View Full Version : Stranded in New York


SteH
07-01-2007, 11:21 AM
I dont know where to begin or hoe to condense this but here we go:-

I was booked on the flygloberspan flight JFK-LPL for 8pm Thursday 28th June 2007I got to the airport to be told there was a 3 hour delay, which then became 5 hours. When the incoming plane arrived, they did the cleaning and stuff and said at 1am "5 minutes and we're ready to board". 5 minutes became an hour and eventually 2 hours later the pilot said they were looking at a technical issue to do with the planes wiring as his dashboard lights werent coming on. At 7am they eventually give up and take us to a hotel, telling us we'll be flying in 6-10 hours.

At about 2pm on 29th June we get a letter under the hotel room door saying it was now a lightning strike that was the problem (an act of God handy for insurance purposes) and we'll be leaving the hotel at 7pm for an 11pm flight.

At 6pm the hotel reception calls us to say we are delayed till 8am the next morning. At 11pm a fax finally arrives under my room door saying part finally sourced etc etc and will be off next day, be ready at 8am.

30th June 7am hotel gives me wake up call but at 8am we are told via phone to hotel its now a 12pm pick up as further delay till 3pm.

30th June 2007 Get to JFK 2pm and check in c. 330pm, told to go straight to gate. Wait around 1-2 hours but eventually told plane is operational and will board shortly. Get on plane at 7pm.

30th June 9pm. Plane taxis out to JFK runway, pilot obviously not happy and comes back to gate, we all gate off. At 11pm flight is finally cancelled and we are put in a hotel again, to await further news, but given no idea when this may be. By now there are also passengers from the JFK-LPL flights from 29th and 30th June also stranded, up to 400 in all

Its now 6am in New York, 58 hours after I and many others were scheduled to leave and few have any idea how they'll get home.

I have contacted my insurance company who say its up to globespan to sort us somehow as they cancelled the flight, but they will give me a minimum 350 pound for the delay. As its been lies and deceipt all along and I wouldnt trust globespan as far as I could throw them, I have now paid 430 pound to book on Continental tonight to Manchester which when considering I am entitled to a refund from globespan I will not be out of pocket.

However there is the duress to me of spending my birthday today away from my family, my 4 year old son begging to see me for the last 3 days wondering why every time his daddy says "see you in the morning" it turns out to be a lie, and the general stress of wondering just when I can get home, not to mention the fact I havent changed my underwear since Thursday :eek:

There are many passengers in a more worse postion than me though, with young children, in need of medication, or have no credit cards and nothing is being done for them

Flyglobespan is a joke who feed misinformation and lies and have nothing but contempt for customers. Dont ever book with them. I hope the airport tells them to **** off as they are a liability they could do without. I have spoken to various local media sources so hopefully this will get some more publicity soon.

Jericho
07-01-2007, 11:40 AM
Sorry to hear that Ste. It sounds like hell. Hope you get home soon. We had such high hopes for this airline and its route to New York but this type of story is being heard too often to extend the benefit of the doubt and leeway around 'teething problems' much further. I can't help but think that the airline isn't up to flying the route. One plane goes 'tech' and everything goes haywire. It would be much better if they pulled out (after reimbursing all those who have booked). Hopefully then we can attract a airline that has the required number of planes to sustain such a route.

In the meantime I hope JFK isn't in the middle of bad weather delaying your flight still further.

Kev
07-01-2007, 02:38 PM
As Jericho said, sorry to hear about the situation, thanks for keeping in touch. Take care.

SteH
07-02-2007, 04:42 PM
Got home this morning into Manchester with Coninental Airlines, totally knackered. Its been on Radio city and Merseyside I believe and RTE have done this piece on passengers who made their own arrangements to fly to knock instead of Shannon.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0702/globespan.html

lindylou
07-02-2007, 05:50 PM
Sorry to read about your awful experience - and worse still that you missed sharing your birthday with your family. I'd have been doing my nut !! :disgust:

Glad you are back ok.

SteH
07-03-2007, 10:25 PM
Looks like I'll have quite a fight on my hands over this. Flyglobespans website have put a number up for passengers effected to ring, you ring it and get an answerphone, which tells you to ring another number, which rings out.

I've emailed them demanding a full refund for the unused JFK-Liverpool flight, the cost of flying with Continental, the taxis to Newark airport and from Manchester to Liverpool, any mobile calls made from the USA from 29th june onwars, as well as inviting them to make me an offer of compensation for additional duress.

I'm not holding my breath though, as this story from RTE (http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0702/globespan.html)says Globespan are refusing to re-imburse anybody who made their own arrangements. :PDT_Xtremez_42:

Two engineers were flown out yesterday to try and fix the plane, I bet it wasnt with themselves :rolleyes:

ChrisGeorge
07-03-2007, 10:35 PM
Hello SteH

Very sorry to hear this horror story which stands as an object lesson for anyone using an overseas carrier. I hope you are successful in getting compensation for what you and your family had to endure.

Chris

Walden
07-03-2007, 10:45 PM
Airline to stop New York flights

The direct air link between Liverpool and New York is being suspended because of low passenger numbers.

But operator FlyGlobespan say they hope to reinstate the route next summer.

The service between Liverpool John Lennon airport and JFK in New York has been plagued with difficulties since it was launched in May.

Now bosses at the Scotland-based airline say low numbers of passengers and technical difficulties mean they will stop the service from October.

Although passenger numbers have been very disappointing, the firm said there was always a question mark over whether the flights would continue through the winter.

Passengers stranded

The firm said it did not feel a transatlantic service could be sustained from Liverpool alone, so if it is re-launched next summer another city will be added to the route.

The news comes less than a week after the FlyGlobespan plane was grounded in New York because of a technical problems - leaving dozens of passengers stranded and demanding compensation.

Robin Tudor, from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, said: "It is frustrating, but it's not the end by any means.

"The airline believes and we believe it should work and we know the demand is there.

He added: "We are determined to see the route come back and that's what we'll be endeavouring to achieve."

Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/6266518.stm)

SteH
07-03-2007, 10:47 PM
Hello SteH

Very sorry to hear this horror story which stands as an object lesson for anyone using an overseas carrier. I hope you are successful in getting compensation for what you and your family had to endure.

Chris

Its not an overseas foreign airline though Chris, Scotland isnt independent just yet!

ChrisGeorge
07-03-2007, 10:54 PM
Its not an overseas foreign airline though Chris, Scotland isnt independent just yet!

Okay but they were supposed to carry you overseas. That's what I mean by an overseas carrier.

Chris

Jericho
07-04-2007, 09:39 AM
I think you were right first time around, Chris. That is if flylobespan can be believed. They recently said that passenger numbers from Liverpool were in line with what was expected. The problem was with passengers originating in the US. Americans are known for flying with American carriers whenever they can so a great effort from flyglobespan would have been needed to tempt them away. On the other hand, if the inbound to New York passenger numbers were holding up presumably they intended to fly back. It takes time and reliability to build a successful route. Sadly flyglobespan score poorly on both counts.

It's hardly two months since the route started. I can honestly say that I have never heard so many complaints about an airline's incompetency and trustworthiness. I don't think any airline could survive such a deserved bad rep.

I doubt they will be flying this route next year. Could you have faith in their ability to deliver?

SteH
07-25-2007, 08:20 AM
Flyglobespan have announced they wont be re-imbursing the £430 I paid to continental. They havent told me that personally, I needed yesterdays Daily Post to tell me. Apparently I should have waited for seat on the first flight, which was six days after I should have flown - I only went for 4 days in the frst place!!

I emailed them a few days after my return, got one back saying they'd refunded the NY-LPL portion of their flight (£190) and to email another department re compensation. That department hasnt replied. Phone them and they either have an answerphone on, direct you somewhere else, dont answer or hang up.

They are now blaming the Saturday night cancellation (the night I gave up on them after 48 hours of delay) on the security alert at LPL, despite the pilot saying another technical problem had occured and the ground agents saying the plane was so wrecked it wouldnt be going anywhere on the Sunday either. But hey, the terrorist excuse means they arent obliged to pay compensation. I've got a long fight on my hands now.

The lies, deceit and arrogance from this airline is overwhelming. What is also alarming about about this article is that the airport are hoping the route will be reinstated by them next year. This airline should have its arse kicked firmly out of the airport and a more reputable one found.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/07/24/flyglobespan-refuses-refunds-for-stranded-passengers-64375-19506653/

A.D.W
07-25-2007, 06:03 PM
Maybe you could set up a website and get other people's stories about Flyglobespan. Shame them into paying you back.

Best of luck what ever you decide to do.

:PDT_Xtremez_42:

lindylou
07-25-2007, 09:56 PM
Yes, best of luck from me too.

SteH
07-25-2007, 10:58 PM
There are already some blogs and forums out there, although not adminstered by people as badly effected as I was. Even though flyglobespan are saying the key things like lightning strike and terrorist alert to get them off the hook I am going to fight for what I am due and expose these *******s. For them to expect me to be delayed six days after a four day holiday in the most advanced country in the world is beyond belief, I'd have been evacuated from a third world war zone qiocker

naked lilac
08-01-2007, 09:06 AM
Sorry to hear of that horror story.. Yes, it would make a Holiday turn a bit sour... I would of been scared just to step foot on that pile of steel..yikes....:shock:

Well thanks for that information.. on Flyglobspan.. ..It is very helpful to know of such a scary horrible airline out there.. I know I will NEVER par~take . It was built up to sound so inviting.. a non-stop Liverpool flight.. yet, unheard of carrier.. NOT GOOD....

At least you are safe and sound now...