Warning! TCD letdown!

[UKANGEL]

Drove my parents to Gatwick this morning to get their TCD plane to Florida, they're all booked in to first class so that they have bit of comfort. Mum is awaiting her hip replacement just after she gets back in April so is in a lot of pain at the moment. They had pre-rodered wheelchair assistance too.

What happened? well they got to the 1st class checki in desk nearly 4 hours early....to find the aircarft had been changed and there werent enough 1st class seats...but first they had to wait 30 minutes for someone to tell them this while they went back & forth to a little huddle with other staff.....all the while leaving Mum standing at the desk.

When I enquired what the **** they were playing at they eventually apologised and gave Mum & dad economy seats, 3 rather than 2 on a bulkhead...but ECONOMY!!!! They gave dad a letter which explained what had happened, promising a refund cheque for the difference on his return...Big deal! By this time Mum was very tearful and we were getting nowehere so we took Mum off for coffee....oh by the way wheelchair wouldnt be available til she got to departure!

I told the staff it would be the first and last time any of us travelled with them and just hope to goodness that my poor dear parents have no further bad luck on their journey!

I'll see them on thursday in Florida and find out!


Glad we're flying Virgin!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Oh Mandy this is awful

Your poor mum OMG I cannot beleive that this has happened!! At least they were able to do something in terms of seating but no it isn't the same at all Mandy and I can totally understand how disgruntled you feel at TCD.

It was a good job you were there to check in with them and everything Mandy.

I'm afraid to ask this question but did TCD say what would happen on the way back ?

 

[Grumpy John]

That is a disgusting way to treat anyone, let alone a lady who requires assistance. Unfortunately that sums up TCD.

I was under the impression that TCD stopped using EAL aircraft a while ago. If that is the case surely they should have informed your parents of the change and give them the opportunity of re-booking the seats they wanted.

If they knew that your mother required a seat with extra room and the plane was changed at short notice surely they should have given priority to your mother.

With regards compensation I wish you well. We had problems with them last May and it took us a long while to get what we wanted.

Hope your parents had a good flight over with few problems and that they enjoy their stay. Hope they did not want too much advice from TCD reps at Sanford, because their reps are very poor and only interested in selling tickets etc.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Oh Mandy, after all your careful planning and investigating the best options as well

There are many negative comments about TCD at the moment . . . perhaps this is why they're trying to give away cheap holidays to Florida in the Daily Mail

I hope your mum's journey was ok, I bet they were so looking forward to it as well.

Fingers crossed it sorts itself out for the journey home - I think I'd be tempted to contact someone before you leave insisting it won't happen.

 

[Hilary]

What a way to start their holiday

I hope they have a wonderful time once they get there, and can put this experience behind them. However, I'm sure it will be difficult for them not to be worrying about the return trip whilst they are out there - I think TCD should take account of that when they are dealing with a compensation payment - not just offering the differnece between first class and economy.

Good luck, and I hope you can cheer them up when you join them next week!

 

[***SandieUK***]

Angel:

That's dreadful what happened to your parents and has got me more concerned than ever.

We are due to go Sunshine First on 3rd April (six of us). I was alerted to the fact last week that we were going on Air Atlanta so I checked the website for the small print - sure enough, Sunshine First is NOT OFFERED on Air Atlanta - they have 'Premium Cabin' for 16 passengers only. Major disappointment after a year of looking forward to it.

I quickly sent off a urgent fax to them yesterday and I have asked for an urgent response. We have paid top price for Sunshine First and I want to know what they are going to do about it.

I will let everyone know what happens...

 

[Ocky]

Hi everyone (ooh - my first post!)

Sorry to be thick - but TCD - is that Thomas Cook Direct? I booked with them on a direct flight from Cardiff to Sanford. The flight I have leaves exactly the same time as an Air Tours/Thomson/whatever charter so I presumed the seats were on that plane. As I'm going from a regional airport do you think I'm (relatively) safe from changes to aircraft etc?

TIA

 

[amf]

Prnwn da Ocky and welcome

TCD is Travel City Direct. They have recently changed their leasing company for their Jumbo Jet operation. This doesn't affect your flight at all

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

TCD is Travel City Direct, so you can rest assured that your Thmas Cook flights are unaffected.

Welcome to the DIS.

Regards

Rob

 

[Ocky]

amf & rob - thanks for that

One thing less to worry about. Changing the subject a bit (or should I submit new post?) I've still got the small problem of checking my hotel reservation details - I know I booked dates at La Quinta Jamaica Court & Wellesley Inn but I emptied my e-mail In-Box and hadn't printed the confirmation e-mails
I have e-mailed both hotels asking them to re-send e-mail or give me the booking ref - no response yet. Would you suggest phoning?

(ps Is there a list of abbreviations on this site somewhere - it sometimes takes me a while to work out what hotels/resorts people are talking about)

Thanks again

Ocky

 

[Hilary]

Hi Ocky from another one in S Wales

There's a thread at the top of this Trip Planning forum with some useful links HERE , but I don't think the abbreviations are included! You should find them on the DIS Discussions front page along with other useful info.

(BTW, it's usually better to start a new thread for each different question - that way you're more likely to get replies. I've copied this into a new thread for you )

 

[UKANGEL]

Thanks everyone.

Sorry to say that the flight was even worse than imagined as it was first delayed by 2hours (while everyone was sitting on board) then the seats had fixe arms so offered no opportunity for extra space...waste of time!!! Theyd been assured of 1st class meals & drinks on board but they werent forthcoming...1 drink only, poor meals and asked to pay for pretzels!

By the time they reached Sanford poor Mum was in agony and in tears with the pain. She did say the rep at sanford was lovely and very helpful and she is currently trying to sort out their flight home. They are very worried about this of course. Dad is asking the reps Manager when he sees them on Wednesday for promise of 1st class or them paying for Mum & dad to fly home 1st class with Virgin or Ba! Good for him, wish I was there Wednesday to help!

Just cant wait to give them a hug on Thursday.....