Reader Matt screwed up. He forgot to cancel his reservation with US Airways when his friend’s delayed passport application forced them to change their travel plans. The situation was entirely Matt’s fault, and US Airways justifiably refused to reissue the ticket. Matt, however, swayed the airline by wrapping an excellent mea culpa cum plea into the feared Executive Email Carpet Bomb.
U.S. Airways
US Airways Flight Stuck On Tarmac For 7 Hours
By 10.12.07
USAToday says that a flight to Phoenix from JFK was stuck on the tarmac for 7 hours on Tuesday.
US Airways Rewards Customers By Threatening To Charge Them $25 For Inactivity
By 10.9.07
A reader has forwarded us an obnoxious notice from US Airways that explains how they “reward” their frequent flyer program members: by charging them $25 if they’re not active enough. So what are the best ways to remain active without spending $25 or making an unnecessary ticket purchase?
First Autopsy Of Deceased US Airways Passenger Inconclusive
By 10.3.07
The first autopsy of Carol Ann Gotbaum, the woman who died in a Phoenix airport holding cell after being arrested for causing a disturbance, was inconclusive and a second will be performed.
US Airways Passenger Who Died In Airport Holding Cell Was On Her Way To Rehab
By 10.2.07
This story just keeps getting sadder. Carol Anne Gotbaum, the passenger who got into a screaming match with US Airways gate attendants and later died in a holding cell after being arrested, was on her way to an alcohol treatment center in Tucson to seek help. She was also the stepdaughter-in-law of New York City Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.
US Airways Passenger Dies In Holding Cell After Airport Arrest
By 9.30.07
A US Airways passenger who was late for her flight and denied boarding by the gate crew became agitated and caused enough of a stir that she was arrested, according to USAToday.
A Big List Of Airline and Airport "Tarmac Stranding" Policies
By 9.28.07
We’ve been looking over the Department of Transportation’s spiffy new report about “tarmac strandings” (or “long on-board delays” as their now being called,) and have located some pretty interesting stuff.
US Airways Cancels Your Flight, Treats You "Like Dirt"
By 9.27.07
We’re adding to our collection of complaints about US Airways and Philadelphia International Airport. If we collect them all, we may win a set of steak knives!
Fewer Delays On The Horizon
By 9.9.07
Several airlines are taking small steps to reduce the infuriating delays that have plagued carriers during their no-holds-barred fight to remain profitable. Airlines are still cramming their planes full of paying consumers, but they are hoping that building more ground time into schedules and changing the way flights are diverted will alleviate some complaints.
Delta Partner "Atlantic Southeast Airlines" On-Time Only 54.2% Of The Time
By 9.6.07
US Airways managed to hold on to something as the floor dropped out of a few other airlines’ on-time percentages… so let us introduce our new punching bag: Atlantic Southeast Airlines!
8 Airlines Raise Fares
By 9.5.07
Despite what may be the most frustrating summer ever for airline travelers, 8 airlines have decided to raise their fares. Why? Jet fuel prices are up 24% this year.
Avoid Checking Valuables At The Philadelphia International Airport
By 8.27.07
According to evidence the Philadelphia Inquirer calls “anecdotal,” there seems to be a theft problem going on at the Philadelphia International Airport. Recently, quite a few baggage handlers were fired by US Airways for cooking the overtime logs in an attempt to get paid for work they never did.
Avoid US Airways' Trans-Atlantic Flights
By 8.27.07
Even your ever-skeptical columnist was shocked at what I found: a near-collapse of the day-to-day operations of US Airways’ Philadelphia-based trans-Atlantic service. Even by this summer’s reduced standards, the operation that US Airways runs between Philadelphia and Europe is shocking.
US Airways Cancels 530 Flights, Lets Passengers Sit On Tarmac 6 Hours With Overflowing Toilets, No Water
By 8.10.07
Burt Cole spent six hours on a plane on the tarmac to find out hours after that his flight was canceled. “On the runway for six hours, with only one engine going, so the air conditioner was only half working,” said Burt. “The toilet started overflowing. They were out of drinks on the airplane. This was U.S. Air. I hope they’re watching.”
US Airways Firing Lots Of Baggage Handlers At Philly Airport
By 8.10.07
US Airways is interviewing and firing baggage handlers at Philadelphia International Airport after it noticed they were falsifying overtime records.
Airline Complaints Up 47.2% In First Half
By 8.9.07
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics complaints about airlines were up 47.2% in the first six months of 2007.
US Airways Misplaces Two Teenagers
By 8.9.07
When mom took the teens to the airport July 28, there was already trouble. Flight delays made the connection schedule tight.
9 Airline's CEO Email Addresses, And Other Useful Complaint Resolution Contact Info
By 7.18.07
Travler’s friend site Elliot.org has these great customer service “cheat sheets” to help you if you have a dispute with your airline. CEO contact info, how to hack their phone trees, email addresses, phone numbers, mailing addresses, it’s all there.
