Thursday, June 26, 2008

The Not-So-Friendly Skies

A year ago, my husband and I flew to Mexico. This was not our first time going, and I fly quite a bit for business as well, so we were used to the inconveniences that flying can sometimes bring.

From start to finish, however, we were incredibly disappointed in the airline. From rude personnel balking at lending us a pen for filling out custom forms, to getting a beverage spilled all over me without so much of an apology, the trip down was not not great. Excitement over being on vacation allowed us to brush off the rudeness.

Our return trip was a disaster. Our flight out of Cancun was delayed due to mechanical failure, so we missed our connecting flight in Dallas. We were given absolutely no assistance in getting another flight. The flight and gate attendants were beyond rude. Although I do not fly this particular airline often, I do fly one of its partner airlines, and I was startled by how we were treated. We were told on board the airplane that gate attendants in Dallas would assist us, but there were no gate attendants there at all. There was another connecting flight that we could have made, but when we finally tracked someone down, they refused to assist us in getting tickets for that flight.

We had to stay overnight in a crappy hotel, wait over an hour for a shuttle to bring us there, were not given the meal vouchers that we were promised, and then had to spend the entire next day at the airport, trying to fly standby home. It was a nightmare. I know that delays are a part of air travel, but it was the way that we were treated that so completely amazed me.

I wrote the airline and we were given a voucher for $200. It had to be used within a year. Due to infertility treatments and then a pregnancy where it was advised that I not fly, we never had a chance to use it. It expired in June.

In April, I called to see if we could get an extension on the voucher, maybe six months or so. I explained the medical reasons behind our request. A month later, I received a standard form letter, explaining that it would not be reissued.

So, I then e-mailed the company's website, asking for reconsideration due to the extenuating circumstances and explained that I was not allowed to fly due to a high risk pregnancy.

I just got the e-mail back today. The response?

"Although we understand your situation, pregnancy is a common occurance and not reason for us to make an exception to our corporate policy. We will not be reissuing your voucher and hope that you will choose us again in the future for your travel needs."

I would rather walk to Mexico than take this airline again.

15 comments:

K @ ourboxofrain said...

That absolutely sucks. Ugh. I can't believe they had the nerve to write that last line!

Soapchick said...

Oh how horrible! I hope it wasn't Northwest. My sister is a flight attendant for them and I know she tries to always be friendly and to do a good job!

Samantha said...

All airlines suck (I say this even though I'm about to get a board a plane today), but your description is one of the worst!

Tracy said...

That sucks...like you'd want to fly them again?

And you're not going to tell us who it is? Not fair.

Scott and I refuse to fly American because of similar treatment.

Geohde said...

I don't blame you.

That's just appaling from beginning to end...

J

Jen said...

I hate airlines. And because of some recent experiences, I unfortunately can relate to your situation a little too well.

Alyssa said...

That does suck, completely. Scott and I, like Tracy, refuse to fly American Airlines ever again due to similar treatment. I know it's not nice to wish mean things on people or corporations but sometimes it's difficult not to!

Mazzy said...

Horrible!!!!!!!!!!!
I hate flying so much to begin with, bad flights just make me so tense, it's almost not worth the fun of the trip.

Joy said...

Ugh! If you tell me who they are I'll never fly them either!!! LOL! Not that I do much traveling anyway. Or at all. But you never know!

Joy said...

Oh and this reminds me of the time I wrote a dairy company because on 3 occasions, from 3 different stores, I got rotten milk under their brand... they wanted to send me coupons and vouchers for their products... Um, NO! It's NASTY! I'm complaining that you suck, not so I can get free stuff.

AwkwardMoments said...

it's a common occurance Huh .... Really that is SICK

RBandRC said...

I hate the airline industry. We have systematically begun to eliminate airlines that we will fly and I think we are down to just one airline. If they won't fly where we want to go then we won't go. Every time we fly, I am more and more amazed at how they manage to stay in business when they treat their customers like dirt. I would rather drive or not travel then deal with those a**holes. It just stinks that there are no other options really for overseas travel and the know that, so they continue to treat people poorly.

Geohde said...

Clicking on over from LFCA to say thank you, oh-clicky one!

J

chicklet said...

Pregnancy is a "common" occurence - yea, not for some of us! What a bunch of bitches.

Anonymous said...

My doc won't even allow me to fly during my 2wws- I can relate to you! I hate the airlines-- they make you feel like you should be *so thankful* that they let you pay them a ton of money for crappy service. Um, no thanks!