Saw this on Consumerist — and they got it from Gerry Braun of the San Diego Union-Tribune — and we bring it to you. Got that?

Anyway, it seems there was going to be this big family reunion in Hawaii. Tickets were purchased months in advance, a beach house was rented, all was in readiness. UNTIL — the day before. United told them the flight was canceled.

Only, it wasn’t. United reportedly, just bumped the family. Eventually they admitted that but never said why (couldn’t be because tickets purchased closer to the trip — more expensive tickets — would be more profitable for the airline, could it?).

The alternatives offered by the airline didn’t work — family members would have missed most of the vacation. Oh, and it wasn’t just a vacation: these people were getting together for a farewell visit to a family member who was dying in Hawaii.

You guessed it. Vacation was a no-go. Family member died. Read all about it.

Okay, lengthy article on airline food in USA Today telling us that while airline snacks are getting healthier, they still have a long way to go.

But, United can be proud; according to a rating system, UA serves the most nutritious stuff (they got high marks for their “vegetarian-friendly, trans-fat-free” Smartpack, which sells for $5 and contains granola, organic peach applesauce, cheddar cheese and other items. (Yeah, let’s definitely get that…shudder).

Somebody’s missing the point here: I for one, like my airfare cheap. So do you really think I’m going to spend a whole FIVE-DOLLARS on a snack?

That’s why it’s always nice to visit with the folks. You know your mom will pack you a lunch. It’s what they do.