I was flying from BNA to PHL last night. After a few delays to the 330pm flight (2440, operated by PSA), they canceled it outright around 430pm. The following flight at 711pm (3834 operated by Wisconsin) was also canceled.
I was on the WiFi at the time of the cancellation announcement in the gate area and immediately pulled up southwest.com. Not only were their flights operating to PHL (one nonstop and a few one stops), but they were charging a measly $160 WALK UP fare. My canceled US flight was credited back at $219 (leg 2 of a roundtrip). This was a no brainer and I let everyone in the area know that they can grab seat(s) on WN if they hurry. Fortunately, I already secured mine and checked in online in the 5 minutes since the US flight was canceled and the very long line was formed at the desk.
The agent at the desk was telling all the US passengers that "ATC canceled the remaining flights to PHL". While I believe that SHE believed what she was being fed, I don't believe it to be the truth. If that were the case, why was every other airline at BNA operating flights to BWI, PHL, EWR, LGA and JFK - all of which were under heavy FAA traffic flow restrictions. Sure - they all went late, but when they all eventually operate and US doesn't, that tells me there is a big OPERATIONAL problem at US. The 730pm WN flight didn't leave until 9pm. But the point is that THEY OPERATED.
When I stepped off the plane at 1230am, the D concourse was abuzz with people. These weren't overnight refugees, because they were all queued up in the gate areas for departures. Yes, WN was still sending planes out to their destinations at 1230am and beyond. Based on the level of activity there, it seemed as if it could have been 5pm rather than 1230am. I walked down to the C concourse towards the garage and peeked down the hall only to see a ghost town.
So, why did US cancel 2440 and 3834 last night when WN operated their own evening nonstop to PHL? Why didn't US just fall in line and go late (better late than never...). Nobody likes delays, but when people are mulling around an airport after a flight cancellation, it's frustrating to them to see other airlines operating to the same city, or other cities affected by the same weather restrictions. The grief and anger would be minimized if they were simply delayed and at least felt that they had lots of company.
I was on the WiFi at the time of the cancellation announcement in the gate area and immediately pulled up southwest.com. Not only were their flights operating to PHL (one nonstop and a few one stops), but they were charging a measly $160 WALK UP fare. My canceled US flight was credited back at $219 (leg 2 of a roundtrip). This was a no brainer and I let everyone in the area know that they can grab seat(s) on WN if they hurry. Fortunately, I already secured mine and checked in online in the 5 minutes since the US flight was canceled and the very long line was formed at the desk.
The agent at the desk was telling all the US passengers that "ATC canceled the remaining flights to PHL". While I believe that SHE believed what she was being fed, I don't believe it to be the truth. If that were the case, why was every other airline at BNA operating flights to BWI, PHL, EWR, LGA and JFK - all of which were under heavy FAA traffic flow restrictions. Sure - they all went late, but when they all eventually operate and US doesn't, that tells me there is a big OPERATIONAL problem at US. The 730pm WN flight didn't leave until 9pm. But the point is that THEY OPERATED.
When I stepped off the plane at 1230am, the D concourse was abuzz with people. These weren't overnight refugees, because they were all queued up in the gate areas for departures. Yes, WN was still sending planes out to their destinations at 1230am and beyond. Based on the level of activity there, it seemed as if it could have been 5pm rather than 1230am. I walked down to the C concourse towards the garage and peeked down the hall only to see a ghost town.
So, why did US cancel 2440 and 3834 last night when WN operated their own evening nonstop to PHL? Why didn't US just fall in line and go late (better late than never...). Nobody likes delays, but when people are mulling around an airport after a flight cancellation, it's frustrating to them to see other airlines operating to the same city, or other cities affected by the same weather restrictions. The grief and anger would be minimized if they were simply delayed and at least felt that they had lots of company.
