US Airways Dividend Miles - Plane left without us! US not willing to compensate appropriately

I am looking for some advise from some of you seasoned travelers here. About two weeks ago, husband and I flew USAir to Las Vegas, flying through Charlotte. We were delayed about 3 hours in Charlotte on our trip out because of mechanical issues, but I understand it happens to folks every day. The nightmare began on the trip home! When we were coming home, we were told at the Vegas airport that the flight from CLT to CAE was delayed. Ok, no big deal. :/ Instead of leaving at 10:10PM it would be leaving at 10:35PM from CLT. When we arrived into CLT, we checked the monitors and it still showed that it was delayed until 10:35. We proceeded to the gate. When we arrived at the gate at 10:14, they had shut the door and wouldn't let us on. They had decided to leave early. There were no other flights leaving that evening from CLT going to CAE. Oh, to make it worse. USAir sent me at text to my phone at 10:31 (apparantly after the plane had left us) telling us that the plane will be leaving at 10:35! The csr at the airport was no help, the gate agent was definitely no help. There was no one way car rentals available to CAE. We had to get a family member to come get us, getting us home at 3 am in the morning. The next day, I had to go to the airport and get our luggage which had made it on the plane. After many phone calls and emails to USair, they say they did nothing wrong. They knew that atleast 2 other people were supposed to be on that flight. They credited us 3500 dividend miles each, although they accept not fault. By the way, we paid for the flight with 37500 dividend miles each. We have been calling the customer service phone number, following up with email. They will not budge. I am disappointed with USAIR. I know some of you may have different opinions about this but the fact is this-- that announced the flight delayed even sending me a few text messages (I still have them on my phone) stating that the plane is leaving at 10:35. What else can be done?

I am looking for some advise from some of you seasoned travelers here. About two weeks ago, husband and I flew USAir to Las Vegas, flying through Charlotte. We were delayed about 3 hours in Charlotte on our trip out because of mechanical issues, but I understand it happens to folks every day. The nightmare began on the trip home! When we were coming home, we were told at the Vegas airport that the flight from CLT to CAE was delayed. Ok, no big deal. :/ Instead of leaving at 10:10PM it would be leaving at 10:35PM from CLT. When we arrived into CLT, we checked the monitors and it still showed that it was delayed until 10:35. We proceeded to the gate. When we arrived at the gate at 10:14, they had shut the door and wouldn't let us on. They had decided to leave early. There were no other flights leaving that evening from CLT going to CAE. Oh, to make it worse. USAir sent me at text to my phone at 10:31 (apparantly after the plane had left us) telling us that the plane will be leaving at 10:35! The csr at the airport was no help, the gate agent was definitely no help. There was no one way car rentals available to CAE. We had to get a family member to come get us, getting us home at 3 am in the morning. The next day, I had to go to the airport and get our luggage which had made it on the plane. After many phone calls and emails to USair, they say they did nothing wrong. They knew that atleast 2 other people were supposed to be on that flight. They credited us 3500 dividend miles each, although they accept not fault. By the way, we paid for the flight with 37500 dividend miles each. We have been calling the customer service phone number, following up with email. They will not budge. I am disappointed with USAIR. I know some of you may have different opinions about this but the fact is this-- that announced the flight delayed even sending me a few text messages (I still have them on my phone) stating that the plane is leaving at 10:35. What else can be done?

What happened to you is incredibly frustrating. In a logical, moral universe, the points you make it -- systematic misinformation by US -- would mean that they are at fault, you are reasonable and blameless, and you deserve more than the measly miles that you got.

Unfortunately, it's US's universe, and we're just passengers in it, when we can get on the planes. There are any number of written warnings within the system that "delayed" does not mean delayed in the sense of, "the plane is not leaving now; it is leaving later." It means "don't count on it leaving and the scheduled time, but all kinds of things could happen, from a new aircraft to a quick fix to new instructions from air traffic control to a new crew to ..., in which case it will be your responsibility to be here and be ready to go."

If the inbound from LAS were late, they might be more willing to cough up more meaningful compensation, but it sounds as though it wasn't and the OP wasn't at the gate when they boarded for an essentially on time departure. The delay estimates are just that - if they can find a way to minimize them, they will, and the GA usually will announce something like "stay near the gate so you notice/can hear me if we find a way to fix the plane sooner/get a new crew so we can get you on your way more quickly". It definitely sucks that the departure board info was outdated, but I think it may need to be chalked up to a lesson learned to be at the gate in cases like this - regardless of airline. I'm not say that this is the correct behavior by the airline, but this is how to avoid being stranded in this manner.

So, some clarification needed here. Did the LAS-CLT flight arrive on time in Charlotte? If so, after you landed, did you go straight to the gate for your connection? Or did you do other activities such as get food, bathroom, etc?

So, some clarification needed here. Did the LAS-CLT flight arrive on time in Charlotte? If so, after you landed, did you go straight to the gate for your connection? Or did you do other activities such as get food, bathroom, etc?

We got off the plane, checked the monitor ( saw flight would still be delayed until 10:35). We did grab a fast-food burger on the way to the gate. We arrived at the gate at 10:14 (as they were closing the door). Supposedly the flight was leaving at 10:35. We were told by the GA we should have been there 10 minutes early.

We did grab a fast-food burger on the way to the gate.

Were KNEW you were running last & yet stopped to get something to eat, HUGE MISTAKE )-:

We did grab a fast-food burger on the way to the gate. We arrived at the gate at 10:14 (as they were closing the door).

Admittedly, it would be infuriating to have an allegedly late flight leave roughly on time. It's happened to me; after a delay of 5 hours in CLT, and after being told by a gate agent, "you can leave the gate area, but be back within 15 minutes", the plane boarded and left within that 15-minute span, and I missed the flight, resulting in more delays.

However, always be prepared for the plane to leave on time; US Airways is really focused on on-time departures. Even if a plane is delayed, be ready for it to leave on time anyhow.

I'd say that your 3500 miles are in line with what you would typically get in this situation. I got about that for an 8-hour delay, with a missed flight (as described above).

Just because a flight is posted to leave at 10:35 does not mean you can show up late. You are required to be on board at LEAST 15 minutes before takeoff. You knew you were running late and stopped for food so you missed the cutoff, you fault. Had you gone right to the gate you would have made the flight.

This was not their fault.

Just because a flight is posted to leave at 10:35 does not mean you can show up late. You are required to be on board at LEAST 15 minutes before takeoff. You knew you were running late and stopped for food so you missed the cutoff, you fault. Had you gone right to the gate you would have made the flight.

This was not their fault.

We were there 21 minutes before the 10:35 flight time. We were NOT running late for the posted delayed time. The 10:35 was not only posted on the monitors but was also sent to my cell phone. Also, we have been told so many different things from USAir about "cutoff" times. Not one person has given us the same answer. One agent said we should be there 10 minutes early. One customer service agent said we should be there 30 minutes early, said 25 minutes early. The airport was not crowded and we did move very fast from one gate to the next. I feel that the pilot made a decision to leave early. I am all for leaving early if everybody is on board. Not everyone has to agree. If you are stuck on the other side of the gate ready to get home, it really stinks.

While I do think being left behind in a connection is terrible (thankfully it hasn't happened to me thus far), I don't understand how anyone can think during a tight connection that it is a good time to make a pit stop for some fast food. That just makes no sense to me. When I have a connection my first instinct, no matter how much time I have until the next flight is to head to the gate of my next flight.

I agree that US Airways dropped the ball in updating the Gate Monitors for the OP, but at the same time it seems the OP did not make the needed effort to try to ensure that he made the connection. I don't think taking a few extra minutes to grab a burger is ever worth the possibility of missing a connection. You should get to the gate, see what is going on with the flight and then make a decision if you have time to grab food.

I've had something similar happen to me. Here's my post from another thread, and the resolution, or lack thereof, from US.

From http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-airways-dividend-miles/1356106-egregious-us-behavior-need-help.html

A similar thing happened to me flying BOS-CLT-MYR last year. My BOS-CLT flight was delayed due to weather, got to CLT, sprinted to the gate (I'm a runner, and made it from B to D in no less than 30 seconds, I swear), got to the gate and saw the gate agent coming back up the (closed) jetway. This was 12 minutes before scheduled departure. (I checked the actual departure time on the US site when I got to my hotel.)

A not so friendly US "customer service" manager was at the podium with the GA. When I asked why the flight left early, he told me, "You need to be here 15 minutes before departure. Those are the breaks."

At the gate in BOS, I overheard a group of about 5 guys mention something about Myrtle Beach, and that they were going on a golfing trip, so we chatted, blah blah. So, there were at least 6 CLT pax going to MYR.

The GA in CLT told me, while rebooking me for the next morning's flight, that she knew we had landed, but the pilot was ready to go. I had booked a non-refundable hotel room in MYR for the night, and had to spring for my own hotel in CLT.

I did send an email to US, as I thought 12 minutes was a little too early to let a flight leave knowing there were connecting passengers on the ground.

This was part of their response along with a $50 ETUV:

"You stated in your email that the agent said the flight left early, but the flight left twelve minutes early which is not early. Pilots can take off up to fifteen minutes prior to schedule departure. It appears that our agents miscommunicated information."

I know it doesn't help you now, but:

Delays are always dynamic situations. The people in operations are constantly playing chess with the schedule to try to minimize problems. Even faced with a "broken" aircraft, there is the very real possibility that they will sub in another aircraft, steal one from a flight that can better stand the delay ... And so on.

While airport monitors are normally reliable, when things get hectic, not so much. Case in point, flying BOI-ORD-ABE on UA awhile back, took a 2 hour ground stop at BOI for winds at ORD on a 1:30 connection. Figured I was toast, but got to ORD, monitor said ABE flight was closed. Figuring nothing to lose by asking, went straight to the gate. Flight wasn't even boarding yet! Had I trusted the monitor - would have slept in Chicago on my own dime, it would not have been UA's fault that I didn't check.

Does it suck - yes, but IMO, they gave you something more than they had to. I doubt you will get anything more.

The nightmare began on the trip home! When we were coming home, we were told at the Vegas airport that the flight from CLT to CAE was delayed. Ok, no big deal. :/ Instead of leaving at 10:10PM it would be leaving at 10:35PM from CLT. When we arrived into CLT, we checked the monitors and it still showed that it was delayed until 10:35. We proceeded to the gate. When we arrived at the gate at 10:14, they had shut the door and wouldn't let us on. They had decided to leave early.
They credited us 3500 dividend miles each, although they accept not fault.

OP be happy they gave you the 3500. You needed to be at the gate by 9:55pm not 10:20pm. Last night my 6:40pm flight from PHL I knew was gonna be delayed since the Inbound was running 25 mins late. Noway was AA gonna turn the plane around in 40mins thats getting everyone off ,servicing the aircraft and boarding everyone. As I was speaking to the GA I heard the pilot tell her ATC @ MIA is holding us up. GA makes the annoucement new time is 7:15 with a 6:55 boarding. Oh well I find a seat by the gate. @ 6:45pm the GA tells us we have been released 10 mins early and boarding is starting now.

yea it stinks having to wait around, but it stinks even more standing in the Term and waving your flight goodbye as it pulls back earlier as it got a new earlier release time and you werent there to board. So I hung around the gate.

Delays get longer from time to time, and yes they get shorter as well.And th board showed my flight departing at 7:15pm = boarding at 6:55pm yet we boarded before that and pulled off the gate before 7:15 as well

Lesson learned. Delayed flights go out early sometimes. Be at the gate.

They way I see it is you didn't double check at the gate to see if your plane was there, off loading or loading etc. US owes you nothing.

Indeed, in their delay emails, US specifically says:

Since we make every effort to be on time, please be at your gate as originally scheduled as US Airways continues to make every effort to return your flight to an on time schedule.

You really can't count on monitors -- many times they're operated by the airport and there are delays in updating them. (Well, in PHL you can fairly safely count on them being incorrect.)

And sometimes when pilots make a call to leave on the dot despite passengers not making their connections, it's for good reasons -- missing a departure window by a minute or two in a weather situation might mean a much longer delay.

In other words: always, always, always get to the gate >15 minutes before original departure time. You can always run for a sandwich / go to the bathroom / stop at the club after confirming the delay with the gate agent.

What troubles me... is that if this was any other industry... this would not fly.

Imagine you order a limo for 10:00 pm, and then they let you know that they are running late and will be there at 10:30pm.... then they show up at your door at 9:45, wait a few mins and then leave at 10:00 pm as originally scheduled without updating you.

Yes, these are the airlines... we pay them tons of money just so they can tell us where to shove it.

I do get it from both perspectives, and if I was in OP's position, I would of gone straight to the gate anyway, and maybe then grab something by.... but... I believe it would be reasonable to assume that if the flight was delayed... the airport monitors state a different departure time, and then you also get communication from the airline giving you a departure time.... that should stand for something.

For all of these reasons, I try to fly direct, non stop.... with the US major airlines... too many things can go wrong especially with transfers. Just ain't worth it.

What troubles me... is that if this was any other industry... this would not fly.

Imagine you order a limo for 10:00 pm, and then they let you know that they are running late and will be there at 10:30pm.... then they show up at your door at 9:45, wait a few mins and then leave at 10:00 pm as originally scheduled without updating you.

Yes, these are the airlines... we pay them tons of money just so they can tell us where to shove it.

I do get it from both perspectives, and if I was in OP's position, I would of gone straight to the gate anyway, and maybe then grab something by.... but... I believe it would be reasonable to assume that if the flight was delayed... the airport monitors state a different departure time, and then you also get communication from the airline giving you a departure time.... that should stand for something.

For all of these reasons, I try to fly direct, non stop.... with the US major airlines... too many things can go wrong especially with transfers. Just ain't worth it.

If the plane hasn't left roughly on time, people would be complaining about delays. US can't win.

I don't think that a car service for 1 traveler works as a comparison. US is trying to fly maybe 30-50 people on a flight between CLT-CAE. It's as if a chartered bus were going around picking up passengers but informed all passengers that it would be delayed but then ended up being on time, leaving 2 people behind but successfully picking up 30 others.

I think that US should learn a lesson to communicate more accurately, but passengers should learn to be at the gate as if the plane were on time, regardless of delays. As I posted above, I've missed a flight by not being at the gate, so it's a lesson that I learned the hard way as well.

US can't win? What about updating the board and using the PA system to tell people "We got good news, we are boarding at X:X come to the gate ASAP!"

US can't win? What about updating the board and using the PA system to tell people "We got good news, we are boarding at X:X come to the gate ASAP!"

Are you saying you can actually "understand" any PA system in a U.S. terminal?

I like CPH, no announcements...they take the stance that if you are old enough to travel, you can tell time and read a gate number. A very relaxing experience.

All airlines try to keep as close to a schedule as possible, it is the nature of the beast.

What happened to airlines paging passengers before closing the doors. Maybe I'm lucky travelling mostly in Australia but on my last trip overseas I remember Air Canada, SWISS and Thai all making clear announcements through the whole terminal for the final passengers before they closed the flight. Surely there has to be some responsibility placed on the airline to ensure that all passengers are aware that the flight is about to close and that they need to hoof it to the gate.

What happened to airlines paging passengers before closing the doors. Maybe I'm lucky travelling mostly in Australia but on my last trip overseas I remember Air Canada, SWISS and Thai all making clear announcements through the whole terminal for the final passengers before they closed the flight. Surely there has to be some responsibility placed on the airline to ensure that all passengers are aware that the flight is about to close and that they need to hoof it to the gate.

They get to work, church, the doctor and dentist on time...why can't they be at the gate? Do people just get stupid at airports? Is it information overload? Must be the same problem I see inside the aircraft, people cannot find their correct seat...even in First Class with only a dozen possibilities. :rolleyes:

What troubles me... is that if this was any other industry... this would not fly.

Imagine you order a limo for 10:00 pm, and then they let you know that they are running late and will be there at 10:30pm.... then they show up at your door at 9:45, wait a few mins and then leave at 10:00 pm as originally scheduled without updating you.

Yes, these are the airlines... we pay them tons of money just so they can tell us where to shove it.

I do get it from both perspectives, and if I was in OP's position, I would of gone straight to the gate anyway, and maybe then grab something by.... but... I believe it would be reasonable to assume that if the flight was delayed... the airport monitors state a different departure time, and then you also get communication from the airline giving you a departure time.... that should stand for something.

For all of these reasons, I try to fly direct, non stop.... with the US major airlines... too many things can go wrong especially with transfers. Just ain't worth it.

The problem is that with your examples, its just you. And you alone. On an airline flight, its you and upwards of 200 people. Are they supposed to wait and take delays because your tummy needed some satisfaction?

I will also add that airlines have a lot of rules regarding delays that can cause havoc. Busted connections, timed out flight crews, curfews, etc.

This is your fault. If plane leaves at 10:30, its obvious you need to be there much earlier since it takes time for boarding. Your fault. Period.

I feel for your pain, you just need to remember the basic fact about airline rules "The rules only apply to the traveling public, they should in no way be thought to apply to the airline, unless the rules can be used by the airline to their benefit. And when the rules do not benefit the airline they do not apply to your situation"(The previous comment is related to the airline industry not just a single airline). And another "Just because we say we are going to do something does not mean we will actually do it."

I have gotten the phone call at 03:00 telling me my 05:30 flight is delayed by 3 hours,using the logic on this board I still need to get to the airport in time to make the 05:30 flight. If that is actually the case why did the airline make the phone call.
The example listed above actually occurred, except knowing there was a 96:30 flight I went to the airport as scheduled. As it turns out the flight departed spot on time no hints of a delay, and it departed at about 25% full, guess the rest who got the call actually believed it.
And one last thing since you posted on FT in the US Forum you must be wrong and it was your actions that brought this trouble upon yourself, at least that is what I am reading (I do not agree with that line of thinking).
One last thing in many cases what I am looking for is a admissions of a mistake being made (in your case a text being sent after the door is closed telling you of the late (now gone) departure) not compensation just an apology. They really do not know how to react to that method of thinking. I remember telling them I do not want your 5000 miles, I just want you to admit you made a mistake and try to make sure it does not happen again. What happens is I get the miles and the airline does not admit to mistakes.

I feel for your pain, you just need to remember the basic fact about airline rules "The rules only apply to the traveling public, they should in no way be thought to apply to the airline, unless the rules can be used by the airline to their benefit. And when the rules do not benefit the airline they do not apply to your situation"(The previous comment is related to the airline industry not just a single airline). And another "Just because we say we are going to do something does not mean we will actually do it."

I have gotten the phone call at 03:00 telling me my 05:30 flight is delayed by 3 hours,using the logic on this board I still need to get to the airport in time to make the 05:30 flight. If that is actually the case why did the airline make the phone call.
The example listed above actually occurred, except knowing there was a 96:30 flight I went to the airport as scheduled. As it turns out the flight departed spot on time no hints of a delay, and it departed at about 25% full, guess the rest who got the call actually believed it.
And one last thing since you posted on FT in the US Forum you must be wrong and it was your actions that brought this trouble upon yourself, at least that is what I am reading (I do not agree with that line of thinking).
One last thing in many cases what I am looking for is a admissions of a mistake being made (in your case a text being sent after the door is closed telling you of the late (now gone) departure) not compensation just an apology. They really do not know how to react to that method of thinking. I remember telling them I do not want your 5000 miles, I just want you to admit you made a mistake and try to make sure it does not happen again. What happens is I get the miles and the airline does not admit to mistakes.

Thank you! I knew when I posted here I would get mixed reactions. Some folks would slam me and tell me that we should have gotten our butts straight to the gate and this is completely our fault. Others have had similar situations where USAir has posted a delayed time, decided to pull out early with folks standing in the gate area or pulled out knowing that there are people on the passenger lists, baggage on the plane. These people understand the frustration. Although both sides offer many good arguments, I know which side I am on (this side of the gate), and it looks like from the responses that this has happened to several people. My husband has been the one primarily on the phone with USAir trying to get compensation. He told them that the 3500 miles that they credited us each was a slap in the face. Have I learned anything from this? Yes, don't trust USAir. Get to the gate early because the pilot may decide ANYTIME without you. I will do my best to fly another airline in the future.

...I will do my best to fly another airline in the future.

That solution will not work.

I feel ya, Carter. this is not just a US issue, tho. This will happen on every airline except Southwest and maybe a few other non-legacies.

It's BS that they give you a new time but require you to remain in the area the entire time IN CASE they leave early.

In other words: always, always, always get to the gate >15 minutes before original departure time. You can always run for a sandwich / go to the bathroom / stop at the club after confirming the delay with the gate agent.


I think the big issue is, what IF your inbound flight is delayed (not your fault) and when you arrive at your connecting city, you are told, "You need to be here 15 minutes early, while the airline KNOWS you are connecting from another flight that was delayed." How can an airline employee use that line... There needs to be some sort of safety net for the passenagers, also not all passenagers can RUN from one concourse to another...

I agree that the OP's mistake was stopping for food, but if the information that the OP was given was not correct (whether it is the monitors or by text) the airlines need to take some responsiblity for these screw ups...

Thank you! I knew when I posted here I would get mixed reactions. Some folks would slam me and tell me that we should have gotten our butts straight to the gate and this is completely our fault. Others have had similar situations where USAir has posted a delayed time, decided to pull out early with folks standing in the gate area or pulled out knowing that there are people on the passenger lists, baggage on the plane. These people understand the frustration. Although both sides offer many good arguments, I know which side I am on (this side of the gate), and it looks like from the responses that this has happened to several people. My husband has been the one primarily on the phone with USAir trying to get compensation. He told them that the 3500 miles that they credited us each was a slap in the face. Have I learned anything from this? Yes, don't trust USAir. Get to the gate early because the pilot may decide ANYTIME without you. I will do my best to fly another airline in the future.

You learned a lession, get off the plane and head over to the new gate, there are plenty of food courts to get food once you go to the new gate.

When we arrived at the gate at 10:14, they had shut the door and wouldn't let us on. They had decided to leave early.

Yes, don't trust USAir. Get to the gate early because the pilot may decide ANYTIME without you. I will do my best to fly another airline in the future.

What nonsense. Note the bolded sections. You've spun this story to make it sound as if the flight left early, when in fact it did not, so that you've become the victim of an untrustworthy airline.

The flight actually left close to its scheduled departure time -- so it did not "leave early." The flight "left early" according to you because you made the incorrect assumption that a posted delay time is set in stone. But you already knew that any posted delay is clearly fluid. We've all seen delay times increase -- and they can obviously decrease, too. In your case, the delay time decreased, but you were betting that it would not. You lost that bet and missed your flight.

I am not sure why you think you are owed compensation. This was a misconnection, you were not denied boarding - you weren't available to board. At most, US would provide you a hotel at CLT and transport on flight the next day. Airlines never reimburse car rental nor family transport -- one can only imagine the liability issues - at times they will pay for a taxi or shuttle. Be thankful for the 3500 miles.

The misinformation you got sucks for sure but honestly, the airline did right by every single person that was there for their flight on time by not delaying them. That's the airline I want to fly on to be honest. I don't want to be on the airline that won't leave because someone's checked in but down the hall shopping. You would not believe how many people miss their flights after checking in and then they stop somewhere between check in and the gate, it's absurd really.

There are a million different situtations that could happen during airtravel and connections. The best thing to do ANYTIME you have a connection, if it's 5 min or 5 hours, is to get to the place you need to be to verify what's going on with your next flight before you do anything else.

Yes, the OP was in error here by not being at the gate 15 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time --- I think most have driven that point home. However, US Airways did contribute to the confusion by sending erroneous and misleading messages that may reasonably lead the general traveling public to know that the plane will not leave until 10:35pm. Us frequent travelers have either learned by experience or know better, but IMO with the other 95% of the traveling public out there --- and in this case where messages were sent by US stating that the plane was delayed until 10:35, it's reasonable to think that there may be people that will interpret that as the plane ... gosh ... not leaving until that time. I'm all about rules and in this case, OP will learn a lesson, but US contributed to the scenario through their misinformation --- on top of that, some (me included) also think that US has an even higher duty to at least let their passengers know their flight will depart earlier, especially when it's an exception (ie, delays, cancellations, etc.). While it's our job to be at our dental appointments on time, when the dentist calls to say he can't see us until 2 hours from now, we naturally assume it's the new time and don't park in the foyer in the off-chance that he will free himself up. It's practice/business management and good customer service to let airline passengers know if there are exceptions to the exceptions.

Yes, it's the OP's fault, though I think US has some part to play.

As mentioned, flying a different airline won't help. There was just a thread over in the Southwest forum about the exact same issue -- plane left closer to ontime than previously said.

All airlines will do this. If they can go, they won't make everybody sitting in the gate area wait an extra half hour.

As mentioned, flying a different airline won't help. There was just a thread over in the Southwest forum about the exact same issue -- plane left closer to ontime than previously said.

All airlines will do this. If they can go, they won't make everybody sitting in the gate area wait an extra half hour.

I have seen more southwest flights leave early then AA, UA, US or DL

They get to work, church, the doctor and dentist on time...why can't they be at the gate? Do people just get stupid at airports? Is it information overload? Must be the same problem I see inside the aircraft, people cannot find their correct seat...even in First Class with only a dozen possibilities. :rolleyes:

So when a mechanical makes someone late and they do their due diligence to get to the gate quickly without delay, it MUST be their fault and they're idiots. :rolleyes:

I'm not saying that people aren't stupid at airports with stuff like this, but that's a pretty broad brush you're painting with.

We were there 21 minutes before the 10:35 flight time. We were NOT running late for the posted delayed time. The 10:35 was not only posted on the monitors but was also sent to my cell phone. Also, we have been told so many different things from USAir about "cutoff" times. Not one person has given us the same answer. One agent said we should be there 10 minutes early. One customer service agent said we should be there 30 minutes early, said 25 minutes early. The airport was not crowded and we did move very fast from one gate to the next. I feel that the pilot made a decision to leave early. I am all for leaving early if everybody is on board. Not everyone has to agree. If you are stuck on the other side of the gate ready to get home, it really stinks.

If a flight is marked delayed it is an estimate of when it will be departing. You should always go to the gate first to see if it is boarding an airline will always try to shorten the delay if at all possible. Its great for the other passengers that it left on time, not so much for you. I learned this the hard way myself years ago, always go to the gate regardless if there is time for food get it after you go to the gate to see the real status of the delay.

Most people who fly US would believe the message they got from the airline,because most of them are not frequent travellers. In some ways it would be better for US not to be proactive with this type of messaging. In this case there was a little time difference, but what if the delay message is 2 hours, I would see a large number of leisure travellers missing the flight.
Within the target market LCC is going after I think it would be best to not send out these type of updates. In the case I pointed out in my previous post had I believed the message I would have also missed my flight.

Maybe they could send out a different type of message to everyone flying on a given day; "You flight may be late, or it may leave early, or it may be on time. What you see posted on the departure boards , on in text messages we sent to you, or that phone call we made to you,is most likely incorrect. You best action is show up on time and be at the correct gate (remember those pesky departure boards may be wrong, or your printed boarding pass is probably wrong) at least 20 minutes prior to departure. But of course 6.5 hours would be even better.

I cannot believe the number of answers condoning missinformation by US Airways (or any other airline) and blame the passengers approach. What a bunch of ..... What are you inhaling, is it in water or is it the air? Sick sick sick.
Issue is simple - there was new time set for the departure and the airline is fully responsible for 2nd change to an earlier time about which it did not inform passengers.

Flight delays are very fluid and the weather ATC hold may have lifted, a mechanical fix was quicker, or they swapped aircraft. My advice is to never assume the delay info is correct. That is why the media's constant refrain to call you airline before heading to the airport is a horrible idea. At the moment you call it may be delayed by two hours for a delayed inbound aircraft, two minutes later they find you another and it is on time.

I am not sure why you think you are owed compensation. This was a misconnection, you were not denied boarding - you weren't available to board. At most, US would provide you a hotel at CLT and transport on flight the next day. Airlines never reimburse car rental nor family transport -- one can only imagine the liability issues - at times they will pay for a taxi or shuttle. Be thankful for the 3500 miles.

I guess the OP was expecting more and in some cases, airlines can be more generous when compensating pax.

When I am in the Club and see my flight delayed for 30 minutes I have a choice to make. Stay in the Club for a little longer - or go to the gate for the originally scheduled departure time. I always choose to go to the gate because as many of us know, the flight can leave at almost any time. Problems get solved in unanticipated ways sometimes.

Sick sick sick.
Issue is simple - there was new time set for the departure

That's the fundamental problem -- there was not a new time set for departure.

But, I agree with you -- people are being pretty harsh to the OP. Here's the bottom line: A flight is subject to go at its originally scheduled departure time, no matter what the flight monitor says.

Many of us know this and did not learn it the hard way. OP did not know it and learned it the hard way. And that sucks. It is a mistake anyone can make before they know the rule. It's not intuitive.

A few years back, I received a text message indicating that the flight had a 3hr delayed departure, from 2:50pm to 5:50pm. Our hotel was only 5 minute drive from the airport so we decided to spend more time at the beach, after all, with a 3hr delay, what is the sense to check in at 1pm or so if I still had to sit around and wait. We arrive at the airport at 4:00pm or so, only to find the entire UA counter closed, even the check in Kiosk, we could not get a BP. SJU does not have mobile boarding, so we cant use the phone. We called the MP line and tried to get someone to help us. A US counter employee came by, and he assited us. He called to the gate agent in order to get access to UA's computer so that he could print out the BP for us. We finally managed to get through security (priority line) and arrive at the gate by 5:00pm, just in time when they where finishing boarding.

We made the flight and arrived home. I complained to UA about the experience, and they mentioned that even if flights are delayed, they would indeed try to leave earlier if the plane is ready. I was also told that I shold have been at the airport sooner, 3hrs for international departure, yeah, like can call SJU international. I did get some compensation, however I always keep this in my mind when travelling. The are other things that can also go wrong, like closing the counter early. This was done because they were assisting the late in-bound plane and trying to turn it around quickly.

Next time I'm printing my BP at the hotel, prior to check out, at least that will help.

To the OP, you are in the wrong, you prioritized your burger over making a late connection. CLT-CAE is a short flight, you could have bought food on board at the CLT flight or the CAE one.

I cannot believe the number of answers condoning missinformation by US Airways (or any other airline) and blame the passengers approach. What a bunch of ..... What are you inhaling, is it in water or is it the air? Sick sick sick.
Issue is simple - there was new time set for the departure and the airline is fully responsible for 2nd change to an earlier time about which it did not inform passengers.

Thank you! This is absolutely confusing when they are sending text messages and posting times "DELAYED" messages on the monitor. We, as customers, assumed that our plane is delayed-- until 10:35. Why in the heck didn't they just leave the time alone? There was not alot of time between our connecting flights. The fact that we "grabbed" a hamburger and practically ran with it is not the reason that the door got slammed in our face. Trust me, I wouldn't have stopped for a minute if I thought I was late but we thought we were fine. We had no idea that a pilot was in a hurry to go. By the way, there was another passenger at the customer service area very upset because she had missed her plane on the way to CAE-- except she was throwing her shoes. And to the person who said that I prioritized my burger over making a late connection--- really? Oh, yeah. I did this on purpose so I could see how close I could cut it.

Lesson learned!

I cannot believe the number of answers condoning missinformation by US Airways (or any other airline) and blame the passengers approach. What a bunch of ..... What are you inhaling, is it in water or is it the air? Sick sick sick.
Issue is simple - there was new time set for the departure and the airline is fully responsible for 2nd change to an earlier time about which it did not inform passengers.

I was one of the first posters.

I wasn't condoning anything. Like many others, I was just spelling out how things work.

Since I first posted, others have added a good point with which I agree -- that the aggregate benefit of getting back on time (when opportunity presents itself) almost certainly outweighs the costs to people who get stuck like the OP -- not that I don't sympathize with them!

Still others have pointed out a certain illogic to US's notification system: It does silly stuff, like wake you up for no reason, or give the uninitiated a false sense of security. And it sounds as though most of us agree that whatever good US thinks it is doing with these delay announcements may be dwarfed by the irritation and potential misinformation aspect. Perhaps someone from US reads this board and there will be some discussion about refining the message.

Thank you! This is absolutely confusing when they are sending text messages and posting times "DELAYED" messages on the monitor. We, as customers, assumed that our plane is delayed-- until 10:35. Why in the heck didn't they just leave the time alone? There was not alot of time between our connecting flights. The fact that we "grabbed" a hamburger and practically ran with it is not the reason that the door got slammed in our face. Trust me, I wouldn't have stopped for a minute if I thought I was late but we thought we were fine. We had no idea that a pilot was in a hurry to go. By the way, there was another passenger at the customer service area very upset because she had missed her plane on the way to CAE-- except she was throwing her shoes. And to the person who said that I prioritized my burger over making a late connection--- really? Oh, yeah. I did this on purpose so I could see how close I could cut it.

Everyone else made the flight except two people who stopped for a burger, but the airline is at fault? If 118 out of 120 or so made the flight on time, its cant be the fault of the other 2?

Everyone else made the flight except two people who stopped for a burger, but the airline is at fault? If 118 out of 120 or so made the flight on time, its cant be the fault of the other 2?

Bingo.

Just to share a few thoughts and observations about the situation and this thread.

Comparing a flight to a bus trip, dentist appoint, etc is pretty pointless because they are different animals and there are too many variables to make a valid comparison.

It is easy for those of us who travel even somewhat infrequently to know that delays are fluid. With that in mind I try to look at these situations as if I was a first time traveler. Would I know what to expect? In this case, it depends. I haven't received a delayed flight text from US any time recently so I can't remember if the message has anything about "subject to change". Has anyone had one of these messages recently and can shed some light on that?

It was pointed out earlier that it would almost be better if they didn't send the message then the OP would have gone straight to the gate. The problem with that is you have to be careful what you ask for. Due to a lot of whining about airline delays and unfriendly policies many (all?) domestic airlines now have Customer Service Plans that they are required to follow. And wouldn't you know it, US' plan says that "When unforeseen problems occur and flights are delayed, cancelled or diverted, US Airways will make every effort to notify customers in a timely and accurate manner with the best available information."

Now the airline doesn't really have a choice, they have to alert you. It appears that in the OP's situation, the best available info was that the flight was expected to depart at 1035. By the time they realized it would leave sooner, I doubt there was enough time to notify everyone again. Well, except for all the people that were on the flight. ;)

Just the other day I saw 3 people show up just minutes after the boarding door closed saying that they didn't know the gate had changed and that no announcements were made. I guess those 3 hadn't signed up for the telepathy alert that airline used to notify the other 120 passengers that were sitting (un)comfortably on the plane. :rolleyes:

A US counter employee came by, and he assited us. He called to the gate agent in order to get access to UA's computer so that he could print out the BP for us. We finally managed to get through security (priority line) and arrive at the gate by 5:00pm, just in time when they where finishing boarding.

We made the flight and arrived home.


^ ^ ^ What a fantastic level of co-operation shown by the UA gate agent and US check in agent in order to get you on the flight.

Everyone else made the flight except two people who stopped for a burger, but the airline is at fault? If 118 out of 120 or so made the flight on time, its cant be the fault of the other 2?

Let's leave out the burger stop. I'm sure people have gone directly to their gate upon landing and been too late to board. Is US at fault now?

I agree with the argument that it's reasonable for US to sacrifice getting 2 people on the plane to save 30(?) minutes for everyone else. However, an important element to that argument is that the 2 sacrificial lambs need to be compensated when they are late to the gate due to a late arrival on their previous flight and/or incorrect flight status info.

Bottom line: this is a lesson many travelers learn one time. It's not unique to US Airways, although I do think there are problems with the transmission of data that flat out should not exist in the year 2012. (Or 1995 for that matter.) Every airline board here has a "My flight got undelayed and I missed it!" thread.

My take is that if you're already in the airport, hightail it to your gate and see what's going on first. If everybody's sitting there and nobody has begun boarding, you probably have time for the nearby burger run. (Send one person to fetch food so the other can summon him/her back with a text if boarding begins.)

The more-common one we see is "The airline delayed my outbound flight by many hours, then it left ontime and I got to the airport hours too late." Those are a bit tougher...for me personally, if I get that long-delay message, I decide where I can best accept the risk. Stay where I am...maybe miss the flight if it gets undelayed. Or go to the airport and maybe end up there for a few hours...

In any case, the airlines could probably communicate the possibility of undelays a little better, and they could definitely improve their systems so that real-time status flows throughout their systems immediately. (One of the other threads on this topic suggested that Flightaware is frequently ahead of the airline websites...)

Let's leave out the burger stop. I'm sure people have gone directly to their gate upon landing and been too late to board. Is US at fault now?

I agree with the argument that it's reasonable for US to sacrifice getting 2 people on the plane to save 30(?) minutes for everyone else. However, an important element to that argument is that the 2 sacrificial lambs need to be compensated when they are late to the gate due to a late arrival on their previous flight and/or incorrect flight status info.

The reality is, they were relying on the updated delayed flight information. US Airways website states, and I have been told numerous times myself, to arrive in time for the original flight time, as the delayed information can change for various reasons. They should have been at the gate and ready to board at the original flight time, rather than relying on the delayed info which can change.

Those computer monitors are just for informational purposes only. You need to be at the gate on time and ready to board. The airport takes care of the monitors, not the airlines. So if something goes wrong go wine to the airport and get some cheese from them.

Those computer monitors are just for informational purposes only. You need to be at the gate on time and ready to board. The airport takes care of the monitors, not the airlines. So if something goes wrong go wine to the airport and get some cheese from them.

Where does the monitors get thier information? From the airport or the airlines?

Remember that departure time and when they shut the door are two different things. Never arrive at a gate less than 25-30 minutes before departure to ensure you get on before that door closes.

Remember that departure time and when they shut the door are two different things. Never arrive at a gate less than 25-30 minutes before departure to ensure you get on before that door closes.

I think people need to reread some of the posting...

What do you do if your inbound flight is late, and you arrive at your connecting gate and the door is closed, what should you do than?

I think people need to reread some of the posting...

What do you do if your inbound flight is late, and you arrive at your connecting gate and the door is closed, what should you do than?

Get another burger. :D

So many red herrings in this thread, like the burger and making other passengers wait.

There's only one issue here: Can you rely the new time posted on a monitor or sent to you by text? The answer? No.

OP didn't know it. Most laypeople are surprised to learn the rule. A thread like this is good to get the word out.

Other than that, what's left to say? Criticizing the OP for having a burger seems bizarre.

So many red herrings in this thread, like the burger and making other passengers wait.

There's only one issue here: Can you rely the new time posted on a monitor or sent to you by text? The answer? No.

OP didn't know it. Most laypeople are surprised to learn the rule. A thread like this is good to get the word out.

Other than that, what's left to say? Criticizing the OP for having a burger seems bizarre.

I think it also depends on the type of burger. ;)
McDonalds premade quick burger is OK. :)
Restaurant made-to-order slow burger is not OK. :(
Bottom line - go to the gate for the original departure time. ^

There's only one issue here: Can you rely the new time posted on a monitor or sent to you by text? The answer? No.

OP didn't know it. Most laypeople are surprised to learn the rule. A thread like this is good to get the word out.



This.

I don't have a lot of sympathy for the experienced traveler who relies on monitors, text updates and such to tell him/her when he/she needs to be at the gate. This information is so fluid, and changes so drastically, that they really ought to call it a "guess" rather than an actual "status." It happens on all airlines, at least in the States. Heck, I've even seen UA announce that the part needed to fix the MX issue wouldn't even arrive for 45 minutes, then board 5 minutes later, load up the standby's into any empty seat, then take off, leaving behind who-knows-how-many people to fend for themselves as the whole East Coast shut down for an ice storm. Those left-behind people weren't going to be going home for days, and as some of them were shuffled around due to WX cancellations, UA wasn't going to pay a dime to put them up. I'm not saying this to make UA into the bad guy (or the "worse than US guy"). Just saying, even if it's counter-intuitive, and even if people suffer real, actual damages, that's how the industry works.

The casual traveler, though, who doesn't read every word of the CoC before buying the ticket and doesn't realize that those monitors are often managed by the airport and not the airline, I do have a lot of sympathy for. They're just making decisions based on the most recent information they have.

The casual traveler, though, who doesn't read every word of the CoC before buying the ticket and doesn't realize that those monitors are often managed by the airport and not the airline, I do have a lot of sympathy for. They're just making decisions based on the most recent information they have.

The OP redeemed 75,000 miles for two tickets. It's hard to believe that someone has earned that many by flying miles (or knows the system well enough to get those mile without flying) is just a casual traveler.

The OP redeemed 75,000 miles for two tickets. It's hard to believe that someone has earned that many by flying miles (or knows the system well enough to get those mile without flying) is just a casual traveler.

Not making any statement one way or the other regarding the original post. Just sayin' that your average two-trips-a-year guy is going to be really ticked off when his phone gets a message saying he's got more than enough time to get a burger, then turns up to find the plane gone.

Personally I think if any of the airlines were to be more aggressive about teaching the general public about all of these potential trouble spots, they'd be hated at first (because really do you want to go on record as the first airline to explain in detail how you can't trust the information they give you, or how IDB's work?) but loved in the long run (for helping people plan their own way out of problems before they happen). It's really not easy for the casual traveler, at all.

Gosh, when i posted here I didn't think I would get this kind of response. Ya'll are kinda rough. LOL! You are right, it has nothing to do with the hamburger that so many people are so fixated on! As I wrote in the original post, I am not a seasoned traveler, which meant to me that I don't fly several times a month like many folks who fly for business, etc. I am not used to all the crazy rules like "the time on the board or the time texted to you may not be the right time". I have been flying for years though and I will not let this experience keep me from flying and enjoying travel. Yes, a new lesson learned. I will go to the gate first. Life is good and I am ready to book another trip:)

Where does the monitors get thier information? From the airport or the airlines?

It varries by city. In PHL, the airlines transmit the data to the city and the city relays it to the monitors but that is not an automated process.

Bottom line, never trust any monitor or message. Look online as a guide, but always go to the gate asap and make local inquiry.

It varries by city. In PHL, the airlines transmit the data to the city and the city relays it to the monitors but that is not an automated process.

Bottom line, never trust any monitor or message. Look online as a guide, but always go to the gate asap and make local inquiry.

So when the monitor says, your flight leaves from gate B14, you shouldn't trust this, since the airlines are the ones providing this info. So just go to customer service desk and ask the agent... So why are there monitors then if the data provided by the airline is not reliable?

So when the monitor says, your flight leaves from gate B14, you shouldn't trust this, since the airlines are the ones providing this info. So just go to customer service desk and ask the agent... So why are there monitors then if the data provided by the airline is not reliable?
It's just like managing people. Trust but verify. ;)

That solution will not work.

Yes, it will. Fly United. Most of their flights are late or cancelled now.:D

Isn't the real worry with this situation the fact that the OP's bags made the flight? In Europe, and I would have thought the same is true of the USA, if a passenger is a no show then their bags have to be removed. This seems to be a big security loophole if it is policy to carry bags for passengers that miss their flights.

New flyer here, maybe you pros can help me understand so I don't get left behind.

Why even have a board or call people if the updates are meaningless?

What happens if you get to the gate and the agent says the flight is delayed for two hours and you go to the lounge and it leaves on time?

OP, I'd be pissed.

and it shows how many things can go wrong. First and foremost, I work in the international cargo, so I have lots of familiarity with this issue. Shipments get bumped, cargo does not arrive, etc. Somehow we forget that ETA/D means ESTIMATE time of arrival/departure

First thing first, if you check on most airlines website, it indicates to be at the gate at least 30 minutes prior to departure, second, if plane is loaded and there is time IT WILL DEPART EARLIER if possible. All airlines pad their schedule due to timing issues, irregularities, etc. A 7:30pm departure could still leave at 8:05pm and arrive on time. Traffic control can assign a more direct route, weather can cause delays, even arriving on time does not guarantee that a gate is ready. How many of us have arrive on time, only to sit on the tarmac for 30minutes or so until a gate is ready. In a perfect world, we all arrive on time, weather is perfect, there are no delays. But, that is not the case. You buy a ticket on an airline, and it is their responsibility to take you from A to B, however, you are the one that needs to arrive to the airport on time, check in, go through security, etc. There are many variables.
Prior 9/11, it was always customarily to arrive at least 2hrs prior to departure, during 9/11 it was 3+hrs. Nowadays with security "enhancements" priority access, etc, you might be able to arrive 30 minutes or so and make the flight. You have to be pro-active and make sure that everything is ok, sometimes we have too much information, and accomplish nothing, as in the OP case,. flight was delayed, and pilot decided to leave early.
Traveling has become somewhat of a logistical nightmare. I've always note what other flights are available in case I can take an earlier flight, or need to overnight an take other routing. In WX situation, the airline will not compensate/accomodate me, and I prepare myself. MX situation I immediately call to get myself on "plan b" flight.
If you sit around and wait for things to happen, you will be waiting a long time.
To the OP, prepare yourself, delays and snafus will occur with any airline. This is not a US issue, but rather passenger not checking at the gate. Do not count on text, calls, and monitor displays, after all, they are managed by humans and WE make mistake.

Isn't the real worry with this situation the fact that the OP's bags made the flight? In Europe, and I would have thought the same is true of the USA, if a passenger is a no show then their bags have to be removed. This seems to be a big security loophole if it is policy to carry bags for passengers that miss their flights.
I'm pretty sure positive bag matching went away for domestic US a while ago as long as it is the airline that is making the decision. In other words you cannot say "put my bag on but I'm not going" but the airline can say "your bag made it, sorry you didn't".

New flyer here, maybe you pros can help me understand so I don't get left behind.

Why even have a board or call people if the updates are meaningless?

What happens if you get to the gate and the agent says the flight is delayed for two hours and you go to the lounge and it leaves on time?

OP, I'd be pissed.
If you don't have a board or call people then they get mad that there's no board and they didn't get called. Once a flight is delayed, things can change pretty quickly and shorten or lengthen the delay. If the gate agent says the flight is delayed two hours and you go to the lounge, then you're taking a chance if you don't keep checking on the status of the flight with the gate (or at the very least with the lounge staff and have them check for you).

The airline can try to announce info about the flight but what if you didn't go to the lounge, what if you went to a quiet corner to read a book or went to the bar to get a drink, or....etc. They can try to call/text you but what if you don't have a phone? The point is that even if the airline tries to let everyone know, they don't know how many directions everyone went. By the time they update the airport monitors and you notice, it might be too late to get on board.

The issue could be resolved unexpectedly early and the crew knows that if they don't get everyone on board and leave they'll miss their takeoff slot. It could be as little as 15 or 20 minutes between 1st passenger on board and door closing. That's really not much time to update the monitors, have everyone notice, and get back to the gate. That's why the advice is never stray to far from the gate area.

Dear OP- I can promise you US Air receives the most crazy from from LAS and I bet 90% are absolute lies or memory loss due. I even wonder if could be contributing factor as to dropping LAS as hub. You may be in the 10% of truth.

Gosh, when i posted here I didn't think I would get this kind of response. Ya'll are kinda rough. LOL! You are right, it has nothing to do with the hamburger that so many people are so fixated on! As I wrote in the original post, I am not a seasoned traveler, which meant to me that I don't fly several times a month like many folks who fly for business, etc. I am not used to all the crazy rules like "the time on the board or the time texted to you may not be the right time". I have been flying for years though and I will not let this experience keep me from flying and enjoying travel. Yes, a new lesson learned. I will go to the gate first. Life is good and I am ready to book another trip:)

+1 OP for a good and civil response. "Life is good", no it's GREAT. Don't forget it or let an airline or one experience take it from you.

BTW, the best way to get justice is to speak with your wallet.

US gave you some compensation, and they won't give you more. Drop it. Is it worth your time and anger?

I appreciate your candor about stopping off for a burger. I have to believe the GA partially didn't sympathize with you when you were holding bags of food and complaining about missing the flight. Not saying it is right . . . saying it is human nature to look at things and size up the situation.

Also, I think when you entitle a thread with "compensate appropriately", you just put the wrong spin on your case. You want us to understand what you went through, but terms like "compensate appropriately" screams DYKWIA and those whiny types.

Anyway, I think you know lesson learned. Folks on the plane benefitted, they want to leave early as possible. US enabled that. They didn't enable you by not updating the boards. +1 -1, understand your frustration. Make it to the gate first, then everything else here is immaterial.

Basically, here's what happens:

Congress passed a law stating that airlines must notify passengers in a reasonable amount of time of an expected delay of 15 mins or more. In order to follow that, airlines are now required to monitor flight activity for any issues that may affect on-time performance. No more "as soon as the plane arrives we'll get you on an set you off". Now agents must announce the expected departure time, and monitors reflect that.

That can change in a heartbeat. Planes swap, arrive earlier than expected, etc. Each airline has what is called the minimum objective ground time, which is how long the station is given to turn a type of airplane before being blamed for a delay. Many times, stations will beat that time by anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. But, the airline must still post the MOGT departure time.

For example, an A320 is given 50 minutes MOGT. The flight is scheduled for a 1PM departure, but the inbound is late and has an ETA of 1235. The airline adjusts the expected departure time to 1:25. The plane blocks in at 1233. Only 100 pax get off and 100 get on. The ground crew does the quick turn dance, and it's now 1PM, and the door closes. The plane pushes at 1:05, making up nearly 20 minutes.

. . . we were told at the Vegas airport that the flight from CLT to CAE was delayed. . . . When we arrived into CLT, we checked the monitors and it still showed that it was delayed until 10:35 . . . . When we arrived at the gate at 10:14, they had shut the door and wouldn't let us on. They had decided to leave early . . . . After many phone calls and emails to USair, they say they did nothing wrong.


So, some clarification needed here. Did the LAS-CLT flight arrive on time in Charlotte? If so, after you landed, did you go straight to the gate for your connection? Or did you do other activities such as get food, bathroom, etc?


Let's be clear about the time frame you are talking about here. Your response to GNRMatt does not address the time at which your flight arrives in CLT. Correct me if I am wrong, but it appears that the only US flight you can be talking about is US 1790 dep LAS 2PM arrives CLT 9:23PM !!!

So once again, the more relevant question to ask here is at what time did US 1790 hit the gate at CLT? This sort of changes the equation here for your US 3987 flight to CAE delay or no delay.

I'm not trying to embarass anyone here, but at 6 pages long, this thread could use some "clarifying" about the timeframe and the issue you raise here as there's lots of opinions floating around here, but little relavent detail.

Once again, the OP simply made a mistake. Hopefully it is an instructive mistake & other FFers/infrequent flyers learn something about airport monitors & flight ops and the obligations of individuals to take responsibility for their travel ( and hope that the travel gods are kind to them when things do go awry ;) ).

Barry

Bottom line is US did everything right here and should have offered no compensation. We WANT them to estimate departure times of late flights. The most frustrating (and now illegal) thing for them to do is NOT give you a time. But they always hesitated in the past for just this reason. You have to know that any late departure estimate can change with little or no notice to any time after originally scheduled departure. Any other policy would be terrible. Was US supposed to make everyone on the plane wait for customers getting food in the airport that were unaware of standard policy on every airline?