I am sooooo happy about how things turned out for me during my recent travels for work. Yes, I did indeed get caught in the American Airlines ‘your flight is cancelled’ troubles. They called me at 7:00 am (you can set up automatic alerts for your flights and the ‘computer lady’ will call you if there are problems) on Thursday to let me know my Friday flight home was cancelled. Needless to say I was NOT a happy camper. I got on the phone right away, spent an hour and a half, yes people, 1.5 HOURS on hold. But when I finally got someone, I decided that I’d catch more bees with honey that I would with vinegar, right?
Besides, the situation was not the fault of the person who’d answered the phone. So I was very nice. Syrupy-sweet-almost-to-the-point-of-sickening nice. For my trouble I got a guaranteed seat home the next night in first class!
But I didn’t really want to wait until after 9:00pm to get on a plane in Chicago with a storm threatening to roll in. So I arrived at the airport 6 HOURS EARLY, then sweetly begged to be put on standby for an earlier flight. I’m telling you, nice works! Instead of waiting until 9:00 pm to go home, I was on the 3:00 pm flight out of Chicago and couldn’t have been happier!
Go AMERICAN AIRLINES!
TJ, I generally fly American Airlines and I totally agree with you that honey gets you things that vinegar won’t. I’ve gotten whisked through security, bypassing an hour’s wait in line, simply because I was nice to a counter agent.
Chloe
by Chloe Devlin April 14th, 2008 at 12:36 pmYep, Chloe, that’s exactly what I’m talking about! Be sweet. Works everytime ;D
TJ
by TJ April 14th, 2008 at 12:46 pmI used that approach when my flight from Dallas got canceled last summer. The guy beside me was ranting and raving at the clerk while I used the ‘nice as honey’ approach. The clerks made sure I was well looked after, and even let me use their desk phone to call from Dallas to my home in Canada as my Canadian cell phone wouldn’t work.
by Leah Braemel April 15th, 2008 at 6:25 pmI think you’ve got the jist of it, Leah. Now, if only that approach would work on a rich handsome man!
TJ
by TJ April 15th, 2008 at 9:38 pmIt’s good to hear your flight got fixed.Heck, I’d take 1st class for free anytime
I just got back from my trip ti California and luckily I took United ,my parents and a few friends took American and they had some delays for their flights.
Hugs, Danette
by danette April 17th, 2008 at 1:52 pmHey Danette,
I’m originally from California. I miss it terribly but would never want to live there again. Too expensive and too…wacky!
Hugs back at ya ;D
~B
by TJ Michaels April 17th, 2008 at 2:47 pm