United Airlines: Serial Surfboard Abusers - Stab Mag

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A thousand bucks worth in emotional damage alone.

United Airlines: Serial Surfboard Abusers

Kirra Pinkerton is the latest victim in a stream of baggage-related injustices.

elsewhere // Oct 25, 2022
Words by Holden Trnka
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Remember, about a month ago, when we touted the conspiracy that United Airlines hates surfers?

Well, as Kirra Pinkerton has unfortunately confirmed, we were absolutely correct. Upon strolling off her recent United Airlines flight and breathing in the sweet smell of springtime in Brazil, Kirra stumbled upon a sorry sight in the oversized baggage area.

Her precious boardbag, not only crumpled and ripped apart, but also…melted? Inside, two boards and her wetsuit — which was nearly ripped out of the bag — completely destroyed.

Understandably, Kirra used her Instagram presence to protest and draw attention to the absolute fuckery that clearly goes on behind United Airlines’ closed doors.

We had a quick chat with her to hear the full story.

“I checked my boards into LA, saw them in Houston and they were fine, and then when I got to Brazil, the board bag was completely cut open and it looked like the bag was partially melted. My wetsuit was pouring out the side and was fully ripped as well. Two of my boards have massive holes in them,” said the ISA World Games champion. “This has happened to me three times on United this year and I haven’t complained once about it. Now I’m done. I just want my boards to make it safe for once.”

Apparently, United reached out to her offering compensation, while alluding that they wanted the post taken down. 

Would they have done anything at all, if she didn’t have thousands of followers? Hmmmm.

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