Holiday marred by travel snafus
What started out as an exciting day for my daughter, her family and many more, soon turned into a two-day nightmare. They had booked their flight on National from St. John’s to Sanford, Fla. for Monday, July 18 and were scheduled to leave at 5:45 p.m.
That afternoon, they got a message that the flight was delayed until 9:30 p.m. Before long, that was changed to 11:30 p.m. I dropped them at the airport that night and by the time I got back home, I got a call to pick them up as the flight wasn’t leaving until 1:30 p.m. the following day.
Day 2: They got to the airport and there was no National employee around so an agent from PAL checked them in and off they went through security. At 1:30 they were told there was a 45-minute delay because there was no gate available and then another 20-minute delay for the same reason. At this point, my daughter called the National headquarters in Texas and was told the plane was being taxied to the gate and would be leaving shortly. Of course, everyone was excited to think they would be on their was to start their holiday and fun in the sun.
Another 30-minute delay, and then another for servicing. At this point, they hadn’t even seen the plane. It never did make it to the gate. Then they were given a $10 voucher for food. As we all know, $10 doesn’t buy you much at an airport. It was close to 10 p.m. when they were told the flight would not be leaving that night. Now we had to scramble to try to find another airline at the last minute. Luckily, she managed to get four tickets on WestJet for over $2,600 one way, versus the $611 she had paid for National tickets one way. While she will ask for a refund, she cannot get back those two days they lost of their vacation. They lost two days’ rental on a house, also.
We have heard only good things about the National flight but I am here to tell you it was a two-day roller coaster ride of emotions for all the people affected by this delay. I have no idea if the flight ever left. I just hope all those folks made it to Florida and can enjoy what is left of their holiday.
I feel we have to get the word out. If anyone knows another family involved in this fiasco, please have them email me at mflaherty58@hotmail.ca This is unacceptable and we have to unite and make our voices heard. Marg Flaherty St. Philip’s
“That afternoon, they got a message that the flight was delayed until 9:30 p.m. Before long, that was changed to 11:30 p.m. I dropped them at the airport that night and by the time I got back home, I got a call to pick them up as the flight wasn’t leaving until 1:30 p.m. the following day.”