The knock-on effect?
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Forums › Frequent flyer programs › The British Airways Club › The knock-on effect?
Last Friday, I & OH, flew back BA250, in F, from SCL to LHR. Overall, the flight itself was comfortable, baring a bit of turbulence, the cabin crew were attentive and we enjoyed the food and experience.
However, I was intrigued by the overall result of a number of little things that joined up to create chaos.
Taxi at 09.15 to take us to SCL for 13.00 flight never arrived. Had selected that pick up time to cover such a thing happening and hotel duly sorted replacement for us. Arrived 10.20, straight to check in, F clear and done in 5 mins. Went through to the PDI hall and bedlam! Well over 150 people, 5 desks open and someone pretending to manage the queue! Eventually opened up 2 more desks, luckily we moved to new desk and were called forward. 15 mins later operator acknowledged her computer wasn’t working and told us to rejoin the queue!
Not having that so went straight to desk next door and was though in 2 mins.
Security was usual long line but filled the trays and walked through.
I have a replacement hip and always set it off! Vigorous manual pat down by very enthusiastic young man resulted in me yelping in pain and allowed to continue!
Andes (One world) lounge in SCL not open-have to use Pacific lounge. Long queue to get in, did so after 20 mins, had a drink and a biscuit and left to walk to gate where boarding was due to commence at 12:00.
Stood at gate, seating full, and watched as various people appeared around the desk but nothing happened. Noon came and went, cabin crew started arriving and were still doing so at 12:20. Additional Captain and 1st officer etc turned up at 12:35.
Boarding actually started around 13:00. Flight took off 13:50, 50 mins late.
Due to land at 06:00, did so at 06:46, no air bridge etc -told it would be buses! People stand up to get off.
07:10 told buses were on the way. 07:15 retold buses definitely on the way.
07:20 buses arrive and taken to terminal.
Make way to immigration, through in 5 mins, collect luggage and outside heading to underground within 10 mins!
Get to Kings X 09.10 and look for platform for Hull trains 09:48 to Grantham-not displayed. Ask staff who advise clearly cancelled-1st we’d heard of it. Told to get 09:26 LNER to Peterborough and then replacement bus service.
Duly do so, train leaves and announcement made that only LNER tickets valid-any others need to buy full price ticket!
Ticket guy approaches,I update him of position, he mulls for a while, could see I was about to get fully emotional and says no problem, sit still.
Mate drives to Peterborough to collect us. Eventually get home only about 75 mins after original planned time.
During 3 weeks of flying, transferring etc throughout Chile we didn’t encounter a single issue. However, on return, my OH said-hell that was stressful!
What might have been had the crew turned up on time, Heathrow got themselves organised to service a plane they knew was arriving and Hull trains took the step of actually advising its passengers their train was cancelled.
Other than that nice to be home!🤔🤣
I have been asked previously to post a review of our trip, including Easter Island and will do so in due course in appropriate forum.
Just all sounds like a day in the life of a frequent flyer to me 🙂 I gave up on prebooked cars long ago, unless it a driver near home you know you can rely on, it is simply too hit n’ miss IME, I now prefer to use public transport or regular taxi when public transport is ideal. My day (or nigt) often hinges on the security, I dislike being separated from my bags and if it is busy at one of those airports like Edinburgh where they line loads of bags up which then remain out of sight and take an age to follow you through I just know I
am going to have a bad day. If that bit goes ok then I’m usually fine whatever cones down the line.
@Bearing Up glad you eventually made it; unbelievable series of problems. It’s odd at SCL that BA didn’t arrange to escort you through immigration and security. Re Heathrow – the air bridge is the responsibility of BA to operate and the buses are managed jointly by the airline users committee, so neither issue relates to Heathrow.
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