I recently experenced a 2.5 hour delay on my flight back from LAS to DUS due to "Aircraft Maintanance" problems.
I understand that things like that happen but it sure is no fun stretching an 20 hour trip to an 22.5 hour trip.
Besides because of that I had to cancel a meeting.
Here is my question:
Before I call 1-800 we care 2 I would like to know if anybody has experienced something similar? Did CO make up for it? What did you get ?

Germanfflyer,
Unless the airline lied, I would have to agree with our local consumer advocate newswriter in saying that you cannot fault the airline because they discover a potential problem and wish to fix it before putting the aircraft back into use. Better get there alive and late than the alternative. I do wonder if an airline might lie to cover up a non-maintenance delay?

Aubie:

I can't *prove* it, but I am convinced that Continental did this once on a flight from St. Louis to Houston. They called a maintenance delay; but when the problem was "fixed," Barbara Bush got on the flight. I'm certain that the delay was for the Secret Service people to check out the plane.

Again, there is no absolute proof that my conjecture is correct, but if not, it's one heck of a coincidence...

I guess the airline can't be blamed for the SS intervention...they probably have no choice...however I think they should have called it a security delay, not a maintenance delay. There should be some sort of action taken when the airlines tell passengers that it is a maintenance delay when it is really not maintenance related.

According to the Houston news sources, the maintenance delays were caused by the mechanics negotiating for a new contract. The dispute has now been settled and the mechanics are no loooooonger working sloooow.
I would call "wecare2" and complain and ask for some "customer care" or nonrestricted upgrade certificates.

Actually, regardless, if the delay is due to something that under the airline's control (i.e. mechanical problems), then the passenger isn't owed anything if the delay is less than 2 hrs, I believe a phone call and maybe a meal voucher if it's 2-4 hrs, and if it's over 4+ hours or if you are required to spend the night in a city other than your home, then the airline must pay for the cost of a hotel room, a phone call home, your meals, etc. But usually you can get a lot more if it is the airline's fault. However, if it is due to weather (both cancellations and delays), then the passenger isn't entitled to anything at all. Though if you are an elite member with the airline or on a full fare ticket, strings can usually be pulled.

Germanfflyer: a direct flight from LAS to DUS takes 11 hours (not 20) - you probably forgot to take the 9 hours time-difference into account.

A 2 to 3 hours delay on such a long flight is not unusual (may be it happens about every 5th time to me with LH and/or UA from the West Coast to Europe).

If I am on board - the only "compensation" is (depending on my class) free drinks and may be some more peanuts. If I am not on board I wait in a international airline-lounge anyway with free drinks and some snacks.

If I paid the airline-ticket with my (Swiss or German-) Diners-Club Card - Diners compensates me for delays over 4 hours for real supplementary costs (I have to send them a receipt) like supplementary booking fees for the connecting flights, an extra taxi after arrival, phone calls, costs for change of arrangements (up to Swiss Franks 400).

Thanks for your reply but the trip started at 01:15am LAS time and ended at 09:00am+1 DUS time so that is more than 20 hours because there was a almost 10 hour layover in EWR terrible connections of CO. I sure hope they change their timetable soon.

I had a cancelled flight out of Gatwick last week to Houston.

All CO cared about were its BusinessFirst passengers. Coach passengers were merged with the later flight to Houston. The staff lied to us about sorting out our connection and told us 'you'll have to take your chances in Houston'.

It was a Friday evening and seats were spase. I got to San Francisco 4 hours late after travelling for 26 hours.

I really wonder if CO care about anyone than BusinessFirst. I'm Gold Elite and they weren't interested in me at all as I was in Coach.

That is outrageous treatment of a Gold Elite. I have found that CO's customer care people are very sympathetic to people who have been mis-treated by their system. I would definitely call to register a complaint.

In the past I have had their customer care people say "I don't care what >they< want me to tell you the rules are, I'm not treating a customer that way and I have the authority to act."

Call them. Ask for whatever you want. (Travel Voucher for future use, One-Pass miles, upgrade on a future flight you have booked already, etc.) I'd be astonished if they didn't give a Gold Elite some apology.

From their web site:

At Continental, we are very interested in your opinions, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you get in touch with us. Call 1-800-WE CARE 2 (1-800-932-2732).

Dave

I tried to call 1-800-we-care2 but icould not get through afer listenning to the waiting announcment for 45 minutes!!!!!!!!!
Since the call is not free from germany I ended up filing the complained with international reservations. She listened and put something in the computer but I do not think it will help in any way! I wonder if I will ever get an answer.