TCD - Not Happy!!!

[castanea1985]

We booked with TCD last September, then I discovered this Dis Board. After hearing various views on TCD, we thought we'd give them at least one try, after all the price we got was very good.
Well, we're now sat in Manchester airport - 4 1/2 hours late, and no sign of taking off tonight.
We've travelled with BA, United, Continental, My Travel, Laker, and numerous others, and have never ever been delayed like this, with appalling customer service.
Have just paid to get internet access for our laptop to keep us entertained. Not sure how long we'll be here for, but this is the first and last time we travel with TCD!!
I just hope we manage to get over to Orlando for our game of golf booked tomorrow!
Very unhappy Disboard member
T.

 

[granmaz]

I'm so sorry your holiday has got off to such a bad start. It does seem that customer service lets TCD down at times, but it had seemed like things had been improving immensely, so I am sorry to hear this. All airlines can suffer delays for various reasons, but it is the customer service that makes the difference to a bad situation.

Hope you get away soon and can start to really enjoy your trip!

 

[UKDEB]

This is just one reason I can't ever imagine flying with TCD. I hear this way too often. In some ways TCD seems very attractive, but they've got to get the basics right.

We almost always fly with Virgin and, invariably the flights are late taking off. We almost always land on time, which surely, is more important. If you're 4.5 hours + late taking off, you know you're not going to make that up in the air. All the talk of PE, Sunshine First, etc., is meaningless when you consider 4 or 5 hour (or overnight ) delays. I love the extra space, but not at the expense of arriving on time!


You sound philosophical, though, so hope you take off soon and then you'll be able to put it all behind you.

 

[Laurafoster]

Sorry for the poor start to your holiday! Hope things get a lot better!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yes sorry to hear this, their sister company excell also has this big problem, I had a five hour delay with them.

Now tempting fate, but off with Virgin next month and they all bar one time have left on time or even 5 mins early. Biggest delay 15 mins people missing not their fault.

 

[Miffy2003]

Oh I do hope that you are on the plane now and en route to Orlando!

Nothing more frustrating than delays like this

Have a fabulous holiday!

 

[MrsJobba1]

so sorry you have had an awful start to your hol. I hope you get away soon. I do know what your going through - Last Aug we were delayed 11 hrs with Monarch .
Hang in there it will be worth it in the end!

 

[angel659]

Hi

I am sorry your holiday didnt start well. Hopefully you will be there in time for your golf. Enjoy yourself

 

[kristieuk]

Just sending you some best wishes that you take off very soon, if you haven't already. I'm sure you're holiday will be awesome, and will more than make up for it xxxx

 

[Captain-Ste]

Looks asif your off tomorow instead!

Sorry youve had a bad experience with them!

 

[Amyrlin]

I hope they have looked after you during your delay and that you have a good holiday when you get there.

 

[lizzysmith]

Well a day later these people are still at Manchester Airport and presumably there are a similar number of folk stuck in Sanford.

At least they knew what to expect if they have been reading these Florida boards but its still a nasty experience.

Lizzy

 

[lorapinky]

Sorry about the delay

 

[castanea1985]

Well, we are still in the UK. We were told last night, we'd be flying early morning, but at 11pm last night, we were told the plane was due to leave 1.30 today. Exactly 24 hours delay. We've missed a full day, and a game of golf which was pre booked. Am just praying we get away safely today. Will never, ever book with this shower again. My DD has just passed her first year at law school, so is going to look into 'compensation' as a summer project.
T.

 

[magicmouse2]

So sorry you had a delay. I do hope they compensate you. We are flying with them in September I think its an XL flight.

 

[Jules224]

So sorry to hear of your delay, that's terrible, i'm sure you will have a great time when you get there, glad my DH talked me into paying the extra and booking with Virgin now!

 

[carolfoy]

How awful for you, but if its any consolation the biggest delay I had going to FL was with Virgin.

 

[fizz13]

Very sorry this had to happen, I think I'd be steaming angry right now, but i don't suppose this gets the plane to take off any faster. Just hope you have a good time once you get there

 

[Boo Boo Too]

He can happen with ANY airline, though. We have been delayed by a day coming back and almost delayed another time.

The first time, we were flying back from skiing and connecting with a United flight from a regional airport to a BA flight at Denver. They had mechanical problems with the United flight, so we couldn't make the BA flight back to London. Got put up in a hotel for the night and rebooked the following day.

The second time, we were flying back from Denver to London on a BA flight. About an hour or so after the flight took off from Denver, they announced that cracks had appeared in the windscreen and they were making an emergency landing at New York. We landed at New York gone midnight and BA had help their last flight back to London. They put ALL of the passengers flying in business class (we were lucky we were) on the held flight: they pushed us off one plane and pushed us straight on another. Our bags took a few days to catch up with us... However NONE of the economy passengers were put on that held flight - so all of them had to remain in New York until at least the next day. We were very glad that we didn't have to join the queues of 200 people waiting to be rebooked that night...

Things like that happen. Airlines like BA and Virgin are better equiped (more flights, more planes, more staff) if things DO go wrong. However there is never a gaurantee...

I believe that there are some EC regulations regarding compensation for delayed/cancelled flights... might be starting place.

Easy to say, I know, but fingers crossed that your flight goes without a hitch today and that you get there and enjoy the rest of your fantastic holiday.

Boo

 

[Soprano]

Delays. Every travellers nightmare!

I realise lots of flights are delayed, but the number of negative TCD postings there are has put me off.

I do not look around for the cheapest deal for my holiday, but what suits what I want out of it. (Not being snobby as we fly economy!) We use Virgin because we like having more than 14 days and their DTD check-in, which as far as I'm converned, gives us an extra day to play with.

Hope you are having a great trip