I flew Continental a few weeks ago and was sorely disappointed. My flight was significantly delayed, and I was offered an itinerary giving me an arrival 8 hours after my original arrival time.

I asked if there would be any compensation, since had I originally purchased my 'new' itinerary it would have cost me several hundred dollars less. I was told that no, there would not be, and it wasn't their fault - it was "bad weather".

I spoke to another passenger who said she had phoned the airline several hours before leaving for the airport and was informed the flight would be delayed due to "engine trouble". The plane had engine trouble in Houston, and then flew late to it's next destination, Anchorage. Continental was claiming the flight was late back to Seattle because of bad weather in Anchorage, when the Anchorage passengers reported that the weather was fine, and THEIR flight was delayed because of engine trouble in Houston.

At what point can Continental tell us there is 'bad weather' and at what point is the plane still considered delayed by mechanical troubles, at which point they would compensate the travelers whose itineraries were drastically changed? Is there anyway to find out the truth? Must we rely upon the airlines own employees... surely there is a way to check them?

Finally, Continental states that when flights are significantly altered they will send an email to the address they have on file advising travelers. I received no such message, and would have been able to catch public transport to the airport and sleep in had they kept that promise to their customers.

I would love advice on how to kindly ask them to reimburse me if this was indeed all caused by engine trouble, and not bad weather, as they seem to have erroneously stated. I know I could let it go, but I feel this is a matter of principle.

Thanks.