Video shared on Reddit shows Senator Cruz attempting to check in for his United Airlines flight from Bozeman (BZN). After being told he was too late for check-in, a visibly irate Cruz took out his anger on a pair of frontline employees. Another airport employee who videoed the encounter claims Cruz was demanding names and threatening to “go to corporate” if he was not checked in for the flight.

Although not on video, the traveler who took the video claims that Cruz asked the agent, “Do you know who I am?” and repeatedly asked to speak to a manger (about 12 times). Additional context is provided here.

Cruz’s failure to calm down prompted a call to airport police, as explained by the Bozeman Airport Deputy Director:

“One of our Public Safety Officers (PSO) was in the ticket lobby and was asked to assist with a frustrated passenger at the United ticket counter (which is not unusual). The passenger had missed the check-in window for his flight and re-booking options were limited out of Bozeman due to Spring Break.

“Once travel options were explained to the passenger, he was rebooked and departed Bozeman later that evening. Our PSO didn’t realize he was dealing with Senator Cruz until after the fact.”

While Cruz’s behavior is indefensible, I tend to think the check-in cutoff at tiny airports like Bozeman is also a bit too draconian. This is an airport in which you can arrive at, drop your bags off, print your boarding pass, clear security, and be at your gate in under five minutes…without even breaking a sweat.

Furthermore (and I’m not proud to say this), I cannot count on my hands and feet how many “one-time exceptions” have been made for me over the years when I showed up at the airport late. Again, Cruz is totally at fault for arriving late, but if his experience is anything like mine, I understand why he at least asked for an exception: that’s because check-in cutoffs are not hard and fast rules. Truly, the staff could have let him check-in if they wanted to (we can read between the lines that the flight may have been oversold based upon the airport’s statement).

CONCLUSION

Cruz does not win any allies by acting like a spoiled child after checking in late for his flight. His missed flight is a lesson for all of us that we should not count on an airline waiving check-in cutoff just because it can.

(H/T: View From The Wing)

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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38 Comments

  1. Babblespeak Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 6:54 am

    A “personal accountability” party poster child looks for people to cover his ass. Go figure.

    • T- Reply
      March 23, 2022 at 7:30 am

      Now I hate Ted Cruz even more! Living in Montana, I can tell you that Bozeman Airport is beyond capacity already & still growing fast. Spring Break is very busy for Bozeman. Follow the rules dear Teddy Boy or stay in Texas!!!

  2. Chris Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 7:04 am

    According to Cruz, airline employees love him and give him hugs. Just more Lyin’ Ted.

  3. The real beej Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 7:11 am

    Have you been to Bozeman recently? Of the 3 times I have flown out of Bozeman in the past year, it has taken a minimum of 30 minutes to check in and get through security. That is with elite status and precheck. No comment on the buffoonery.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      March 22, 2022 at 8:42 am

      Haven’t been in three years. Has it changed that much? (Not doubting you – I am surprised, though)

      • Jason Reply
        March 22, 2022 at 9:04 am

        I went to Bozeman in 2014 and it took me at least 20 minutes to get throug security. And that was before a lot of other airlines added flights (Southwest, etc). It’s a busy airport at peak weekend times, and it can take awhile to get through.
        Assuming he wasnt checking bags, why didnt he just check in online/ on his phone? Regardless, he didnt make it, and he wasnt happy that an exception wasnt made. No sympathy.

      • Marissa Reply
        March 22, 2022 at 1:30 pm

        Matthew: I live here and this is my home airport. In slow season we have anywhere from 35-40 flights a day and double that in high seasons. It can get really busy even though we know have 12 gates. We rarely have hassles here so Cruz stuck out like a sore thumb.

  4. Karthik Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 7:13 am

    Looks like someone got their twitter back

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      March 22, 2022 at 7:55 am

      Only by pleading guilty…should have done that three weeks ago. Twitter stonewalled me. Never responded to 20+ follow-ups.

  5. Bob M Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 7:31 am

    Anyone who exclaims “Do you know who I am?” should be refused service, whether it’s an airline, restaurant or hotel. Automatic and non-negotiable.

  6. Ryan Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 7:44 am

    My first reaction is Ted Cruz being a douche, which is his natural state of being. However, on thinking about it more, we all have moments where our frustration manifests itself in ways, and against people, that are not fair or productive. So, I’m inclined to give him a pass. But if I were him, I’d deliver bagels and donuts (or whatever they have in Bozeman) to the United staf.

    • Ryan Reply
      March 22, 2022 at 8:10 am

      Also should add that the video does not depict him acting unreasonably at all. Not saying that he did not eventually act that way, but the video evidence does not show it.

  7. DCA Will Always Be Reagan Airport Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 8:39 am

    Wow, this looks like a cut-and-paste job from Gary’s post last night. Might want to at least paraphrase a few of his sentences next time.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      March 22, 2022 at 8:41 am

      That’s quite unfair – I gave Gary the h/t as deserved, but our stories are different.

  8. Debit Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 9:08 am

    It might still be learning to regulate its emotions while on its periods.

  9. M Casey Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 9:32 am

    Smaller airports do not have ClearMe or exclusive PreCheck queues. The lines are joined to the magnetometer or body scanner. The TSA will give you a something so you don’t have to remove your shoes, but toiletries and electronic device need to be pulled out of your carryons. This is basic 101 TSA facts! Anyone who travels frequently knows this! It took me 25 minutes to get thru the checkpoint at EYW last month. In IAH, I’m thru in less than 5 minutes. So your smaller airport theory is debunked. EWR is just hell no matter what.

    The problem with the “one time exception” is the customer starts to think that’s the norm. If you walked up to an INTL carrier after cut-off, they direct you to a ticket agent (rebooking mandatory) or the reservation phone on their desk. There are no “one-time exceptions”.

    Ted Cruz probably has the highest status, global service (guessing here). He had to be very late for that “one time exception” to not be offered.

    • Emmy Shellabarger Reply
      March 22, 2022 at 12:17 pm

      Global Entry is for international travel, Bozeman does not participate in that program. They do however have Pre TSA with a separate line, which at times can be busy. Regular security can be very busy with considerable wait times. Bozeman has service from 8 airlines and 17,000+ student going on spring break. The problem is Ted is an ass.

      • Jason Reply
        March 22, 2022 at 1:22 pm

        the person said Global Services, not Global Entry. Global Services is an invite-only, high level program that United Airlines has for its VIPs and extremely frequent travelers. I think the OP assumed (maybe correctly but who knows) that due to the senator’s status as a senator, he might have that status. Sometimes exceptions are made for Global Service members. The OP was not referring to Global Entry, the expedited customs / immigration service offered by the federal government for international travelers. Different programs, run by different organizations, entirely, but which would sometimes have overlapping membership.

  10. Stuart Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 9:44 am

    He should try Cancun next time. United staff are more accommodating there.

  11. Jan Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 10:07 am

    Maybe he can convince Delta to make a base/hub in TX, that way he doesn’t have to deal with UA trash 😀

    • Aaron Reply
      March 22, 2022 at 2:55 pm

      He acted like a jerk and somehow the UA people are trash? Ok…

  12. Dark Star Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 10:47 am

    @My Casey

    Or to paraphrase Sen.Dirksen:

    an exception here,an exception there,and pretty soon, you’re talking about “the rule”…

  13. DmR Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 11:56 am

    Cancun Karen

  14. pelican55 Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 12:11 pm

    the carriers’ mask policy?? Are you sure? To be clear, it’s a federal mask mandate and UA has no say on this.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      March 22, 2022 at 12:26 pm

      The carrier introduced it and enforced it before the federal mandate.

      • Trolly Dolly Reply
        March 23, 2022 at 6:03 pm

        it is STILL a “Federal mandate”, PERIOD, regardless of when it became a requirement.

  15. Jerry Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 1:50 pm

    Ted Cruz is just not capable of not embarrassing himself. There can be a certain charm to buffoonery (ie. Boris Johnson), but there’s nothing endearing about Ted’s antics. I like watching him be a moron, but I don’t like him at all. He technically represents me in the Senate, and it just blows my mind that he’ll undoubtedly get reelected again in 2024. Nothing he does in or out of the Senate shows he’s qualified of the role of Senator. I think if he flew 100,000 miles on Lufthansa, they’d keep him at Frequent Traveler.

  16. Robert in SF Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 2:43 pm

    Just gonna say….I don’t give this report much credibility to be honest….I won’t let my dislike of Ted Cruz affect my standards here based on the source (reddit OP and the videos themselves)….I don’t see enough to believe that he acted this way or made these statements. The audio doesn’t seem to include the inflammatory statements…He seems reasonably frustrated or put out as though by missing a flight, but I don’t see any over the top histrionics here on display.

    The OP from reddit may be entirely based on extrapolation without enough support to substantiate or be a standard internet troll or plant.. I guess their post/comment history may add some credibility, but I didn’t go though it to see.

  17. GT Traveller Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 3:20 pm

    Who goes to Bozeman, really?

    • Jerry Reply
      March 22, 2022 at 3:39 pm

      I think a better question is who DOESN’T go to Bozeman. The airport is pretty well linked up to every corner of the United States.

    • Stuart Reply
      March 22, 2022 at 4:28 pm

      Either you are from Bozeman and trying to divert attention OR you are clueless, lol.

  18. Jim Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 3:47 pm

    When people start throwing out the “Do you know who I am” BS, my earplugs go in. Why does that person think he is more important then others.

  19. DMNYC Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 8:39 pm

    @Matthew, I think the other issue at smaller outstations like this that it’s not a question of whether it’s possible for the PASSENGER, but for the staff—both airline staff and contractors, like ramp contractors, etc.—who are probably working at or over capacity during busy times like spring break, which doesn’t necessarily see the seasonal personnel build-up that summer might.

    So the workflow and capacity of staff to see the flight process through might be under stress. Ramp staff might have limited windows to get all bags on and close the belly of the plane before they have to run to another flight to load those bags. Opening up a flight that has already been closed for check-in might interrupt other necessary functions and waste time of staff that don’t have a moment to spare to get the flight out on schedule. Even in normal times, at airports like Bozeman, the check-in staff of the airlines with more limited schedules are also the gate staff, and have to shuffle over to start the boarding protocols right after closing check-in.

    This might be even more compressed with the limited schedule padding and turnaround times of regional jets.

    All this to say, yes, frontline employees can and should show some compassion when possible. Hell, I’ve had CX agents at JFK re-open bag check-in for me when I arrived with just an hour before my flight (ANGELS, those people). But it’s definitely not always possible, especially when staff are over capacity.

    (And OF COURSE Ted Cruz pulls the DYKWIA card? Regardless of your politics, it’s easy to see why he is insufferable and even his colleagues hate him…as Lindsay Graham said…if you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and held the trial in the Senate, no one would vote to convict you).

  20. Christian Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 9:13 pm

    The multiple DYKWIA was because he kept waiting for the obligatory hugs.

  21. Ken Reply
    March 22, 2022 at 10:50 pm

    Maybe they should have called his wife unattractive, because ever since Trump did that, Cruz is one of his biggest fan-boys.

  22. Buster Reply
    March 23, 2022 at 12:56 pm

    Happened to me yesterday in San Diego.
    Arrived 32 minutes before scheduled departure and agent was locked out, computer would not allow her to check us in.
    We could have been to the gate in 7 minutes, boarding hadn’t started, flight was delayed 10 minutes,.
    Paid first class, both 1K and million milers with United.
    Still in San Diego, finally flying out this afternoon.

  23. Trolly Dolly Reply
    March 23, 2022 at 6:06 pm

    Cruz: Do you know who I am??
    UA agent: You look vaguely familiar… got your green card?

  24. Lloyd Johnson Reply
    March 25, 2022 at 5:18 pm

    “Too draconian”? At the same time, you probably criticize airlines when they have poor on-time performance. There are reasons for cut off times. There is so much involved when you know the operational challenges of running an airline. Be happy that you or someone else gets an exception occasionally, rather than using it as an excuse to complain.

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