Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
How one minute can cost you $530 at Calgary International Airport
Last Friday at Calgary International Airport (right), 22-year-old Florida student Samantha Hydes learned a new lesson: Hydes arrived at 7:01 AM for her 8:00 AM flight home to Tallahassee and was unceremoniously denied. She had driven in from Banff. Guess she should have driven just a hair faster, not paused so long at stop signs, and walked faster from the car to the check-in.
Northwest Airlines does "recommend" that travelers arrive two hours in advance of international flights, but Hydes said there was no mention of the one-hour rule which left her stranded. The Northwest Airlines attendant told her the computer had "closed for booking."
According to the Calgary Sun: "She eventually booked a flight departing five hours later with Delta Airlines, Northwest's corporate cousin, shelling out $530 above the $750 round-trip fare she'd already paid. Of that sum, $150 was for a flight change fee, said Hydes."
Okay. She was late. But not very. And nobody told her there was a one-hour rule. Airports do need time to process their passengers, especially international ones, so definitely take your airlines "recommendations" seriously.
As for Northwest Airlines in this particular case? We think that's lame. We are suspicious that the gate attendant stood there typing "asdfjkl;" into the computer while the 7:00 turned to 7:01.
Check out these other stories from the airport checkpoint!
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 8)
rickahight Mar 18th 2009 11:16AM
We seem to only want rules that we agree with and apply them how we want. It is always the other guy that needs to understand and abide by rules and laws.
As in most of these cases, someone wanted special consideration. Whose to say one minute was or wasn't too late. The next person that was 2 minutes late or one that was 1 minute and 30 seconds late would feel the same way. The list of "what about me" is endless.
Airline travel is alway chaotic. Late flights, too many people, security checks, passengers always taking too much carry on baggage, angry travelers, rookie travelers, habitually mean folks and just about any irritating thing you can think of happens every day.
There are always those airline employees that have bad attitudes but for the most part are trying to get tens of thousands of passengers per day (one at a time mind you) to their destination.
I am not nor am I related to an airline employee and have traveled by air most of my career. When I am late, I am late. Just the way it is.
It seems no one wants to take responsibility any more. Life is full of frustrations. We all could stand to get over it and be accountable for our actions.
Laura Mar 18th 2009 11:16AM
How about this? I recently flew back from Seattle, our flight attendant was 30 minutes late! At the gate they said, "that law mandates 4 flight attendants per flight." None of us could board the flight, and when she finally arrived - no apologies from anyone. All that was said; "we'll fly faster to get to Chicago on time."
Maxlxii Apr 4th 2009 8:25PM
I am surprised that the traveler did not remember the one hour rule. It has been a standard for all international flights for quite a while. I have been reminded by the selling agency on everyone of my flights for a number of years. I would be willing to bet that the traveler did not read all of the documentation. By the way, it is not correct to blame traffic lights, or the long walk from the car to the terminal, etc. One knows that all those things can happen and one should leave earlier. The one excuse I would accept is a layover at Charles De Guall in Paris where they force everyone to go back through point of entry just for a "legal" plane change.
Kjell Mar 18th 2009 12:31PM
This is actually a Canada rule, not just a Northwest Airlines rule. Every international flight from a Canadian airport is subjected to the same strict 60-minute check-in rule, regardless of airline. I've flown many times between Canada and the U.S. and have encountered this same situation on every airline. I had to learn the same lesson the hard way that the person in this story did. After seeing so many passengers learn of the strictness of this rule the hard way, you would think they would make it more clear to their passengers but, then again, maybe taking advantage of passenger ignorance of this rule is one of their revenue strategies.
Kathy Mar 18th 2009 11:27AM
I believe that I would have rented a car. The airlines need to fail....I totally agree with JJ
Kathy Mar 18th 2009 11:28AM
OH oops I misread, it was an international flight....DUH BOAT?
ahmutual Mar 18th 2009 11:32AM
That's why driving is so much better! By the time you go through all the time and hassle, you could be there. Gulf Shores, AL's beautiful beaches are less that 10 hours from Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, Birmingham, etc. Why fly to a beach when you can drive?
Gordon Mar 18th 2009 1:37PM
Here's the best solution: Don't fly that airline again. They should have cut this woman some slack; however, they made a business decision. She should make her own business decision, as well.
delia Apr 3rd 2009 9:55AM
How's this for stupidity? Listen to this...
My Mom came to visit me in Massachusetts from Michigan. She flew on Northwest in Detroit going to Manchester, New Hampshire. She got there early enough for her flight. She figured she's early and there doesn't seem to be any delays. However, the flight ended up being delayed anyway for an hour and a half because Northwest Airlines "couldn't find the fllight crew"!That was the reason they gave. They didn't even aplologize either.
Sidney Schwartz Mar 18th 2009 12:07PM
Dear All,
This in 9 times out of 10 happens to children or woman, these are the facts you can check them yourselves. It is because that group is usually more vulnurable to power tripping insiginificants. It's the same at the car dealer lady's, just look at what happens there and you will see the same response at the airlines counter. S
Laurie P Mar 20th 2009 2:35PM
I had a similar problem at LAX. I was curbside 1 hour and 15 minutes before a domestic flight. I stood in line curbside for a bag check and when I got to the front of the line, the guy told me he had to go on a break. The other line outside was very long at that time so I looked inside and the line looked short. So I stood in line there but it was slow moving and cost me another 25 minutes and when I got to the counter she told me that I could not board the flight-that there is an automatic cutoff in the system that won't allow them to process your ticket after 45 minutes before the flight. I was 5 minutes over the cutoff. I even asked the manager. I had to wait for 2 more flights before I could get on another flight. I was going to a show and I ended up getting to NY 6 hours late but at least I got there without any additional fees. Now I warn all of my friends about this...
rhonda Mar 21st 2009 12:53AM
Ok I used to work for several airlines and personally I think some agents take their position way over the top I have worked with agents who should not be in a position to work with the public, nobody was put at risk here by a minute of time lets be relalistic, also clocks always vary by one or two minutes here and there how can the airline absolutely say she was one minute late?? I think the agent should be fired I would not want my company being represented by rude agents period!!! CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE KEY
Salvannah Mar 18th 2009 12:06PM
The airlines today are just crooks. Charging for bag fees and lousy food they sell. 15.00 dollars for 1st bag and 45.00 for 2nd bag on top of price we pay for fare. They are all the same just like banks raising rates on credit cards. Airlines, Bank of America and Countrywide along with others are inside crooks. Stealing from Americans. That is why America is in the situation it is in and all companies are being closed.
nadiac Mar 18th 2009 12:10PM
Same thing happened to us on US Airways. Granted we got there about 45 minutes before the flight took off but the fact was that the agents were rude about it and the agent walking through the line stating that we should have gotten there 2 hours beforehand, very contradicting as to what the desk agent was saying. Plus the flight was at 6 in the morning. We were at DFW and we would have made it, there was hardly anyone in the security line but there were two college students in front of us. Apparently they don't watch the news or read the paper or even the airline website. They overpacked and could not afford the fees. We had to stand there for 10 minutes and watch them repack and then pay the agent $100 for their luggage with the "emergency" credit card. I will never fly US Airways again. Oh, they rerouted us at no additional fee but to an airport 3 hours from our original destination. They claimed our luggage was being delivered. After three days of waiting we had to drive to the airport and there it was, in front of the US Airways desk in lost luggage.
Luusi Lu Mar 18th 2009 12:15PM
Let me just say this.... Especially at Newrk, and JFK, they need to stop it with the flight attendants who like to stroll on it like its not a busy airport. If they know there are this many flights at a certain time, then schedule this many people to work. At that, schedule this many EFFICIENT people who know what theyre doing. I hate American Airlines for this. I showed up 2 hours early for a LOCAL flight knowing thered be problems to find just that; people chicking in for 2 or 3 other flights, passengers who didnt kno how to check in on their own, workers who were (trying to) help with the self checkin machines, and mean line leaders who think they were doing a great deal of a job keeping things in order and didnt know the answers to any questions people had! I hate flying for this, and have no choice.
Jen Mar 18th 2009 12:18PM
We've all had mixed experiences flying. You deal with that many people, you are bound to encounter every personality type.
A little aside: to the people who commented on flight crew being late or "missing." If the flight attendant was late, consider that the originally scheduled attendant got in a car accident, or in the case of my friend's sister, had a major heart-related incident before take off and was pulled off the aircraft. That was her first flight of the day and she was sent to the hospital. She had three flights scheduled that day. her next flight? The one that landed in the Hudson! Amazing, i know. So the "late" attendant might have been an emergency replacement. Apologize for the delay, sure, but don't blame her.
As for "finding" a flight crew. I would bet you that the scheduled flight crew had a time issue. There are rules for how many hours a crew can fly. "flight time" starts at push back from the gate. So if the incoming crew for your Mom's flight got delayed on the tarmac somewhere and would be going over the alloted time to fly your mom's flight, they have to be replaced. The bookers have to assemble a new crew quickly to take over the flight, so they are "finding" a crew. They have plans for that, but it takes a little bit of time. Hope your Mom wasn't too late, hope it makes more sense once you know how that can happen.
Though I do wish airlines could run with well oiled, german-like precision, it is really impossible. Getting all those thousands of employees to be perfect, the equipment perfect, the weather decent, and the passengers to ALL do EXACTLY as they are supposed to -- something has got to give. Personally, I have some patience when i fly. Not much, but some. I've flown so much, I've seen it all, if it isn't the worst of them I'll survive it.
And thank so everyone who has flown those 17 flights I've been on with my littlest one by the time she was 17 months old. (including 4 x 9 hour flights over the atlantic) FYI, we are flying again on Saturday, (domestic), bring your earplugs, she's has hit the terrible two's now!!!! :)
Barry Mar 18th 2009 2:23PM
Businesses plan for difficult circumstances. Sometimes things happen personally. Very true. But too many people are complaining about the same problems ,like no crew , to be an occasional happening. How about the car accident. How come it works for the company people ,but not the customer. BTW We should not have to bring earplugs to deal with your child. An occasional boisterous moment once in a while is expected of a child. But I know of too many children in the terrible two's who do understand the parents are in charge. YOU keep your kid busy the whole time. If that means constant attention first minute of flight till last. Then so be it. You are tired. Well TS! Suck it up and show respect for the other PAYING passengers. Can't do it? Then Drive!
Jen Mar 18th 2009 3:33PM
LOL
Barry, don't get your panties in a wad. It was a joke, I can take care of my children just fine, thank you. Hence, the :) They are experienced travelers, as am I, and we have more manners than MANY of the adults we fly with, thank you.
Do I think the airlines are stellar? No. Do I think my fellow travelers make my experience pleasant either? No. But I also know how to travel and take care of myself and my brood and don't complain endlessly about every annoyance. More people should try it, makes it much easier.
I've been in a car accident before a flight and the airline was helpful with rebooking our trip with no change fees. I've also had a dead battery and called AAA and the airline wasn't as understanding but I worked with them and they worked with me. I've been late through my own disorganized fault and got what I deserved. I was angry but ultimately, my own fault. I can take responsibility for myself.
The information I shared about flight crews might help other travelers understand how the system works so, though it won't help with their delay, it may make the delay less aggravating.
Linda Mar 18th 2009 12:21PM
I had a flight on Northwest from Washington D.C. to Ca. When I got to CA at midnight Northwest had no baggage handlers working. No one from Northwest anywhere. Delta baggage handlers unloaded the flight. My luggage was lost, or so the Delta employe told me as she put the lost info in the computer for me. She actually stole my luggage I found out a year later. She found some personal info I had, like an idiot, put in my luggage. I know it was her because I have her name, address, phone # and I spoke with her. I reported her to Delta, Northwest and tried to report her to the CA. police dept. The police dept dispatcher hung up on me without even taking a report. I could get no one to do anything. This was just after a big bust at LAX. OH! and my problem was years before 911 so what's the excuse now? Point of my story! Northwest is a crap airline. Fly Northwest at your own RISK.
sunny Mar 18th 2009 12:25PM
There has to be rules.
There has to be limitations.
Whiny Gen-Xers or Soccer Moms or Prissy Princesses cannot expect to be treated differently "Just this once..." Or "Just because I did it a little wrong."
That's why we have rules, limitations, boundaries and laws.
Everyone is expected to know them and follow them.
Ignorance in NO excuse.