Asleep at ORD & Missed Connection
#16
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NRT
Programs: MP 1P
Posts: 60
Wow, sorry to hear you slept through your connection, but thanks for sharing!
It's happened to me a few times on the trains here in Tokyo, sleeping right past my stop. Not quite the same as missing a flight, but I can empathize!
If I have time to take a nap between connections I always set an alarm (or 2) on the cell phone. Has worked well for me so far. ::knock on wood::
It's happened to me a few times on the trains here in Tokyo, sleeping right past my stop. Not quite the same as missing a flight, but I can empathize!
If I have time to take a nap between connections I always set an alarm (or 2) on the cell phone. Has worked well for me so far. ::knock on wood::
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 1,615
at ORD, the Intl arrivals lounge is part of the International First Lounge, which is usually pretty empty so I'm sure they'd be willing to help you out but forget it in the RCC, there's simply too many people there...unless you're a regular who the agents know by name and are on really good terms with them...
#19
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 67
I had the same situation some month ago in a LH-lounge in FRA. Awoke and LH flight (domestic) was gone.
Was booked on the next flight with no discussion and no extra cost.
But since then I always set the alarm if layover is longer than 2h
Was booked on the next flight with no discussion and no extra cost.
But since then I always set the alarm if layover is longer than 2h
#20
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 350
I did that once and started on a frantic dash from one concourse to another, fortunately on the way I glanced at a monitor and noticed that my connecting flight was at the gate next to the one I had just got off of.
#21
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K/Global Services, VS Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 165
About 20 years ago when I was young and foolish I took a redeye from LAS - DCA with a connection in Houston (redeye from the West Coast with a connection what was I thinking!). Fell asleep in the waiting area and probably would have been there for a good 8 hours if another passenger hadn't given me a little nudge as the plane was boarding.
#22
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: The World.
Programs: UA MP/UC - "RIP Tulip Plat"
Posts: 1,225
After arriving on a my outbound red-eye, without getting much sleep, I fell asleep at the ORD RCC. My connected flight was scheduled to leave 4 hours after I arrived at ORD. When I awoke, I checked the status of my connecting flight on the departure board, and realized that I missed the flight. There was only one later flight to my destination leaving 9 hours later. That flight was oversold.
The agent told me that it would be more expensive to change my original ticket, than to simply purchase the additional 1-way ticket. I ended up booking a OW flight to a different city, near my destination, which required an additional connection. They did note my record so that my return flight would not be canceled because I missed my final segment on the outbound.
I was totally embarassed. I've traveled for many years, and have never missed a connecting flight because I fell asleep. Has anyone had this experience before?
The agent told me that it would be more expensive to change my original ticket, than to simply purchase the additional 1-way ticket. I ended up booking a OW flight to a different city, near my destination, which required an additional connection. They did note my record so that my return flight would not be canceled because I missed my final segment on the outbound.
I was totally embarassed. I've traveled for many years, and have never missed a connecting flight because I fell asleep. Has anyone had this experience before?
It Happens...
#23
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,011
The agent was willing to put me on standby for the next flight to my destination. The problem was that the next flight was oversold and was the last flight of the day. I choose not to go with that option, since it seemed likely that I would not be accomodated on that flight and would have spent the night in ORD.
Also, were there any connecting itins available to your destination? (You didn't say where that was, but via perhaps DEN or IAD?) Or direct flights to a nearby airport? A sympathetic GA would likely have allowed for either without charging a change fee to your ticket, and without requiring a one-way ticket be purchased.
#24
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,530
Were you chatting on line or on the phone?
#25
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
Last year a coworker and I had been working on a project non-stop (quite literally) for about a week. At this point, she had been up for at least 72 hours straight, if not more.
We were flying DCA-CVG-SFO, and during the connection, she just feel asleep on the floor at the gate. I tried to wake her up at the end of boarding, and she just muttered in her sleep "You go ahead, I'll grab the next flight."
Eventually I got her onboard.
We were flying DCA-CVG-SFO, and during the connection, she just feel asleep on the floor at the gate. I tried to wake her up at the end of boarding, and she just muttered in her sleep "You go ahead, I'll grab the next flight."
Eventually I got her onboard.
#26
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: SPG Plat
Posts: 1,017
LOL Yes
Was many years ago when I was young and dumb and decided to party all night and catch an 8:00am flight out of PHX. I got to the gate and had my BP in my hand and decided to sit down with the other 100 or so folks on my flight and just wait a half hour until we boarded. Next thing I knew I opened my eyes and was the only sole at the gate, but I still had my BP in my hand (lol).
Yes, an embarrassing event followed as I had to go back to the front check in and explain how I slept 5 hours at the gate
Was many years ago when I was young and dumb and decided to party all night and catch an 8:00am flight out of PHX. I got to the gate and had my BP in my hand and decided to sit down with the other 100 or so folks on my flight and just wait a half hour until we boarded. Next thing I knew I opened my eyes and was the only sole at the gate, but I still had my BP in my hand (lol).
Yes, an embarrassing event followed as I had to go back to the front check in and explain how I slept 5 hours at the gate
#27
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Up in the Air OR Down to Earth ;)
Programs: XP AA, ◊ HGP, PL SPG, 1K UA
Posts: 1,369
Sleepless in ORD
Unfortunately (or rather I am lucky on this one), I can't fall asleep easily or anywhere a gate like area. I've secretly envied folks who can nap in airports when I couldn't do it even in lounges or most hotels. Insomnia could be a blessing, who knew!
But it does seem like a bad idea to let yourself go in ORD where agents would be only to happy to charge you than be sympathetic. If I ever snap out my insomnia, may it not happen in ORD.
But it does seem like a bad idea to let yourself go in ORD where agents would be only to happy to charge you than be sympathetic. If I ever snap out my insomnia, may it not happen in ORD.
#28
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Palo Alto, California
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz Gold, SPG
Posts: 119
LOL Yes
Was many years ago when I was young and dumb and decided to party all night and catch an 8:00am flight out of PHX. I got to the gate and had my BP in my hand and decided to sit down with the other 100 or so folks on my flight and just wait a half hour until we boarded. Next thing I knew I opened my eyes and was the only sole at the gate, but I still had my BP in my hand (lol).
Yes, an embarrassing event followed as I had to go back to the front check in and explain how I slept 5 hours at the gate
Was many years ago when I was young and dumb and decided to party all night and catch an 8:00am flight out of PHX. I got to the gate and had my BP in my hand and decided to sit down with the other 100 or so folks on my flight and just wait a half hour until we boarded. Next thing I knew I opened my eyes and was the only sole at the gate, but I still had my BP in my hand (lol).
Yes, an embarrassing event followed as I had to go back to the front check in and explain how I slept 5 hours at the gate
#29
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: PHL, EWR
Programs: UA Gold; AA; Amtrak Select Plus;HH Diamond;Hyatt Disc;Hertz PC; Total Wine Grand Reserve!
Posts: 2,398
That's so funny! I had a coworker who taught me the old "intestinal virus" trick as a way to explain being absent from a meeting or other engagement. It really does work as long as you don't use it too often!
#30
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: nada these days
Posts: 438
I am really paranoid about this -- I always set my cell phone alarm to go off four or five times to make sure I don't miss my flight (not that it's comfortable to sleep in an RCC under any circumstances). I can't believe you had to buy another ticket!