Wild Weather in Europe causing problems

[Tooner]

From the BBC News:

There were 192 flights cancelled at Heathrow, 39 cancellations across Scotland, five at Southampton and two at Stansted. Cardiff also saw flights cancelled. More than 80 flights at Manchester were cancelled. Flights from Liverpool John Lennon Airport were suspended for a time.

Ouch!

 

[NM]

Now that is going to take some time to sort out!

 

[Tooner]

Now that is going to take some time to sort out!

Exactly! How long did it take to sort out the additional security shenanigans.

 

[NM]

Exactly! How long did it take to sort out the additional security shenanigans.

And imagine the baggage headaches. London is bad for baggage when flights are on time, with all those cancellations and rebookings, there is going to be a huge baggage processing problem for weeks to come!

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

And imagine the baggage headaches. London is bad for baggage when flights are on time, with all those cancellations and rebookings, there is going to be a huge baggage processing problem for weeks to come!

Although the storm affected much, much more than UK it is the last thing BA needed. They are still sorting out the baggage mess from the christmas fog. Next up on the ranks is the cabin crew strike.

 

[NM]

Although the storm affected much, much more than UK it is the last thing BA needed. They are still sorting out the baggage mess from the christmas fog. Next up on the ranks is the cabin crew strike.

Perhaps the BA unions could plan their strike action to coincide with the weather cancellations so the passegners are not further affected :mrgreen: .

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Unions supposed to give 7 days notice. I don't think weather forecasting is that accurate.

 

[simongr]

Hmm - hope this doesnt have knock on effects. My parents are flying PFO-DXB-SIn-N -SYD today

 

[jwak]

I have just returned to BCN from MAN. Flight cancelled yesterday but at 7am this morning all checkin lanes in use, all security lanes open (could even leave shoes on!). Very efficient quicker than usual. As an aside I saw 5 flights attempt landings yesterday and abort. The only one that got in was an Emirates 777.

 

[straitman]

The combination of weather and BA strike really impresses me with 2 flights through LHR & EDI early next month. :evil: :shock:

 

[Reggie]

The combination of weather and BA strike really impresses me with 2 flights through LHR & EDI early next month. :evil: :shock:

I`m sitting in CDG awaiting flight to LHR with a connection to DEN. No one knows if LHR-DEN will actually leave let alone depart on time.

BA at CDG is a nightmare with all the checkin procedures and the lack of english for customs.

 

[Reggie]

Well LHR to DEN, no problems, other than it was -15 degrees when we landed, a lot different to Tom Price last week at +45 degrees.

Problem was departing the following morning with AA to BNA via DFW. Plane was delayed nearly one hour, due to change in runway conditions. They offered $US700 for 10 pax to deboard that DIDN'T have connections plus guaranteed seat on next flight. I wish I didn't have the connection, I would have taken the near $1000 aussie dollars to wait around a couple of hours.

Anyway missed my connection, but nice lady in AA lounge at DEN had already held me a seat on next flight which had already boarded, so off one plane, sky train to next terminal and straight onto next flight.

No baggage in BNA, but turned up 6 hours later, other wise very relieved, and I have no more BA, so have avoided strike action.

Reggie

 

[NM]

I wish I didn't have the connection, I would have taken the near $1000 aussie dollars to wait around a couple of hours.

Remember that its not cash they are offering. Its a voucher for travel on AA services. And I don't think you can use the vouchers to purchase non-AA flights.

 

[Reggie]

I was wondering that whilst sitting there waiting, I seem to remember someone saying that on the board here before. However because we were part way through boarding and people were asked to get off I am fairly positive the announcement was for $700 cash (I am pretty sure the work cash was used) and there was an almighty race down the isle to take it.

I have a card from one of the guys who took the offer, I will email him and check what he received.

 

[NM]

I was wondering that whilst sitting there waiting, I seem to remember someone saying that on the board here before. However because we were part way through boarding and people were asked to get off I am fairly positive the announcement was for $700 cash (I am pretty sure the work cash was used) and there was an almighty race down the isle to take it.

I have a card from one of the guys who took the offer, I will email him and check what he received.

Normally, the airline is required to pay cash compensation for involuntary denied boarding (i.e. they oversold the flight and bumped someone off the flight involuntarily).

Voluntary denied boarding is when they ask for volunteers to be bumped from the flight. They ask for volunteers because that way they can avoid the requirement to pay in cash as the face value of the vouchers is more than their actual cost to issue.

I am not sure what the required cash compensation amount is for involuntary denied boarding for such a flight. But if they were offering $700 for volunteers, then it must have been more than that for IDB, or they would have just bumped the last x passengers to check-in and paid them out the cash.

There have been many cases where airlines have been accused of IDB a passenger and not offering them cash. They ask them to sign a form and provide a voucher. The form basically states that the passenger volunteered to be bumped and once signed, the passengers loses the right to demand cash IDB payment.

So if you are ever IDB in the USA, ensure you demand to be compensated in cash.