[Skippy905]

On November 10th we left Buffalo for Mexico, connecting in Newark, and Houston. When we left Newark, we were 10 minutes late out of the gate, simply because no gate agent arrived until 5 minutes after the scheduled boarding time, so we were 10 minutes late to even begin boarding. We arrived 10 minutes late to Houston, and I was a bit nervous, as this was only going to give us 35 minutes to deplane, and head to the next gate. Normally enough time, but we had to cross the airport, and I was a bit nervous. When we exited the plane, I specifically asked the gate agent to call ahead to inform them that we were on our way, as we only had about 12 minutes. The gate agent told me that he was busy, but that we had enough time. I was a little surprised that the gate agent refused to help, but figured we must have enough time. So we raced across the airport and arrived at our gate 2 minutes before we were supposed to depart, only to find the plane had left already. Hmmm….enough time?!? So we again had to go and rebook our flight. At this point I was upset that no one initially helped us when requested, and that the plane could not wait for us, even though we had arrived 35 minutes before departure. Our luggage managed to make it onto the plane, but they couldn’t hold it for us.
When it came to booking, I was again dumbfounded that they couldn’t do more for us to look at other airlines to see about getting us their quicker. All they could do was put us on standby for Continental
flights to Mexico. We waited for 4 hours to see if we could get on the next flight. We did not. We were rolled over to the next flight, and again waited 4 hours to see if there was something that could be done. During this time we were not attended to very well, as they would not listen to my request to book on other airlines. Also not even once was I offered any sort of meal compensation. I had to ask for it and was given a measly $4 per person (two of us were flying). Finally, the last flight came and went, and after 9 hours of waiting in the airport, we were out of luck for the day. We again had to rebook for the next day. However, we had to track down someone to help us at customer service, as no one seemed to be around. When we finally found a person, he was very aggressive and rude towards us the entire time that he rebooked our standby tickets for the next morning. At the end of this, I had to ask if there was some sort of compensation, as we now had to stay the night. Without saying so much as “Here!” he gave us discount rates to local hotels. I found this to be insulting after waiting 9 hours to find out that we were stuck, but new that there was nothing that could be done with the rude agent at this time.
So the next morning we were at the airport to see if we would make the next flight. Thankfully we did and we arrived into Mexico 20 hours after we were originally supposed to. This really caused real difficulties with our business, having to postpone meetings, hotels, etc. to accommodate our new schedule. Eventually we dealt with everything and headed home. On my flight home, everything went OK, until we reached Newark. We were to fly at 5:00pm to Buffalo, however only 25 minutes to 5:00pm we were informed that there was a mechanical problem, and we would be delayed until 5:45pm. At 5:30pm we were told it would now be 6:15pm. I understand the issues, but must state that they could have given us better warning than 20 minutes before scheduled departure.
Finally we get on the plane, and 6:15pm came and went. I assumed it was more mechanical problems, but soon came an announcement that we were just waiting for two more passengers to arrive before departing. This made me FURIOUS. Less than a week ago, they couldn’t hold the plane until 2 minutes BEFORE departure, and yet here we were waiting a full 20 minutes beyond our time for 2 passengers.
I felt betrayed, insulted, and or course angry that an airline couldn’t extend me that same courtesy less than a week ago, causing me numerous business problems, without so much as offering me any type of compensation unless I asked (to which I was given a “slap in the face” amount of compensation). I have flown many airlines and faced many issues, but have always been dealt with by the airline. I have never seen such horrible customer service as I have with Continental. Also, to top it off, after all the passengers had to wait almost 1.5 hours to take off, you could tell that they were a little upset. It didn’t help that the stewardess was VERY rude and confrontational to 2 passengers (I’m not saying they were right, but there is a better way to deal with it), as well as being overall unfriendly to the entire aircraft. I didn’t even want to talk to her she was so rude.
So for the record, I have flown Continental Airlines 3 times, and all 3 times I have faced serious issues, that were dealt with incompetence, rudeness, and outright lack of concern for customers. I gave Continental a second chance to prove themselves as an airline, and they have failed horribly.
If you are a business person, and value your business, do not fly Continental Airlines. It will only end up costing you far more to your business in the long run. I also suggest no one flies Continental Airlines, as they do not care for their customers, and will only cause you headaches, by which they will not even acknowledge your concerns.

[Corbel]

i always give myself at least an hour if i have connecting flights. im not sticking up for continental, thats just me. and alot of times, some airlines, if its the last flight out of the day to a certain destination and the plane will be sitting there they will hold the flight for paxs..thats SOME airlines im not sure if continental does that or not. but i have always had a good experience on them, except for 1 time with 1 flight attendant that was kind of rude, but not to big of a deal

[Silent Bob]

35 minutes is usually way to close a connection for me, unless of course I know I'm flying into a small station, or one I am familiar with. I agree with you skip, they could have been more helpful in heping you make the connection, but on an international connection, you gotta stretch out that connect time. Also I'm not defending the practice, but I believe they held the plane in newark because the flight was already delayed? Just a guess.

[countrynewsman]

I can relate to Skippy's experience. A few years ago, my wife, granddaughter, and I were travelling from Ontario, CA to Kansas City with a connection in Denver. Our United flight landed in DEN on time, however, there was no gate available. We had to wait on the ground for 35 minutes before a gate opened. This left little time for our connection. As an aside, if you're familiar with the B concourse in DEN, it's about 38 miles from end to end (OK...just a little exaggeration...but it seems that way). When we got to our gate and deplaned, I ran to the gate our departing flight was leaving from and noted the plane was still there, but the jetway was pulled back. This was 5 minutes before the scheduled departure time. I was told the plane had already left. The agent and supervisor were rather rude as if I had done something wrong. The supervisor, without saying a word, gave me another three boarding passes for a flight leaving two and a half hours later. I then mentioned that I felt some compensation was in order. The supervisor said he didn't think so, but I could talk to customer service. I proceeded to customer service and told the lady what had happened. She said, rather rudely, that it was my fault for not being at my gate a half hour before departure. Wrong thing to say to me! I said, "I guess I should have left my seat on the inbound plane, opened the door, jumped out, and ran across the tarmac to the terminal, huh?" Without a word, she printed out $600.00 in vouchers. When we arrived home a week later, I wrote to United and told them of my experience. They replied with another $600.00 in vouchers. From that day forward, when friends and family ask how my flight was, I usually reply, "Awful...just awful...They were on time and friendly...NO VOUCHERS!" LOL. If you fly a lot, you're going to have some bad experiences, but for the most part, I find that I have a good trip when I allow sufficient time to connect and don't plan on arriving at my destination exactly on time. Stuff happens.

[Skippy905]

Thanks for the responses guys. I understand regarding the connections, however, I question why the airline would offer this flight package. I didn't book them all seperately, only a flight from Buffalo to Mexico, and this was the option that they gave me. To be honest, I have never had such a close connection with any other airline, but I didn't think much of it.
There is one other thing missing from above. I have not included the fact that I have flown only 3 times with Continental (and I fly a lot for business). I have yet to have a good flight experience. The first time they lost my bag for 3 WEEKS which had all my business stuff in it. The second time, I couldn't make my connection with 1 hour and 30 minutes (albeit due to high winds and small crappy airplane), again no one held the plane. Then on the return, they lost my luggage again. They got it back to the airport the next morning, but it took them 4 days to get it from the airport to me. All the while, I was calling and no one would call me back (even though the promised many times they would).
I promised myself that I would not book and flights for myself or my Sales Reps on Continental. By accident my travel agent offered this flight. After much debate, I gave them a second chance, and this is the result.

So so far I have a 100% average of crappy flights with Continental.

[airhead]

The airline I work for employs the motto (unofficially), "if the aircraft is not in the air then the aircraft is not not making money." I am given 25 whole minutes to unload 50 passengers, their bags, load 50 passengers, their bags and process the close out. The crew needs the close out done by 5 minutes before departure too so that actually is 20 minutes! If you have ever flown, you know that passengers are not fast movers when it comes to boarding and deboarding an aircraft. I don't blame them, especially the ones in wheel chairs.

This is what causes many of the delays. The CEOs think it is a great idea to squeeze everything to make a buck. I understand making a buck but is it worth the cost of delays and a bad customer service reputation?

I say that the CEOs of these companies should project a potential revenue of operating a less stress environment airline by allowing more time between flights and see how much less delays will happen.

[countrynewsman]

I agree with Airhead and Skippy. Skippy no dount got online to book a flight from one destination to the other, as I always do. The response from the airline is a flight with a connection. One would think that if the airline suggests this connection, it should be OK. Sometimes it's not. Houston is a damn good example of Continental offering very short connections. However, in Skippy's case, the plane departed late, got to the connecting point late, and Continental was responsible for whatever is needed as a result