don't travel us airways - chaos in philly /DC airport

Other Running Related Topic

17 years ago 03/17/2007 9:46am EDT

this is off-topic not related to running but something for the working folks on here who travel a lot for business:

i'm writing this here (and they'll get many letters from me) because the only way airlines are going to change is by spreading the word when they don't perform. so here is a story that is onging now for your information:

everyone knows about the storm in the northeast. My wife (coming to visit me for post-nuptual action - and we've been together 8 years, for those counting;)) got stranded on the runway in philly yesterday for 6- yes 6 hours - before they returned to the gate. then, the chaos began. once off the plane, the employees there provided them misinformation about their luggage and said they had no info for them on when they might leave, but if they left the terminal they were not able to get back and their luggage was going on to the next destination. (The first surprise came when she left the terminal to try to find a hotel and her luggage was actually downstairs.)

Then they were told to call 1-800-428-4322 to rebook - that has had a constant busy signal ever since. she took a train to DC hoping to get on a plane there and us airways a clusterf*ck there as well. result: my wife, and countless other us airways passengers, were stuck in Philly with no information about how to get home. and their friends/family trying to arrange for other flights were unable to help as well.

Now, the cancelled flight is no problem. That happens and they obviously can't control weather, etc. What is a problem is that there are no employees - in person, online, or on the phone, providing any information to anyone about when/how they can get out. that is inexcusable.

apparently, continental has done a better job communicating solutions to their passengers.

the bottom line is US airways was unprepared for this and it looks like continental did a better job.

keep this in mind when making your travel plans to go schtup your schmoopie!

17 years ago 03/17/2007 10:00am EDT

re: us airways blows

So did you get the post-nuptial workout or not?

17 years ago 03/17/2007 10:03am EDT

re: us airways blows

i f***ing hate US Airways and never fly them if i can help it. they are just terrible. 6 hours on a runway...i could not do it...i'd go berserk.

17 years ago 03/17/2007 10:39am EDT

re: 0lk.

...that's why US airways is losing its shirt to Southwest in Philly....

US Airways is beyond terrible...and Philly is perhaps the worst airport in the nation to fly out of. Makes for a lethal combo.

17 years ago 03/17/2007 11:28am EDT

re: SWA

There are just certain airports I make it a point not to swtich flights on when I travel or at cerrtain times/Airlines and typically I will go with another airline or non-stop in its place

ie. Phila/USAir

ATL/Delta

AW/JFK

AirTran - well just period

AA-O'Hare (only AM connections, never the last flight out = hotel stay)

17 years ago 03/17/2007 11:34am EDT

re: old miler by the sea

I live in Philly, as you can tell, avoid US airways at all cost. Horrible Management. They merged their two computer systems but it looked like they did not even test it so that did not work.

17 years ago 03/17/2007 2:16pm EDT

re: Philly Runner

That sounds terrible. On the other side of the coin, my fiance and I were to travel to Paris last night. We checked the us air website before our trek to the airport with all news bags and clothing because my luggage is still lost from the last flight 2 weeks ago. When we arrive, other passengers tell us our flight was canceled hours ago although the board still reads 'delayed'. We stand in line for 45 minutes, in which time not a single new customer has been helped. Employees begin leaving because their shifts are over, so the already understaffed airline is at less than 1/3 staff while the lines are snaking outside the ropes. They finally make an announcement to call the 800 number (where you have to press 3 prompts to finally get a busy signal) or rebook on the website (which turns out cannot be done). A few hours later we get through the 800 number and the woman rebooks the return segment of our trip for the wrong date. I ask her about the correct date and she says they have no flights leaving that day. Fortunately, I am looking at the website and there is a half empty flight, which I tell her. She says, "oh, let me check again" and the line disconnects.

17 years ago 03/17/2007 2:24pm EDT

re: usairwaysismynemesis

My experience with Continental has been good - Northworst and US-Scare - avoid at all costs. PHL is also a terrible airport which has a lot to do with the design of the airfield, not the airlines' fault. Never try to change planes there.

17 years ago 03/17/2007 2:34pm EDT

re: usairwaysismynemesis

usairwaysismynemesis wrote:
That sounds terrible. On the other side of the coin, my fiance and I were to travel to Paris last night. We checked the us air website before our trek to the airport with all news bags and clothing because my luggage is still lost from the last flight 2 weeks ago. When we arrive, other passengers tell us our flight was canceled hours ago although the board still reads 'delayed'. We stand in line for 45 minutes, in which time not a single new customer has been helped. Employees begin leaving because their shifts are over, so the already understaffed airline is at less than 1/3 staff while the lines are snaking outside the ropes. They finally make an announcement to call the 800 number (where you have to press 3 prompts to finally get a busy signal) or rebook on the website (which turns out cannot be done). A few hours later we get through the 800 number and the woman rebooks the return segment of our trip for the wrong date. I ask her about the correct date and she says they have no flights leaving that day. Fortunately, I am looking at the website and there is a half empty flight, which I tell her. She says, "oh, let me check again" and the line disconnects.

This is the sort of thing that makes a normally totally placid person want to smash their foot through someone's rib cage.

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