<p>How could the airlines not know about the rule? With a fine like that - they will know.</p>
<p>Our D attends Eastman. We screwed around long enough getting her reservations to come home on Xmas break that it was cheaper to bring her home this past Sunday than on Saturday. We found out the dorm closed on Saturday afternoon, but she stayed at a friend’s apartment and we felt lucky that she wasn’t coming home in the blizzard that hit Philly on Saturday.</p>
<p>On Sunday, she got the Rochester’s airport in plenty of time for her 11AM flight…then the delays started. First it was until 1PM, and then 2PM. At around 5, USAirways had them board the plane, but before they could push back, they were told that there would be no gate for them at Philly. They deplaned and were told they’d be going at 7:15. Around 6 they were told that their flight was canceled.</p>
<p>My D got herself booked on a 7AM flight for Monday and was able to get a room at a Fairfield that was within walking distance of the airport.</p>
<p>Two hours later, USAirways called her to say that the morning flight was canceled. She walked back to the airport. The best she could do was to get waitlisted on one around noon and confirmed at 5PM, but the agent told her that she had a bad feeling about that flight getting out. She asked D if she had a car. D did not, so the agent suggested D consider Amtrak.</p>
<p>After a lot of consulting with home, D booked herself on a train at 8:30AM set to arrive at NYC Penn Station at around 3:30PM. After all this Mrs. 9992 and I drove to Trenton, NJ and took NJ Tranist up to meet her. She arrived just a few minutes late and the next NJ Transit train back to Trenton was boarding as we entered their area.</p>
<p>The poor kid is finally home after a weekend from hell. She DID get a great story out of it and we’re very proud of the way she managed herself through it all. Besides, I told her it’s a great way to prepare for life as a working musician.</p>
<p>Don - it’s too bad she wasn’t of car renting age - I swear that would have been easier, and probably quicker!!! However, nice job on your D’s part. It usually takes a lot of travel experience to turn on a dime like that. I’m sure you and Mrs. 9992 are thrilled to have her safely under your roof!</p>
<p>Oh, there are really nice loopholes in the new federal rule, including one large enough to move an Airbus through! The Air Transport Assc claims that the new rule will be “detrimental to passengers” and is “inconsistent with (their) goal of completing as many flights as possible”. The “exceptions” to the law will be that it only applies to flights with more than 30 seats, and can be disallowed for “safety or security” or “When air traffic controllers notify a pilot that returning to a terminal would disrupt operations”. Since one of the major contributing factors to the lengthy delays on the tarmac is that the airports claim that there are not enough gates as it is now.
It will be implemented as of 4/1/2010, and I do hope that it improves the lot of the helpless and hapless traveler, but I see too much wiggle room within it’s parameteters. It would be great if, after that date, CC travelers take the time to post any experiences they encounter with it.</p>
<p>I agree Mezzo…I heard that “disrupt operations” and thought well yah…if they have to get out of line it will disrupt operations…Lots of wiggle room</p>
<p>Don - Your story is even worse than mine! I’m proud of your daughter, too. Good going!</p>
<p>Wow, Don, I am so glad to hear your D made it home ok. I told my S about your D’s story and his reaction was YIKES, this could have been me. </p>
<p>He did not give me info in a timely manner to book a flight and was supposed to come home on Saturday. Luckily, after he realized that he was done Thursday morning, I was able to change his flight. Delta allowed a free change since they made changes in the original itinerary. It was just sheer luck that he was able to get out Thursday evening with minimal delays. </p>
<p>These stories are a good lesson for those at Eastman, or anywhere in the northern areas, that traveling in the winter can be a challenge and to plan for the worst and hope for the best. If the timing were different S would have been in a similar situation (and Amtrak is not an option to Florida). We always try to book through Atlanta since snow is usually not an issue there. I don’t think he would have been as calm about the situation (picture major meltdown).</p>
<p>Enjoy the holidays with your family, regards to Mrs. 9992. Maybe we will see you in Rochester in the spring once the snow is gone.</p>