Why I hate flying...

[Colonel Ronan]

Some of you may know about the 'severe' weather in England, most importantly the south of England.

Heathrow (England's main airport) has basically shutdown all of it's runways today and has cancelled nearly all flights both in and out. I was due to fly today but obviously, it was cancelled.

This is fine, I can't help what mother nature does but it's how Virgin Atlantic handled my situation.

Here were my three (really two) options:

1. Reschedule my flight for a later day.
2. Total refund of my ticket including taxes.
3. Long-term reschedule. ie: Go in February, summer, etc

Now these all seem like fair answers to the problem, right? Wrong.

Guess when the next 'open' flight to Heathrow is? The 29th! I didn't think I heard the woman right at first. Also, guess how long it will take for me to get my money back! Eight weeks!

Even if I wanted to book another flight to Paris and take the train I really don't have luxury anymore seeing as I don't have an extra grand lying about.

The third is just absurd. No comment.

On top of this, they won't even put me on a standy-by list. I have found a flight to Heathrow with United on the 26th and that's the best I can do with the money situation in-mind.

Just thought I'd vent somewhere.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

So this means I won't be celebrating with my family and I'll only be able to visit England for 10 days instead of 17. At least I'm getting paid for all this, I guess.

 

[maxiep]

Wow, that's unreal. Where were you headed?

 

[Colonel Ronan]

DC to Heathrow.

 

[maxiep]

DC to Heathrow.

I used to take the Dulles to Heathrow all the time. It's an easy flight. There's nothing out of Shannon? I bet Ryan Air has a cheap flight to Ireland. But if the problem is paying for two tickets, I retract my suggestion. Eight weeks? That's criminal. I always thought Branson made his billions by putting the customer first.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

www.skype.com

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

http://www.flightline.co.uk/traveln...sruptions-update-130pm-on-21st-december-2010/

Gatwick is all open? see if you can get booked there instead, maybe get an extra 2-3 days earlier? dunno if they fly international though.

Virgin Atlantic have pulled in all available resources to our call centres all over the world in order to handle the massive numbers of calls we are receiving from disrupted passengers however holding times are very long. Due to the very limited availability of seats it is unlikely that we will be able to rebook passengers who still wish to commence their travel on flights departing before 23rd December 2010 at least. Passengers who have decided to cancel their travel plans do not need to call us in order to apply for a refund this can be done via their travel agents or for direct bookings via our Online Refund form.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

I used to take the Dulles to Heathrow all the time. It's an easy flight. There's nothing out of Shannon? I bet Ryan Air has a cheap flight to Ireland. But if the problem is paying for two tickets, I retract my suggestion. Eight weeks? That's criminal. I always thought Branson made his billions by putting the customer first.

Anything from now to 24th is just way too expensive. Actually, Dulles to Ireland and then a flight from there to Manchester is a good idea -- I'll check Kayak.

I've always had great experiences with Virgin so I was shocked when I heard all this bullshit.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

write a letter. maybe you'll get a voucher for the future.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

http://www.flightline.co.uk/traveln...sruptions-update-130pm-on-21st-december-2010/

Gatwick is all open? see if you can get booked there instead, maybe get an extra 2-3 days earlier? dunno if they fly international though.

I'm looking to fly to before Xmas for around the price I paid for my original tickets ($1K), that way Virgin can rebook me with another airline. I guess that's the only good move they have done since this shit went down.

 

[maxiep]

Anything from now to 24th is just way too expensive. Actually, Dulles to Ireland and then a flight from there to Manchester is a good idea -- I'll check Kayak.

I've always had great experiences with Virgin so I was shocked when I heard all this bullshit.

Me too. I love flying VA.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

IAD to DUB for 816$ on Xmas day... Yay or nay?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Last time I flew from Heathrow to LA, Jessica Alba was on my flight!

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

IAD to DUB for 816$ on Xmas day... Yay or nay?

I'd take the flight on the 26th direct. connections suck ass.

 

[Masbee]

I take it you missed the picture of the folks in the UK standing is a line for the train. The line of people was said to be 1 and 1/5 miles long.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ven-hours-3C-conditions-trains-cancelled.html



One and a fifth miles of people!

I live in the mountains. When storms come through, the major Interstate highway can be Closed for many hours, open briefly, then closed again for many hours, with little indication when it might re-open or what a traveler should do.

When Mother Nature strikes with full forces, there is not much transportation companies, governments or individuals can do.

Planes, trains and automobiles. Either way when nature strikes you got problems.

 

[barfo]

It's Jesus' fault. If he'd been born in July like a normal person you'd never have this problem.

barfo

 

[Colonel Ronan]

I take it you missed the picture of the folks in the UK standing is a line for the train. The line of people was said to be 1 and 1/5 miles long.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ven-hours-3C-conditions-trains-cancelled.html



One and a fifth miles of people!

I live in the mountains. When storms come through, the major Interstate highway can be Closed for many hours, open briefly, then closed again for many hours, with little indication when it might re-open or what a traveler should do.

When Mother Nature strikes with full forces, there is not much transportation companies, governments or individuals can do.

Planes, trains and automobiles. Either way when nature strikes you got problems.

They could at least give me an immediate refund, don't ya think?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Chargeback your card.

 

[Masbee]

They could at least give me an immediate refund, don't ya think?

Not when it's snowing man! Not when it's snowing. (snowflakes might short out the computers and then everything would grind to a halt...... oh wait.)

 

[THE HCP]

I'll be flying to San Francisco on Friday. First Class...... no problems!

 

[maxiep]

I'll be flying to San Francisco on Friday. First Class...... no problems!

Yeah, but you have to fly with Rice.

 

[THE HCP]

We sit right next to each other! It is crazy....... I've traveled with him now for 6 years and he never ceases to amaze! Steals food....... spills shit everywhere......doesn't know what city he's in!

 

[Colonel Ronan]

Huge for you, bro.

Anyway, looks like I can fly out on the 26th via United. Virgin will pay for my new ticket with United and give me a 100% refund on the other one.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

big pimpin!

 

[Colonel Ronan]

Innit bruv!

 

[Ed O]

It's Jesus' fault. If he'd been born in July like a normal person you'd never have this problem.

Or if Ronan were born in Australia, he wouldn't have these issues.

Ed O.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

Snow due in Virginia on the 25th... If my flight is cancelled heads will roll.

 

[ehizzy3]

chill brah, it won't get canceled.

sucks you will miss christmas with your family though.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

This chick invited me to her house so it's a win-win.

 

[THE HCP]

That's NOT a chic....... and HE is gonna steal your ticket while your sleepin'!