And This is Why You Leave Early for Your Cruise

[Donna3271]

OMG! The poor daughters were so humiliated! Glad they made it....

INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE!

 

[kamik86]

I can understand not getting insurance for a trip... I didn't on my first few and now my credit card covers alot of the worst stuff so I don't always get it for everything else (although I will for my next one to Europe as that is a bigger trip)

However you can't blame the airline for everything and you have to realize that puts you at a high risk. I don't insure many of my smaller trips because if all I ended up out was the money for the vacation I would be financially ok.

Diverting the plane to Philly couldn't have been anything but a weather decision. There is no other reason they would do that. Well ok maybe a mechanical issue in the air making the plane have to land as soon as possible but I highly doubt they could have kept that one quiet.

I'm in MA and we did have some pretty good wind and rain last night so it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility that NYC had it bad enough that it had to divert planes.

The bigger one I caution is against not having any extra money. Even if you have insurance. When there was the issue with the Royal Caribbean cruise many where saying that those people were screwed because the refunds would take weeks and many had no money. This to me is mind boggling. Insurance, refunds, etc will all take time. You need to make sure you have some funds, even if it is just an emergency credit card you can pay back when you get the insurance money, on you. That way you can get a hotel, eat, get clothes if your bags are lost and sort out the paperwork later.

 

[cyclenut]

I fly quite a bit and have been on several different carriers over the past few years.

The friendliest crew is SouthWest. Almost no matter what is going on they seem to do it with a smile. I don't care much for their model but I still fly them and have two upcoming flights with them. You get the exact same product every time you fly SouthWest and if you fly them enough and are on their A-list, then it's not bad.
I fly American quite a bit as I am near their hub. Their partnership with Delta is limited to the frequent flyer program and really no other. They are a completely separate company and different company culture. American is such a large company, your experience will be a bit more hit or miss. They are not bad across the board and not every flight has a premium on aisle and window seats, but they do that for seats popular with business travelers.
Delta is the worst in my view.
United is actually pretty good for a volume carrier. They have a good set of code share partners and do a pretty good job with their planes and their service. Nothing stellar, but good.
Virgin America (now to be purchased by Alaska) is really top of the list for me. Great planes, great service and a great overall model for passengers. Unfortunately they have limited flights and destinations so it isn't often I get to fly them.
Jet Blue may be my favorite overall. Similar experience to Virgin America but I used to live near Long Beach where they fly most often so I got to use them a fair amount. Sadly, I don't live there any longer.
Alaska is great if you are on the West Coast. I would take them every time. They remind me of what American used to be.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Well, I intend to let my feelings be known, once this trip is over. American is a partner to Delta, and DCL uses Delta for their flights. And I hate Delta. I was hoping that American would be better, until I found out they are partnered.

Thankfully, ours is a direct flight (albeit - 11+ hours) so I'm going to really try to remain calm and pleasant during it. Maybe drugs will help.

I believe that American and Delta are competitors, not partners. They are each part of their own alliance and have their own reward miles programs. They do use each other to accommodate passengers (as do other airlines) when situations warrant and seats are available.

 

[disneydentist]

GMA reported that the airport was closed due to high winds. Can't blame the airline for that. Glad I'm not on the cruise (or anywhere else with one like her).

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

This is why I avoid Jersey Week at WDW.

Funny because I was checking yesterday for the dates of this years "Jersey Week" so I could avoid going at that time.

This is why I don't fly anymore unless it's an emergency.

 

[smiths02]

ABC News tonight reported that DCL confirmed all passengers had checked in for that cruise so I assume she and her family made it.

I'm surprised she was able to get on a plane within a few hours of that rant and police being called

 

[MaleficentRN]

Airlines typically blame the weather for delays, even if the delays were really due to other reasons, such as carrier mechanical issues or scheduling flights too close together. They're not liable for the weather, so they usually blame the weather, even if that's not the real reason.

That's never been my experience. I've had flights cancelled because the crew timed out, delayed when the arriving flight had to go back to the terminal when someone on the tarmac saw something not right on the plane.If it's not safe, it's not safe. It doesn't really matter why an airline cancels a flight. Delays and cancellations cost them thousands of dollars and it is not something done on a whim. And no matter the reason, they will still get you where you want to go.
People need to pack their patience, common sense and flexibility. The second you hear your flight is delayed/cancelled, don't rush the desk to fight the gate agent. Call the airline. Find an alternative airline. Rent a car if you need to. (BTDT). Being a jerk won't get a plane in the air.

 

[Skiton]

When I saw the video, I assumed she'd been drinking. She said they'd been there four hours, I wondered if part of that time was spent in the bar. Screaming profanity at the top of your lungs is not normal behavior, particularly if you're a mother and your kids are standing right there. Maybe not, though. It seems like more and more adults are prone to temper tantrums these days.

 

[ludari]

My friend posted this video to my page a few days ago and this woman's attitude and comments where not necessary. Yeah, I understand the frustration of having flights delayed or canceled but there is nothing that the gate agent could do about it.

 

[Pile o kids]

Well, I intend to let my feelings be known, once this trip is over. American is a partner to Delta, and DCL uses Delta for their flights. And I hate Delta. I was hoping that American would be better, until I found out they are partnered.

Thankfully, ours is a direct flight (albeit - 11+ hours) so I'm going to really try to remain calm and pleasant during it. Maybe drugs will help.

Are you saying AA and Delta are partners? If so, I don't think that is correct.

 

[RedSox68]

I have never understood why some people think they are entitled to be comped for anything due to bad weather. Delays due to bad weather are an inherent risk you take when traveling. And as already mentioned, there are ways to protect yourself from loss due to such delays.

I agree, and I think this woman was way out of line. If you watch the whole video, she is not only yelling at the employees, but at one point turns on another customer and screams in their face, and then screams at her daughter that she wants to get what she can get. Hyper much? I can only imagine that if things don't go perfectly on the cruise she has waited years for, she will have more choice words for the staff. I'd hate to be her server

On the other hand, to keep people waiting 6+ hours with no end in sight could send anyone over the edge. From what I read, many of the passengers weren't pissing off about the weather delay as much as they were about the non communication from anyone with the airline.

 

[Hundredacre]

While I do consider AA the worst airline-- just from my personal experience (and it is good to hear others have had a more positive experience with American)- the real problem is the American airline industry. I do think Southwest is the friendliest and most consistent, although I also am not thrilled with their business model (no assigned seats, lots of transfers, etc.) But US airlines in general treat people quite poorly. They treat their own employees only so-so. Look at that scene- in a New York airport, probably some of the dingiest most unappealing airports in the world, waiting 6 hours with young children through the night. Exhausted, miserable, stuck between the TSA and the empty gate, no information coming from the airline-- That woman had a breakdown. She should have held it together, but I really think American could give a damn about those people. Sure, American isn't responsible for the weather, but weather is an issue for airlines and there seems to be no creativity on the part of the airline. Their attitude is if we are not "responsible" for it (I.e. liable) we are not dealing with it. We used to fly BA a lot and they always gave coloring books and little toys to children. At least they made an effort. How can American expect children to sit for that long in those conditions and not fall apart? For the most part, children in our society seem to be just viewed as an annoyance. We try to avoid flying, especially in the US.

 

[ksucats]

Are you saying AA and Delta are partners? If so, I don't think that is correct.

I am not who you are responding to, but that is correct. I fly all of the time and used to be highest status on Northwest Airlines. Once they merged with Delta, I switched to American because I wasn't happy with Delta at the time. Now, I book all of my flights on American and they have recently merged/partnered with US Airways - not Delta.

 

[chunkymonkey]

I saw this posted on another site a few days ago. The lady is probably not a frequent/smart traveler so didn't know what to do when something goes awry. She's probably not taken a trip for a while, hence the "waiting for a year" for the Disney Cruise. I understand her frustration, but that is no reason to take it out on everyone else in public and use the language that she did. I feel really really bad for her kids. Not only are they worried about missing their cruise, they have to deal with the humiliation of their mom who is now all over social media and the news. If she were a savvy traveler, she would know, ironically, to use social media to vent to the airline's twitter page which almost 100% of the time would get an immediate response.

I admit, I've never gotten insurance for any vacations, and I don't recommend that all the time, but we travel just as adults and our credit cards provide some insurance and we can usually cover the rest on our own. I have a stash of airline miles and hotel points so I'm usually covered whenever there is a flight cancellation or delay. If I had kids I would most definitely get the insurance though.

 

[MaleficentRN]

While I do consider AA the worst airline-- just from my personal experience (and it is good to hear others have had a more positive experience with American)- the real problem is the American airline industry. I do think Southwest is the friendliest and most consistent, although I also am not thrilled with their business model (no assigned seats, lots of transfers, etc.) But US airlines in general treat people quite poorly. They treat their own employees only so-so. Look at that scene- in a New York airport, probably some of the dingiest most unappealing airports in the world, waiting 6 hours with young children through the night. Exhausted, miserable, stuck between the TSA and the empty gate, no information coming from the airline-- That woman had a breakdown. She should have held it together, but I really think American could give a damn about those people. Sure, American isn't responsible for the weather, but weather is an issue for airlines and there seems to be no creativity on the part of the airline. Their attitude is if we are not "responsible" for it (I.e. liable) we are not dealing with it. We used to fly BA a lot and they always gave coloring books and little toys to children. At least they made an effort. How can American expect children to sit for that long in those conditions and not fall apart? For the most part, children in our society seem to be just viewed as an annoyance. We try to avoid flying, especially in the US.

I agree that US airlines have gone downhill since deregulation. You basically have little or no choice when you want to get from point A to point B and the airlines know that. They can treat you anyway they want and you can like it or lump it. And I've done that. I'll never fly Delta again.
But you are accountable for your own behavior and for caring for your own children. Our culture of instant gratification and entitlement is really painful to watch.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I saw this posted on another site a few days ago. The lady is probably not a frequent/smart traveler so didn't know what to do when something goes awry. She's probably not taken a trip for a while, hence the "waiting for a year" for the Disney Cruise.

That may be, but smart Disney cruisers know you need to book when a trip opens to get the best price. I've waited over a year for the cruises I've booked.

 

[Hundredacre]

I agree that US airlines have gone downhill since deregulation. You basically have little or no choice when you want to get from point A to point B and the airlines know that. They can treat you anyway they want and you can like it or lump it. And I've done that. I'll never fly Delta again.
But you are accountable for your own behavior and for caring for your own children. Our culture of instant gratification and entitlement is really painful to watch.

If it sounded like I was defending her behavior, I did not mean to. I agree that her behavior was atrocious, embarrassing, unacceptable, like something out of an Adam Sandler movie-- but I do think her anger was probably justified. I do not think it is entitlement to expect the airline to be fully honest about a delay. She did after all pay for a service. And while people are definitely responsible for their own children, if an airline takes children as customers, it would be nice if they considered them. I realize they are not legally bound to do much of anything, but I think we have failed as a culture when we just think of children as an annoyance.

 

[chunkymonkey]

That may be, but smart Disney cruisers know you need to book when a trip opens to get the best price. I've waited over a year for the cruises I've booked.

Haha, I'm waiting for the rest of 2017 to be released so I can book too. I'll be waiting a year and then some!

 

[Megan Cocke]

But did she get their names?