First Leg No-Show: Urgent Advice Sought
Mar 11, 2019, 4:49 am
#91
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Very different from last time: even though I knew I'd be 12 hours late at BKK and (of course) sent many messages to She (and most of her family) explaining the situation, her phone wasn't working in Thailand and she ended up waiting faithfully at BKK for the full 12 hours. Made my heart ache so that it almost burst. This time, when I called and said what MIGHT happen, she just smiled and said, "Yeah, whatever!"
She sounds like a nice girl not to get miffed etc. Worth the effort to go'n'see her by the sound of it!
Mar 11, 2019, 4:56 am
#94
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South East, UK
Programs: BA Gold / GfL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,432
Glad that it seems to have worked out for OP. 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.
A delayed KL flight due to weather is arguably no different to a broken down HEX or an accident on the M4.
Mar 11, 2019, 5:05 am
#95
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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I would agree that clause would suggest BA should show some leniency and flexibility. Three or more years ago BA customer services staff went above and beyond to help customers facing such problems. However, this is the BA of 2019 suffering under the leadership of Alex Cruz. I'm pretty sure they will not proactively assist someone in such circumstances - they will, of course, be happy to re-price a ticket or sell a new one! Just to be clear, I'm not having a go at the staff themselves, they are simply constrained by the instructions they receive from above (and the monitoring of what they do).
Mar 11, 2019, 5:10 am
#96
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,279
Things have clearly moved on from taking the 7A down to Rutherglen.
I'm glad the OP is resolved. Looking back, actually whether s/he appreciated it or not, there were actually two backups here (EDI and NCL), maybe even 2 more if we include ABZ and INV. So the initial plan - which I still think wasn't entirely wise - nevertheless had quite a fair degree of resilience to it, even if the OP was perhaps not entirely aware of it initially. The only mistake - fortunately corrected - was the expensive single ticket to London, given the alternatives.
I'm glad the OP is resolved. Looking back, actually whether s/he appreciated it or not, there were actually two backups here (EDI and NCL), maybe even 2 more if we include ABZ and INV. So the initial plan - which I still think wasn't entirely wise - nevertheless had quite a fair degree of resilience to it, even if the OP was perhaps not entirely aware of it initially. The only mistake - fortunately corrected - was the expensive single ticket to London, given the alternatives.
Mar 11, 2019, 5:16 am
#97
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BKK
Programs: Mucci Chevalier de la Brosse a Cheveux Dore, SK *GfL, BA Gold, WY G, HH DIA, IC Plat Amb., Hertz PC
Posts: 3,699
So, time for a Happy Update (as some other posters here have surmised already) …
EDI-AMS left a bit earlier than the announced delay: push-back at 07:30 (not 07:45); good tail-winds and a seemingly reckless pilot (heh heh) helped making up time, and we were on stand at 10:00. If I had been on the earlier BA flight, I could easily have made it, as we pulled into a D gate just a few down from the BA departure area (generally D26 thru D29).
Anyway, I made an un-rushed walk to the BA lounge (where I am now), checking the info screens on the way. Many delayed flights (most all, actually) but very few more than 1 hour. On arrival at the lounge, the "Dragon" (hate that term when used of somebody nice) said, rather cheekily, "You know your flight is delayed?" I asked humbly, "How long?" The answer came with a wide-brimmed smile, "Currently estimated at 5 minutes! The inbound is on its way!"
So, no longer a problem of no-show and/or losing any tickets (and I even still have the return KLM booking)! And it's looking good for the onward to BKK. Just one more hurdle: I have an 8 hour layover in BKK, then an onward to VTE (on TG). (Glutton for punishment, methinks!) Still, in the unlikely event that I miss that, it's not a massive problem. I can just call the girlfriend (she's from Vientiane and will expect to meet me at the airport) and catch an overnight bus or train up to the Thai/Lao border, where she will meet me and get a Tuk-Tuk or Songthaew into town at the correct (i.e. Lao) price. Very different from last time: even though I knew I'd be 12 hours late at BKK and (of course) sent many messages to She (and most of her family) explaining the situation, her phone wasn't working in Thailand and she ended up waiting faithfully at BKK for the full 12 hours. Made my heart ache so that it almost burst. This time, when I called and said what MIGHT happen, she just smiled and said, "Yeah, whatever!" (Typically bloody Lao - so laid back you could model sofas on them!)
-- Henry-the-Embodiment-of-Happiness!
EDIT: And there was the call for boarding! @10:58.
EDI-AMS left a bit earlier than the announced delay: push-back at 07:30 (not 07:45); good tail-winds and a seemingly reckless pilot (heh heh) helped making up time, and we were on stand at 10:00. If I had been on the earlier BA flight, I could easily have made it, as we pulled into a D gate just a few down from the BA departure area (generally D26 thru D29).
Anyway, I made an un-rushed walk to the BA lounge (where I am now), checking the info screens on the way. Many delayed flights (most all, actually) but very few more than 1 hour. On arrival at the lounge, the "Dragon" (hate that term when used of somebody nice) said, rather cheekily, "You know your flight is delayed?" I asked humbly, "How long?" The answer came with a wide-brimmed smile, "Currently estimated at 5 minutes! The inbound is on its way!"
So, no longer a problem of no-show and/or losing any tickets (and I even still have the return KLM booking)! And it's looking good for the onward to BKK. Just one more hurdle: I have an 8 hour layover in BKK, then an onward to VTE (on TG). (Glutton for punishment, methinks!) Still, in the unlikely event that I miss that, it's not a massive problem. I can just call the girlfriend (she's from Vientiane and will expect to meet me at the airport) and catch an overnight bus or train up to the Thai/Lao border, where she will meet me and get a Tuk-Tuk or Songthaew into town at the correct (i.e. Lao) price. Very different from last time: even though I knew I'd be 12 hours late at BKK and (of course) sent many messages to She (and most of her family) explaining the situation, her phone wasn't working in Thailand and she ended up waiting faithfully at BKK for the full 12 hours. Made my heart ache so that it almost burst. This time, when I called and said what MIGHT happen, she just smiled and said, "Yeah, whatever!" (Typically bloody Lao - so laid back you could model sofas on them!)
-- Henry-the-Embodiment-of-Happiness!
EDIT: And there was the call for boarding! @10:58.
8 hours transit sounds like a bit of a bore, but considering the ordeal leading up to the start of the trip I would imagine that would be worth it!
If arriving on time, you can always pop into town for a few hours and have lunch before heading back to the airport.
I know the feeling of having that kind of distance in a relationship - not easy, but the sabai sabai nature of Thai and Lao mentality that you refer to can at least prevent some screaming over delays
Mar 11, 2019, 5:19 am
#98
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Plymouth, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,159
I have either a list of alternatives, or a general familiarity with the alternative flights so I can quickly look up the flight numbers should I be delayed or miss a flight. I've found, as long as there are seats available, the rebooking agents are very amenable to my requests when I tell them the exact flight numbers I'm looking to be put on.
Mar 11, 2019, 5:38 am
#99
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: South East, UK
Programs: BA Gold / GfL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,432
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 just want to urge caution if people think they can rely on such terms (despite the fact they should be binding on BA), unless they are willing to take BA to court (which BA knows most people wouldn't bother doing). As you say, we will never know if BA would have helped the OP, but I personally would not rely on BA to help me (even as a Gold for Life customer) in such circumstances (although I would of course ask
nicely).
Mar 11, 2019, 6:33 am
#101
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chelsea
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,227
This is when I feel rather fortunate to live in London: I can generally schedule a B2B for day one, stay at home overnight, and fly the long haul sector the next day.
Glad to hear the OP made it, and nice to see so much willing assistance offered so freely (and nary a snark comment in sight either)
Glad to hear the OP made it, and nice to see so much willing assistance offered so freely (and nary a snark comment in sight either)
Mar 11, 2019, 7:20 am
#105
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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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?