Yet Another Reason Not to Fly
25th August 2011
Then I realized what had happened. Some computer had shown the airline that it was going was cheaper to bump and re-route everyone on our flight than to try to re-route the people on the Chattanooga flight. That way the airline wouldn’t have to put all of them up in a hotel. That made me feel a bit better about the safety of the airline, but not so good about our chances of making it to Florida on time.
Evidently the computer had said that our flight was one where they could put the fewest people in a hotel because almost everyone could reach their destination through other flights that afternoon. There was one destination that they couldn’t reach–Panama City Beach where we were going. In all fairness the people who helped arrange a hotel for us were courteous and friendly. They gave us our tickets for the next day along with vouchers for the hotel and a few meals. I carefully checked the tickets to make sure we were all sitting together and discovered there were no seat numbers. I was told the seats would be assigned the next day.
After an uneventful (but not particularly restful) night in the hotel, we checked in our luggage and got our seat assignments. Unfortunately the person making the seat assignments decided that the best place for us to sit was in the very back–where the engine completely covers the windows and the kids can’t see out at all. Maybe I didn’t adequately explain that yes we all needed to sit together and yes the ability to see out was somewhat important–something I had put a lot of effort into earlier when selecting our flights.
We finally did make it to the beach a day late. It was a nice week spent talking with family, watching dolphins, playing in the waves, making sand castles and swimming in the pool.
August 25th, 2011 at 12:54
Try thinking of it as “High-Speed Rail in the Sky”. Does that make it seem better?
August 25th, 2011 at 13:56
Just another instance of Automation empowering the capitalists to maximize their bottom line–or in this case, minimize the negative impact on their bottom line.
Automation is great until it bites you in the ass. Then you can contemplate the old adage about being careful what you wish for.
August 26th, 2011 at 00:18
And Automation empowering socialists/communists would be better how?
Have you ever had to deal with the VA or Tricare? It’s as close as we (U.S.) come to a socialist system. It is not a far stretch from Tricare Automation to water boarding.
August 26th, 2011 at 10:06
And that is relevant to the air industry…how?
August 26th, 2011 at 17:46
@ Nagle
Socialism’s Automation’s are far less people friendly AND more expensive. Capitalism, even in its observance of the bottom line, is far more user friendly and faster.
I’m just sayin.