[MassClyde]

History - We scheduled a flight back in January for a flight on Continental to take us on an April cruise. I suggested that we get there a day early, but the boss said that it was April, not January, so we don't have to worry about snow. We were to go from Boston - Newark, then onto Fort Lauderdale.

A friend told me that EWR (Newark) was always late and that we could have issues. After looking at Flightstat.com for a couple of months (driving myself insane), I saw that the Continental flights out of EWR were often late, but that they would still get to FLL in enough time for us to make the ship.

The day of flight - I checked the flightstat.com the night before and saw that they were going to be 20 minutes late out of EWR (still ok).
I checked the next morning at 0530 and saw that the EWR - FLL flight was still 20 minutes late, no problem...
Then checked that the BOS - EWR flight, it was delayed by 1:45 due to Mandatory Crew Rest. I called Continental and asked if they could find another flight for us. None available that would get us onto the ship on time. The customer service guy was nice but could not help.

While I was on hold for the first 30 minutes, I saw that Jet Blue had 5 openings, then 3 openings a few minutes later. Screw it, I booked it... The guy got back on and he said that he could get us to FLL at 6 pm... DUDE, THE SHIP LEAVES AT 5!... I told him that I needed to book with another airline due to their issues.

He then told me that me return flight would be cancelled. WHOA, I paid for the flight! WHAT!?... Give me a supervisor right away. Thankfully, the super bent the ridiculous rules and "checked" me in for the first flight that they had issues with and we woud be OK for the return, which we were.

We caught the Jetblue flight and made the ship. We had a great cruise...

Today - I called today to see if anything could be done. Even a "Sorry, our crews were overworked and screwed up your plans".. What I got was a surly customer service rep, who thought he should be a lawyer, spouting their procedures rather than servicing customers. I asked him what he would have done, I got a redirect, of how he can't comment on what he would have done, but only on the policies of Continental. He then said, "is there anything else I can help you with today." I said, "so there's nothing you can do for me?" Him, "you were the one that was unable to travel with us. We went to Fort Lauderdale, you were lucky that the supervisor allowed you to fly on the return trip.".. Then silence.. I said, "Are you sure that you want to pursue a career in customer service?", he diconnected..

My Lessons - Take direct flights. Get there a day early and don't fly with Continental.

[Corbel]

i dont really get this. you entered a contract as well. continental tried following their rules and procedures but you get ticked off. it sucks but its true. if you dont take the departing flight, your returning flight ticket is cancelled. im going to say that you got VERY lucky that the supervisor bent the rules for you so im not really understanding your complaint with continental. you are the one that broke the contract

[abutterfinger25]

Originally Posted by MassClyde

My Lessons - Take direct flights. Get there a day early and don't fly with Continental.

Yes. If you are taking a cruise, it is ALWAYS wise to fly out the day before regardless of which carrier you will be flying.

[MassClyde]

Originally Posted by Corbel

i dont really get this. you entered a contract as well. continental tried following their rules and procedures but you get ticked off. it sucks but its true. if you dont take the departing flight, your returning flight ticket is cancelled. im going to say that you got VERY lucky that the supervisor bent the rules for you so im not really understanding your complaint with continental. you are the one that broke the contract

..

As I said, I will get there a day early, so that this would not be an issue..

As you are an airline employee please pass onto your fellow employees, that not everyone complains, I was VERY nice (as I work in customer service also), the last guy was dismissive and arrogant, which is an issue.

The title of my thread is What a day, not Continental sucks.. the day sucked and the fact that they delayed their flight threw a wrench in my works, stuff happens I understand that. So if you're looking to defend your compatriots move onto another thread...

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by MassClyde

My Lessons - Take direct flights. Get there a day early and don't fly with Continental.

First two are right on the money. I think you are unfairly singling out Continental here. Had this issue been with any other airline the outcome would have been the same or worse. At least Continental allowed you to fly home on the return portion of your round-trip ticket. What more did you want from them? Perhaps if you were more specific about exactly what you wanted there could have been room for negotiation. You sounded pretty vague in your last contact with customer service. My advice would be to write a letter and be specific as to what you want Continental to do for you.

[Silent Bob]

I think this is one issue you shouldn't have persued, i mean you made it to fll on time to catch the cruise, which you had a great time, and you got the return. I would just let this go. Yea there was a bit of craziness beforehand, but there's no need to persue the matter any further.... unless you didn't have a return.... then i'd be P.O'd.

Otherwise relish the fun time you had.