Author Topic: Mr. and Mrs. zow's JetBlue mileage run TR (along with DS and DF), 9AUG2016  (Read 1908 times)

Offline zow

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It is probably not worth a real trip report, but I have some time
 waiting for our return flight to depart, so I thought I would
 memorialize our experience here.

 Four of us were traveling: me and Mrs. zow, along with our dear son
 (DS) and dear friend (DF). We bought BDL-DCA-BDL for $70 to fulfill the JetBlue 75,000 point bonus.

 DF met us at our Newton home at 1:30pm, and we left our home around
 1:45. DF offered to pay me $20 to cover some of the gas costs. I told
 him that was way, way too much...thanks to Stop & Shop, BDH.

 We pulled into the parking lot at BDL around 3:30, parked easily --
 tons of short-term parking available close to the terminal (contrast
 this with BOS, for example), and got through security in no time. I
 will note that we used the JetBlue EvenMoreSpeed priority line, which
 totally bypassed the regular queue. However, it put us in the regular
 screening line and we would have had to go back out and wait in the
 queue to use TSA preCheck. You would think they would set it up so
 that the priority line could feed to either regular or preCheck. Oh
 well.

 In any case, we still had about 30 minutes before boarding so we went
 to the Admirals Club. It was near Gate 24, while our flight was
 leaving from Gate 4 , about a 7-minute walk. The Admirals club is
 small and very typical of all the other Admirals clubs, right down to
 the snack towers (O-K-D). They also had snow peas and grape tomatoes available in the buffet.



(Note, these are not the kosher offerings. I had taken the pix for a friend who does not observe kashrut.)

 We boarded our flight, about half full on an A320. DW and DF were
 excited to take advantage of the complimentary alcoholic beverages
 that accompany their Mosaic status. Unfortunately, the drink offerings
 were very limited on this short flight, and they had no alcohol
 whatsoever. (A little weird, as the shuttle flights on American from
 DCA to BOS, and I'm pretty sure DCA to LGA) all offer beer and wine.

 We arrived at DCA a bit ahead of schedule, with about 40 minutes to go
 until our return flight was scheduled to board. We headed to the
 Admirals Club, where I have been a number of times. It is a much
 larger club, but the food offering is the same as everywhere. I
 davened mincha in the business area of the lounge, though I later
 realized that they have a "quiet" room (no cell zone) that would have
 been even better.  DW, DS, DF and I all enjoyed some snacks and
 drinks, and then we headed back to the same gate and same plane where we had
 disembarked not even an hour earlier. The boarding process was already
 underway.

 The return trip was a bit more crowded--maybe 85% full or more. DW and
 I didn't even have the middle seat open between us! Unfortunately,
 even though we were all in our seats and ready to close the door for
 an on-time departure, JetBlue had other plans.
 Here is the note I will be sending them once we land:
 ------------------------
 Dear JetBlue,
 My wife, son and I were on JetBlue 1098, DCA-BDL, on 9 August.  We all
 rushed to get to the gate during the appointed boarding period. Once
 we and our fellow passengers were fully boarded, the crew announced
 that we would be waiting on the Tarmac "for a few minutes" while we
 waited for a Flight coming from FLL with five passengers.

 Well, we waited and waited for at least 45 minutes, sitting on the
 Tarmac, and we had already been instructed that our computers had to
 be put away, so it was wasted time for those of us who needed to
 accomplish such tasks.

 This delay also resulted in our delayed return to BDL, requiring us to
 pay for an extra hour of parking at BDL.

 I respectfully request compensation for this fully avoidable delay
 that was the result of what I believe was poor operations and decision
 making on the part of your management.

 Thank you for your consideration.
 ------------------
 I will post a follow up once I hear back from B6. I know I'm not the
 Chief Rabbi of New York, but hopefully I will have similar success!

 We landed at 8:35, about 15 minutes late. We retrieved our car easily,
 paid $24 for parking, drove back to Newton, and were home by 10:30pm.

 Even with the delay on the return flight, this was a totally fun and,
 of course, lucrative trip.  I will write an addendum when our points
 post.
« Last Edit: August 10, 2016, 12:38:53 PM by zow »

Offline zow

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Response from B6:
Hello zow,

 Thank you for contacting JetBlue regarding your recent flight.
 We're very sorry to hear about your delayed flight #1098 on 8/9/16. We know delays can be
 frustrating and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you personally experienced. Please know
 that we make every effort to operate an on-time schedule.

 Sometimes, if it's the last flight of the day, or the plane has no more scheduled flights, the
 captain can make the rare decision to hold the flight for connecting passengers. We recognize your
 time is valuable and we know delays affect all our customers differently. We have
 a team that will review the flight and determine if it qualifies for compensation per our Customer
 Bill of Rights (https://www.jetblue.com/flying-on-jetblue/customer-protection/) and if so, you will
 be notified via email within 10 days.

 zow, we can't thank you enough for choosing JetBlue and can't wait to welcome you and your family
 onboard again!

 Kind regards,

 Odette
JetBlue | TrueBlue Customer Service Crew
 Crewmember 00695

-------------------------------------------

The response is curious, because I asked the pilot point-blank, who makes the call to wait in this situation? He said it's always central operations.  "You don't see 'Air Mike' painted on the side of the plane." It was nice that the pilot walked back to chat with the passengers during this delay, but I still want B6 to cough up some compensation....

Offline David Smith

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Response from B6:
Hello zow,

 Thank you for contacting JetBlue regarding your recent flight.
 We're very sorry to hear about your delayed flight #1098 on 8/9/16. We know delays can be
 frustrating and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you personally experienced. Please know
 that we make every effort to operate an on-time schedule.

 Sometimes, if it's the last flight of the day, or the plane has no more scheduled flights, the
 captain can make the rare decision to hold the flight for connecting passengers. We recognize your
 time is valuable and we know delays affect all our customers differently. We have
 a team that will review the flight and determine if it qualifies for compensation per our Customer
 Bill of Rights (https://www.jetblue.com/flying-on-jetblue/customer-protection/) and if so, you will
 be notified via email within 10 days.

 zow, we can't thank you enough for choosing JetBlue and can't wait to welcome you and your family
 onboard again!

 Kind regards,

 Odette
JetBlue | TrueBlue Customer Service Crew
 Crewmember 00695

-------------------------------------------

The response is curious, because I asked the pilot point-blank, who makes the call to wait in this situation? He said it's always central operations.  "You don't see 'Air Mike' painted on the side of the plane." It was nice that the pilot walked back to chat with the passengers during this delay, but I still want B6 to cough up some compensation....
Don't email; call. Their employees are empowered and trigger happy.
Who do you think you are fooling? You think you are going to pull a quick one on your Creator? Good luck with that.
JTZ

Offline zow

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Don't email; call. Their employees are empowered and trigger happy.
Ok. I will try. Thanks.

eta: I called, spoke with Taylor, and unfortunately because we weren't delayed more than 1.5h, there's no compensation.
« Last Edit: August 10, 2016, 01:09:06 PM by zow »

Offline Chief Rabbi of New York

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also if they don't budge email them a few times.
I first got $20 x2
then they added $25 x2
and then $25 x2

when I tried a first time I got no luck :(
Show Some Respect for Me, I am The Chief Rabbi of New York :)

Offline zow

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also if they don't budge email them a few times.
I first got $20 x2
then they added $25 x2
and then $25 x2

when I tried a first time I got no luck :(
So there is still hope!