TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands When things go south at the airport

So, can you help a brother out?
I've heard on two occasions that when
there's a mess at the airport like foul weather
or airline screw ups, rather than waiting in the
ridiculously long lines at the counter, the
airlines have people waiting to help on
Twitter.
This may not be the best forum for a complete
answer/lesson but if folks could just get me
started in the right direction, I wouldn't have to
ask my 30something niece. She rolls her eyes
way back in her head when I ask her this stuff
and I'm worried that they will get stuck.

Mike

When we've had an issue knowing people will be in lines at the counter, I just make a phone call.

Delta did help a lot of people on Twitter during last weeks computer outage. They were asking people to send a DM (direct message) to @Delta on twitter and adjusting reservations for them.

I had help via twitter from United in January when we got stuck on St. Thomas for five days due to snow. I had things resolved before the telephone customer support picked up. This was while moving the boat from Maho Bay to Christmas Cove because I could only keep an ATT connection for 60 minutes from Maho Bay.

Cheers, RickG

Mike, it looks like we both need to get a Twitter account. Not enough with Facebook and Instagram obviously. Maybe we can do that in April. Or we could just trust that there won't be any foul weather.
I have to say that all ways that you can help when irregularities happens is good. The airline I work for, has a very active Facebook support team.

I will go to the bar for help before I ever use Twitter!

I have used Twitter for help with both Delta and AA. Results have been mixed. They do monitor Twitter. Don't use the old Delta acct @Deltaassist

@delta @AA

never even logged into Twitter, no desire

Might be a good option too! The painkillers are really good at that bar.

I have used Twitter in the past to clear up customer service issues with a few companies. I've also received compliments from @United when I posted up a nice shot from EWR full of United planes so they are not just monitoring for complaints :P

Thanks to all for your input.
Karin, can't wait to see you both in April.

Mike

I have spent the last 24 hours trying to get home from Nantucket, and spent last night in the JFK airport. I was also traveling during the Delta meltdown from almost two weeks ago. Here's what I've learned in no particular order. Note that I am Platinum Medallion, so it's possible that some of these perks were available to me because of that. I'm not sure.

1. Have the airline app on your phone. It is the best way to check flight status and view other flight options.

2. Know other options for getting there. Both on your airline (through another hub) and with other airlines.

3. Make sure your contact info is in your reservation, and sign up for notifications of flight changes in your profile.

4. Book directly with the airlines rather than Expedia, etc.

5. Have the airline's help desk numbers in your phone. Sometimes there is more than one option. In fact, Delta emailed me a specific number yesterday separate from the Platinum desk, and separate from an airport number that someone gave me years ago. Make sure the people you travel with also have the numbers, because you need to start calling immediately when you think there is going to be an issue.

6. As soon as I became worried that I wouldn't make my connection, I called Delta and was confirmed on a later flight without losing my existing reservation. The seats were held for me, but I only lost my seats when I actually missed my connection. I did this for 3 flights yesterday.

7. Be nice. They want to help you, but you're at their mercy as well.

I don't do Twitter, but Delta's email to me said that they were also available to help via Twitter. To me, the key is to know your options and act as soon as you start thinking there could be an issue. If it's weather related, a lot of people will be in the same boat, so call as soon as you can.

Hope none of this advice has to come in handy for you!

Me either. And I'm an IT guy!

It works very well. One correction from this article is @DeltaAssist is no longer available, the service has been consolidated to @Delta. I believe most of the other airlines operate the same sort of assistance.

http://renespoints.boardingarea.com/2012...e-how-to-guide/