The Unfriendly Skies
Well, let me tell you, it was an unfriendly day in the air travel department.
Nicole and I were supposed to fly home today.
The first surprise was that we were on separate flights to Chicago leaving about three minutes apart; that is, if they were on time. So they put her on my flight standby, because her flight was delayed. We were somewhat challenged in the logistics department trying to figure out which gate to wait at. Luckily we had a kind agent at her gate who accommodated me on the flight because people were bailing right and left because of the fact that it was delayed. Due to weather in Chicago. No, not snow, thunder and lightening.
Delays, more delays and more delays and then the dreaded "C" word came up on the screen. The flight was cancelled. The line at customer service was at least 100 people deep so I opted to call the 800 number to be re booked.
I'm not sure which is worse; speaking with someone in India, or trying to be understood by the computer generated being. Neither worked out well for me.
The gentleman in India was nice enough, the only problem was that my reservation had never been changed from the first flight as I had been told it had, so I couldn't be re-booked becuase I was still showing up as checked in for an existing flight on the master grid. No amount of explaining resolved that dillemma. I shamefully admit to having become exasperated and hung up on poor Punji in India.
A weary and sympathetic, friendly in fact, fellow traveler gave me a special line for global services, but when the agent found out I wasn't the global service client, the friendly skies once again turned unfriendly. No amount of begging, telling my all too true to life sob story, or humor coaxed help out of the agent I was on the phone with. She suggested I ask for a supervisor. Great.
I decided to leave and call the airline back from the hotel, because the hold time was now up to 46 minutes...so several hours after we had left and two wasted round trips to the airport Nicole and I arrived back at the hotel where we scared Howie half to death when we came back into the room. The poor guy was in the shower...he thought the maid was coming in to clean.
When I finally did get through (to India again, this time to a Punjita)I was promptly told we couldn't be accommodated till Wednesday. So I guess we will have to play for two more days. At least we have a place to stay since Howie is staying till then. Otherwise it would have been the airport floor till then. Big sigh. I will take a bump any day. At least that way you get a free ticket.
Which isn't all bad, except that I am really tired. And sad. Missing my dad hit me today...as I am sure it will many times in the coming months.
Nicole and I were supposed to fly home today.
The first surprise was that we were on separate flights to Chicago leaving about three minutes apart; that is, if they were on time. So they put her on my flight standby, because her flight was delayed. We were somewhat challenged in the logistics department trying to figure out which gate to wait at. Luckily we had a kind agent at her gate who accommodated me on the flight because people were bailing right and left because of the fact that it was delayed. Due to weather in Chicago. No, not snow, thunder and lightening.
Delays, more delays and more delays and then the dreaded "C" word came up on the screen. The flight was cancelled. The line at customer service was at least 100 people deep so I opted to call the 800 number to be re booked.
I'm not sure which is worse; speaking with someone in India, or trying to be understood by the computer generated being. Neither worked out well for me.
The gentleman in India was nice enough, the only problem was that my reservation had never been changed from the first flight as I had been told it had, so I couldn't be re-booked becuase I was still showing up as checked in for an existing flight on the master grid. No amount of explaining resolved that dillemma. I shamefully admit to having become exasperated and hung up on poor Punji in India.
A weary and sympathetic, friendly in fact, fellow traveler gave me a special line for global services, but when the agent found out I wasn't the global service client, the friendly skies once again turned unfriendly. No amount of begging, telling my all too true to life sob story, or humor coaxed help out of the agent I was on the phone with. She suggested I ask for a supervisor. Great.
I decided to leave and call the airline back from the hotel, because the hold time was now up to 46 minutes...so several hours after we had left and two wasted round trips to the airport Nicole and I arrived back at the hotel where we scared Howie half to death when we came back into the room. The poor guy was in the shower...he thought the maid was coming in to clean.
When I finally did get through (to India again, this time to a Punjita)I was promptly told we couldn't be accommodated till Wednesday. So I guess we will have to play for two more days. At least we have a place to stay since Howie is staying till then. Otherwise it would have been the airport floor till then. Big sigh. I will take a bump any day. At least that way you get a free ticket.
Which isn't all bad, except that I am really tired. And sad. Missing my dad hit me today...as I am sure it will many times in the coming months.
Labels: the unfriendly skies, United airlines and flight delays
posted by www.kathypride.com at
12:57 AM
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