Yes, it's policy for all the US airlines to rebook passengers on the next available flight when weather causes delays. They do not provide accommodations, except for some high-level elites.
Originally Posted by
sokolov
As for me, it cost me quite a bit of gas and 2 hours of sleep to drive to the airport in Halifax and back in vain. My friend did not have a cell phone that would make international calls and no coins for the payphones. All businesses were closed, she could not change money or by food. It took my friend quite a while to find a working WiFi, pay for it and call me through Skype or something - it took her three attempts to convey the message that she wasn't coming. At that time I was already at YHZ to pick her up.
She had to wait on EWR terminal benches for about 12 hours. When she finally arrived in Halifax she was quite dehydrated, very hungry and groggy. Not to speak of her sentiment towards United Airlines.
I think a lot of the frequent fliers here forget some infrequent fliers are severely unprepared for travel. The issues you mentioned (water, food, clothing, lodging) are always the responsibility of the traveler throughout their journey. For many, including myself, traveling without cash, plastic, clothes, and communication is unthinkable; it's like walking out the front door naked.
Originally Posted by
sokolov
I'm very surprised UA would shirk from customer service like that. As a result, I'm booking my next flights with Delta for the first time. Can't be worse - but do I have to expect the same there?
Delta would have the same outcome in the same situation. Airlines are not responsible for the weather; passengers are responsible for themselves.