Remember Sydney, Nova Scotia vs Sydney, NSW?

I wonder if he had to pay the airline for the fare difference and if he ver got the miles for the actual flight or his ticketed one?

I boarded the wrong plane in Munich, the day after the Gulf War started in 1991. I was supposed to be heading to LHR but as me and my colleague went out to the tarmac to board our plane, we got on the FRA bound plane instead. After a short spell with some irate Germans on the FRA bound plane, who complained we'd taken their seat, and a couple of security guards with automatic weapons (it was the day after the Gulf War started remember) we got on our LHR bound flight entirely embarrassed.

thought i'd share

1kintemecula

I am interested in this story. Can you provide a link to someplace on the web, other than FT, that documents this story? Thanks in advance.

It happened a while ago, and all my defective memory can conjure up was that NZ found it all very amusing, and made a minor PR piece out of it. I think the guy got a free return ticket back to the states, and may have gotten a few days in Auckland as part of the PR. Miles? Wow, good question...of course if all this happened before 1988, then no miles would be on the table. Could you imagine if this had happened to an experienced FT'er? There would be a shootout on the loading dock over the the mileage accrual, and where the miles should post!

My mother almost flew to GNV (Greenville, NC) instead of GSP (Greenville, SC) from CLT on US a few years back. Luckily they stopped her at the door!

I wonder what the NZ Immigration officer thought of this. No ticket, no passport (maybe), fine for the airline?

Would the pax have been allowed into NZ without a passport? I carry mine everyday but I think I am probably the exception (outside of this forum), not the norm.

I've been looking all over the web for a link to a newspaper clip, or some substantial documentation. But the only mentions I am finding are on bb's, where the story seems to have gotten diluted, distorted, with many posters even believing it to be an alligators in the NY sewers story. None of these references even give firm dates. Can any other FT'ers help out on this one...?

Wrong plane
 

Years ago when in college and during Spring Break, all my buddies had driven down to Key West on a Friday after classes ended. I had to work half a day on Saturday and planned to fly down and meet them.

There was an airline PBA (I believe) that flew DC 3's out of one gate at MIA. After being delayed due to weather, I kicked off my own Spring Break festivities and somehow walked onto a flight bound for Naples. Flew all the way there, then back to MIA, then onto EYW...long day, especially for my buddies who came out to the Key West airport to meet every incoming flight looking for me!

That is truly weird to hear. My mom actually DID fly to GSP instead of GNV on US. It was a dinnertime flight so she didn't make it to GNV until the next day. She was in her late 60's and never ever flew alone again.

GNV is Gainesville, Florida (Home of the University of Florida Gators).

Greenville, NC airport code is PGV.

some years ago, i was on a ord(i think)-pdx flight. when it landed in pdx and the fa came on the squak saying "welcome to portland oregon," a lok across the isle said "oregon! i am going to portland maine." she was rather up in years and quite distraught. of course, they promised to get her back across the country asap. but i fear it was not easy for her.

Back in the 80's, my brother's secretary (that's what they were called then!) bought him a ticket to Portland, ME instead of Portland, OR, out of NYC. From what he tells me, he was in full fare F, and they just rerouted him, no problem.

That full fare F must have cost a real bundle back then... @:-)

So if there is someone in your seat, it is picked up before takeoff, otherwise not.

On a more serious note, these mistakes have security implications - your checked luggage with the bomb in it is on the other flight.

I guess you'll have to forgive me, but I still don't understand your consternation with what HE said and when HE said it.

Should HE have stopped the boarding process, leaned over, whispered in your ear, "Step over here w/me please, sir."? Then in full view of EVERYONE who would surely be wondering why you were pulled aside, HE would then tell you 'privately' that you tried to board the wrong plane?

Sorry, not understanding this 'aiming' at embarrasing you.