Takiteasy

corporate-wage-slave

Due to the wind, which is presumably what led to the GLA-AMS cancellation, I think only about 25% of BA's services ran on time yesterday which is about as low as it gets. LHR suspended flights for a brief period. There must have been tens of thousands of misconnects. In other threads there were stories of people spending an hour in Flight Connection queues, and the wait time for the Gold line was way over what normally happens. I think there were only about a dozen cancellations, and a few services diverted to STN. So I'm guessing BA will still be moving misconnects today. I think if this had been midweek BA would have had a more intense set of pro-active cancellations to reduce pressure on the the airport, and AMS would have been in the frame for that.

Tafflyer

If, for example it was a BA flight cancelled preventing the traveller from joining the second booking, BA would almost certainly offer some help in this kind of situation. Of course, strictly speaking they do not need to, but most agents would feel morally obliged to help a passenger affected by their own IRROPs.

Henry III

So, here I am in the LHR Galleries First Lounge (first time, as it happens) drinking Pink Champagne! AMS-LHR delay was eventually 40 minutes (dep. and arr.). Even despite parking at a bus stand (and having to wait 10 minutes after the doors opened for the bus to arrive), the transit was entirely stress-free.

This has been a big learning experience, as many (more experienced) posters have said. It really is amazing how a stranger's distress can bring out the best in people, and a huge KHURP KHUN KHRAP (or KHURP CHAI DER, if you prefer Lao) to all those Flyer-Talkers who have really helped me out here.

Yeah, it's great I didn't have to put the, "Please let me board after the no-show," charm-offensive to the test. But even if I had to (and it worked), the extra £500 for the o/w GLA-LHR flight would still have kept the overall GLA/AMS + AMS/LHR/BKK price significantly cheaper than buying a straight GLA/LHR/BKK ticket. When the former sells for around £1,250 and latter is close to £2,200, it's small wonder so many folks risk these ex-EU tickets.

The last 18 hours or so have been an immense emotional roller-coaster. I was just about to hit the sack (for 4:30 am taxi to GLA) when I received the first text from KLM that my flight was cancelled. A dark mist of despair quickly descended. I was on the phone to the BA helpline immediately (but to no avail); I checked for availability on KLM from EDI, but there was none (a cancellation later was well-spotted herein). So I bought the earliest ticket I could to get to LHR (it was available on Expedia but not on BA.com). I just thought I'd keep as many options open as possible. Then I went down the local pub, had a few beers and thought, "Oh well: Que Sera, Sera!" and listened to some Bob Marley (Three Little Birds, appropriately enough).

Only when I got back home did I open up this thread (beer-based inspiration). And, how so glad I am that I did! MEE KWAN CHOK, all you good folks, even those whose suggestions I (maybe tersely) dismissed.

-- Henry-with-Hiccoughs

argonath

As an aside it is great to see FT members knowledge and experience come together to help those requiring it..a BZ to all those helping the OP, one of the main reasons I joined FT and peruse the forums (especially the BA one) ^

flylonghaul

What a great thread. So many helpful suggestions, and advice.
Glad all worked out for the OP!

JAXBA

Quote:

Originally Posted by sds1493

Wouldn't such an event be covered by the CoC:
A delayed KL flight due to weather is arguably no different to a broken down HEX or an accident on the M4.

No, the general test that BA apply as to whether an event is beyond control, is whether the event was unusual and unforseeable; a broken down train, a car accident, a delayed flight, etc., are everyday events, and are not unusual. It would take something more significant for BA to allow force majeure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gms

However, would you agree that, in general terms, if the OP had found that their positioning flight had been cancelled during a more normal operational period BA would today be much less likely to offer flexibility or the assistance that is outlined in the CoC compared to a few years back?

I don't think so. It's been 5 and a bit years since I worked for BA myself, and the CoC were very similar, if not the same then. In the 9 years I did work for them, we didn't have the flexibility you're suggesting. I wouldn't say much has changed in the application of policy at all.

UKtravelbear

But as stated in the article this was a non binding ruling so no precedent was set.

nshep

Tiger_lily

DeathSlam

Having suffered some not quite so successful rerouting attempts, I am always reminded of this clip from The Simpsons'
"It's still good"

Well done to the OP for saving his bacon from the fire on this occasion.

EDIwanderer

BingBongBoy

I a doing JFK ex DUB in a few weeks and opted to stay the night before in DUB... I am too risk averse.

A couple of people said "but what if the night stopping aircraft does not come out?" but, what if the aircraft on the turnaround goes tech... Endless possibilities which could throw a spanner in the works.

Anyways... Glad the OP is on the way.

MSPeconomist

BingBongBoy

I am not taking the last flight... I am going out at lunch time to enjoy an afternoon in Dublin before the next days flights...

Sorry, I did not say it properly... If I did an immediate turn in DUB, that aircraft could go tech, or there could be a WX cancelation or any other sort of problem... So, by choosing to night stop instead, makes it six and two threes, just minus the rushing for the immediate turn in the airport and an extra Marriott night...