United Airlines Disappoints Chase Budinger… Again

Mar 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Chase Budinger (10) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The following is a guest post from Zachary Bennett, who covers the Minnesota Timberwolves for CanisHoopus, and writes about the NBA at large for our mothership, Hardwood Paroxysm. You can follow him on Twitter dot com here: @ZacharyBD.

The collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association requires teams to fly first class or by charter jet on trips of one-hour or longer. Teams pay a fixed cost for airfare because of the NBA’s contractual obligations with various air charter companies. Players go from city to city and don’t worry about the inconveniences associated with air-travel, such as delays; cancellations; or having their luggage sent to the wrong destination.

In fact, professional athletes seem to actually enjoy traveling.

• Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins caught Nick Stauskas blatantly snapping a picture of a few hundred dollar bills while on a plane.
  • That isn’t the first time the Kings have enjoyed themselves at a comfortable cruising altitude.
• Kevin Love snapped this photo showing six members of Team USA sleeping on a plane last summer.
• Does Shaun Livingston even need this much leg room?
• Road trips can help teams like the Los Angeles Clippers come together, writes Matt Moore over at CBS.com (he’s also my boss).

Indeed, unless you have a ridiculous amount spending money, NBA players are afforded much more desirable travel circumstances than the average citizen. However, they are only entitled to these privileges during the season. Once the year is over athletes must pay to travel just as you or I would when going on a vacation–some of them are even inconvenienced.

Enter Chase Budinger.

The Minnesota Timberwolves has had numerous not-so-great experiences when flying United Airlines. The first instance happened last May.

Some may find professional athletes (millionaires) complaining on Twitter to be jocks that just expect things to go smoothly at all times. But Budinger wasn’t only thinking about his itinerary last year.

Now, to their credit, United Airlines was willing to go out of their way to try and fix the issue, but’s unclear whether the two sides found a solution.

Another thing to think about: If this hadn’t been Budinger complaining would United had tried to fix the problem? We can only speculate.

Today, after enduring another abysmal season with the Wolves, Budinger was willing to try his luck flying United Airlines again. Time heals everything, right? Wrong.

Again, promptly, United Airlines tried to address the issue.

Twice, within just under one year’s time, United tried asking Budinger to follow so that they can do their best to fix the issue. He was willing to give them another shot after a bad experience last May, only to be disappointed again today.

Maybe Budinger will fly Delta from now on.