Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Unusual Air Turn Back in New York

Departure: New York LaGuardia
Date: October 2007

My seatmate mentioned something about watching the pilot talking to one of the maintenance crew while doing the normal visual inspection of the aircraft prior to takeoff. Several minutes later, I remember the pilot telling us all that they were “doing something back there” and we’d be departing momentarily. And he was right-we did leave shortly thereafter.

About 40 minutes or so into the flight, the pilot announces that we’re “too heavy” and must return to New York, but to JFK. This seemed strange because we left LaGuardia where there were flights to Dallas every hour. Maybe it was closer. Who knows? Now I thought it was weird that they would declare the weight of the plane too heavy that late into the flight. Surely they were aware of our weight prior to leaving the ground but again, I’m no pilot and I don’t know this stuff. But here’s where it gets weird, as we’re landing I can see all of these emergency vehicles lined up on both sides of the runway. There must have been AT LEAST 30 fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, and airport emergency vehicles. A little excessive for a routine landing, I thought.

Then as we’re waiting to board our return flight on a different aircraft (about six hours later, I might add), we were talking with a woman who had some information. Apparently, a woman she had just talked to forgot something on the original plane and when she went back to get it, she overheard the pilot telling the crew about some red light that was on in the cockpit and that the generator had failed. It’s obvious why they wouldn’t announce this to everyone on the plane for fear of mass-panic, but have you ever heard of this before? If so, is it not possible to fly without a generator? Just curious. I’m wondering how close, if at all, we were to a potentially catastrophic event. It did end up being a 13-hour travel day.

Sometimes Delays Can Really Stink

Date: 5 October 2007
Airline: Alaska
Flight 813 Dallas to Seattle

After my flight was cancelled and I was booked onto a flight the following day, the airline sent me to a local hotel. The first room I was assigned hand no working air condition (90+ degrees in Dallas) and the bathroom lights didn’t work. I returned to the desk to get another room. As I approached the second room, there were dirty towels and sheets lining the hall. The door stood open in the room across from mine. I quickly determined why. I opened my door and the smell of urine was overpowering. The smell was coming from the carpet. The blanket had holes, there was rust around the bathroom fixtures, mold, etc. I tried to ignore the surroundings thinking I could take a shower and sleep in one little corner of the bed before returning to the airport. I gave up at 2:30 am, dressed, went downstairs and waited for the shuttle to the airport at 4:00 am I was not the only passenger who had given up and was waiting for the shuttle. In discussion with others, we all had similar room experiences.

Sunday, October 7, 2007

What Not to Pack in Checked Baggage

The jewelry bag contained earrings and necklaces of silver, gold and precious gems. It was packed in the very bottom of the bag which was tightly packed. Because I had done a considerable of shopping and had a number of expensive items in the luggage -mostly antique crystal - I inquired at the counter about locking the luggage - it has a small lock. I was told it needed an approved lock and to leave it unlocked. The loss occurred between the counter check in and the loading of the baggage onto the plane. It had to happen in SFO (San Francisco) where we checked in 2 hours early. The baggage was otherwise not out of my sight and there was no delay upon arrival. It was a direct flight. Clearly an approved lock would not have prevented this loss.

Comments from AirSafe.com: The issue here is not the quality of the lock but what passengers should not put in checked baggage. Cash, financial documents, jewelery, cameras, cell phones, portable electronic devices, and other valuables should be kept on your person or in your carry-on bags. Other kinds of critical or difficult to replace items that should be in your carry-ons include things like prescription drugs, other medical items, eyeglasses, keys, passports, travel vouchers, business papers, manuscripts, heirlooms, or favorite toys. While the airline may compensate you for the loss of some items, they will not compensate you for the loss of some kinds of valuables such as money and jewelry.

For more baggage advice, visit Baggage Basics for Checked and Carry-on Items at http://www.airsafe.com/issues/baggage.htm.

Train vs. Plane - A Possible Turning Point?

I am writing a complaint not with US Airways but with the Philadelphia airport. This airport consistently has delays, very often with no weather. I fly in and out of Philadelphia 2-3 times a month, and am usually delayed on one or both legs of the flight. This evening (9/27/07) we boarded a plane at 7:15 pm for a 7:30 pm flight (US Airways flight 1676). We sat on the runway for 3 and 1/2 hours. This is unacceptable, the plane was warm, and crowded and we had no idea what time we would leave.

At what point will the agencies that manage that facility correct their problems? It is very disheartening to think that we are so content with such sub-standard performance. I will be taking the (Amtrack) Accela going forward, it is on time, reliable, pleasant and very comfortable. The airline industry is a total embarrassment, and this airport is its prized student. It isn't OK to treat customers as captives because you can. The consumer will continue to search and find new ways to travel, that allow them to plan when they can get to the desired destination. Please fix that airport, people like me need to be able to travel conveniently

Aer Lingus Loses Passport

I checked in at the counter for my flight (Aer Lingus flight 136, Boston to Dublin, July 31, 2007) and the attendant placed my passport on top of my luggage and processed my ticket and pushed a button causing my luggage AND passport to go down the luggage chute. My brother ... was traveling with me and his passport also went down the chute. The luggage handlers were able to locate (his) passport but I was left without a passport. This has severely upset me and inconvenienced me, especially in light of increased security measures and need for identification. I would like compensation for my loss and time as well as for this inconvenience.

Passenger Feels Ripped off by American Airlines

On July 6, 2007 I booked a flight # 2201 connecting with flight # 1153 from Philadelphia to Palm Springs for November 21, 2007. I also booked my return flight # 1352 connecting with flight #2634 from Palm Springs to Philadelphia on November 24, 2007. American Airlines charged my credit card so a contract was made.

On September 22, 2007 American Airlines emailed me to let me know that they cancelled all my flights and I would need to pick other flights. Leaving Philadelphia is not such a problem.... There are no flights leaving on Palm Springs after 3:00 pm on the 24th without having a very long overlay into Sunday. So now I have to pick a flight leaving on Sunday, the 25th, which is now costing me another nights stay in a hotel, an additional day on a rental car, additional food expense for the extra day and a day’s work. In addition, my seats are also spread out so again I am not seating with my daughter.

American Airlines is ripping me off. They schedule flights and now that’s its close to the holiday they cancel them and set up new schedules charging almost double the price, this is a scam and the public is getting cheated. Something needs to be done. As far as I am concerned we had a contract and American Airlines broke that contract and should pay for any additional
costs that I have to incur or give me better accommodations.