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10/30/2005 Archived Entry: "Airtran LIARS!!!!"

Okay lets see it is day seven after hurricane Wilma and I haven't calmed down. Read on to find out why I am still angry.

I was scheduled to fly back from Philadelphia on Tuesday October 25, 2005 to Atlanta and then from Atlanta to Palm Beach. Now Hurricane Wilma had shut down all of the airports in south Florida. The hurricane hit on Monday October 24, 2005. The news media and the airport and the county were all saying the airport was closed. End of story right, wrong. I am calling Airtran on Tuesday to find out about cancellations or rerouting. I am being told my flight is a go and that I will be landing in Palm Beach. I am mystified maybe the airport is going to open in the afternoon when I am scheduled to land. I go back and check my sources and I go to the Philadelphia airport. My sources are several county employees and some people who live near the airport. I check in at the counter instead of using the fast check in because I want an answer about what is going to happen to me to land in Palm Beach. The woman at the counter says the flight is still scheduled for normal arrival. I am skeptical but I figure if I can get to Atlanta I can work out my issues from there.The problem is Airtran is lying and they know it.

Now the saving grace for me is once again the actual crews for Airtran. I am supposed to be getting on a plane that was supposed to come in from Baltimore and then fly to Atlanta. The problem is the plane isn't coming in from Baltimore because of storm related issues in the area. So amongst the pissed off delayed passengers are the pilots and crew that were supposed to take over the plane and fly to Atlanta. Well, traffic to most New England airports is cancelled or delayed because of storm related issues in that area. The pilot and crew take over a plane that was supposed to fly to Boston and redo everything including all the FAA paperwork to change this plane to Atlanta. These people are my only heros in this.

There is a flight from Philadelphia to Ft. Lauderdale with Airtran that is at the gate next to me. It is listed as delayed. I go over and talk to the person behind the counter. He is a pilot. I am asking why are they not cancelling the flights to south Florida. The response given is because the airports could open at any moment. I ask him how long has this flight been delayed for? The response (get this) "Three days." Now I have received damage assestments on several of the south Florida airports and guess what not one of them is going to be running normal traffic this day (Tuesday). I ask him you do realize that the airports are going to remain closed and these people are going to be forced to stay here another day. He doesn't realize this. And my newsflash is obviously upsetting to others who have been waiting for three days.

Now here is the best part. Palm Beach airport is telling everyone they are closed. They are telling the airlines they will not be up and running for a while. This is also just a little over a year after Frances and Jeanne hit us. Did Airtran learn nothing?

I get on the plane to Atlanta talking to my wife on the phone who had to go through this storm alone. I am calling Airtan liars into the phone as I am boarding. The management is lying to the employees I tell my wife. It is really sad. This is not bringing a smile to the stewardess face as I get in my seat. I am however also explaining to my wife that I am grateful that I am getting to Atlanta because of this crew. A little cya is good.

I land in Atlanta and tha adventure is just starting to peak. I ask the nice lady what gate I should go to if I am scheduled to land in Palm Beach. She looks at me sadly and points me to the customer service desk in the gate area here. There is a long line of very unhappy people. Many of whom have also been lied to. I in the back of my mind am somewhat relieved because I know since I am in Atlanta I have several outs. I have family nearby which is good because all the hotel rooms are filled. I can rent a car and drive to home in a little over 8 hours if I have to. I can get Airtran to reroute me to another airport in Florida that is working, or I get another airline to do the same. The line I am in is long and people are miserable. I sympathize with them, but I am going to make sure I initiate my plan. I will give Airtan first shot because it cost nothing for me to do it and I get to vent. I have called the 800 number for them several times through out the day and dial them again knowing I am going to be on hold for a while. And I am on hold for almost 40 minutes and I am still in line at the customer service desk. A nice perky voice answers the phone. I tell her that I am in Atlanta and was supposed to be going to Palm Beach, Have you finally cancelled that flight yet? I ask with an almost sinster tone. I must be one of hundreds who have been beating on helpless phone operators who probably didn't deserve it but they are the customer reps for the company and they are the ones who have been pushing the lie all day. Her voice sounds like a tire deflating as she realizes I am one of them. One of the customers who has been going through all sorts of crap and she is going to have to try to put a band aid on it. I explain to her very simply work with me and I will be fun. I want you to get me on the next plane to Orlando. I realize my luggage is going to be stuck until Palm Beach opens and I am cool with that. But I want a seat on the next plane to Orlando. The operator is almost excited to work with me because I am not going to lose it if she can get me to Orlando. I am moving through the line. I explain to the operator I almost up to the customer service desk and that if she can get this done they can print out the ticket. Literally as soon as she is finished I get a customer service agent at the counter. I ask her have they cancelled the flight to Palm Beach finally? She just looks at me and sighs. I say I have rerouted myself to Orlando she should see the ticket in the system. She does. I tell the operator on the phone thank you and we end the call. I get my ticket and now have enough time to eat dinner and get on a flight to Orlando. I book a hotel room in Orlando which is also very booked because everyone is there from the hurricane. I still manage to get a room.

I eat dinner and head to the gate. The plane has been oversold and they need volunteers to give up their seats and get a seat on the next plane to orlando which leaves an hour later. In exchange the volunteers will get a free round trip ticket to any where Airtran flies. I am first in line to volunteer. It means I will arrive in Orlando at 12:30am Wednesday Oct 26. I call my wife let her know what is going on and that I have a hotel room with power and water for her if she can pick me up in Orlando. She is on her way before the call is over. In violation of curfew. I hope I don't need bail money but I think she has a valid reason. Actually I found out she leaves just a few minutes before curfew, good because I don't want to find out about conjugal visits.

I fly in and get home the next day. Still unhappy that Airtran spent the day lying to me.