Bad experiences with flights

[goofy4tink]

People...please keep in mind that there are many varied experiences. Some will be, almost, funny, while others could well be horrifying! We all have different experiences..it's fine to share them, just be aware that some may either serve to put the fear of God into others, who have flown a lot less than some of us, or they can serve to be reminders of harrowing flights. Try to be sensitive.

 

[Gracie09]

There was the time dh was in extra leg room seats and I was two rows behind with our four year olds. He went to board first with the stroller and his carry on. When I boarded, he was up talking to the pilot and a crew member so I knew somethings was up. I passed his seat and there were two people in the row each taking up 1 1/2 seats leaving dh with nowhere to sit. Turns out the airlines proposed solution was dh deplanes and takes the next flight 3 hours later. This would put him in Newark at 1 am. I would be in Newark at 10 with two kids, a double stroller and about six bags between carry ons and checked. And no car because it was at an off-site place. Obviously would not work. Finally a man overheard our heated discussion and volunteered his seat for dh.
What killed me was the two oversized people preboardsd so the airline personnel knew they did not fit in their seats and needed a second seat each but ignored it until dh got aboard. Then they released all the standby seats so there was no place to rearrange anyone.

 

[Jhaberlein]

DH was flying domestic to a military school. When he arrived to check in, he didn't have a reservation. He pulled out all of his military TA paperwork including flight confirmation. No reservation found, and the agent didn't do much of anything. It was the week before Easter and the next available flight had him arriving after the report time for the school. He was about to start driving (14 hours and would have gone straight to report and begin the school) when the lady behind him in line offered up that she was also a military TA and gave him a few phone numbers. Turns out the credit card that was used to make his reservation expired prior to the flight date and no one updated the info with a new card. He somehow got booked on a later flight and arrived with a few hours to spare.

 

[winterman]

My United flight from PWM to ORD was delayed due to a fixable mechanical issue. We had already boarded the plane when it was discovered and had to get off. While we waited for the repair, the gate agents called up each of us who had connections, starting with the earliest connection. It was a regional jet so only about 50 passengers, but we were all booked on alternative flights before we reboarded. When we landed in Chicago, 2 hours late, there was an agent handing out the boarding passes at the gate. Nobody wants a delayed flight, but I was happy with the way it was handled.

 

[WDWNY]

A family friend was going to out of the country with their family for Spring Break. There was a illness in the family a couple of days before the trip so they called the airline to see if they don't get better what are there options with changing flights. They couldn't pull up the reservation, it didn't exist. Turns out the husband thought the wife was buying the tickets, and the wife thought the husband was buying the tickets. Luckily, there were still the 4 first class tickets available they thought they purchased months ago. So make sure you get a confirmation email and that the person who you think was going to buy the tickets... really bought the tickets

 

[bumbershoot]

A family friend was going to out of the country with their family for Spring Break. There was a illness in the family a couple of days before the trip so they called the airline to see if they don't get better what are there options with changing flights. They couldn't pull up the reservation, it didn't exist. Turns out the husband thought the wife was buying the tickets, and the wife thought the husband was buying the tickets. Luckily, there were still the 4 first class tickets available they thought they purchased months ago. So make sure you get a confirmation email and that the person who you think was going to buy the tickets... really bought the tickets

Oh noooooo.

I'm so glad it worked out!

I have a friend who booked her Edmonton to Seattle roundtrip flights exactly backwards. Realized it just days before the first flight. It was an expensive error.

 

[charmed59]

I've had flights delayed, canceled, stopped in the middle for medical evacs, landed at a different airport due to weather, take off for a short hop to get to an airport with a longer runway and refueled, lost on taxi ways in LA, and pulled back to the gate due to a panic attack on the plane before taxi.

When a flight runs as scheduled I'm pretty impressed. In all cases I eventually got to where I was going.

 

[dis_guy]

Ok, one more.

Returning from our spring break trip with our family and my in-laws in April, 2008, we made quite the arrival when returning to Edmonton (YEG).

We had a very routine return flight from Denver. Unusually, the crew announced that our CRJ was being flown by the company's two most experienced captains.

Now, I'm an experienced pilot so I tend to notice things most passengers won't. Our approach was perfectly normal and approaching the airport I could see there was quite a lot of fresh snow on the ground. As we were about to touch down it seemed we were not getting onto the pavement in any hurry but finally we were down but I could tell we were still going a bit too fast. As I watched the signs announcing the length of runway remaining go ticking by I told my family to hold on as we were about to leave the runway. A woman seated nearby looked over and sneered telling me I didn't know what I was talking about. Just then there was a huge rush of snow over the wing and things got very quiet as the engines were shut down. Yup, we slid right off the end of the slush covered runway. To the pilots's credit, they didn't try to make the turn onto the taxiway at the end of the runway. That could have been very nasty indeed. Picture a kid on a tricycle going around a corner way too fast. Strangely, the FA came on the PA welcoming us to Edmonton and to remain seated and we would be arriving at the terminal shortly. I just stared at her. She didn't know? So there we sat with two red faced captains waiting for a snow plow and some vans to shuttle us to the terminal. It took them 2 hours to get our luggage off the plane and then we still had to clear customs. A very long day, indeed.

 

[bumbershoot]

Turns out the credit card that was used to make his reservation expired prior to the flight date and no one updated the info with a new card.

That's just odd. Aren't flights paid for ahead of time? So the expiration date being before the flight date shouldn't have mattered. But I suppose it's different with military travel.

 

[nkereina]

Here's two tips for Southwest flyers - both of which I learned the hard way:

1. I travel frequently for work so I will fly out in the morning and fly home that night. Both of my flights are in the same day. The one time I did this with Southwest, I booked both flights as roundtrip and they will not allow you to check-in 24 hours in advance for your return flight since it's on the same day. I had to wait until I completed my morning flight to check in for my evening flight which meant I was in the C group. Luckily, I was able to upgrade to A1-15 for $30, which I did since I was traveling for work. So moral of the story is if you ever have to fly Southwest in the same day, book your flights separately as one way tickets.

2. If you have are booking a Southwest flight with a layover, keep in mind that Southwest begins boarding about 30 minutes prior to departure. Since its open seating, you'll want to be there at that time so you can board in your position and have your choice of seats. So if your layover is an hour, you really only have 30 minutes to grab food or use the restroom. Otherwise, you run the risk of missing your boarding position so you'll board further back than you wanted. On my last trip, I had a layover at Chicago Midway and all I did was use the restroom and walk to my next gate, and I missed my boarding position. I had an A, and they were into the Bs when I got there.

 

[goofy4tink]

I can add a few...
1. Sat at Boston's Logan, waiting to board our 8am flight to MCO. We boarded a bit late...about 20 mins. We sat on the plane for a bit, then heard some god-awful noises. Told my dd that those weren't normal sounds. Back to the gate we went, and off the plane. Mechanical issues...not complaining about not using that plane! It took JB 3 hrs to get a plane to us. So, we took off at the time I should have been checking into my hotel. Had an event that I missed...figured that it started 2.5 hrs after my hotel checkin, and was right there, in my hotel, so no problem. Nope, it was an issue.

2. Most have heard this one. Flew SW from Ft Lauderdale to Providence, New Years Eve day. We were supposed to land in Providence around 2. My dh and I realized something was up when we kept flying in very wide circles, when we should have been descending into Prov. Nope, issue with the runway...a plow had hit something and we couldn't land. Had to go to Philly! My 14 y/o dd was a mess because she was now missing her first NYE boy/girl party. We had two choices. Stay overnight in Philly, with no checked bags, get an early flight out in the morning and have luggage delivered to you, or, return on the plane to FtL, get your luggage, and stay overnight and get a flight out in the morning. All the stuff we needed was is our checked bags (we were going home!!!), snd thought we could just go back to my dad's place. But, they had more company, in our place, so had to get a room close to the airport. Nasty 36 hrs.

3. The time I was already in WDW, dd and dh were flying down to join me. Dh obsessively checks flight status, so knew their JB flight was on time. In the 45 mins it took them to get to Logan, the flight was cancelled! They had to make a connection, so couldn't take the replacement flight offered...they would be 50 mins late for that connection and have to stay overnight before flying to MCO. They were offered the flight that was biarding! Said yes, and ran. A JB person went with them, got them thru security quickly, while dh is telling dd that they are probably going to be split up snd to just deal with it! They held the door for them, had found two seats together, they sat down, and they closed the door.

Stuff happens when you fly. You have to expect the unexpected. As someone else said, I'm always surprised when we leave on time, or sometimes, even early!!

 

[debster812]

I can add a few...
1. Sat at Boston's Logan, waiting to board our 8am flight to MCO. We boarded a bit late...about 20 mins. We sat on the plane for a bit, then heard some god-awful noises. Told my dd that those weren't normal sounds. Back to the gate we went, and off the plane. Mechanical issues...not complaining about not using that plane! It took JB 3 hrs to get a plane to us. So, we took off at the time I should have been checking into my hotel. Had an event that I missed...figured that it started 2.5 hrs after my hotel checkin, and was right there, in my hotel, so no problem. Nope, it was an issue.

2. Most have heard this one. Flew SW from Ft Lauderdale to Providence, New Years Eve day. We were supposed to land in Providence around 2. My dh and I realized something was up when we kept flying in very wide circles, when we should have been descending into Prov. Nope, issue with the runway...a plow had hit something and we couldn't land. Had to go to Philly! My 14 y/o dd was a mess because she was now missing her first NYE boy/girl party. We had two choices. Stay overnight in Philly, with no checked bags, get an early flight out in the morning and have luggage delivered to you, or, return on the plane to FtL, get your luggage, and stay overnight and get a flight out in the morning. All the stuff we needed was is our checked bags (we were going home!!!), snd thought we could just go back to my dad's place. But, they had more company, in our place, so had to get a room close to the airport. Nasty 36 hrs.

3. The time I was already in WDW, dd and dh were flying down to join me. Dh obsessively checks flight status, so knew their JB flight was on time. In the 45 mins it took them to get to Logan, the flight was cancelled! They had to make a connection, so couldn't take the replacement flight offered...they would be 50 mins late for that connection and have to stay overnight before flying to MCO. They were offered the flight that was biarding! Said yes, and ran. A JB person went with them, got them thru security quickly, while dh is telling dd that they are probably going to be split up snd to just deal with it! They held the door for them, had found two seats together, they sat down, and they closed the door.

Stuff happens when you fly. You have to expect the unexpected. As someone else said, I'm always surprised when we leave on time, or sometimes, even early!!

Is there enough bandwidth on the DIS for my tales of woe? ;-)

 

[CaliTex]

Hey, some of you all are scaring me...

I'm not crazy about flying anyway.

The worst was American Airlines from Hawaii. Cancelled connections, wild accusations, unBElievably rude flight attendants---just a mess. It happened in 2002, so its almost funny now.

There is no way to prepare for problems by hearing about them, really. Just make sure you carry on essentials and a change of clothes, pajamas and if you going to Disney, your magic bands and bathing suit!

 

[MillauFr]

I guess we are just lucky. We fly Alaska out of Seattle and never had a bad experience. The employees are great and the planes are almost always on time. We flew United once because we had free tickets and it just made me appreciate how well run Alaska is.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I think it is helpful to hear of other's experiences so we are aware of issues that can occur

1) There are problems, but the biggest one can usually be overcome.
2) Excessive/long waiting time at TSA Security Checkpoints.
. . . join TSA Pre-Check at $85 (go to TSA website for explanations) *
. . . you go through a special "express/expedited" security lane at the airport
. . . you do not remove shoes, belts, light jackets, computers, and not need for 3-1-1 baggies
. . . other people can wait (up to 1-2 hours) at checkpoint, and Pre-Check lines can take only 10-15 minutes
. . . good at over 125 domestic airports
. . . good on most airlines, but some budget airlines do not subscribe

* If you travel a lot internationally, a better program is Global entry. It is similar to Pre-Check, but for many airports world-wide, where Pre-Check is only good at USA airports.

 

[SirDuff]

1) There are problems, but the biggest one can usually be overcome.
2) Excessive/long waiting time at TSA Security Checkpoints.
. . . join TSA Pre-Check at $85 (go to TSA website for explanations) *
. . . you go through a special "express/expedited" security lane at the airport
. . . you do not remove shoes, belts, light jackets, computers, and not need for 3-1-1 baggies
. . . other people can wait (up to 1-2 hours) at checkpoint, and Pre-Check lines can take only 10-15 minutes
. . . good at over 125 domestic airports
. . . good on most airlines, but some budget airlines do not subscribe

* If you travel a lot internationally, a better program is Global entry. It is similar to Pre-Check, but for many airports world-wide, where Pre-Check is only good at USA airports.

Global Entry is NOT "similar to Pre-Check". It does make you Pre-Check eligible, but the point of Global Entry is to expedite customs/immigration when coming back to the US (and entering some other countries), it is not, primarily, to expedite security clearance (though, as I said, it does, in some cases, give you Pre-Check clearance). It is helpful AFTER your flight (unless you are flying to the US from Canada, Ireland, or other countries with US customs/immigration pre-clearance occurring in the international airport).

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/benefits

Benefits of Global Entry

Benefits for Global Entry Members

Your time is valuable. As a pre-screened Global Entry member, you arrive in the United States, check-in at the Global Entry kiosk and you're on your way. So what are you waiting for?

Why You Should Join

• No processing lines
• No paperwork
• Access to expedited entry benefits in other countries
• Available at major U.S. airports
• Reduced wait times
• TSA Pre✓® Eligibility

 

[SirDuff]

I've had some annoying flights, but mainly pretty good - let's ignore the fact that I'm currently in Amsterdam 11 hours into my 26 hour travel day (US to Malaysia). Nothing has gone wrong. Just a long, long day.

I was once had a short meeting in a city about an hour's flight from home, so the flight plans basically had me in the city for about four hours. We boarded the flight. And waited. And waited. Then waited somewhere. At this point, it was pretty clear that I was going to get to the other city and not even have to leave the airport. Luckily (for me) they decided that we needed a new plane, so they deplaned everyone. Once back in the airport, I went to the gate and told them that it was no longer worthwhile for me to take the flight so the cancelled my ticket and refunded me (despite it being a non-refundable ticket). I even got my frequent flyer miles for it since they had scanned my boarding pass on boarding.

I did have an airline (Air France) go on strike while I was in the air. Wouldn't have been that big a deal except that the flight was supposed to be the first of two (small town in France to Paris and then Paris to London) so I was stuck in Paris. And I was 16 and traveling by myself (meeting my family in London - at this point, they were mid-air). This was many years ago and before both airlines like Ryan Air and the Eurostar. Managed to get myself to Calais then took the ferry to Dover and train up to London.

 

[goofy4tink]

Is there enough bandwidth on the DIS for my tales of woe? ;-)

Absolutely not!!! I thought of you immediately!!!

 

[Jhaberlein]

Aren't flights paid for ahead of time? So

That's what I thought too, but it must be something with the way they (military) are able to book. I know his various school dates have been shuffled around a million times due to scheduling/funding. I can't imagine the military having to pay upfront then go through all the change fees/credits/etc. It took them a while to figure out what had happened to the confirmation number. Airline couldn't figure it out, it was on the TA end.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Worst was sitting by a 62 year old man traveling back to Kansas City to go home to his wife while his 24 year old girlfriend was next to him. Made me want to snap a photo and try to find his wife on Facebook to report the ________. Second worst, flight cancelled so our 1+ hour flight turned into a 13 hour drive in a rental car to make it to work the next morning.