Weather May Change Flight Plans

[lugnut33]

Current National Weather Service track doesn't take it anywhere near the NJ coast. It's also expected to weaken through the weekend so that by next Monday it's not even a tropical storm. Looks like it should be non-factor. Don't worry about it.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/145919.shtml?5-daynl#contents

LOL, it looks like I might be wrong.

 

[captainron19]

Didnt want to take a chance..... changed our flight this morning...eave tomorrow (Saturday) now.

WoooHooo thats 4 more days in WDW

Was able to expand our package with promo for 2 nights with the dining and got the first 2 nights for Room only..... both at WL so we will not even have to change resorts.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI, for the best result with storm-related changes, try to get out a day or two ahead of when you were originally scheduled to fly. If service interruption is predicted, airlines are much more amenable to giving no-charge changes to earlier flights, because most passengers cannot arrange to take advantage of that, and the demand for re-booking at a later date is much greater and harder to accomodate.

As for landfall predictions, accuracy is generally not that great until you are less than 48 hours out from predicted strike. However, I've seen 14 different predictive models of this storm, and as of noon today, 11 out of the 14 show an inland turn toward the coast somewhere between the Potomac and the Tri-State area. I'm thinking that a complete miss is pretty unlikely, but it is still too early to tell when or exactly where the strike will be.

USAToday is now reporting that USAir is the first to go to storm rules so far: http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2012/10/26/sandy-airline-flights/1660875/

 

[jmasgat]

Hope you were able to change for free. At this point, I would expect the airlines know what's coming and are preparing for it.

 

[captainron19]

Hope you were able to change for free. At this point, I would expect the airlines know what's coming and are preparing for it.

Nope.... still had to pay the $150 per ticket transfer fee but I will be asking for that back definitely....especially if there is a travel advisory set for the original departure date ...... along with a strongly worded letter for the airline on their lack of customer service and failure to "just be nice" US Air was disgusting in the way they treated me

 

[mco65]

Didnt want to take a chance..... changed our flight this morning...eave tomorrow (Saturday) now.

WoooHooo thats 4 more days in WDW

Was able to expand our package with promo for 2 nights with the dining and got the first 2 nights for Room only..... both at WL so we will not even have to change resorts.

That's what I am talking about!!!

 

[pigletto]

Just wanted to send some hugs and mojo to all of you worrying about your homes and trips.
We usually travel in late August or early September and I know the "fun" of watching a storm closely to see if it will mess up our plans.
Watch closely and be ready to change plans to get out early if you can.

 

[lugnut33]

Nope.... still had to pay the $150 per ticket transfer fee but I will be asking for that back definitely....especially if there is a travel advisory set for the original departure date ...... along with a strongly worded letter for the airline on their lack of customer service and failure to "just be nice" US Air was disgusting in the way they treated me

Airlines treating their customers badly?

Isn't that like saying the sky is blue?

I pretty much dislike flying any more due to the way the airlines and airports treat people.

Glad you are getting out early and will be enjoying more time at WDW.

 

[captainron19]

Airlines treating their customers badly?

Isn't that like saying the sky is blue?

I pretty much dislike flying any more due to the way the airlines and airports treat people.

Glad you are getting out early and will be enjoying more time at WDW.

Thanks..... now been on hold with airline for 1 hour trying to get the $600 change fees refunded because they issued a travel advisory 2 hours after I changed my reservation this morning. When a travel advisory is out they dont charge you the fees. The customer service manager told me this morning that the travel advisory might not be out until the weekend....boy I am mad now...wish me luck

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Thanks..... now been on hold with airline for 1 hour trying to get the $600 change fees refunded because they issued a travel advisory 2 hours after I changed my reservation this morning. When a travel advisory is out they dont charge you the fees. The customer service manager told me this morning that the travel advisory might not be out until the weekend....boy I am mad now...wish me luck

Nothing new. It's understandable why airlines wait until the last minute to decide about weather related flight cancellations. They don't want to lose money. Please post an update about trying to get your fees refunded. It will be nice if this happens, but I would not recommend anyone change their tickets until their airline confirms the change fee waiver. It's highly unlikely you will get this money back, although stranger things have happened.

http://meteorologicalmusings.blogspot.com/2012/10/huge-storm-to-affect-northeast.html

 

[captainron19]

Nothing new. It's understandable why airlines wait until the last minute to decide about weather related flight cancellations. They don't want to lose money. Please post an update about trying to get your fees refunded. It will be nice if this happens, but I would not recommend anyone change their tickets until their airline confirms the change fee waiver. It's highly unlikely you will get this money back, although stranger things have happened.

http://meteorologicalmusings.blogspot.com/2012/10/huge-storm-to-affect-northeast.html

Well.... called and of course customer service rep told me no refund ...I was mad and asked to speak with a supervisor ...luckily he was the nicest guy and waived it for me.

 

[lugnut33]

I spoke to a friend of mine that does his own weather tracking..... he is usually right on the money. He said Florida will have some effect of it early Friday but should be clear by noon on Saturday....... I may join you on that flight if I decide to change mine.

My wife said she would leave right now if I told her we had to....heck even if I get a cheap hotel at least i will have peace of mind that we made it there ok...... especially since we have tix for MNSSHP on the 31st

Any updates from your weather friend? Is it really going to be Frankenstorm?

 

[captainron19]

Any updates from your weather friend? Is it really going to be Frankenstorm?

Yup...gonna be bad !

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Well.... called and of course customer service rep told me no refund ...I was mad and asked to speak with a supervisor ...luckily he was the nicest guy and waived it for me.

You were very lucky! Good for you.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Many airlines are now offering free ticket changes for ticketed travel 28-31 October. Check your airline's website.

 

[seashoreCM]

I suggest not actually changing your flight and paying the change fee. Alternatives are:

1. Call anyway and discuss a change but don't actually do it unless they waive the fees.
2. Wait until the airline announces a change fee waiver and then call.
3. Just go to the airport early and try to stand by, but don't agree to pay a fee.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I suggest not actually changing your flight and paying the change fee. Alternatives are:

1. Call anyway and discuss a change but don't actually do it unless they waive the fees.
2. Wait until the airline announces a change fee waiver and then call.
3. Just go to the airport early and try to stand by, but don't agree to pay a fee.

Why do you advocate furtiveness and deception when the airlines had all already publicly announced - and posted on their respective websites - weather-related alerts and exceptions?

 

[dawnhaze]

Jetblue just let me change to a Sunday 7AM flight instead of Monday 7AM, with no change fee and no charge for the fare increase.

Now I just have to call Disney in the AM and see if I can extend my stay by a day. I wonder if they'll charge me the package change fee.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I suggest not actually changing your flight and paying the change fee. Alternatives are:

1. Call anyway and discuss a change but don't actually do it unless they waive the fees.
2. Wait until the airline announces a change fee waiver and then call.
3. Just go to the airport early and try to stand by, but don't agree to pay a fee.

It has already been noted changes are being allowed with no change fees.

 

[Karlzmom]

My flight out of FLL is still showing on time for this evening. I wish I knew if there would be a problem as I'd rather stay here at Disney rather than drive into the storm only to discover that my flight is cancelled and I have to find a hotel there...thoughts?