Originally Posted by
shortkidd
I have been able to prove to Agent that delay was not weather related by showing them the emails I receive. As long as delay/cancelation is not weather related you are entitled to have your hotel paid for.
It's actually not quite that simple. The
UA Contract of Carriage (Rule 24, Section F.1) provides for certain logging amenities when a delay is expected to exceed four hours between [or a cancelation occurs between] 10pm and 6am local time. Subject to number of conditions spelled out in the CoC.
Delays caused by Force Majure Events (events outside of UA's control) are excluded from this obligation.
From the UA CoC:
Code:
Force Majeure Event – any of the following situations:
a) Any condition beyond UA’s control including, but not limited to, meteorological or geological conditions, acts of God, riots, terrorist activities, civil commotions, embargoes, wars, hostilities, disturbances, or unsettled international conditions, either actual, anticipated, threatened or reported, or any delay, demand, circumstances, or requirement due directly or indirectly to such condition;
b) Any strike, work stoppage, slowdown, lockout, or any other labor-related dispute involving or affecting UA’s services;
c) Any governmental regulation, demand or requirement;
d) Any shortage of labor, fuel, or facilities of UA or others;
e) Damage to UA’s Aircraft or equipment caused by another party;
f) Any emergency situation requiring immediate care or protection for a person or property; or
g) Any event not reasonably foreseen, anticipated or predicted by UA.
In addition, to be eligible for amenities you have to take what UA offers and arranges for you. They do not have to reimburse you for arrangements you make on your own nor for other costs incurred due to the delay (including lost deposits at other hotels).
Deicing is clearly a meteorological condition and therefore a Force Majure Event.
Originally Posted by
shortkidd
I can only provide you what the FAA reports. I have no idea how they determine what is/isn't weather related.
Anyone know? I would imagine it has something to do with visibility and the amount of flights at the time.
I am still confused by your posting. The text you originally posted seemed to just be making clear that the ground stop was requested by UA due to their deicing operations and noting to the reader that the delay is not ATC initiated. I assume delay would be noted as a weather delay by UA. You realize that the airline is responsible for determining and recording the reason for flight delays and not the FAA, right?