GREATAM are you here? Air problem

[lvtotrvl1]

I have friends kids who are currently stuck in the Atlanta airport...Their flight was cancelled this am form ORF due to the pilot flying too many hours...they put them on the next flight, but they missed their connection to Costa Rica in Atlanta and Delta is saying they have to stay in the airport overnight. What recourse do they have.....they are all 17 or 18.

 

Any help will be appreciated!

[JJPNYC]

Unfortunately not much. The pilot might've timed out due to weather, which absolves Delta from all responsibility.

 

Since Delta is pinching every penny imaginable, I'd imagine that they are quite stingy in giving out hotel or food vouchers.

 

Not the answer you probably want to hear, but this is my take on it.

[lvtotrvl1]

Thank-you that's what I was thinking too...it turned out that Delta did finally give in and put the kids overnight at a hotel..maybe a few of them cryed (which is what I told them their best option would be:) )

[greatam]

I have friends kids who are currently stuck in the Atlanta airport...Their flight was cancelled this am form ORF due to the pilot flying too many hours...they put them on the next flight, but they missed their connection to Costa Rica in Atlanta and Delta is saying they have to stay in the airport overnight. What recourse do they have.....they are all 17 or 18.

 

Any help will be appreciated!

 

I wrote the following an hour ago, but got called out to the warehouse. I am surprised Delta gave in with hotel-they now have a BIG liability.

 

You've got a couple of BIG problems. The kids ages and other than one flight on Delta tonight, all other flights-Continental/NW/Delta are overnight flights with LONG layovers in foreign countries.

 

There is a nonstop Delta flight, DL247 to SJO at 6:48 this evening. Arrives SJO at 8:40PM.

 

Have them check availability for seating on the nonstop. Otherwise, Delta will most likely INSIST on the kids staying in Atlanta and taking a flight tomorrow. Again, due to their ages, that is one reason Delta wants them to stay at the airport-oversight on 17/18 year olds. MINOR children are the airlines responsibility. Isn't there a chaperone???

 

Let me know what happens

[pms4104]

I would be surprised is any hotel will take a passel of teens without an adult chaperone ... and equally surprised Delta would issue the voucher. I believe that is atypical and not standard operating procedure.

 

Liability, indeed!

[greatam]

I would be surprised is any hotel will take a passel of teens without an adult chaperone ... and equally surprised Delta would issue the voucher. I believe that is atypical and not standard operating procedure.

 

Liability, indeed!

 

Hope Delta knows what its doing. I am astounded that they gave in on the hotel-LIABILITY, LIABILITY, LIABILITY. But maybe there is a chaperone????

 

If they were my kids and unescorted, I sure would rather have them spend the time at the airport, no matter how uncomfortable. I just can't IMAGINE 17/18 year olds at a hotel by themselves. Can you say PARTY???? I know I sure would have.

[6rugrats]

I am not sure I am understanding the problem part with liability. These passengers are not minors, according to Delta's policies. Delta does not require 17 or 18 year olds to travel as unaccompanied minors.

 

And, in any case, an 18 year old is not considered a minor.

 

Just shows you should go to the airport always with a back-up plan! I hope they make it out soon and safely.

[greatam]

I am not sure I am understanding the problem part with liability. These passengers are not minors, according to Delta's policies. Delta does not require 17 or 18 year olds to travel as unaccompanied minors.

 

And, in any case, an 18 year old is not considered a minor.

 

Just shows you should go to the airport always with a back-up plan! I hope they make it out soon and safely.

 

The 17 yo is a minor, regardless of Delta's policy on flights. If that minor gets in trouble out of Delta's care (drugs, booze, or just plain "lost"-misses another connection, gets to the wrong gate, etc. etc) it is DELTA's responsibility WITHOUT a release of liability from the parent. The 18 yo-no problem.

 

Maybe there is a chaperone-maybe the parent signed the release of liability. But without those two things, the 17 yo is Delta's responsibility.

[pms4104]

Further ... I did a quick Google search and it appears that many, many reputable chain Atlanta area hotels post 21 as the minimum age for check in.

 

While it may not be appealing to camp out at the airport ... at least the kids would be confined to a patroled, secure site. Guessing the Atlanta Airport Authority (or whoever manages the airport) would grant permission for overnites on an as-needed basis. That's what they do at ORD when young people are stranded.

[Sea Island Lady]

I am late coming into this conversation, but my guess is that this was a chaperoned mission trip for spring break. I know that my church has sponsored trips to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and other countries with the youth (my son included) and it is very well chaperoned.

 

I don't think that Costa Rica would be a place that a bunch of kids would go for spring break vacation, unless they were with a supervised group.

 

lvtotrvl1 = Did the kids get their flight out?

[lvtotrvl1]

Thank-you everyone for your help...Delta did put them up in a hotel for the night. I'm quite surprised myself. These are not close friends of mine, and believe me, I also am a little concerned that these kids went to Costa Rica themselves also:eek: . They are pretty much spoiled rotten brats and I am just hoping everything turns out ok for them.

[Sea Island Lady]

Thank-you everyone for your help...Delta did put them up in a hotel for the night. I'm quite surprised myself. These are not close friends of mine, and believe me, I also am a little concerned that these kids went to Costa Rica themselves also:eek: . They are pretty much spoiled rotten brats and I am just hoping everything turns out ok for them.

:eek: If this is true, what are parents thinking!!! :eek:

[lvtotrvl1]

:eek: If this is true, what are parents thinking!!! :eek:

 

I have no clue!!!! And on top of it, their "lovely child" is no angel:eek: ...Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I just don't get it!

[pms4104]

I have no clue!!!! And on top of it, their "lovely child" is no angel:eek: ...Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I just don't get it!

Shades of Aruba a couple of years ago.

[lvtotrvl1]

Totally agree....

[pms4104]

I don't think that Costa Rica would be a place that a bunch of kids would go for spring break vacation, unless they were with a supervised group.

Of all the Central American countries, Costa Rica has the most stable government and currency and the lowest crime rate ... tho that is starting to creep up as tourism builds there. A quarter of the country is national parklands, so it might be attractive to those seeking an outdoor experience. But, I wouldn't imagine it to be the typical spring break destination.

[Sea Island Lady]

Of all the Central American countries, Costa Rica has the most stable government and currency and the lowest crime rate ... tho that is starting to creep up as tourism builds there. A quarter of the country is national parklands, so it might be attractive to those seeking an outdoor experience. But, I wouldn't imagine it to be the typical spring break destination.

Sounds real safe in this article! :rolleyes:

http://*****************/Warner_Segura.html

[pms4104]

Sounds real safe in this article! :rolleyes:

http://*****************/Warner_Segura.html

I didn't say it was safe ... I said crime is building as tourist bring themselves and their $$$ to "paradise". Further, Costa Rica has become a haven for retired American ex-pats ... so I suppose the locals may not be totally thrilled with rich (by their standards) Americans spoiling their standard of living.