First airline horror story

[Sigarms]

Had to be in Scottsdale for a meeting this past Monday 3PM their time. Plan was to come back Weds.

It was requested I book the flight to be there Monday by 12 noon to have time to make the meeting (no possible issues there lol).

Left my house at 0415 as I had to fly out of Charlotte (not my first choice as Greensboro is much closer). I was on the plane at 0730 looking good.

At 0830, they turn the planes power off, turned it back on, then we had to get off. They tell us they're bringing in another plane.

We wait until about 11 (plane comes up from Atlanta), they then tell us that the new plane now has mechanical issues as well, but our original plane is fixed.

They move everyone down 20 gates where they moved the original plane, but as I'm there talking to the one attendant, find out that the origial plane was back at our same gate (LOL at least I didn't have to make the walk because I was talking to the attendant).

Turns out the airline would have to put me up in Salt Lake city overnight and I'd be in Phoenix next morning at 10:00. I tell them that is unacceptable as I'm already missing two meetings that day, and that my next meeting was Tuesday morning at 8AM and I couldn't miss those as well.

OK, they can fly me to Detroit, then I can be in Phoenix at 23:00

I finally hit the hotel room at 23:45.

Spent basically 19 hours Monday between 3 airports running 11 hours behind missing 2 meetings.

On the way back home last night, I was the last person boarding the plane in Dallas, but at least they held up the plane for my luggage. I fly perhaps 3 to 4 times a year for work, never had anything like this happen.

2 questions -

1 - From people with more airline travel experience, can I milk this horror story for a free flight for my one boy who has never flown?:laughing:

2 - Other than the plane going down, you have a worse story to make me feel better?

 

[Passattdi]

Had to be in Scottsdale for a meeting this past Monday 3PM their time. Plan was to come back Weds.

It was requested I book the flight to be there Monday by 12 noon to have time to make the meeting (no possible issues there lol).

Left my house at 0415 as I had to fly out of Charlotte (not my first choice as Greensboro is much closer). I was on the plane at 0730 looking good.

At 0830, they turn the planes power off, turned it back on, then we had to get off. They tell us they're bringing in another plane.

We wait until about 11 (plane comes up from Atlanta), they then tell us that the new plane now has mechanical issues as well, but our original plane is fixed.

They move everyone down 20 gates where they moved the original plane, but as I'm there talking to the one attendant, find out that the origial plane was back at our same gate (LOL at least I didn't have to make the walk because I was talking to the attendant).

Turns out the airline would have to put me up in Salt Lake city overnight and I'd be in Phoenix next morning at 10:00. I tell them that is unacceptable as I'm already missing two meetings that day, and that my next meeting was Tuesday morning at 8AM and I couldn't miss those as well.

OK, they can fly me to Detroit, then I can be in Phoenix at 23:00

I finally hit the hotel room at 23:45.

Spent basically 19 hours Monday between 3 airports running 11 hours behind missing 2 meetings.

On the way back home last night, I was the last person boarding the plane in Dallas, but at least they held up the plane for my luggage. I fly perhaps 3 to 4 times a year for work, never had anything like this happen.

2 questions -

1 - From people with more airline travel experience, can I milk this horror story for a free flight for my one boy who has never flown?:laughing:

2 - Other than the plane going down, you have a worse story to make me feel better?

All I can say is US Air, and I highly doubt you can get blood from a stone. But hey, it'd be fun to try!

 

[newbury]

You have opened a massive bag of worms.
For about 20 years I was "on the road" flying usually at least two round trips a month, often overseas.
Besides being beat up mid flight by a drunk my worst story was a trip to Frankfurt, Germany from Dulles, Va on either United or Delta with a fielding crew of about 6 people.

We left fine, I had scored an aisle seat on an exit aisle with an empty seat next to me so plenty of legroom and I was looking forward to a pleasant flight. We left Dulles about dark. We had just passed Newfoundland and they were doing the first drink service. This was back when drinks were free on international flights. They got to the aisle in front of me and all of a sudden all the carts were put up and locked down.

The stewardesses scurried around looking worried for about 5 minutes, then they ALL sat down, one next to me. She whispered "We lost an engine".

Long story short we looped around back to about Ohio and did a combination of gliding and dumping fuel. Coming in to Dulles they had problems getting the wheels down but it worked out. They unloaded us and most of us went home to go the next day.

The next day flights to Germany were packed. I was stuck in a middle seat of a 5 seat row on Lufthansa. As we went to the plane we passed our plane of the day before, they had dropped the engine where is stopped and unloaded us and the engine compartment looked severely burnt.

Did I mention it was back when they still allowed smoking on US flights? Well I think smoking was MANDATORY on Lufthansa. I spent about half the flight in the bathroom just for the breathable air.

 

[oosik]

I was - long, long ago, on a flight that officially crashed. Flew into Ketchikan, Ak from Seattle. Defective strut on the nose gear caused it to collapse. Most of us would not have even noticed this except the pilot announced over the intercom. I don't think they even had emergency chutes at that time ( 1960 ) because we all walked down the normal exit stairways.

Your story make me think - when was the last time I flew. It was 1968 - I flew home to Ea WA from Anchorage, AK.

The really sad thing - your situation, while totally unacceptable, is not that far beyond what is heard very often, now a days.

 

[hawkeye08]

I have flown a fair amount over the last 30+ years, but not much the last 8. I doubt that you could get a free flight out them at this point. During the incident would have been the best chance.

Lots of stories, but generally speaking, I think customer service has gone downhill.

 

[Sigarms]

Besides being beat up mid flight by a drunk

On the way to Dallas from Arizona I was next to a skinny kid wearing a tee shirt and jeans. Low end tats on his arms, I figured he must of been 20 at best. Looked like for lack of better term a slime ball, but that's a judgement call that I shouldn't make.

He orders 4 rum bottles with a coke, I was honestly surprised they at least didn't card him.

We're coming in for the landing into Dallas (announced over the intercom) with the pilot asking the flight attendants to prepare for landing, and the due (I'm in the isle seat, he's at the window, with no one between us and we're towards the back, behind the wing) GET'S UP and asks me to move (you can tell by his eyes those 4 rums really worked for him). I tell him I don't think he can get up because we're getting ready to land, but he insists that he has to go to the bathroom.

First time in my life we're literally coming in for a landing and the flight attendant is banging on the bathroom door telling the guy he as to get back in his seat.

Kicker is it was a pretty packed flight, and after we land, he gets up waiting to get out while I'm just sitting there. He starts tapping his feat and like I'm supposed to move so he can stand in the isle. Honestly felt like just giving him a shot across the throat to get him to sit back down, but of course I didn't do anything, that would be rude, but still felt like it. I could NEVER figure people on a plane on that when it lands, people who want to rush out and figure just because they're standing in the isle, like they can get off the flight quicker. Heck, we landing in Dallas at 19:45 and my connecting flight was boarding at 19:50 and I just figured when I get off the plane, I'll get off. It's not like I'm Moses and I'm going to part that dang isle full of people just because I might miss my connecting flight.

I only fly between 3-4 times a year for work, domestically, figured there had to be better stories than mine. Thanks!

 

[Sigarms]

I have flown a fair amount over the last 30+ years, but not much the last 8. I doubt that you could get a free flight out them at this point. During the incident would have been the best chance.

I called when I was stuck in Charotte for 8 hours. Firgured what better time to wait out a "hold" call (lasted 40 minutes mind you with airline customer service). I was informed that I had to file my complaint AFTER the trip, not during the trip.

 

[Snobdds]

Airlines have been on a race to the bottom for years now. I blame online booking as the driver of this nose dive. People shop based upon price and then want white glove service. Can't have it both ways.

Flying is just a form of mass transportation these days. It's not set up to be an experience like it use to be.

When I travel for business now, I get there a day ahead of any scheduled meetings. It has saved me a lot of frustration.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

I have flown my fair share and haven't since 1995. Flew on and off aircraft carrier several times, military C130's over seas Mac, and commercial. I haven't flown with all this security crap you have to go thru and refuse to. There isn't anything I can't drive to and enjoy the trip getting there. I can remember flying from northfork to home and the plane would stop at every wide spot in the road and they feed you, gave you bags of peanuts and coke for free and of course you could buy drinks and smoke all you wanted. It was like a party. Some say the world is a better place.the horror story is just having to fly now days.

 

[Furu]

Flying today costs just about the same amount in actual dollars and cents as it did back in the mid 1980's
If you apply the inflation factors to the dollar and then you took the mid 1980 fare and converted it to today's dollars it would knock your socks off. Flying is dirt cheap today relatively speaking and people will step over dollars to save pennies on a fare. It just is the way it is.

My wife just last week got up at 0200 for her 0645 departure to fly to the other coast. Because the destination is not a direct flight there were two flights involved. If everything had gone normal she would have been to her destination 7 hours and 7 minutes later. A quite reasonable time for a coast to coast with a connector on the other end.
Well shortly after takeoff the pilot of the aircraft (Airbus) starts circling the airport for the next hour as they waited for it to get light enough to evaluate the damage (or that was the story). They took a big bird shortly after takeoff and it shattered the cockpit windows (no penetration however). They land back at the origin and airline has to rebook all the passengers. Wife finally got to her destination at 0130 the next morning. She had a really long day. Sometimes stuff happens sometimes it goes smoothly.

As to people hurrying to get off the aircraft or not. You would be surprised how many folks drag getting off until the last possible point. Inside the industry the joke is "Do they want to live on the airplane. Don't they have anywhere else to go." The crew stops getting paid when the doors open under most airline contracts. They either have another flight they have to go board and/or fly or they are going home at the end of a very long day.
Folks dawdling getting off the aircraft, teaching their kid how to walk while coming up the aisle, slowing everyone else down or just being inconsiderate is not cool. I agree jumping into the aisle just to stand and wait is not necessary but when it is your turn, get moving as there are folks behind you that have places to go and flights they might be trying to make and it might be the last flight to that point that day and you cause them to miss it. Courtesy goes a long way. The crew maybe at the end of a 14 plus hour day and they would like to leave as well.

 

[Sigarms]

When I travel for business now, I get there a day ahead of any scheduled meetings. It has saved me a lot of frustration.

I didn't make brownie points when I pointed that fact out Tuesday morning. Common sense will tell you when your flying from NC to Arizona the same day to make a meeting that the odds of something delaying you is very real.

As I asked my boss, how enthused do you think I'm going to be at a 3 o'clock afternoon meeting when I'm leaving my house at 0430 to catch a flight to that meeting? He pointed out that I could sleep on the plane.

The attendant at the gate in Charlotte was however nice enough to give me two food vouchers for my trouble. She pointed out I was very nice to deal with given the circumstances (everyone at the gate was blaming the poor saps working the gate when they were just the bearers of bad news). Glad I got the horrible salmon for $21 basically free as the food they serve at the school cafateria most likely would of tasted better then at this airport "restaurant".

Will say there is brewery pub at the airport in Phoenix that had a salmon BLT for $14 that kicked Charlotte's butt food wise.

 

[Sigarms]

As to people hurrying to get off the aircraft or not. You would be surprised how many folks drag getting off until the last possible point. Inside the industry the joke is "Do they want to live on the airplane. Don't they have anywhere else to go." The crew stops getting paid when the doors open under most airline contracts. They either have another flight they have to go board and/or fly or they are going home at the end of a very long day.
Folks dawdling getting off the aircraft, teaching their kid how to walk while coming up the aisle, slowing everyone else down or just being inconsiderate is not cool. I agree jumping into the aisle just to stand and wait is not necessary but when it is your turn, get moving as there are folks behind you that have places to go and flights they might be trying to make and it might be the last flight to that point that day and you cause them to miss it. Courtesy goes a long way.

I agree.

I learned alot about human behavior when I had to work the church "parking lot" a couple of years ago for a charity event. Big empty field was the "parking lot". You would think common sense tells you when you're parking in a big field and there are LOTS of people behind you, you take the furthest corner, then someone pulls next to you, and so on and so on until another row is formed (with enough room to let people back out to drive to an exit). This is FAR from the case. I couldn't believe how many people had to be told where to park.

I thought the Army was pretty screwed up, but as I'm older and seeing what happens when you deal with a crap load of people together who have no order, they (military) kind of makes more sense on the way they do things.

 

[newbury]

<snip> Common sense will tell you when your flying from NC to Arizona the same day to make a meeting that the odds of something delaying you is very real.<snip>

We were based in Ft Belvoir, Va and our prime CONUS "demo area" for the system we were fielding was Ft. Lewis, WA. Just south of Seattle, WA. Many a time in the late '80's early '90's I'd fly from National in the morning and take a red eye back to work the next day. Just had to be done. Rarely got delayed, usually all on time.

 

[lpigott]

I work and have been working overseas on 28 day rotations for the last 15 years. I have logged over 2 million actual miles flown with United not counting numerous other carriers. You experience is nothing far outside of normal. Most times everything goes as planned but if you fly enough you will run into delays, weather issues, last minute cancelations, overbooking, lost luggage, equipment failures, aborted landings, scary weather in flight and severe turbulence. Given the amount of aircraft in the sky at any given point is is amazing how well things generally go and not surprising at all when anything goes wrong. Just remember your odds are really good all will go as planned but don't be surprised when they don't. It is out of our control anyway.

 

[check]

I'd like flying, and rarely if ever have any problems. One time, however, we got to the airport in Toronto on our way to Hawaii, and they did not have our tickets. We were flying on Aeroplan points and someone forgot to send the right message to United Airlines.

All turned out well, however, because Air Canada flew us out the next morning without an overnight stop. Just saved us having to spend the night in San Francisco and then waking up real early to head over to Hawaii.

 

[John Fitzgerald]

I think with the current technology most corporations have in place, a lot of face to face meetings that would have taken place only a few years ago are now done remotely via high speed internet. Probably, this will get more and more prevalent in the future.

 

[two_bit_score]

My experiences flying have been mostly pleasant and trouble free. I don’t fly as much as I used to but that’s mostly by my choice.

My used to be favorite trip was every other Friday for a little over a year I flew from San Antonio early AM to El Paso and back to San Antonio around 3pm. A lot of people did the same flight pattern. Once you got used to it and the one hour time difference it was easy and pleasant. I didn’t have to dress up and only carried a cell phone and laptop. Where I went was less than 5 miles from the airport so I never even had to put gas in the rental. Met a lot of good people and really enjoyed those trips.

 

[RSKY]

Had a flight delayed a couple years ago while they waited for a part, hydraulic pump I believe, to be flown in from somewhere. When we boarded the plane we could see the engine cover off and there were three mechanics hanging on a fifteen foot cheater bar trying to get the pump in. All the passengers could see the engine being worked on as we boarded. That was the quietest bunch of passengers I've ever seen....until the plane landed. Then it was the loudest.

RSKY

 

[Sigarms]

My experiences flying have been mostly pleasant and trouble free. I don’t fly as much as I used to but that’s mostly by my choice.

Ditto.

I've been flying since I've been born (started traveling with lifer father in military). Never really had any major issues (perhaps a flight bumped or missed, which caused a couple or more hour delay) until this past week.

Ultimatley I could say it was my own doing. I could of flown out of the airport I wanted to (much closer and easier to get and out of IMO), but I was trying to save money and go from the larger airport and get the cheapest tickets that included connecting flights, while at the same time hitting the destination by 12 noon. Talking with some of my co-workers, they all paid more money for direct flights. Normally I don't book my own flight reservations, but was requested to do so for this meeting. I'm smart enough to learn from my mistakes and try not to make the same mistake twice

 

[Mace Canute]

I have rarely flown and it's been over 35 years since I last flew but back in 1972 I flew from Vancouver BC to Clinton Creek (a mining town) in the Yukon. From Vancouver to Whitehorse it was on a 737 but from Whitehorse to Clinton Creek it was on a DC3 with a few stops in between. One was at "Mayo International Airport" as the sign said and we had to deplane and wait about an hour while the pilots did some minor adjustments on one engine. The airport terminal I recall was about the size of a 14" by 16" granary.