Tsk, tsk.

It's surprising just how much misinformation abounds on interline issues among airline agents and FFers alike.

Under the circumstances outlined above, responsibility for IRROPS protection with respect to any problems on CLE-ORD falls sqaurely upon United, and only United. Why? United is the operating carrier and as such is responsible for rebooking the passengers to Istanbul should the itinerary go awry.

This responsibility does not end at Cleveland's airport BTW. If, for instance, the CLE-ORD flight should be delayed to a point where it arrives too late for TK's ORD-IST, United's agents in Chicago will be responsible for rebooking you to IST -- and again, the passengers are supposed to be rebooked through to their first point of stopover or final destination.

Now, it IS true that Turkish Airlines, as the issuing airline, can also assist you in the event of IRROPs. Indeed, separate and apart from the usual industry IRROPS practices, ANY Star Alliance carrier can assist you in rebooking -- the Star Alliance carriers (except SQ) have multilateral agreements in place that allow any Star carrier to access and take control of another member's e-tickets and to allow interline reaccomodation without the need for endorsement stamps. All that needs to take place is for the passenger to be unchecked from the disrupted flight, and the e-coupons from the old itinerary applied to a new itinerary.

Of course, poor agent training on irrops and interlining is the norm at many airlines these days, so don't be surprised to encounter agents who try to pass the buck or feed you all sorts of bunk - more often its not because they don't want to help, but because they don't know how or were misinformed at some point in the past. But polite persistence will get you on your way, especially if you know what other flight options (and especially Star carrier options) exist BEFORE seeking assistance.*

* Rule #1 of IRROPS - NEVER rely on an agent to tell you what your potential new flight options may be. Knowledge is power, after all...