When I planned my little excursion, I booked my flights with a three hour layover in Philadelphia. I figured that would give me plenty of time to clear customs, re-check my luggage, grab an icy beverage, and relax before my flight to Seattle.
What I didn't anticipate was sitting on a runway for two hours at Gatwick Airport. So, my three hours layover became 40 minutes of hell trying to bolt off the plane, clear immigration, get my luggage, clear customs, re-check my luggage, clear security and run from terminal A to terminal C. When I got to my gate for my 6:10 departure, the plane was there...but boarding was closed.
US Airways generously rebooked me on a flight for 8:20 pm -- the following day. Since my luggage was already on my flight, I arrived at the Howard Johnson with nothing but the clothes on my back, my laptop, and the inflight amenities kit the airline provided for the transcontinental flight. So, at least I could brush my teeth. And the $10 meal voucher was so generous.
So, here I sit in the Philly airport. If it's any consolation, I had a Chick-fil-a for lunch. (They don't have those in Seattle.) 4 hours and 20 minutes until my flight is scheduled to leave.
But, US Airways can go fuck itself.
I know it doesn't help a whole heck of a lot, C91, but I am sorry this happened to you.
Lesson learned for you - Don't fly via US Airways.
I'm sure US Air re-booked your flight so you wouldn't demand a refund and get a flight on a different airliner. The industry is very competitive and from your experience sounds very manipulative.
I HATE USAir!
They couldn't get my luggage from one plane next to the one I was supposed to board. All it needed to do was literally go on the plane next to it as I was rebooked on that plane. Stupid USAir. I have a few frequent flier miles from them from joining and flying with them two or three times - they can have them back!
Last time I flew USAir, they scared the crap out of me. They've altered their checklist procedures in order to conserve fuel, and now they don't start the second engine until they're almost at the end of the runway. Apparently, the part of the checklist which states to set the flaps in takeoff position is included in the checklist procedures for the second engine start. Since I have a pilot's license and am familiar with what happens when an airplane of that size attempts to take off without the flaps being set. Bottom line is, there isn't sufficient lift for takeoff, ergo crash. I was panic stricken as the plane was taking the active before they decided to put the flaps down for takeoff.
It'll be a long time before I fly them again, if I ever do.