simpler skies

United Airlines launches new service to help travelers skip the lines at Bush Intercontinental

United Airlines Agent on Demand virtual customer service

This new service helps customers get simple, fast answers for travel questions at the airport.

Photo courtesy of United Airlines

Houston travelers on United Airlines now have access to a new, virtual, on-demand customer service aimed at simple, contact-free, real-time information and support. The new feature is available at George Bush International Airport, as well as Chicago O’Hare, and will roll out to other hubs by the end of the year, according to a press release.

Dubbed Agent on Demand, the new United service is available on any mobile device to call, text, or video chat live with an agent. Customers can scan a QR code displayed on signage throughout United's hub airports, or access the platform through self-service kiosks. From there, customers will be connected to an agent by phone, chat or video, based on their preference, according to the airline.

Travelers can get answers on seat assignments, boarding times, upgrades, standby list, flight status, rebooking, and more. Agent on Demand is aimed at convenience; customers cab go virtual as opposed to standing in line for answers.

For international travelers, more than 100 languages will be available via chat. (Customers type in their preferred language and the messages will be automatically transcribed in English for the agents — and in the selected language for the customer.)

United is the first airline to debut this technology, which is aimed at safety during the pandemic and convenience, United notes in a press release.

“We know how important it is for our customers to have more options for a contactless travel experience and this tool makes it easy to quickly receive personalized support directly from a live agent at the airport while maintaining social distancing,” said Linda Jojo, United's executive vice president for technology and chief digital officer, in a statement. “Agent on Demand allows customers to bypass waiting in line at the gate and seamlessly connect with customer service agents from their mobile device, ensuring they continue to receive the highest levels of service while also prioritizing their health and safety.”

In late November, United announced the expansion of its customer COVID-19 testing efforts to include flights departing Houston to select destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

vacation technology

prepare for nostalgia

Texas museum rewinds Blockbuster and Walkmans in new '90s exhibit

Bullock Museum special exhibit The 90s: Last Decade Before the Future; fashion and style

Photo courtesy of the Bullock Museum

The Y2K era inspired many fashion trends.

A new nostalgia-inducing special exhibition debuting at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin is giving viewers a way to look back at the magic of the final decade before the turn of the millennia.

The 90s: Last Decade Before the Future will showcase "the watershed events and innovations" that changed the world and ushered in the technological revolution of the early aughts. These landmark moments include political events like the fall of the Berlin Wall and President Bill Clinton's impeachment, as well as cultural shifts through the lens of fashion, sports, and movie icons.

"In between the opening and closing of the 1990s, genres of music rose and fell, Blockbuster made everyone a critic, TV became must see, Beanie Babies replaced some of our retirement plans, and at some point we all did the Macarena," the exhibit description says. "There was a cloned sheep, an impeached president, and a booming economy bolstered by the internet."

The exhibit also asks viewers to imagine or remember a time when "technology didn’t control us" — when the internet could only be accessed via a desktop computer confined to a dedicated room and tucked away in a desk or solid wood cabinet. That time was before social media and instant communication, when we didn't have all the knowledge of the world at our fingertips.

Bullock Museum special exhibit The 90s: Last Decade Before the Future; cassette tape players and CD players Personal CD mixes had something that playlists today just don't. Photo courtesy of the Bullock Museum

Visitors will spot these vintage artifacts in the exhibit:

A piece of the Berlin Wall
A recreation of the iconic home video rental store Blockbuster Video
A timeline of portable media players like Sony Walkmans, CD players, and MP3 players
Famous movie character costumes, including Whoopi Goldberg’s pink suit from romance thriller Ghost and Tom Hanks’ combat uniform from Saving Private Ryan
Outfits from "era-defining music superstars," including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Jay-Z, and more
Memorabilia from Olympic champion athletes like figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, gymnast Kerri Strug, and swimmer Amy Van Dyken
Technological innovations like Apple iMac computers, landline phones, video games, and others
More recognizable fashion trends and popular toys

The exhibit is on loan from the Colorado History Museum, an educational institution dedicated to representing the Centennial State's culture and history.

The 90s: Last Decade Before the Future will debut on November 14 and will be on display at the Bullock Museum through March 21, 2027. A member reception will precede the opening on November 12 from 6-8 pm. The exhibit is included with regular museum admission ($22 for adults; $18 for seniors, students, and military; $16 for youth ages 6-17; and free for members).

Photo courtesy of the Bullock Museum

The Y2K era inspired many fashion trends.

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