u/JAX2905

*Edit: I’m not a United frequent flyer, my fiancée is, so I apologize if I misuse terms— apparently this wasn’t a “United Club” but my frustration remains even if this was a star alliance club*

My fiancée and I were traveling back to Denver today after an amazing vacation in France, and we were excited to use Polaris and relax in the United Club at CDG before our flight home.

As we approached the lounge, we noticed there were only two very small elevators going up. A group of people was crowded around them, so instead of squeezing in, we decided to wait for the next elevator.

We got into the lounge without any issues. About 20 seconds later, we suddenly heard what sounded like glass exploding, followed by yelling.

A man had picked up and thrown one of the large glass containers of treats/candy at another passenger. The sound was loud enough that the entire lounge went silent. I walked over to see what was happening, and the man who threw the glass looked absolutely enraged — the kind of rage where everyone nearby immediately feels unsafe.

What made it worse was that he was there with his wife
and a baby in a stroller. After about 2 minutes of intensity the situation subsided, the aggressor went to the smoke deck and the club staff cleaned up the mess while the victim of this (he was ok, though understandably rattled) got on the phone with airport police. He later told me he had squeezed into one of the elevators on the way up, which upset the other man. According to him, the aggressor was yelling things in French including “I will kill you” and “I will kill your family.”

Here’s the part I cannot understand: **after throwing glass at another passenger and allegedly making death threats, United staff still allowed this man into the club instead of immediately removing him or involving airport police right away.**

For the next 30 minutes, everyone in the lounge just had to sit there wondering whether this guy was going to snap again. People were openly talking about how uncomfortable and unsafe they felt.

Eventually airport police arrived and escorted him away, but it wasn’t even clear whether he was actually being arrested.

I understand staff may have limited authority in an airport setting, and I don’t envy having to manage a situation like that. But allowing someone who had just committed an act of violence against another passenger to remain in the lounge around families, travelers, and staff felt completely unacceptable.

Curious if others have witnessed situations like this in United Clubs before, because this honestly shook us up.