I am off to a conference tomorrow in Charlotte, NC. A minor auto disaster could have sidelined the trip, but thanks to a well-prepared driver and some excellent customer service (US Air), the trip was alvaged.
A snafu meant a 45 minute car delay heading to the airport. Once we are on the way to JFK, its apparent that we ain’t making the flight. The substitute driver carries with him all of the contact info for every airline’s customer service departments. (Great driver!)
I get a hold of Mike at US Air, he offers to roll me into the 6:30 from JFK for free (apparently, Airlines have something called the”flat tire rule”). But that gets me in too late for the welcoming dinner, and Mike suggests a 1pm flight from LaGuardia (but it costs appreciably more $$). I don’t care, I HAVE to get to Charlotte, I’ll bill it to the company (hey, at least its pre-tax dollars).
US Air Mike does this, I get to LaGuardia with oodles of time, and grab the last First Class upgrade for $75.
All told, what could have been a conference nightmare turned out to be salvaged.
Always have a plan B . . .
~~~
UPDATE : April 11 2011 12:45
My 1:05 flight is delayed 30 minutes! (Nothing’s perfect)
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