What to do - 8 hour delay to QF15 announced 5 mins after clearing customs.

[Baysider]

My partner just cleared customs to be met by an announcement that QF15 will be delayed from 10.35 to 18.30 !! Has been told she can't leave the terminal as she's cleared customs ! Also she will miss two US domestic connections, missing an important meeting Sunday night in Kansas City and the start of her conference. What are her rights re leaving the terminal and also re delayed arrival?

 

[VHOEJ]

Well that seems strange they won't make an exception........but I saw the same thing when an Emirates flight was delayed about 6 hours.

What have the airline reps said? Will they offer lounge access to thoe people stuck airside? I still think the problem is with the whole customs process - surely they would all people to go through it twice given the situation.

 

[mannej]

Having been in a similar situation previously, we had to stay airside until QF organised accommodation.

No lounge access for those not entitled to it.

The other issue it did highlight was those who had purchased duty free were having it confiscated whilst reentering the country to attend the accommodation.

If the meeting is within the 8 hours of arriving in the US, I would say timing was tight to begin with, but I guess delays are unfortunate.

 

[VHOEJ]

It would be interesting - they won't be providing accomodation, they can probably only provide food vouchers for the limited food airside.

But this situation highlights the fact that the customs/immigration have one set of rules and can never accomodate this situation. Long delays like this would happen probably a couple of times a month in a place like BNE, but they seem to not want to look at a way of accomodating this situation.

 

[docjames]

Have they given a reason for the delay?

its always difficult when already through customs. That's pretty irritating if you'd only just gone through. I guess there's a line somewhere where they know the delay but that's annoying they didn't know when you checked in / before clearing customs.

 

[Sprucegoose]

whats her status and class? all travel on one PRN?

 

[Sprucegoose]

I rang QF, its mechanical.

 

[Baysider]

whats her status and class? all travel on one PRN?

Only QF Bronze. Its all on one PRN (Qantas then two AA flights). They could re-book her onto an Alaska Airlines flight direct from LAX to Kansas City (with 3.5 hrs in LA) which would at least get her there by midnight, but refusing to even offer this, won't re-book any connections until she is airborne !! Not impressed. At least they are now letting her out, so it's another $20 parking fee later today !

 

[Sprucegoose]

Ok so she is now free to leave the airport. How did she manage this?

Keep all the receipts.

Does she get SMS updates from QF?

Its a moving target at this stage, they will be doing all possible to get her where she needs to go.

Relax and enjoy the extra time!!

 

[Baysider]

I rang QF, its mechanical.

Broken door apparently, boarding passes surrendered so must be considering a change of aircraft. What happens about the $25 paid for advance seat selection?

 

[Baysider]

Ok so she is now free to leave the airport. How did she manage this?

They have shipped out of town passengers to a hotel, and allowed others to go home. Did some sort of exercise to cancel the passport stamps.

 

[albatross710]

Could be an insurable event.I notice that the Zurich insurance doc that I have provides

For reasonable additional meal andaccommodation costs after a six hour delay, up to
A$500 per person up to a maximum of A$1,000

Keep receipts and documentation of the delay.

 

[chrisb]

Dumb Question - On what grounds can they prevent a citizen from re-entering Australia?

Surely this is a regular event.

 

[Joshua]

What happens about the $25 paid for advance seat selection?

Looking at the seat map, Y is rather empty but J is pretty much full. So they'll have to swap for another 744 - hopefully shouldn't be too disrupting in Y.

 

[jetlagger]

Oh.. The broken door syndrome strikes again.. Had a similar issue on a A320 last year out of BNE, was fixed within 40mins tho. This 8hour delay today is quite significant.. Just a few more hours to enjoy the 35 degree sunshine in BNE today.
Good luck with the anticipated ETD.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Broken door apparently, boarding passes surrendered so must be considering a change of aircraft. What happens about the $25 paid for advance seat selection?

bloody expensive door!!

you may still get preferred seating, wait and see what happens.

What were the loadings like?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Dumb Question - On what grounds can they prevent a citizen from re-entering Australia?

Surely this is a regular event.

start convulsing and get a quick trip to the city!!!

 

[Baysider]

What were the loadings like?

Full in J but light in Y according to Joshua above (post #14)

 

[JohnK]

Glad they allowed her to return landside. That is a long time to force someone to stay airside with limited facilities.

 

[chrisb]

Glad they allowed her to return landside. That is a long time to force someone to stay airside with limited facilities.

If they tried that in PER there would be a riot.