8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC #5

[captaincrash]

Good luck Crash. Aloha just folded earlier this week and so those passengers are scrambling too. A friend of mine was supposed to fly to Honolulu next weekend and is having a heck of a time finding anything decent. They could fund an extra vacation with the cost they have to shell out for replacement tickets.

Is this Aloha??? They posted this on their website on Monday. United and another Hawaiian airline is covering the flights as we have been told.

Well...

... it seems that Aloha AND ATA both filed - however I am only getting familiar with ATAs' situation.

I called United to see about getting my tickets honored with them and it seems no "travel vouchers" are available to me because thier policy is to assisst travelers who are STRANDED and need to get home.

So - while on hold (and sometimes talking to the customer service rep wih our credit card company) ... I'm reading forum postings and blogs on airline bankruptcy issues - as well as the FTC postings following 9-11 regarding how airline bankruptcy passengers are treated in the wake of the event.

So far - it seems our credit card company is giving us good cause to be optimistic about our prospects with them. we're being told on one hand that we'll have to wait 30 days to file a disputed charge report - and that is annoying me because nothing is going to change in this time frame - and that the ATA web site specificly directs me to try for a refund.

Now I'm being told a mixture of good and not so good... the Visa company is not strict about a) the 60 day window to file a dispute (I'm filing now anyways as I'm at the 53rd day following purchase)... and that the credit card company is mostly concerned that b) the merchant has a chance to resolve the dispute <they're closed down and my attempts to exercise "alternate travel" with thier ticket on another airline have been fruitless since I'm not already traveling when they went BK>... and c) they are insured or offset with the ability to write off losses on their taxes <the rep said this> ... so they can absorb some losses. Whats NOT SO GOOD is the rep is also talking about how often the customer is the one left holding an empty bag ... so should I be worried about getting burned in the end here???

The final thing the rep told me which pleases me to no end < !!! > is that he is now processing a one time exception now to forward my dispute of the claim without waiting 30 days from today to file. He went on to say they are coming up with a formal policy to customers who are at risk of a loss due to the ATA bankruptcy.... and future claims will be subject to the formal policy if it differs from what we are doing today. All I'm concerned with is being first in line for a FULL refund at the earliest possible juncture... and it looks as if I've secured a spot near the front of the line with VISA.

At any rate - before I mail the dispute to VISA I'm going to look into trading our flight vouchers at $1400 for travel on another carrier. Maybe one of them (other than United) will honor them for travel to Honolulu ... and according to Kayak.com the travel to Honolulu on our dates is starting at $650 per person ... or $2600. This might still emerge as a travel bargain of sorts as opposed to an annoyance with money (and some slightly uneasy feelings while waiting for a likely refund) tied up for a few months. Now if only I can find an airline to honor my ATA tickets to Hawaii without an exorbitant fee - I'd be sitting pretty again!?

Sigh....

.... if only money grew on trees in unlimited abundance... I would not have to concern mysself with such diversions. HOW DARE they at ATA to declare BK before our scheduled travel is concluded! DRAT!

Seriously, good luck to anyone else holding ATA tickets. If anyone wants to forward private queries on what to do - or how to do it... just PM me to ensure I see it. Postings here - well... I have yet to read from the beginning of this chapter/thread - <WHICH I FULLY INTEND on doing>... I kno... fameous last words, eh?

There's some nice information on this thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1777187

and it seems that if you paid by credit card you can just get refunded . . . however, you are still stuck with getting replacement tickets, of course. Sorry about this, Crash.

Thanks Julie...

I just went through that thread - a lot of chat and sympathy - but no one who was HOLDING tickets like me. And to think, I almost BOUGHT more ATA tickets for our return from Orlando to LA in September! Good thing I didn't, eh?

 

[got2travel]

I am absolutely amazed at the skill of the plastic surgeon I went to.
I looked like a train wreck last week after the surgery. Now, it is just amazing! He took a pretty substantial hole in my nose and in a week and a half it looks almost normal. He hid all the stitches in the curve of my nose and you cannot see any marks. It still just a bit red. Wow! I think I am going to start saving for some more work that guy can do on me.

So you're not going to look like Michael Jackson?

Glad to hear its healing nicely.

 

[pdarrah]

Sounds like you have started with our usual method already! We usually keep the new cat separated from the old cats in a separate room for a few days. They sort of "meet" through the door and get the scents of each other from us as we go back and forth. I also try to spend some extra time with the older cats so they don't feel like the newcomer is stealing our attention. After a few days we will let them meet, but under adult supervision . Unless it turns out to be a complete non-event and they are just fine with each other, I will continue to keep them separated for the next few days when we are not home or at night. Generally, within a week, we can give everyone free run of the house. Whether they will be friends or not won't be clear for a while, but most cats will tollerate each other even if they aren't friends. With our six, a couple don't much like each other, but other than the occasional spat (just some hissing and batting - not all out fights!) they just ignore each other. Some of ours are best buddies even though they came to us at totally different times.

Pamela

 

[m&m's mom]

So you're not going to look like Michael Jackson?

Glad to hear its healing nicely.

Looks like Michael's trademark look is his to keep for now. I do not think there is a lot of competition for it.

 

[sk8ingmom]

SO I send DH an e-mail about the tall ship ta-do in LA. The subject line was "An old friend to see us off". Here is his response:

I don't know if I'd say "friend".
"Acquaintance" for sure...but not always on friendly terms
----------
That's awesome.
Real treat...even for a bitter Coastie like me.
Boys will love it.
We'll have to convince them I asked them to sail over for us!

Do I know the man, or what?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

that doesn't sound too good.....hope everything's ok Anderew

Hope all is well, Andrew -- keep in touch.

Hi back a bit earlier than I thought, cant go into it too much, but it didn't happen at home and in the end involved three fire engines, and lots of work, for one persons silly actions!

All OK now.

 

[micmse2003]

Recession- what recession? My neighbor who has the same floor plan as me and our houses are both in very nice, upgraded state, just sold her house in 3 days!!

First time in 35 years houses are not selling in my neighborhood!!! Usually houses sell with in a month!!!

Hadn't heard about the Coldstone one. I'll go register now and see if I get one. I just registered for Red Robin last week and it kicked in already so maybe Coldstone will too.

Also, forgot to add to my list, a local tepanyaki place, like Benihana, gives a free birthday meal if you have a party of 4.

Thanks Monica.....I going to sign up for Red Robin!!! I love their burgers!!!

Hello everyone!!!!!

I just came across something interesting and thought I would share. I apologize in advance if someone has already shared this info and I missed it!!!

I was researching restaurants in San Pedro and came across this calendar that shows a tall ship festival for our weekend!!!! This could make for a very nice sail away!!!!!!

http://www.sanpedrocalendar.com/scr...nth&NavType=Absolute&Type=Block&Date=2008/8/1

Never be afraid to just share even if we heard it before!!!! That is exciting news and now something more to look forward too!!

ATA just filed for bankruptcy!
effective yesterday it seems...​

Check your tickets if you have reservations with them! They've ceased operations entirely - so it's not as if they are operating while in reorganization....

Regretfully, I have 4 tickets to Honolulu with them for December ...

... $1500 or so that I'll have to see about wrangling in trade with another cooporating airline that serves Hawaii. The ATA home page lists the options open to me (? us) and we also have a chance of getting a refund through our credit card it seems - according to the home page - but who knows?

I gotta get on this now!

Sorry Crash!!! I liked Aloha Airlines when ever we went to Hawaii! I can't believe ATA is no longer!!!

2 separate airlines....unfortunately both were major carriers to Hawaii

Thanks for the answer.....I thought maybe ATA had bought out Aloha Air.

Wow! Super-cool!

I've always wanted to see one of these events. There have been some in Chicago (probably smaller since there are only so many tall ships on the great lakes anymore) but have always had conflicts and couldn't make it downtown. I think I need to buy more memory cards for my camera!

Pamela

I did go see the Tall Ships in Chicago!!! This will be great to see them from our ship!!!

 

[m&m's mom]

Sounds like you have started with our usual method already! We usually keep the new cat separated from the old cats in a separate room for a few days. They sort of "meet" through the door and get the scents of each other from us as we go back and forth. I also try to spend some extra time with the older cats so they don't feel like the newcomer is stealing our attention. After a few days we will let them meet, but under adult supervision . Unless it turns out to be a complete non-event and they are just fine with each other, I will continue to keep them separated for the next few days when we are not home or at night. Generally, within a week, we can give everyone free run of the house. Whether they will be friends or not won't be clear for a while, but most cats will tollerate each other even if they aren't friends. With our six, a couple don't much like each other, but other than the occasional spat (just some hissing and batting - not all out fights!) they just ignore each other. Some of ours are best buddies even though they came to us at totally different times.

Pamela

Thanks! DH left "Tiger"( new cat) in my room and shut the door and Sprinkles is now out in the house checking out the new scent. Being as Sprinkles was attacking the window last night when she even saw "Tiger", I am not expecting miracles.

 

[micmse2003]

SO I send DH an e-mail about the tall ship ta-do in LA. The subject line was "An old friend to see us off". Here is his response:


Do I know the man, or what?

 

[tom31b]

SO I send DH an e-mail about the tall ship ta-do in LA. The subject line was "An old friend to see us off". Here is his response:


Do I know the man, or what?

Since he wants to convince the boys that he arranged it all, everyone should come up to him and thank him for arranging it?

 

[micmse2003]

Hi back a bit earlier than I thought, cant go into it too much, but it didn't happen at home and in the end involved three fire engines, and lots of work, for one persons silly actions!

All OK now.

Glad you and your family is okay!!!! You will have to tell us the story!!

 

[tom31b]

Hi back a bit earlier than I thought, cant go into it too much, but it didn't happen at home and in the end involved three fire engines, and lots of work, for one persons silly actions!

All OK now.

Oh... you think you can leave it at that and this group won't come up with its own version complete with Crash images?

 

[wheelerkidz3]

For figuring the amount, I just did the trip total (there was the option to do it by person or the total value). I added up the cost of the cruise, airfare to and from, and hotel deposits (only the non-refundable part of the hotel since most you can cancel with 24 hour notice - so I just counted the 1st night deposit)

You'll still get hit with looking at a couple different policies. We used Travelex Travelite this time (and for our last cruise). We have also used CSA in the past. I always try to read the details on the stuff like travel concelation, delay, etc. since that can really vary from policy to policy.

I'm still usually a little freaked out when I make the decision and buy since I feel like I don't really know exactly what is covered and what isn't - I usually just tell myself that it HAS to be better than NOT having coverage and hopefully, we will never need it. My biggest concern on this trip is having enough medical coverage since we are going to be very far from home.

Pamela

thanks! guess i gotta get on the ball with this. thanks for your help!

Yes, I've got another set of maps. Just PM your info.

As for insurance, I entered my total cost of cruise, airfare, hotel. I didn't go exact just rounded up. Then when looking at the options, I go for one that has medical evacuation separate from the medical. If we are out in the middle of the ocean and you need to get off the ship, a helicopter could get quite pricey. I don't want my actual medical costs getting eaten into by the evacuation cost. I also pay attention to what is covered under the trip cancellation to see who will cover the most.

going to pm you now! thanks so much! and thanks for your help with the insurance too!!

Hi back a bit earlier than I thought, cant go into it too much, but it didn't happen at home and in the end involved three fire engines, and lots of work, for one persons silly actions!

All OK now.

yikes! glad to hear everything is ok!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Wow! Sailaway could be amazing.

DSs will be so excited!! DH maybe notsomuch... according to him it is much more fun to see a tallship than to sail a tallship. He spent summer of '90 on Eagle.

that's cool that it is the same one!!!

we don't usually have many chances to see these - they do come through Oswego and stop sometimes.

we are trying to decide if we should spend some time in San Pedro Saturday. We would have to be very lucky to get in on time Thursday, so we would have Thurs night and all day Fri to do the parks. I know Sat will be busy, so we are still not sure how much time we will want to spend there...decisions, decisions!

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Can someone point me in the direction of a tip calculator? I know there's info on the main board but I just don't feel like venturing over there today.

Cruise Tip Calculator

 

[Diznyfan68]

Can someone point me in the direction of a tip calculator? I know there's info on the main board but I just don't feel like venturing over there today.

Here you go:

http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Glad you and your family is okay!!!! You will have to tell us the story!!

Oh... you think you can leave it at that and this group won't come up with its own version complete with Crash images?

thanks! guess i gotta get on the ball with this. thanks for your help!


going to pm you now! thanks so much! and thanks for your help with the insurance too!!


yikes! glad to hear everything is ok!

Be careful where you place your cigarette ends! (If you smoke).

 

[Diznyfan68]

Be careful where you place your cigarette ends! (If you smoke).

That says it all!

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Be careful where you place your cigarette ends! (If you smoke).

Glad to hear that you are OK Andrew.

 

[captaincrash]

Hi back a bit earlier than I thought, cant go into it too much, but it didn't happen at home and in the end involved three fire engines, and lots of work, for one persons silly actions!

All OK now.

Sorry to hear of this annoyance Andrew... alas, it's good to see there seems the situation is managable though...

So - again now... who was it who called in the fire brigade? And Andrew ... why are they saying you've been loitering so much with the "hot" fire fighters?

[edited in]....

I guess I'm simply too predictable, eh?​

Oh... you think you can leave it at that and this group won't come up with its own version complete with Crash images?