If You Fly to Your Embarkation Port ...

[jhannah]

... will you choose your flights to avoid the MD-80 aircraft?

You've all probably been seeing how over 100,000 American Airlines (and other airlines) passengers have had their flights canceled over the last two days. Well over 1,000 AA flights canceled while the MD-80s were pulled for maintenance checks. Do you think by the time you go everything will be worked out and you won't have any problem? Or are you skittish about that aircraft now and will schedule your trips to avoid them?

Does this sort of thing (which could happen to any aircraft for one reason or the other) make you consider arriving at your embarkation port even earlier than normal, to allow extra wiggle room?

When we return from our Eurodam sailings, we are scheduled to fly an MD-80 from ORD to DFW. I'm not concerned, as I am confident that by then all will be back to normal.

[Boytjie]

... will you choose your flights to avoid the MD-80 aircraft?

You've all probably been seeing how over 100,000 American Airlines (and other airlines) passengers have had their flights canceled over the last two days. Well over 1,000 AA flights canceled while the MD-80s were pulled for maintenance checks. Do you think by the time you go everything will be worked out and you won't have any problem? Or are you skittish about that aircraft now and will schedule your trips to avoid them?

Does this sort of thing (which could happen to any aircraft for one reason or the other) make you consider arriving at your embarkation port even earlier than normal, to allow extra wiggle room?

When we return from our Eurodam sailings, we are scheduled to fly an MD-80 from ORD to DFW. I'm not concerned, as I am confident that by then all will be back to normal.

AA's use of MD-80 is apperently concentrated around their hubs in Dallas and Chicago.

[Roz]

Jim,

The number of planes being grounded is a reminder to all of us of the importance of travel insurance.

Roz

[Roz]

It's been difficult to find a hotel here in Nashville the last 2 days due to AA service being interrupted. These things have a ripple effects.

Roz

[sail7seas]

I'd fly the MD-80. I feel sooooo very badly for the people who have been stranded by these cancellations.

[Sprocket]

We are booked on Alaska out of Seattle 2 weeks from today. When I made the booking in Jan or Feb I read on Flyer Talk where Alaska was going to phase out the MD's. So for that reason I made sure to choose a 737, now I know that could change, but so far so good.

With a 2 week window I'm sure we would have been fine, but I believe in mimimizing any risk whenever possible. I do feel bad for all those stranded passengers though, and I hope no one misses their cruise because of it. And we always fly in a day ahead...... may have to consider 2 days after this.


Just heard on the noon news that 7 of 9 of Alaska's are in compliance, and in service.

[dakrewser]

We'll be on AA MD-80's in about 10 days on the first leg of a flight to Munich (and, a few weeks later, on another one coming back). The grounding doesn't bother me, it happens with most aircraft sooner or later (wasn't it 727's last time?) But I do think that this, coupled with the fact that planes are flying much fuller today than just a couple of years ago, means that arriving a day or two early is necessary no matter how close you live to the port. Next month, we'll fly into Vancouver a day early for our Alaska cruise even though the flight itself is just a couple of hours from San Francisco.

[bqkali]

Haven't booked my flight yet - but I'm booking based on the time I want, not the airline/aircraft or otherwise. We're planning on flying the day before, arriving about 10:30am, so we have some time built in for delays. If for some reason it looks like our flight will be cancelled, I could drive and make it there on time, but it would be very tiring!! Not so bad on the way there (you'd sure enjoy relaxing on the cruise more!), but by the time I drove home after the cruise, I'd need a second vacation!

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have flown quite a few MD-80's over the years.

But now here in Pittsburgh -- don't have to worry about any of them here.

[ybarber]

We are booked on the Westerdam out of FLL on 10/19/08 and purchased the airfare through HAL - I know that there is a split among cruisers regarding this issue, :eek: but does anyone have any experience with the airfare that HAL provides? :confused: Do they allow enough time between air plane arrival and embarkation? Do they typically get you to the port the day before? I haven't done air through a cruiseline before so have no idea what to expect - I know we won't even know what airline etc until 3-4 weeks before the cruise, but just wonder about the timing.:rolleyes:

Thanks to anyone who can help me with this.:D

[jhannah]

If you're just coming from Kentucky, I'd say that HAL won't get you to into FLL until the day of sailing. It all depends on whether or not a flight departs the airport you use in time to get into Fort Lauderdale. If, for instance, the only flight is at 2:00 in the afternoon, they'd then likely send you the day before.

This arrangement includes transfers to the port from the airport. It's almost literally a stone's throw between the two, so that won't pose much of an issue.

[ybarber]

If you're just coming from Kentucky, I'd say that HAL won't get you to into FLL until the day of sailing. It all depends on whether or not a flight departs the airport you use in time to get into Fort Lauderdale. If, for instance, the only flight is at 2:00 in the afternoon, they'd then likely send you the day before.

This arrangement includes transfers to the port from the airport. It's almost literally a stone's throw between the two, so that won't pose much of an issue.
Thanks Jim! I am hoping it comes off without a hitch. It just makes you wonder when you see the effect that one airline has on the country's airports. Remember the Comair Christmas debacle?

[RuthC]

I book flights based on the time of departure/arrival, and hope for the best in getting a more comfortable plane.

But I book my flights well in advance of the time the types of problems we're seeing would develop anyway. For my upcoming cruise the flights were booked months ago, and these problems should all be resolved by then. Who knows what new ones will arise!

This has given me pause to think about giving more lead time in getting to my port of embarkation in the future, though.

[Two if by Sea]

I'm throwing away our paid-for airline tickets and renting a one-way car to get to our port of embarkation. I just can't handle flying any more, at least not when there is a viable option.

I wish I could give the tickets to someone, but of course they are nontransferrable.

Now I'm HOPING they cancel or delay my flight, so I can get a refund!

[Atomica]

The MD-80 is the only aircraft I'm leery about. I flew one once, on Alaska: the outgoing flight was cancelled due to mechanical issues. The maintenance crew said it was 'fine' but the pilot refused to fly the plane (which I thought was very telling...). I know thousands of them fly every day without issue, and that they're as safe as any aircraft, but I still wouldn't book one.

I'm most comfortable on larger planes: I really like the 747, Airbus 330, etc. Most of our inter-Canada flights are on Airbus 320's or 737's, so I really only have to avoid the MD-80 when in the States.

[gatorbaby1]

The problems with AA and Southwest have highlighted some of the reasons I choose not to fly commercially. I enjoy getting to do my own preflight check, and look at a plane's maitinence records before I just hop on.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I had no idea what kind of plane we were flying on for Alaska Air to Seattle in 9 weeks so I took a look. It ends up it is a 737. I know that just a few days ago Alaska air grounded several flight already. But it looks like all the flights out of Las Vegas are 737s. The other thing I noticed is that the flight now cost double what I paid:eek: Wow am I ever glad I jumped in a bought it when I did. I also ended up getting a good price coming back and will be trying Virgin America for the first time.

Thankfully most of the air groundings should be cleared up in the next few weeks.

[takemewithyou]

Thankfully most of the air groundings should be cleared up in the next few weeks.
__________________


Hope so, because guess what I am flying from PHX to SEA on Alaska Air? You guessed it - MD 80's. They are supposed to have 10 MD-8-'s in their fleet and 9 were grounded yesterday for the inspections so let's hope they get all their inspections done before the Alaska tourist season gets in full swing.

[jhannah]

I'm throwing away our paid-for airline tickets ... Now I'm HOPING they cancel or delay my flight, so I can get a refund! The only way that will work is if you check in for your flight. You'd then have to get a statement from the airline that the flight was canceled or delayed in such a way that they couldn't get you to your destination somehow else. Sorry!

[Bill S]

I have no qualms about flying on an MD-80, especially if the Captain "takes" the aircraft.

I imagine that we will be flying on one to DFW in June for our connecting flight to Heathrow (aaarrrgghhh) and then on to Amsterdam for our Eurodam cruise. On the return, we will be on the same flight from ORD to DFW as Jim & Donna, so if he thinks it is ok, I will too! ;)

I sure wondered the last few days if any one has missed their cruise due to all the grounded aircraft. These no-notice groundings sure bring home the potential significance of choosing to fly to an embarkation port a day early and having travel insurance.

Flying sure is not fun anymore, but it seems to be more adventurous! :rolleyes:

[yiddishkopf]

In response to ybarber's question, we are leaving on 4-19 on a flight to Osaka to board the Statendam on 4-23 for the Osaka to Vancouver cruise. We booked our flights through HAL since we were out of mileage. When we received our documents, we had 1 hour and 10 minutes to change planes in Detroit. (We leave from Chicago.) It is a ridiculous schedule--just being a few minutes late in leaving OHare could make us miss the Osaka flight and it is not as if there is a flight to Osaka leaving every hour!

We got this changed, but we did have to pay $175 per person which I think is a ripoff, but then I didn't want the tension and worry of missing our flight. HAL blamed it on Northwest -- I blame it on inefficiency and lack of customer service.

[SakeDad]

In response to ybarber's question, we are leaving on 4-19 on a flight to Osaka to board the Statendam on 4-23 for the Osaka to Vancouver cruise. We booked our flights through HAL since we were out of mileage. When we received our documents, we had 1 hour and 10 minutes to change planes in Detroit. (We leave from Chicago.) It is a ridiculous schedule--just being a few minutes late in leaving OHare could make us miss the Osaka flight and it is not as if there is a flight to Osaka leaving every hour!

We got this changed, but we did have to pay $175 per person which I think is a ripoff, but then I didn't want the tension and worry of missing our flight. HAL blamed it on Northwest -- I blame it on inefficiency and lack of customer service.
This is just ONE of the many reasons I won't book my air with a cruiseline. First, I can ALWAYS get it for less money, second, I can ALWAYS find a better schedule, third, I can ALWAYS control any las minute changes/protections I need to make. I understand if you are not a seasoned air traveler why you would book it with the cruiseline. But anyone who has any airline booking experience shouldn't book with the cruiselines, in my opinion....of course, I should disclaim I was a TA for 8 years and travel now for a living.:cool:

[cruznon]

I've tried to avoid this aircraft for years. It has had other past problems. Would it stop me from getting to a cruise port ? No. But if I have a choice of different planes, I'll take another instead.
I really don't like flying.....:o

[jhannah]

I really don't like flying.....:o Me either, Peggy. I used to. Flying was fun and exciting once upon a time. But the experience has gone so far downhill over the last few years that it has become nothing more than a necessary evil.

[mamaofami]

Yesterday, my DH got a phone call from American Airlines advising him that his flight was canceled. He was originally scheduled to fly from NY to San Francisco (and back on Saturday) to visit a cousin who is terminal. Becuae his cousin took a turn for the worse, he went three weeks ago, but somehow the airline didn't take his name off the passenger list, even thou his flight had been changed. If he had waited till yesterday, he would have missed seeing him.

And this is why I hate flying. Passengers were stranded at Larguardia for hours and hours and I'm sure it caused a backup all over the country. When you fly, you just can't count on arrival time and really need to leave for a cruise port several days early. Only with this particular event, the schedule won't be back to normal till Saturday(at least that's what they are saying now) so many cruisers might miss their ships. THis will have been a 4 day delay at least.

[atudorquene]

I had no idea what kind of plane we were flying on for Alaska Air to Seattle in 9 weeks so I took a look. It ends up it is a 737. I know that just a few days ago Alaska air grounded several flight already. But it looks like all the flights out of Las Vegas are 737s. The other thing I noticed is that the flight now cost double what I paid:eek: Wow am I ever glad I jumped in a bought it when I did. I also ended up getting a good price coming back and will be trying Virgin America for the first time.

Thankfully most of the air groundings should be cleared up in the next few weeks.

is landing in more cities now, and that they are flying to Seattle. We are on VA for our May Cruise. I have loved Virgin Atlantic since we started flying it to the UK in the 1990s. They have always treated us well, and I feel safe flying them for two reasons. Firstly, Branson is a pilot and is customer service oriented, and I think he started a corporate mentality that cares for the planes and the passengers. Secondly, I think that people might be less likely to do something dire to 'rock and roll' airlines. Perhaps I am wrong, but that is my perception. So, we are going to try Virgin America and hope that things go as swimmingly with them as they have with Virgin Atlantic.

[Taxguy7]

Jim,

The number of planes being grounded is a reminder to all of us of the importance of travel insurance.

Roz

Our last cruise, we were delayed and got to MIA about the time they ended boarding. We had booked thru the cruise co. and a lady met us, took us to a place to wait for the bus (airconditioned) and we and another couple boarded as the lifeboat drill was in progress. Can't do that on your own! Another cruise was cancelled and we were notified it was cahnged to another date. We cancelled and got our money back (keep calling). The contract read we would not get the premium for the insurance back, but BW kept calling them, and they finally gave us a shipboard credit. I would NOT cruise without ins. although I did when I was younger.

"We get too soon old, and too late smart" old German saying

[Taxguy7]

Jim:
I like the MD80, but a tax client of mine who is a pilot on Cont. and flies
737's doesn't. Get the port side (only 2 seats).

[bepsf]

I always pay attention to what type of aircraft I'm booking a ticket on - and given a choice I'll always book a widebody rather than a single-aisle jet (such as an MD-80 Series)

[kryos]

I'd fly the MD-80. I feel sooooo very badly for the people who have been stranded by these cancellations.


I wonder how many of them have missed cruises because they couldn't get to their embarkation port?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Zippercat]

I'm throwing away our paid-for airline tickets and renting a one-way car to get to our port of embarkation. I just can't handle flying any more, at least not when there is a viable option.

I wish I could give the tickets to someone, but of course they are nontransferrable.

Now I'm HOPING they cancel or delay my flight, so I can get a refund!

They'll only do that if you show up. If you're a no show they will cancel the ticket; if it's a round trip and you don't call/appear in person they'll often also cancel the return ticket too. If you want a chance at a refund you should at least do the online check in the day before.

[Two if by Sea]

If you want a chance at a refund you should at least do the online check in the day before.

Thanks for the advice. But do you really mean to say that the airline can charge you for a flight they don't even make, just because you didn't show up for it? That's pretty outrageous. If you don't show up at the theatre for a show, and then it turns out the show didn't go on, I would assume you're entitled to your money back or at least tickets to a different show.

[dakrewser]

Thanks for the advice. But do you really mean to say that the airline can charge you for a flight they don't even make, just because you didn't show up for it? That's pretty outrageous. If you don't show up at the theatre for a show, and then it turns out the show didn't go on, I would assume you're entitled to your money back or at least tickets to a different show.

Then you would assume wrong. You weren't going to that show whether or not it actually occurred, right? So why should you benefit if it doesn't actually happen? You missed it through your own choice.

Same with the airlines, don't show up and you forfeit the flight. There are certain, limited ways to use all or part of that ticket but in almost all cases (including the theater), you need to attempt to make a change before the event occurs, not after.

[heavenly]

... will you choose your flights to avoid the MD-80 aircraft?

You've all probably been seeing how over 100,000 American Airlines (and other airlines) passengers have had their flights canceled over the last two days. Well over 1,000 AA flights canceled while the MD-80s were pulled for maintenance checks. Do you think by the time you go everything will be worked out and you won't have any problem? Or are you skittish about that aircraft now and will schedule your trips to avoid them?

Does this sort of thing (which could happen to any aircraft for one reason or the other) make you consider arriving at your embarkation port even earlier than normal, to allow extra wiggle room?

When we return from our Eurodam sailings, we are scheduled to fly an MD-80 from ORD to DFW. I'm not concerned, as I am confident that by then all will be back to normal.

AA is supposed to be back to full strength by this evening, so I wouldn't worry about the AA MD 80 situation. The thing to remember right now is the fact this has nothing to do with FAA "safety inspections" these are full out FAA audits due to the Southwest debacle a month or so back. They are quite literally going to a airline and grounding an airline type (the first go around with United had all their 777's grounded :eek: ), if something is a centemeter off, everything has to be redone whether safety is truly an issue or not. John Nance (the most respected avionic talking head out there) is furious at what the FAA is doing right now.

The best thing to do is to make sure you have your travel agents phone number with you, while all those people are waiting in line at the airport to get to the ticket counter, the truly savvy are on the phone to their agent grabbing the same seats the people in line are hoping to get.

[heavenly]

They'll only do that if you show up. If you're a no show they will cancel the ticket; if it's a round trip and you don't call/appear in person they'll often also cancel the return ticket too. If you want a chance at a refund you should at least do the online check in the day before.

This is generally true, but with the current situation AA is offering all kinds of refunds in advance of check in.

[Sundagger]

Thanks for the advice. But do you really mean to say that the airline can charge you for a flight they don't even make, just because you didn't show up for it? That's pretty outrageous. If you don't show up at the theatre for a show, and then it turns out the show didn't go on, I would assume you're entitled to your money back or at least tickets to a different show.

It all depends on what category of ticket you purchase. You can buy tickets that are transferrable and refundable - which are much more expensive than those that are NOT transferrable or refundable. It's your choice.

[Two if by Sea]

It all depends on what category of ticket you purchase. You can buy tickets that are transferrable and refundable - which are much more expensive than those that are NOT transferrable or refundable. It's your choice.

I'm not arguing about whether I should lose my money if I simply fail to use the tickets -- as long as the flight, show, etc., actually occurs.

But I could make a LOT of money by selling tickets to a show and not actually planning one, if I only had to refund money to the folks who showed up and asked for a refund. Every night there'd be some percentage of no-shows and that would be almost pure profit, less the cost of printing the tickets.

Only, if I did it, they'd call it fraud.

[kryos]

Me either, Peggy. I used to. Flying was fun and exciting once upon a time. But the experience has gone so far downhill over the last few years that it has become nothing more than a necessary evil.
I too hate flying. Coach in particular has gotten unbearable. Now when I have no way to avoid flying (such as to go on a cruise) I try to upgrade to first class with my bonus points.

I have to take three flights in the fall ... and I am absolutely dreading them, especially since two will be coast-to-coast. :(

Blue skies ...

--rita