Computer glitch grounds United Airlines pilots

Thousands of travelers were stranded at airports around the United States Friday night, after a computer failure of the United Airlines booking system '.

United spokesman Charles Hobart has confirmed the break and said the airline apologized to customers. In a statement released by the airline did not say what caused the computer problem or how many flights or passengers were affected.

"At about 07:15 CT tonight, United Airlines experienced an interruption computers stop flight departures of the airline, airport computer systems and reserves," the statement said.

The glitch has been resolved "through the troubleshooting procedures and restored at midnight," a second statement said.

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United were about to resume normal operations and was allowing customers to cancel or rebook flights without penalty.

Long lines of passengers formed at check-in Chicago and Denver International airports, two of the largest U.S. hub.

Passengers at Chicago NBC station WMAQ said they were frustrated they were kept waiting in line for about two hours before each announcement came from the airline.

"I was going home alone for 38 hours, so it's a kind of cut into that," said Sean Doyle, who was trying to board an 10:15 pm flight from Chicago to Denver.

"I am a bit 'cheesed, and I spent the time looking at who the new CEO of United Airlines is so full of vitriol can compose a note to him," said Kasey Madden, who was trying to fly to Minneapolis.

Twitter WMAQ after the passengers had been told that there would be no flights from Chicago on Friday night.

Los Angeles International Airport, United Airlines operations said there was a "computer malfunction at the national level." Employees were to check in passengers manually, Los Angeles, said spokeswoman Nancy Castles.

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A producer of NBC News in Los Angeles reported that passengers were not able to check in less had printed out their boarding pass before going to the airport.

The New York Times report said passengers were a chaotic scene at the terminal in San Francisco, United International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport delays.

Lines of frustrated fliers were seen even at Portland International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Subsequently, Denver International Airport staff made an announcement through the speakers, saying computers were slowly coming online. A flight to Washington Dulles International Airport was preparing for departure.

United terminal at San Francisco Airport, more than 1,000 people were standing around as lines began to move slowly. Some have taken better than others.

Pippa Davis, 50, of Christchurch, New Zealand, was on his way to Manchester, New Hampshire, with its 11-year-old daughter Frith. He said he recently had earthquakes at home, including one that damaged his home.

"I think this is kind of funny, really," he said. "We are on track, but not for food or water."

"It's okay. We survive," said Davis.

United is the second airline to have its operations disrupted by computer problems this month. Last week, a power outage on the ground or delayed U.S. Airways flight at the national level. The passengers could not make reservations, check in online, change their flight or check flight status.

NBC correspondent Jay Blackman, NBC and NBC producer Norma Rubio station WMAQ in Chicago, KING in Seattle and Portland KGW contributed to this report, which includes information from The Associated Press.

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Submited at Saturday, June 18th, 2011 at 10:00 am on News by ethan
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