Tall Paul
Feb 20, 00, 1:57 pm
So I am one of the many that got caught in the storm back east. Many had more problems that I did, but I certainly learned some lessons that others might learn from.
I was in ALB all week with a planned return trip home (GEG) on Friday. On Wed, I heard about the big storm that was coming our direction and tried to see about getting out early. I called about an earlier fight, but nothing seemed to be open (Mistake #1 - Be aggressive about trying to get another flight. If the first person doesn't help you, then maybe another one will.)
On Thursday, it became obvious that the storm was getting worse. They were predicting between 6" - 12" of snow in the area (unfortunately, they did get that much). I tried to get another flight but they did not have anything. (Mistake #2 - I should have gone out to the airport and standby on a flight to get out of town.)
They did offer me a full-fare first class ticket leaving Newark on Friday morning. I had a chance for a ride to Newark, but at $1,000 more, I passed upon the opportunity. (Mistake #3 - I am fortunate that I could have done this without any problem from my company because I always try to save money on tickets.)
On Friday morning, it was lightly snowing and I did not get to the airport early to get out of town (See mistake #1).
My flight was delayed getting into ALB, which put the next flight in jeopardy. I checked the Web and found out that my next flight had already been canceled. (Mistake #4 - Ok, I did this one right in that I knew I would not make my next connection.)
Given that my next flight was canceled, I decided to stay in ALB and rebooked into my original hotel. (Mistake #1 and Mistake #5 - Try to get to an airport that has the most flights for your airline. I should have gone from ALB to BUF as they have more UA flights during the day while ALB has very few.)
After it was official that I would not be able to make my connection, UA reservations was "easier" to get to be flexible for changing my flights. Calling reservations on Friday at 4:00p, I was told the first flight I could get out was Sunday Night. This agreed with what I was told by the ticket agent. (See Mistake #1)
A little later, I decided to try calling again to see if I could get a better flight arrangement (see Mistake #1). I was very pleased to get a flight out Saturday morning - roundabout method, but home never the less. (Mistake #6 - If it sounds too good to be true, make sure you get a ticket locator number.)
When I showed up Saturday with the Million other people, the agent told me that I did not have a ticket! I explained that it was the PremEx desk that made the reservation, but without a locator number, they could not do anything. I did keep my cool (Mistake #7 - Getting mad at the person you want to help you) and was rewarded by the agent doing everything in his power to get me on a plane. They ended up wait listing me as A1 and I got out Saturday night (2 days later than I hoped too).
I know that people have had a lot worse, but I did learn some lessons along the way. Now I am home long enough to eat a little Bday cake (missed my party but there was still cake), wash my clothes, and head out of town Monday.
Other suggestions on what I might have done would be appreciated.
I was in ALB all week with a planned return trip home (GEG) on Friday. On Wed, I heard about the big storm that was coming our direction and tried to see about getting out early. I called about an earlier fight, but nothing seemed to be open (Mistake #1 - Be aggressive about trying to get another flight. If the first person doesn't help you, then maybe another one will.)
On Thursday, it became obvious that the storm was getting worse. They were predicting between 6" - 12" of snow in the area (unfortunately, they did get that much). I tried to get another flight but they did not have anything. (Mistake #2 - I should have gone out to the airport and standby on a flight to get out of town.)
They did offer me a full-fare first class ticket leaving Newark on Friday morning. I had a chance for a ride to Newark, but at $1,000 more, I passed upon the opportunity. (Mistake #3 - I am fortunate that I could have done this without any problem from my company because I always try to save money on tickets.)
On Friday morning, it was lightly snowing and I did not get to the airport early to get out of town (See mistake #1).
My flight was delayed getting into ALB, which put the next flight in jeopardy. I checked the Web and found out that my next flight had already been canceled. (Mistake #4 - Ok, I did this one right in that I knew I would not make my next connection.)
Given that my next flight was canceled, I decided to stay in ALB and rebooked into my original hotel. (Mistake #1 and Mistake #5 - Try to get to an airport that has the most flights for your airline. I should have gone from ALB to BUF as they have more UA flights during the day while ALB has very few.)
After it was official that I would not be able to make my connection, UA reservations was "easier" to get to be flexible for changing my flights. Calling reservations on Friday at 4:00p, I was told the first flight I could get out was Sunday Night. This agreed with what I was told by the ticket agent. (See Mistake #1)
A little later, I decided to try calling again to see if I could get a better flight arrangement (see Mistake #1). I was very pleased to get a flight out Saturday morning - roundabout method, but home never the less. (Mistake #6 - If it sounds too good to be true, make sure you get a ticket locator number.)
When I showed up Saturday with the Million other people, the agent told me that I did not have a ticket! I explained that it was the PremEx desk that made the reservation, but without a locator number, they could not do anything. I did keep my cool (Mistake #7 - Getting mad at the person you want to help you) and was rewarded by the agent doing everything in his power to get me on a plane. They ended up wait listing me as A1 and I got out Saturday night (2 days later than I hoped too).
I know that people have had a lot worse, but I did learn some lessons along the way. Now I am home long enough to eat a little Bday cake (missed my party but there was still cake), wash my clothes, and head out of town Monday.
Other suggestions on what I might have done would be appreciated.