I also traveled on the US shuttle on Tue. 11/02. Needed to go to NYC for the day for meetings. Got to BOS airport at around 1PM. The 1PM was still on the ground, they said update in one hour. Then five minutes later, they boarded all passengers who had boarding passes for the 1PM flight onto the 12PM departure (which had apparently returned to the gate). The pilot made an announcement like "welcome to...I guess what you would call the continuation of the noon flight." All pax board, it's open seating. Got an aisle something like 23d. We push back from the gate, and they advise probably one hour delay on ground. They said we could use our laptops and phones. Lots of people on cell phones at first, a few laptops. I never recall another flight where I worked on my laptop as the airplane taxied, it was kind of nice. We sit in BOS on the ground for maybe 2 hours. Then we take off. Don't get served anything, pilot announces they are going to suspend service of drinks and have flight attendants sit down. It wasn't that bumpy, they could have given us the drinks. We land in LGA, and they decide to open the front and back doors (via stairs) for deplaning. Go out the back, into a windy LGA.
Attend a meeting at the LGA Marriott, and have dinner at the bar, few drinks, etc. Then go up to the club level on floor 7, and have some free food. No questions about whether I was staying in hotel, etc. Now NYC has heavy rain, winds, wind around 22 to 35 miles per hour. They were operating on runway 13 only, airport still technically open. Called both US and DL, at some point, they both have cancelled flights to BOS after 8PM. Wait a long time for the van for the airport. Go to US Shuttle counter. Indeed, they have buses running to both BOS and DCA. How convenient, comfortable, and long that would be. I tell agents that I would not be able to get my ground transportation in BOS, because bus would arrive too late for connection with public transportation. Just could not bear to sit on a bus for 4+ hours, crowded, etc. They think for a minute, then say they will provide hotel accommodations at the Clarrion. Ok to fly the next day. I stand at the counter, while they arrange this. There is talk about some announcement being made on a BOS bound flight, which returned to the gate, that distressed pax rates were available for $69 at near by hotels. The rate was really $89. Agents trying to figure out who made wrong announcement about rate. Then a guy comes over, and he says he is the manager. He says he has seen me many times, and proceeds to tell the agent to "make sure you give him money for dinner and breakfast on that hotel voucher." The agent said he already included money for food. Then the guy says they would be willing to provide a taxi for transportation home, if I would rather take the bus. No, I say, hotel accommodations sound much nicer. They then figure the Clarrion is full, and give me the Crown Plaza. Plus $12 for dinner, and $5 for breakfast. They say Crown Plaza is best hotel at LGA. I see other people, a few of them, also getting hotel vouchers. Most people just being told to take the bus. Or being told all flights are shut down for the night. Not sure what the criteria is for getting a hotel voucher, vs. told to take the bus. Most people, though, probably didn't ask for hotels. Or maybe it is just if they see you fly the shuttle often, who knows. Anyway, I'm glad I was not on the bus, sounds like hell. Crown Plaza typical airport hotel. Go to bar, but they won't take meal vouchers for drinks. Oh well, pay with mileage credit card. Wake up early, check flights. US has cancelled the 6AM to BOS. DL showing all flights operating. Tried to order room service, but room service and the restaurant don't open until 6AM. I wished I could hang around, watch tv, and drink coffee, but instead must go to work as early as possible in BOS. Room did have coffee maker and hair dryer and iron. Take van to DL shuttle, and they honor the US student/youth ticket which actually says LGA-DCA. The ticket also said "valid us only." They take it...no problem...they add my Sky Miles number in. Also these youth tickets valid only 10AM to 2PM, but they often don't enforce that time restriction. Board 630AM flight back to BOS, get baggle with cough drop samples. Arrive basically on time in BOS, around 730AM. Take a cab to work, and complete another trip flying the northeast. It all doesn't surprise me anymore...these things happen in the BOS-NYC-DCA area quite often. I'm just glad I got a "good," agent, or is the right term an angel? It varies quite a bit whether airlines will provide hotels in weather situations.