So....
Here's a recap and an update.
SD left El Paso TX at 6:30 am Sat.
Was to land in Atlanta at 12ish and take off at 12:30is to Louisville, KY where ILs are.
Due to weather, plane was diverted to Montgomery AL, where she sat for a couple hours or more waiting to head on to L-ville.
FINALLY they went, but obviously missed connecting flight.
Her grandma talked to someone and got her guaranteed a flight at 10 pm from AL to KY.
DH talked to someone at 6ish and got her bumped up to a 7:30.
The paid for chaperon dropped her off at that flight's gate.
Another rep for Delta pulled her out of line and told her she was not on that flight
So...
all this time who is telling us the info?
SD on my cell she took
and the INTERNET
If SD had not taken the cell, we would only have the internet to tell us that she was diverted, then bumped. NO ONE from DELTA contacted any parents of unaccompanied minors ALL DAY.
My BIL and SIL paid 200 dollars extra to have a chaperon.
NO ONE from Delta told SD their name, even when she ASKED them. They simply stood at the gate and told all unaccompanied minors to come with them, then dropped them off in a room together, got them a snack and put a movie in for them to all sit and watch. There was an adult in the room, but they were not telling the kids what was going on, and....
When SD was kicked out of the line her "chaperon" dropped her off, she panicked and was desperately trying to get the person at that gate to talk to DH (he was going ballistic on the phone by this point.) The Delta rep told SD to "GET your ASS from behind my GATE." And had her sit down.
Then SD tried to get another person at the gate to talk to DH and they said they could not talk to him. DH told SD to walk up to that person and read him her name tag.
When the rep heard SD say, "Cynthia E" into the phone she suddenly asked sweet as pie, "Is that your parent honey? Do they need to talk to me?"
So DH told the rep that he was told by another rep, Jill, that SD would be on the 7:30 flight. The rep THEN put SD right on the plane because it had already boarded with all the other kids that she had been waiting with on it.
Then...
SD sat there another hour and a half, because the plane didn't have enough flight attendants to depart.
SD got into L-ville at 11:20 pm. To our knowledge the 10 o'clock flight that the rep tried to bump her back to, never left. SO SD would have been alone in Montgomery AL overnight.
I am livid. My SIL is beyond livid. And Delta today, is going to hear from DH and his brother both. DH is a former Army Major. BIL is a current Army Major. AND...everyone who worked for both along the way, always said DH's little brother was "meaner".
Oh- and they used to live in Colorado Springs, and SIL is a Dental Hygienist, who's former patient is one of the big reporters in Denver.
Oops.
The worst part? I know all Delta's going to do is give us all some tickets to fly with them again. And frankly, why would we?
You know, when Sept 11 happened what did they do with all the unaccompanied minors?
You would think the airlines would have figured this out by now. KIDS need to be the first customers on the next flight out. Adults, no matter how loud or persistent, must wait for the next flight. Am I wrong here?
Wow, that poor kid. I'd be
Wow, that poor kid. I'd be freaking out. I'm glad she's home. There's no excuse for how Delta treated that child.
So...
I haven't called Delta on this. I did type up the story a little, but some of my facts are sketchy because I haven't had the chance for SD to tell me the whole thing now that she's calmer.
DH is awaiting my final draft because I have a way with words (all those legal letters during the custody case, AND the letter that I sent to his HR rep that at least got them to clam up- resulting in DH calling plant manager to get my insurance claim paid.)
Anyway...you are right. Delta should never claim to offer a chaperon. Ridiculous.
"Om Tare Tutare Ture Mama Ayurpunye Jnana Putin Kuru Svaha"
~Sita Tara Mantra
wow poor thing
when i was 10 i flew by myself to see my aunt and undcle who lived in oklahoma and my mom paid for a chaperone on American Airlines. that chick was awesome. i was her only kid to chaperone and hse checked in me several time sin flight, talked to me, took me to my gates, everything. i would call delta coporate and complain. that is no way for a child to be treated, especially when having a chaperone. at the very least, ur BIL and SIL should have their $200 refunded bc they obviously didnt do their job. glad shes safe.
"Given the right reasons and the right two people, marriage is a wonderful way of experiencing your life."
~the late great George Carlin
Delta was on the news this morning
I seems there have been alot of problems with dropped flights so you're lucky.
They interviewed one family who's flight was posponed 6 times yesterday. Then they finally got on a plain and got seated ready to depart, only to be told their flight had been canceled. That was in Atlanta.
~Don't fear the thorns among the Roses, but be greatful for the Roses among the thorns~
That sounds about right
The airlines always seem to drop the ball. BTW, how did she originate in El Paso? That is where I live!
Glad everything is said and done and she is safe. You would think that the airlines would be a little more compassionate about kids. I don't think I could ever let my kids fly alone. I would have to stow myself away in the luggae or something
"I didn't lose my mind, I sold it on ebay."
You're so not wrong.
That's just nothing but irresponsibility on the part of the airline. My skids are coming out on USAirways next month. I got them a non-stop flight between Charlotte and Dallas, so hopefully they'll do fine. They are 15 and 13, so because the oldest is over 14, they are not considered "unaccompanied minors," but are on adult tickets. I will tell BM to make sure SD takes her cell. I hate the thought of that happening and not being able to communicate with her. I'm glad your SD made it home okay! Is she freaked out or is she just happy to be home?
♥ ANNE 8102 ♥
Glad to hear she finally
made it home. I hope she is not mentally scarred for life with this experience! Poor thing was probably scared to death....
Exactly the nightmare
My DH and I go through every year when BM wants visitation. We are forced to send them unaccompanied to BM to another country!!!! It is either that or the Judge says DH can accompany them all the way around the world and with his job there is no way. Not to mention we can afford thousands of dollars so BM can get her visitation. If you go to this country you are required to stay four days before being able to return. Then on top of that BM does everything she can to sabotage the children's trip. Like I said one year her stupidity landed the children overnight with their unexperienced 18 year old brother who couldn't handle them. It was unbelievable! Last year it was waiting until the last minute to get the passports. Thank God they didn't have to go this year. I am already starting to worry about next year. This airline situation is getting worse.
"GO BACK TO YOUR BRIDGE YOU EVIL TROLL. YOU HAVE NO POWERS HERE"
good thing she is home now,
good thing she is home now, but her fear is understandable i would be the same if i was that age and all my sympathy to delta after they hear from ur H and BIL. let them have it....
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