southsider2k5 Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 That was the most miserable travel experience I have ever had. We got stuck in f***ing Detroit on Sunday because of the weather in Chicago. We spent 3 hours on the tarmac trying to get a slot to take off that never came. They couldn't even tell us that we were cancelled on the plane. They made us get off of the plane, walk all of the way back from the terminal (which was all of the way on one end of the airport) and walk all of the to the ticket counter so that they could tell us we were stuck, and they had put us on the 3 pm Monday flight back to Chicago. The kicker is they wouldn't let us get our bags back. So we were stuck with only the clothes on our back and whatever carryon we had. So no change of clothes, no personal supplies, my wifes medication was in our luggage, and no where to go. All they would give us was an 800 number to call for lodging for "distressed passengers". My wife held for almost a half an hour on that line only to have a recording come on and say that "all lines are busy and please call back in half an hour" and hung up on her. The only reason we found somewhere to stay is as I was asking the head of the taxi stand which hotels in my Entertainment book were close, he said he had a connection at a couple of places and called and got us a good rate. The hotel had a shuttle which took us there and even stopped at a speedway so that we could get a couple of personal items. The next morning we got up and went back to the airport after we checked out. We went down to gate 23 where we were supposed to board. At one point I got up to go to the bathroom and looked at the board at our gate and all of the sudden it said Boston, so I asked at the counter what was going on and they said oh they moved that flight to gate 15 and delayed it an hour and half. So I got to be pissed off again, asking why the hell they couldn't make an announcement considering everyone for Chicago was still sitting there. That was the point where my wife dragged me away from the counter. We spent half an hour down there before they moved us again this time down to gate 55. So 26 hours after landing in Detroit, we actually did get off the ground finally and landed in OHare. Then we went to claim our baggage. WE waited and waited and waited and it never came through, finally after about an hour my wife went in asked the agent what happened to our bags. Well it turns out that our bags were on two flights later than ours. So they couldn't give us our bags back originally, so that there wouldn't be any problems and they still ended up f***ing up our luggage. So I yelled at the baggage attendant for a while, and finally got drug away from there again by my wife. Finally after two hours of waiting for our bags we got them and got the hell out of OHare and went home. The lesson being don't EVER, EVER fly Northwest Airlines, EVER! I understand bad weather and wasn't too upset about that because it can't be helped. But the fact that they never could tell us what was going on, kept getting short with people who asked questions, and did NOTHING to make things easier for us to cope is what pissed me off. How hard would it have been to give everyone back their bags and say bring them back to whatever flight you end up on. There were people who had babies who had nothing but a couple of diapers with them who were s*** out of luck. Instead we were just left to figure out what to do. I am so glad to be home, and just one last time :fyou Northwest Airlines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 Damnit, Mike. Just keep your ass at home from now on. Don't go on vacation ever again! It's not worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 I just flew Northwest about two weeks ago and one of the members of our family couldn't go. The bastards have all these charges to change a flight. From now on I'll stick to Southwest. You get a great deal, they are almost always on time, and if you miss your flight you just get a credit and have absolutely charge to rebook at a later date. Our flight was delayed like an hour, but they told us about it. Well my dad went up and asked and they finally told us that the plane had hit a board and there wasn't a good shot that we'd be taking off. Luckily all worked out. 2k3 its too bad you couldn't get your bags cause you could of just rented a car for a day and drove on down to Chicago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SI1020 Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 I started a thread a while back about the difficulty getting customer service on the phone. This is but another example of how customer service in general has gone to hell in this country. The thing that bothers me is that nobody seems to notice or care unless it affects them, and then only briefly. Things will never change until people start b****ing big time. By the way, when my daughter moved to California a year or so ago she also had a nighmare experience with Northwest. All the airlines are in trouble now with the current economic situation. You'd think they'd be on their best behavior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiff Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 I flew Delta last year cross-country and I had no trouble at all, except for a one-hour delay in Salt Lake City. A few times it was close in terms of getting from gate to gate in time, but the flights left mostly when they were supposed to, and always from the original gate. I highly recommend Delta. Sorry to hear about your Northwest experience though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmr31 Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 That was the most miserable travel experience I have ever had. We got stuck in f***ing Detroit on Sunday because of the weather in Chicago. We spent 3 hours on the tarmac trying to get a slot to take off that never came. They couldn't even tell us that we were cancelled on the plane. They made us get off of the plane, walk all of the way back from the terminal (which was all of the way on one end of the airport) and walk all of the to the ticket counter so that they could tell us we were stuck, and they had put us on the 3 pm Monday flight back to Chicago. The kicker is they wouldn't let us get our bags back. So we were stuck with only the clothes on our back and whatever carryon we had. So no change of clothes, no personal supplies, my wifes medication was in our luggage, and no where to go. All they would give us was an 800 number to call for lodging for "distressed passengers". My wife held for almost a half an hour on that line only to have a recording come on and say that "all lines are busy and please call back in half an hour" and hung up on her. The only reason we found somewhere to stay is as I was asking the head of the taxi stand which hotels in my Entertainment book were close, he said he had a connection at a couple of places and called and got us a good rate. The hotel had a shuttle which took us there and even stopped at a speedway so that we could get a couple of personal items. The next morning we got up and went back to the airport after we checked out. We went down to gate 23 where we were supposed to board. At one point I got up to go to the bathroom and looked at the board at our gate and all of the sudden it said Boston, so I asked at the counter what was going on and they said oh they moved that flight to gate 15 and delayed it an hour and half. So I got to be pissed off again, asking why the hell they couldn't make an announcement considering everyone for Chicago was still sitting there. That was the point where my wife dragged me away from the counter. We spent half an hour down there before they moved us again this time down to gate 55. So 26 hours after landing in Detroit, we actually did get off the ground finally and landed in OHare. Then we went to claim our baggage. WE waited and waited and waited and it never came through, finally after about an hour my wife went in asked the agent what happened to our bags. Well it turns out that our bags were on two flights later than ours. So they couldn't give us our bags back originally, so that there wouldn't be any problems and they still ended up f***ing up our luggage. So I yelled at the baggage attendant for a while, and finally got drug away from there again by my wife. Finally after two hours of waiting for our bags we got them and got the hell out of OHare and went home. The lesson being don't EVER, EVER fly Northwest Airlines, EVER! I understand bad weather and wasn't too upset about that because it can't be helped. But the fact that they never could tell us what was going on, kept getting short with people who asked questions, and did NOTHING to make things easier for us to cope is what pissed me off. How hard would it have been to give everyone back their bags and say bring them back to whatever flight you end up on. There were people who had babies who had nothing but a couple of diapers with them who were s*** out of luck. Instead we were just left to figure out what to do. I am so glad to be home, and just one last time :fyou Northwest Airlines. My parents had this same problem from Detroit to Chicago, a few years ago. Not sure what airline it was though. They had to call someome from Chicago to come pick them up in Detroit. I had problems on my flight from Houston to Paris. My final destination was Italy. A 18 hour trip turned into 26........all on 2 hours sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted July 8, 2003 Author Share Posted July 8, 2003 My parents had this same problem from Detroit to Chicago, a few years ago. Not sure what airline it was though. They had to call someome from Chicago to come pick them up in Detroit. I had problems on my flight from Houston to Paris. My final destination was Italy. A 18 hour trip turned into 26........all on 2 hours sleep. It probably was Northwest, they have a ton of gates up there, as that is one of their hubs. I know I will never fly with them again, and I am going to make sure no one I know will ever fly with them again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted July 8, 2003 Author Share Posted July 8, 2003 I flew Delta last year cross-country and I had no trouble at all, except for a one-hour delay in Salt Lake City. A few times it was close in terms of getting from gate to gate in time, but the flights left mostly when they were supposed to, and always from the original gate. I highly recommend Delta. Sorry to hear about your Northwest experience though. I have flown a ton of times and never had anything like this happen before. I have flown United, American, America West, Southwest and some others off of the top of my head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 I just flew Northwest about two weeks ago and one of the members of our family couldn't go. The bastards have all these charges to change a flight. From now on I'll stick to Southwest. You get a great deal, they are almost always on time, and if you miss your flight you just get a credit and have absolutely charge to rebook at a later date. Our flight was delayed like an hour, but they told us about it. Well my dad went up and asked and they finally told us that the plane had hit a board and there wasn't a good shot that we'd be taking off. Luckily all worked out. 2k3 its too bad you couldn't get your bags cause you could of just rented a car for a day and drove on down to Chicago. Southwest rocks! A lot of people don't like the "no seat assignment" thing, but I don't mind it at all. And the crew is always fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 The lesson being don't EVER, EVER fly Northwest Airlines, EVER! I am so glad to be home, and just one last time :fyou Northwest Airlines. Your own damn fault. You should have asked before you scheduled NW. You know people from Michigan are here and Detroit is NW's hub and all you needed to do was say "I am going to book an airline, should I take NW" and I would have told you that Flint, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo airports make a lot of their money from the fact that experienced Michigan travelers will go to any lengths to not fly NW of course once NW took off during a snow storm - boarded the plane while I was in the john - when I came back, maybe 5 minutes, my then still now ex wife was on the plane, boarded, and taking off - never got to say goodbye - which at the time I thought was rotten but looking back was way cool - I wish I could have gotten rid of her as easily as NW did that day what is it mean when you NW pilots drawing straws? designated driver. not good - but it is the one you suually hear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted July 8, 2003 Author Share Posted July 8, 2003 The lesson being don't EVER, EVER fly Northwest Airlines, EVER! I am so glad to be home, and just one last time :fyou Northwest Airlines. Your own damn fault. You should have asked before you scheduled NW. You know people from Michigan are here and Detroit is NW's hub and all you needed to do was say "I am going to book an airline, should I take NW" and I would have told you that Flint, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo airports make a lot of their money from the fact that experienced Michigan travelers will go to any lengths to not fly NW of course once NW took off during a snow storm - boarded the plane while I was in the john - when I came back, maybe 5 minutes, my then still now ex wife was on the plane, boarded, and taking off - never got to say goodbye - which at the time I thought was rotten but looking back was way cool - I wish I could have gotten rid of her as easily as NW did that day what is it mean when you NW pilots drawing straws? designated driver. not good - but it is the one you suually hear I went to Dallas for a wedding and the tickets were paid for. That is what I got stuck with. But believe me I have learned my lesson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwsox Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 I went to Dallas for a wedding and the tickets were paid for. That is what I got stuck with. But believe me I have learned my lesson. did you learn that about NW? Dallas? or weddings and marriage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted July 8, 2003 Author Share Posted July 8, 2003 I went to Dallas for a wedding and the tickets were paid for. That is what I got stuck with. But believe me I have learned my lesson. did you learn that about NW? Dallas? or weddings and marriage? I love Dallas, the wedding and marriage thing is so far so good for me at least (3 years in August) so I guess that leaves NW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sox4lifeinPA Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 come on mike, at least you got to visit the ballpark again. I fly American or Continental...that's it. PA IN 2 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (the pics will be up tonight hopefully) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearso66 Posted July 8, 2003 Share Posted July 8, 2003 I am actually heading to Dallas this friday. My g/f's parents own an ice rink in Ft. Worth. So I'm going down there. I fly ATA down there, its cheapest, and I have never had a problem. Southwest is also great, have yet to have a problem there too. The worst I ever flew was TWA, which nicely translates into The Worst Airlines. Trying to get to St. Louis twice they delayed us for hours, and never told us why. I got lucky the first time and they transferred me to American without an extra charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted July 9, 2003 Share Posted July 9, 2003 the best airlines i have flown on are southwest, ata and united........never ever take a non direct flight if going to the west coast.. specially during winter time... getting stuck in denver is no fun.......(had that happen once due to weather there and it sucked big time).........always put in your carry on, a change of clothes, any meds you need...or if your like me.. i dont do the "check in the luggage thing" anymore.. i put everything i need, nicely rolled up in my carry on and then i have all my belongings with me when i depart the plane.. no waiting on luggage or anything like that....i always pack light, if i need anything i can always get it when i get to my destination and ship it home if needed.....just a few friendly travel tips........2k sorry you had such a s***ty experience......i remember one time going to my moms in cally for xmas.. they wouldnt let us leave ohare because it was supposed to snow..... i told the girl behind the counter, get me in as close to ontario airport as you can or im gonna turn my kids loose on the terminal.... she banged a few keys on her computer got us a flight that was leaving in 20 minutes and we got to cally eariler than our original flight was supposed to...put me into john wayne airport which was about half hour from ontario (where i was going).. instead of my mom having to drive down there to get us they gave us limo service to ontairo....... effective b****ing is the key..........that and mild threats.....lol....... another tip.. check into the surrounding airports to your destination...if you get stuck, you can always ask for another airliine and another destination.......another friendly tip....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted July 9, 2003 Share Posted July 9, 2003 1st Warning sign was Dallas to Chicago via Detroit. Did you happen to see John Candy or Steve Martin along the way? That's not a pillow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hotsoxchick1 Posted July 9, 2003 Share Posted July 9, 2003 1st Warning sign was Dallas to Chicago via Detroit. Did you happen to see John Candy or Steve Martin along the way? That's not a pillow! ..although if he saw john candy i would be a bit scared... thats not detroit he would be traveling to........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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