Wandering Lion

Last night's (3/12) CO 39 from EWR to IAH pushed about on time, got to the end of the runway and then turned back due to an oil pressure light on the #2 engine.

Fixed after about 90 minutes in teh ballaprk area at EWR, we then took of and landed in IAH late enough for me to miss the connection. On presenting myself at 'Customer No Service' I was told, 'Oh, this is ATC related, no hotel room or meals for you.'

So now we know why kids are directing air traffic, all of the controllers are out with wrenches fixing CO's Boeings.

Nasty, cheap, DL/UA/US-like trick by CO to save $75 per inconvenienced passenger by blaming ATC for something that was clearly not ATC. BTW, the 'ATC lie' was confirmed by two levels above the agent that I spoke to - so it is pervasive.

Sad that CO now follows the others in treating customer interaction as a battele to be won rather than a chance to shine. For the want of a hotel room they have changed me from a person who says 'Things happen' into one that will work against them in the same way they work against me.

belynch

I took Mesa (UA Ex) to small claims court due to a nearly identical situation and won (they failed to show) four or five years ago.

I'd suggest you contact WE-CARE about this first however.

mike_one2many

Anything xEWR is ATC-related by default. They saw "EWR" and automatically assumed.

A polite, yet sternly worded letter is in order (rather than a phone call). A paper letter carries more weight, literally and figuratively, but copy it electronically, too.

BTW, did you try calling the elite desk or talking to the agents in PC?

Billiken

Is this worth a letter to the DOT?
(or they don't care about this type of ill treatment)

transportbiz

This has happened to me before too. And yes on CO, and yes involving EWR. Write a letter to CO (addressed to whomever you like, for anyone that wants to kick that dead horse some more) and notate that you are copying the FAA on the letter. Be sure to send a copy to the FAA, no they probably don't care, but it does get tallied eventually.

elpi

Yes,its worth and they care about it. Airlines don't like DOT involved.

eagle92

I agree...sad that you have to do that when companies play shenanigans with the rules...if they want play hard ball...fine...play hard ball back...

Benny8444

So did the OP end up getting a hotel?

sfogate

Next time ask the agents to print out the History of your flights FLIFO. This might show why your flight was delayed the first time.

All agents should know how to do this but just in case: 2__*H....._ is your flight number; 2124*H

Billiken

Will they allow the pax to have this information?

jupper

I'm wondering what tricks you'll learn us all after a couple of months in the bag department...

sfogate

I don't see why not. It's the same stuff that you can see on your PDA except the PDA only shows that latest/last entry. Our FLIFO (flight information) history shows all the entries and times posted.

CAL PHL FLYER

Maybe if you had bought the travel insurance from continental.com or I think Amex has it to you wouldnt be so upset? @:-)

CAL PHL FLYER

was that worth all the time and energy to recover a hotel room charge? you wanted to prove a point I guess? I guess to me it wouldnt be worth it..@:-)

Laughable

You bought the ticket. COs only responsibility is to get you from A to B. You're on your own because they make no guarantee you'll get there based on the scheduled time published for your purchased flights. Live with it.