Why you don't fly stand by with a family

[Lewisc]

http://www.nycaviation.com/2012/08/...ing-the-summer-when-youre-broke/#.UDaXCqPhJ8F

Family of 4 was using Jet Blue "Buddy" tickets. Not only are you standby but you're kept at the bottom of the list. Makes sense, passengers who paid for tickets get priority. Non-rev tickets for this route are rarely available. The family spent days (and nights) at the airport. Someone saw a blurb on the local abc news and bought the family tickets on United.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Absolutely ridiculous story. I see some sucker bought them tickets. If this family couldn't afford to even buy food while they were waiting, they had no business taking a trip across the country.

 

[momof3ds]

Not only ridiculous but neglectful. Someone should have called CPS to investigate since the hidden obviously were being neglected.

 

[duffy]

Absolutely ridiculous story. I see some sucker bought them tickets. If this family couldn't afford to even buy food while they were waiting, they had no business taking a trip across the country.

If I'd seen a story showing a 4-year old, crying because he's hungry, I'd give them money too.

The parents were idiots, but the child shouldn't have to go hungry.

 

[Hannathy]

Absolutely ridiculous story. I see some sucker bought them tickets. If this family couldn't afford to even buy food while they were waiting, they had no business taking a trip across the country.

I agree but hey they got a free trip out of it probably what they were hoping for when they started. I agree CPS should have been called.


And why in the hell didn't they take separate flights? I understand not the 4 yr old but the others could have. Send parent and 4 yr old, then send 13yr old, then send last parent. How stupid do you have to be to not do this, oh wait don't answer............

 

[QueenElinor]

Wow! What a story.
But, I just don't think they're very savvy about flying (one point made in the article was that whomever gave them the tickets is partially responsible) and probably didn't even think of splitting up the family. I could see them being too afraid to do that.

It does remind me of how really privileged I am, however, to get to fly off to WDW with my biggest concern being whether I will be able to score a reservation at Be Our Guest.

 

[alaska8]

Ugh this story makes my bloodboil. Id like to believe that the employee (who is probably at risk of losing his/her job over this or at the very least their staff travel benefits) informed the family of the rules regarding buddy pass travel. I always give my recipeients the low dow....1, you get on ONLY if there is room....after paying passengers get on and only if weight and balance allow it. 2 prepare to get on last and quickly (the gate agent will clear standbys last)3. Do not ask a paying passenger to change seats (if your child will not sit seperatly then this is not the way to go)3. Love your middle seat on the last row...ie do not complain 4. If the agent says you need to check your bag or that she needs to pull you off the flight after you are settled do not argue. 5. Make a million alternate travel plans. 6. if its a holiday, weekend, summer, school holiday or a popular destination then empty seats are few and far between. 6. do not ask for freebies from gate agents or flight attendants. Most importantly your behavior reflects on me and puts my job at risk.

 

[crashbb]

If I'd seen a story showing a 4-year old, crying because he's hungry, I'd give them money too.

The parents were idiots, but the child shouldn't have to go hungry.

Not sure if it is in the article linked or not, but they had been offered hotel vouchers and meal vouchers - they declined them both. They said that they didn't want to leave to do go a hotel because they might miss a flight (which doesn't make a whole lot of sense, since I'm sure that there a number of hours during which there are no flights at all - something is better than nothing). They said that they didn't need the food vouchers due to "generous donors". The child didn't have to go hungry (even within the situation in which is parents put him).

 

[duffy]

Not sure if it is in the article linked or not, but they had been offered hotel vouchers and meal vouchers - they declined them both. They said that they didn't want to leave to do go a hotel because they might miss a flight (which doesn't make a whole lot of sense, since I'm sure that there a number of hours during which there are no flights at all - something is better than nothing). They said that they didn't need the food vouchers due to "generous donors". The child didn't have to go hungry (even within the situation in which is parents put him).

I'm sorry, I read a different article, that described the donor watching a clip showing the child complaining about being hungry. Of course I can't find it.

That would tug at my heart strings too!

 

[crashbb]

I'm sorry, I read a different article, that described the donor watching a clip showing the child complaining about being hungry. Of course I can't find it.

That would tug at my heart strings too!

Oh, I wasn't saying that you were wrong - sorry if it came out that way. I meant that somethings don't add up. The father admitted to turning down food vouchers and then puts his son on tv to complain about being hungry.

Though, like you, I wouldn't be able to watch the boy go hungry (even if I thought it was his parents' fault).

 

[ladypage]

That article said the had to call paramedics at once point for the boy, how is CPS not involved? Maybe this is just me, and I don't have kids yet, but I have my niece who I would do anything for. If my child is starving so badly, I would give up the majority (if not all) of my own meal for them. Reading now that they TURNED DOWN food vouchers?

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I'd bet CPS isn't involved because they lied to the paramedic about what was actually going on. Something like "Oh even when we get him his favorite meal, he just doesn't like to eat!"