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From: shaprkg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Bob Shapiro)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: What is an airline's responsibility?
Message-ID: <2689@sdcrdcf.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 18-Mar-86 11:33:47 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcrdcf.2689
Posted: Tue Mar 18 11:33:47 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 21-Mar-86 03:32:48 EST
References: <1777@lumiere.UUCP>
Reply-To: shaprkg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Bob Shapiro)
Organization: System Development Corporation R&D, Santa Monica
Lines: 49

In article <1777@lumiere.UUCP> richl@lumiere.UUCP (Rick Lindsley) writes:
>I recently had a nasty problem with an airline, but I'm wondering if they
>are within their rights or not.
>
>I recently had a flight from San Diego to San Francisco, with a connection
>in San Francisco to Portland. The flights were relatively late -- 8pm to
>9:15pm and 9:50pm to 11:30 pm.
>
>We took off from San Diego an hour and a half late -- they said that due
>to bad weather in San Francisco they were told to not even take off. Once
>we got to SF, we still had to circle for about 45 minutes. I asked several
>times before we left San Diego as to my connecting flight (which was on
>the same airline) and was told that ALL flights into and out of SF were
>running about equally late due to the weather.
>
>But lo and behold, when we finally landed in SF, 2 hours and 15 minutes
>late, my flight had left (or been cancelled -- nobody seemed to know for
>sure).
>
>The airline representatives said that although they would be happy to
>re-book me for a flight in the morning at my discounted fare, that their
>responsibility ended there. No, they wouldn't pay for my hotel -- they
>were only liable if the delay was due to mechanical failure, not
>"air-traffic delays".
>
>Motels are INCREDIBLY expensive in SF!! And at 12:30am it's hard to be
>choosy. It cost $50 for a room -- and that was a Days Inn! (I'm used
>to rooms being $20-$25 when I travel!)
>
>Is this standard policy for (some/most/all) airlines? Would it do any
>good to complain? Or does this make perfect sense to everyone but me?
>
>Rick

   Yes this is standard policy for some/most/all airlines.  Ever since
deregulation they are not required to be responsible for delays due to
weather (act of God).

   Yes it would do good to complain.  Write a letter to the airline or
better yet, if you had a travel agent book your flight, have them write the
letter.  While airlines are not required to help you in the above situation,
they are very conscious of their image to the public.  The Public Relations
people might reimburse you if you catch them at the right time. They might
also offer you some free transportation for your troubles and anything you
can get is better than nothing.

   Welcome to the world of deregulation.

			Bob Shapiro