Question: when is a direct flight not as advertised? Answer: when it's US Airways flight 904 from West Palm Beach to Chicago.
Flight 904 leaves West Palm Beach and lands in Charlotte. Flight 904 then continues to Chicago. Seems like you'd stay on the same plane - unless you wanted to deplane briefly while they serviced the plane.
What it seems and what actually happens are not the same. Upon checking in online, it shows landing at one gate in Charlotte and departing from another gate - really begs the question of a through flight and really makes the issue of specifically choosing a flight that did not require a plane change moot.
Asked the US Air people in West Palm Beach about this - no, a plane change is not required. Fine. Land in Charlotte, and it is.
So, why have 2 segments of a flight, both with the same number (as if one is the continuation of the other) when clearly they are operated as 2 distinct flights?
It turns out that the gates weren't even close to each other - C17 to B1 - and used up all the layover time just walking from one to the other.
And another thing, suppose you had put your unaccompanied child on this flight because they didn't have to change planes and you would have peace of mind in knowing this? Or suppose you or a relative needed transportation assistance to get from one plane to another (but you didn't concern yourself with requesting a wheelchair because there was no plane change - you thought) and suddenly learned that you were being dumped off your plane?
US Airways really goofed on this one, and it would be great to see them advertise what they actually deliver - so we could make alternate plans.
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Steve - I'm sorry about your experience. Maybe, if you complain, they will try to compensate you in some way... :)
Debi,
Obviously you have never dealt with this company - and that's a good thing for you. I had a signed letter from my doctor cancelling a trip for which I was scheduled and for which I held one of their non-refundable tickets. Their response - "tough." They wouldn't even waive the $150 change fee for rebooking the ticket later. :)
Steve
Steve - Ugh! You're right. I've never dealth with this company. It makes you wonder how they stay in business! :)
Debi,
We need competition in the airline industry, and US Air is often the lowest price, but have deplorable service. :)
Steve
Hi Steve, I would be furious if I had a child, or anyone that needed assistance on that plane. I would most likely be angry if I was on that plane!! I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience!
If I paid for a direct flight and had to change planes, I would be more than a little upset - especially if I wasn't comparing apples to apples on the pricing because they misrepresented the flight connections.
Mary,
I would be furious also, but it wouldn't get us anyplace. This is a very unresponsive airline. :)
Steve
Ryan,
In this case, it was the same price as one with a connection - as it turned out it was priced correctly. :)
Steve
Steve...
I like to fly non-stop, even if I have to pay more ... because I hate issues like the one you just described!
Steve- I had a terrible experience with NW Airlines and will never us them again, I will post a blog in the near future about it.
Richard,
This is looking more and more attractive; however, living in Atlanta you have more non-stop choices - way more. :)
Steve
Robert,
As an industry, the airlines perform very poorly. There are only a couple that seem to care at all about the customer. :)
Steve