RANT: Back Home, Airlines Stink!

[TexasTB]

Cliff notes: Long Rant about flying, read!

Well, I made it back home after visiting my Daughter in Missouri. It was a good time, a cold one as well. Not the weather I like, or am even used to any more.

The time came for me to leave, said our good-byes, which words cannot describe how much I am depressed. Not seeing my little girl for 3 years.

There is a rant about the trip back. It just got off to a HORRIBLE start.
I was flying from St. Louis to Dallas with an hour layover, then off to Waco where my Wife would pick me up for a 45 minute drive home.
Didn't happen like that.....

Flight was to leave STL @ 11AM and arrive a little after Noon. It was a 2 hour drive there, so we had to get up early and leave. The roads were soaked and everything starting to ice. Got to the Airport on time and boarded on time. Got on the plane and it was delayed, so they can de-ice the plane. No problem. I had a layover of an hour in Dallas. Well, We finally fly into Dallas @ 1:30 PM, boarding from my next flight was 1:35.
For those who have been to Dallas Airport, know it's very large. I had to take a little train to get to my gate. Running like a mad man. Make it to the gate @ 1:50, past departure time. Comes to find out, the plane is delayed, thank goodness. They said a crew was on board "fixing something". A mechanical issue. Well, the departure time was pushed back an hour, then another, then another. Finally, a little past 4 PM, it was canceled. A group that was going to Waco decided to carpool in a rental. I decided to tag along.
One lady said she gave up her seat to a flight to my hometown, Killeen.

I make a call to the airline, book the flight and get confirmed. Head to the ticket counter and they deny me, since it was too close to boarding time, which was an hour away. SO I ended up missing that flight which was canceled too, as well as the car trip back. Now mind you, it's only an hour and a half from Waco.

American Airlines denied any compensation for a hotel, meals, etc.... great. SO I head to the rental car place. Over an hour later, I have no rental car....

Head back to the airport, arrive at the wrong side. I am pissed and livid at this time. I was on stand-by on a nother flight which was delayed and overbooked. I decided I was getting a refund on my ticket, and calling a shuttle to go home. Quote: $250 to Waco. No way. And AA would not refund it either. I got lied to numerous times and given the run around. They switched my 1st canceled flight from Mechanical to weather related, which screwed me on everything.

I gave up. I was sore, tired, hungry, and very pissed. I found a nice little spot to sleep in the airport til the next day.
A different airline approached me and was nice enough to give me a Meal Ticket, no questions asked. Thanks to AA, those cold, rude, ^%#&^%$'s. Thanks for nothing.....

I FINALLY had to beg them to get me on the last flight as a standby. They finally got me on as the 1st standby with priority. My ass. I took the last seat. Finally made it on the plane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Again, it was a small plane, so we had to give them our carry on's to put under the plane. SWEEET, I AM GOING HOME....

not.... They delayed the flight for an hour, so we sat on the plane cramped and hot. They finally canceled the flight due to fog at the Waco Airport. I was so close. Get of the plane, get our bags, but mine was not there. Lost....
That pushed me over the edge. The took the bags, walked 10 feet and put them in the plane. How hard was it to take the same bags off and walk 10 feet back? The ended up loading my bag and another guys on a different luggage cart.

All in all, I decided to sleep in the airport again. I knew I wasn't going home. Finally, I found 3 other people carpooling to the Waco area. The gentleman was nice enough to ask me if I wanted to tag along. I happily accepted. Ended up dropping them off in Waco, another guy in Crawford, then they GAVE me the rental car to return to Killeen. EXTREMELY NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I finally made it in a little past 2 AM, over 10 hours from my original arrival time. Then I just had to get back up at 6 to take the kids to school. I am running on Pepsi, 1 Cheeseburger, and a handful of hours of sleep.

I will never fly AA again. This was the first time and the last. They are the most cold, rude people. I know they deal with rude customers all day, but still. To not help me in anyway was a joke.
I will stick with Southwest Airlines!

So that was my Rant, with a little silver lining and Christmas Spirit at the end for the folks that helped me get home.

[Tonya]

ahhh man TexasTB I am so sorry to hear that! You poor man! That was just a horrible story. I could picture you trying to sleep in the airport... that is just not right! I can't believe they didn't put you up in a hotel. Well.... at least it didn't happen to you on the way to visit your daughter! Try to get some rest today!

[Pats300zx]

Awful story. I feel your pain. Airline travel sucks anymore.

Did you have time to detail the rental???... Just kidding

[Jimmie]

That is one tough day at the airport. More like an airport nightmare. Good to have you back safe and sound. Maybe a blessing that you missed your AA flight, IMO.

[pirex]

Man, sorry to hear this TexasTB. On top on that your not seeing your daugheter for 3 years. Sounds like a bad bad day! Glad you get to meet some nice pepols that got you home.

[67Customs]

This is exactly why I don't go anywhere that I can't drive to in the time alloted.

[killrflake]

What a nasty way to end a nice visit. You may have the makings of a tv movie. Well your home now so enjoy your Christmas.

[lethalxls1]

Wow thats skrewed up! I usually fly SWA (because they are cheap) but Delta is my favorite. Glad you made it home safe. I cant believe they didnt hook you up with a meal/hotel-thats pretty bad. I am joining your boycott and never flying AA!

[TexasTB]

I actually called AA today for fun to see if any flights left out today to Waco or Killeen, in which they said the weather was delaying and canceling many flights. If I did not take that offer with the rental car, I would have been sleeping in the airport today as well...lol

If they weren't quick to give the cold shoulder, I wouldn't be so bitter about it. I guess if you don't make the flight you are on, you are on your own.....

Oh well, crap happens. We'll be going to Houston in a couple weeks, driving of course. Then headed back to Missouri to visit again, since my Wife and children did not go up with me. And yes, I will be renting a car for that.

Thanks for reading my Rant.... haha

[Bunky]

Originally Posted by TexasTB

I actually called AA today for fun to see if any flights left out today to Waco or Killeen, in which they said the weather was delaying and canceling many flights. If I did not take that offer with the rental car, I would have been sleeping in the airport today as well...lol

If they weren't quick to give the cold shoulder, I wouldn't be so bitter about it. I guess if you don't make the flight you are on, you are on your own.....

Oh well, crap happens. We'll be going to Houston in a couple weeks, driving of course. Then headed back to Missouri to visit again, since my Wife and children did not go up with me. And yes, I will be renting a car for that.

Thanks for reading my Rant.... haha

I would rather drive 10 hours to avoid a 2 hr flight since you have to add hrs before and hours after just to get to your final destination. I have flown many flights overseas but I just do not like being held hostage. The worst is getting stuck on a plane on the runway, etc. My longest was about 4 hrs (in addition to the 13 hr flight) but fortunately it was at the gate but they would not let us off since it was an international flight.

When you fly, always carry plenty of food and water (must purchase inside the terminal now) since you do not often know when your next meal will be and always have a carry on with something like toiletries and a change of clothes. You may be sleeping in the terminal.