I'm not exactly sure the best address to review US Airways - so I'll go with the location of what was surely a pretty absurd mess. I apologize now for the rant-ish sound of this review.
I was booked to fly out of Pittsburgh on the 29th on December. Giving me just enough time to pack in some sleep and errands before New Years. I'd been building up New Years for weeks now. (I do every year and I am always sorely disappointed). This year was different though. I just had a feeling.
So much for feelings.
When I arrived at the Pittsburgh airport - there was a crazy long line for the US Airways check-in, despite me arriving two hours ahead. The line just inched along. After nearly 40 minutes - I finally checked in. I rushed over to my gate to fly out to Las Vegas (eventually SF) Once at my gate - I was greeted with a line of about 40 angry people - waiting for news on their delayed Philadelphia flight. Everything was a mess. Las Vegas passengers looked dazed as well. Those with questions were at the very end of the line, despite our flight leaving fairly soon. I noticed that I didn't have a seat number on my seat. I politely asked one of the airport staff walking by - what it meant. She looked at my boarding pass quickly - and shot back.
"Just sit down. It means you're on the plane. Don't worry. They'll call your name later on - and let you know where you're sitting."
Ah - if only things went down like that. When they finally called to board everyone for the flight - I rushed into line. The woman checking passes - looked at mine and sent me back to my seat - saying i had to wait to get my seat assignment. I saw person and after person run up to the Las Vegas boarding area - and get on. I was beginning to get worried. What was going on?!
I noticed a handful of others around me - looking just as pained. Finally around last boarding call for my flight, me and the rest of my confused posse - hurriedly assembled a line in front of the check-in desk. Frantically skimming our boarding passes for any clues on what was happening. Just as we stood at attention - an announcement came across the speaker.
"The flight to Vegas is full. If you do not have a seat number, we will not be able to accommodate you."
What?!
I wasn't on stand-by. I'd bought my ticket in advance. I had come to the airport early to check in. What was going on?!
I could hear expletives all around me. People were throwing jackets on the floor. We were all in the same miserable boat.
Apparently US Airways had overbooked the flight by 20 people. 20 people over the limit - right around New Years. Smart. Very smart. 20 people who had bought their tickets - expecting to be back to run businesses, see family, and get ready for the New Years - were just bumped off their flight without explanation (though round-trip tickets were given out as a consolation).
And so - my flight left without me - with my luggage on it.
The next flight they could offer up was two days later - - the 31st - New Years eve. My heart sank. My fabulous New Years plan was going nowhere fast. I had no luggage. No sleep. And I was sick of smelling the stale smell of airport. I was just glad to have a flight back though - so reluctantly took my new boarding passes, called my brother to pick me up, and went to his place.
The day of the 31st - I woke up at 3am - to make sure I made my 7am flight. The airport was busy. Long lines - disarray. I made sure to check in early - and find my gate. Once there - I decided to err on the side of caution, make sure everything was set with my ticket. I found out - once there - that someone had canceled my spot on my connecting flight. Great.
Luckily a helpful US Airways rep was able to salvage my spot, but was just short of being helpful enough - to let me know. She just instructed me to get on the plane - saying she would sort it out. Sitting on the plane with anxious leg twitches - I manged to find a flight attendant who was willing to check on my connecting flight status. Gruffly - she told me everything would be fine.
Once at Charlotte for my connecting flight - I checked in about my flight status back to SF. Turns out - - my ticket hadn't been sorted out properly- and they needed to quickly find a new seat for me. The US Airways attendee managed to do so - but not without last moment panic.
We finally boarded.
Only to wait 2 1/2 hours on the plane due to plane issues.
There was no movie on board. You had to pay for water. Coffee. Tea.
It was one of the longest - most sleepless flight i have ever endured. We got into San Francisco over 2 1/2 hours late.
By the time I got back to San Francisco I was exhausted.
I tried to party it up on New Years - but bailed at 12:15 am. Dancing on 2 hours of sleep just isn't practical - after being in air for most of the day. My legs were buckling under me.
I blame you - US Airways for ruining my bullt up fabulous New Years plans.
Boooo
(that being said I still have high hopes for 2009)