canceled trip to Africa
May 2, 2023 14:39:48 #
After 2 months of planning and waiting; the day arrived for my OAT trip to happen. Had a 11am flight to New York and waited at the gate for over an hour. Was told that the gate was changed to one at the other end of the airport. I'm not the best walked; looked for a wheel chair and non to be had. When I go to the new gate I was informed that the flight was delayed by two hours. I had a connecting flight out of New York to Joburg and would have missed it and then I would miss the tour group.
I told myself that I'm too old for this sh.. So I told United to cancel my flight and also called OAT and informed them. Tried to get my checked inbag returned and after waiting or over an hour they said they couldn't find it. If and when thy find it they will send it to me.
Thus ends my last bucket list trip.
Now that I'm home I have to deal with United and OAT insurance to try and get my money back. Maybe this is my last trip by plane and it is time just to watch TV.
I told myself that I'm too old for this sh.. So I told United to cancel my flight and also called OAT and informed them. Tried to get my checked inbag returned and after waiting or over an hour they said they couldn't find it. If and when thy find it they will send it to me.
Thus ends my last bucket list trip.
Now that I'm home I have to deal with United and OAT insurance to try and get my money back. Maybe this is my last trip by plane and it is time just to watch TV.
May 2, 2023 14:46:04 #
Arg.... Major bummer!
I hope it doesn't take too long to get things ironed out.
I hope it doesn't take too long to get things ironed out.
May 2, 2023 14:46:22 #
So sorry for your missed adventure. I hope something better will come your way soon.
Dodie
Dodie
May 2, 2023 15:07:08 #
Dean37
Loc: Fresno, CA
Airlines can be a big problem, especially nowadays. My flight last September had a connection with a 20 minute time to get from the arrival gate to the boarding gate. I had prearranged for a wheelchair. It seemed all was good.
When we arrived to transfer, they held the passengers so we could exit. I was riding in an airlines wheel chair. After a 5 minute walk we boarded train, rode it for 5 minutes, then another 5 minute walk, boarded another train for 5 minutes. Then another 5 minute walk to the boarding gate. They held the flight 5 minutes, for us and had to move a couple from our first class seats.
The guy who was pushing the wheelchair said they wouldn't have waited except for me being in the wheelchair. At 85, with a hip replacement, I would never have made the connection if I had tried to walk instead of riding in the wheelchair.
When we arrived to transfer, they held the passengers so we could exit. I was riding in an airlines wheel chair. After a 5 minute walk we boarded train, rode it for 5 minutes, then another 5 minute walk, boarded another train for 5 minutes. Then another 5 minute walk to the boarding gate. They held the flight 5 minutes, for us and had to move a couple from our first class seats.
The guy who was pushing the wheelchair said they wouldn't have waited except for me being in the wheelchair. At 85, with a hip replacement, I would never have made the connection if I had tried to walk instead of riding in the wheelchair.
May 2, 2023 15:20:37 #
So sorry! Travel can be very frustrating and totally out of your control.
May 2, 2023 15:36:42 #
My sympathies philo, I understand your frustration. But I do not understand why traveling in USA is such a problem.
My Daughter and grandson are in the Atlanta area... 500 miles... a lemo to the airport is $100, early check-in then wait to fly then in Atlanta, then wait for baggage then arrange to travel the last 50 miles to her small town. OK, alternative, take a bus from Tamp... oh... bus to Orlando first... then to Atlanta. OK, another alternative, take a train... but that is a 40-hour trip of short-hops and layovers, WHAT?
My friend in England has no such problem, good transportation. During my stay in Argentina, there was no problem with transportation, busses, trains, and short-hop flights. Other countries have high-speed trains what is wrong with USA????
My Daughter and grandson are in the Atlanta area... 500 miles... a lemo to the airport is $100, early check-in then wait to fly then in Atlanta, then wait for baggage then arrange to travel the last 50 miles to her small town. OK, alternative, take a bus from Tamp... oh... bus to Orlando first... then to Atlanta. OK, another alternative, take a train... but that is a 40-hour trip of short-hops and layovers, WHAT?
My friend in England has no such problem, good transportation. During my stay in Argentina, there was no problem with transportation, busses, trains, and short-hop flights. Other countries have high-speed trains what is wrong with USA????
May 2, 2023 16:02:50 #
philo wrote:
After 2 months of planning and waiting; the day ar... (show quote)
Bummer. Well, catch a plane to Dallas and watch tv with me!!
May 2, 2023 16:05:53 #
I've told this story elsewhere and people found my Dad at fault. I don't know how.
When my Dad was about 85 he got a ticket with AA to fly to Dallas from Detroit to visit the five of us. It was the only time he ever did it alone, and it was a little daunting for him. Dad was still able to drive, so he drove from Pontiac to the Detroit airport and left his car in long term parking. Having been in the military, Dad knew the value of being on time, and you'd never find him being late. If anything, he'd be extra early. Packed the night before, up at 5 as usual and ready to go, Dad decided just to go on to the airport and wait at gate where his plane would depart. He had reading material and would occupy himself that way until it was time for his plane....hours later. This was pre-911, as well. AA employees at the gate noticed him and learned that he was waiting for his flight to Dallas. "OH, We can help you!!! "There is a flight to Dallas leaving BEFORE your flight. Would you like to take it?" It was fine with Dad. It would get him to Dallas earlier. But, here's what happened. When I went to to pick Dad up at the original time and gate, he wasn't there. When Dad got to Dallas, he wondered where I was. He didn't realize that by leaving earlier he'd arrive earlier and at a different gate. Because my Mom would not fly, my Dad didn't fly, until she was gone. This was his first and only trip. Also, the AA employees didn't think to call us with the change. AA did not have a record of Dad on the flight he was supposed to take. Eventually I went back home. Once I got there, about 45 minutes from DFW, I got a call from Dad, "where ARE you?" Well, we finally connected, figured out what had happened and had an enjoyable visit. Just a flying kerfuffle, but I was worried for awhile.
When my Dad was about 85 he got a ticket with AA to fly to Dallas from Detroit to visit the five of us. It was the only time he ever did it alone, and it was a little daunting for him. Dad was still able to drive, so he drove from Pontiac to the Detroit airport and left his car in long term parking. Having been in the military, Dad knew the value of being on time, and you'd never find him being late. If anything, he'd be extra early. Packed the night before, up at 5 as usual and ready to go, Dad decided just to go on to the airport and wait at gate where his plane would depart. He had reading material and would occupy himself that way until it was time for his plane....hours later. This was pre-911, as well. AA employees at the gate noticed him and learned that he was waiting for his flight to Dallas. "OH, We can help you!!! "There is a flight to Dallas leaving BEFORE your flight. Would you like to take it?" It was fine with Dad. It would get him to Dallas earlier. But, here's what happened. When I went to to pick Dad up at the original time and gate, he wasn't there. When Dad got to Dallas, he wondered where I was. He didn't realize that by leaving earlier he'd arrive earlier and at a different gate. Because my Mom would not fly, my Dad didn't fly, until she was gone. This was his first and only trip. Also, the AA employees didn't think to call us with the change. AA did not have a record of Dad on the flight he was supposed to take. Eventually I went back home. Once I got there, about 45 minutes from DFW, I got a call from Dad, "where ARE you?" Well, we finally connected, figured out what had happened and had an enjoyable visit. Just a flying kerfuffle, but I was worried for awhile.
May 2, 2023 16:08:17 #
May 2, 2023 16:58:40 #
I hope you get a refund. I worry that you won’t because cancelling was “your choice”, even tho the airline messed up and you would have missed the beginning of the tour.
Lesson to all. Plan your arrival several days before the tour leaves or the boat sails.
My trip to Europe over the week end was delayed two days. I think we were bumped from British Airlines so someone could make it to the coronation. I saw that the flight did take off even tho they told me it was cancelled. BS. Then rain delays on the flights they put me on. I have extra days to play this game with.
Lesson to all. Plan your arrival several days before the tour leaves or the boat sails.
My trip to Europe over the week end was delayed two days. I think we were bumped from British Airlines so someone could make it to the coronation. I saw that the flight did take off even tho they told me it was cancelled. BS. Then rain delays on the flights they put me on. I have extra days to play this game with.
May 2, 2023 17:36:01 #
philo wrote:
After 2 months of planning and waiting; the day ar... (show quote)
Delays, cancelled flights, lost luggage, etc. have become the trademark of airlines; sadly!
bwa
May 2, 2023 17:51:56 #
What a damn shame and the exact reason, that since I’m now retired, I hope never to fly again. I am SO sorry.
May 2, 2023 19:33:45 #
TriX wrote:
What a damn shame and the exact reason, that since I’m now retired, I hope never to fly again. I am SO sorry.
Well said!!
May 3, 2023 05:51:25 #
May 3, 2023 07:15:13 #
Saddened to read about the ruined bucket list.
My wife has been checking online sites for frequency of delayed flights with respect to going from Chicago and Munich on United and found that delays are common and delays up to 2 hours are not rare enough. We are planning a trip to Slovenia in the fall and I expect we will have a least an inconvenience if not a complete wash out due to flights not getting working out.
My wife has been checking online sites for frequency of delayed flights with respect to going from Chicago and Munich on United and found that delays are common and delays up to 2 hours are not rare enough. We are planning a trip to Slovenia in the fall and I expect we will have a least an inconvenience if not a complete wash out due to flights not getting working out.
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