Anyone flown on Continental overseas?
Feb 28th, 2006, 06:24 PM
#41
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jackster - 40 minutes is possible, but you need to hussle. Also, <b>study</b> that IAH map in the Continental inflight magazine, tear it out if possible. Depending on the gates, you may be better off using the TerminaLink train between C & E. But usually not. It's hard to say, but the map is useful.
Personally, I don't like this itinerary. If your original flight gets delayed, you don't have much alternative. I don't know when you're flying, but right now, the 6:40pm CO flight is your last chance for a non-stop to CDG. This summer, Air France will have a 10pm one that CO may put you on.
The only other CO European flights from Hosuton after your 6:40 to CDG are London Gatwick and Amsterdam, both at 7:00. So, you don't have time to get things arranged there either.
Personally, I don't like this itinerary. If your original flight gets delayed, you don't have much alternative. I don't know when you're flying, but right now, the 6:40pm CO flight is your last chance for a non-stop to CDG. This summer, Air France will have a 10pm one that CO may put you on.
The only other CO European flights from Hosuton after your 6:40 to CDG are London Gatwick and Amsterdam, both at 7:00. So, you don't have time to get things arranged there either.
Feb 28th, 2006, 06:54 PM
#42
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Connecting flights suck. I'm doing USAir from LA to EWR, then EWR to AMS via Continental. I had to choose, super short layover/transfer and the risk of missing international flight. Or, the 4 hour, no rushing but LONG layover...I went for the latter.
Jul 12th, 2006, 11:38 AM
#43
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We just had the Continental Airlines European experience last month and WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!! I, too, picked Continental because it had the cheapest fare at the time I was booking our flight. We left out of Chicago almost 2 hours late due to weather problems in Newark. We pulled out of the gate and the captain announced that we would be parked in the PENALTY BOX because of our delay. "Penalty" means punishment and that's what we felt like we had been through by the time we reached Ireland.
We missed our 10:10 pm connecting flight to Ireland so Continental booked us on the next evening's flight. FYI: If this happens to you, don't believe them when they tell you they'll give you a dayroom the next morning and DEMAND airport food vouchers. They will not offer to give them to you!!! To make a long story short about the terribly uncomfortable night the 4 of us spent in the airport, I'll just say that every one of the Continental Airline employees I communicated with were the RUDEST people that I have ever met in my life! They hadn't the slightest idea or concern about what customer service meant. I, as well as many other people I met in our situation, were constantly being blown off and sent to other people when we had a question or a need. It was like one hand did not know what the other was doing. I was yelled at and being reprimanded like a child constantly. I was always polite and followed all instructions that were given me until I talked to about the 10th employee to whom I was sent to ask for a day room. She screamed at me and shook her finger in my face screaming,"I won't help you and refuse to help you." Honestly, I did not do anything to provoke her. I had waited in the line for over twenty minutes to talk to her and I calmly,(even after being awake all night in the airport) explained to her that hers was the name given to me to ask about a dayroom where we could freshen up that day while waiting for that evening's flight. I finally broke down and started to cry. I was exhausted from being sent up and down the stairs of the terminal with no results. This treatment was the final straw. I was told that we couldn't even get a dayroom until we checked in for our flight. Since this was early in the morning, I was repeatedly told we were too early to check in for our evening flight. I finally got them to realize that we had spent the night in the airport, were told we could get a dayroom that day, and I was just doing what I was told. When all the procedures were over in the checking in process, we were told by the agents that there were no dayrooms they could give us. Aaaaaargh! We decided to get out of that prison and spent the day in New York City and got back in plenty of time for our flight. After finally boarding our flight to Ireland, we then spent 2 hours on the ground at Newark Airport while waiting for Continental Airlines to do maintenance on the nose of the plane! I felt as if we were a herd of cattle. The flight crew ignored everyone in coach for those two hours. No water or any concern for our comfort was offered.
(I know this is long but one more of Continental's inconveniences) When we finally did arrive in Ireland, guess what!!! Our luggage didn't arrive with us. The Continental employees in Ireland were very apologetic and contacted a delivery service which finally did get our luggage to us around 10:30 that evening. It felt good to change out of the clothes we had been wearing for the past 3 days.
So, if you're thinking about using Continental Airlines for your hard- earned, expensive European vacation, please keep these events in mind and decide if you want to chance loosing a day or two of your plans as we did. I purchased travel insurance with our package, so hopefully we'll be reimbursed for all the extra money we spent in Newark area while waiting for our "punishment" to be over with.
We missed our 10:10 pm connecting flight to Ireland so Continental booked us on the next evening's flight. FYI: If this happens to you, don't believe them when they tell you they'll give you a dayroom the next morning and DEMAND airport food vouchers. They will not offer to give them to you!!! To make a long story short about the terribly uncomfortable night the 4 of us spent in the airport, I'll just say that every one of the Continental Airline employees I communicated with were the RUDEST people that I have ever met in my life! They hadn't the slightest idea or concern about what customer service meant. I, as well as many other people I met in our situation, were constantly being blown off and sent to other people when we had a question or a need. It was like one hand did not know what the other was doing. I was yelled at and being reprimanded like a child constantly. I was always polite and followed all instructions that were given me until I talked to about the 10th employee to whom I was sent to ask for a day room. She screamed at me and shook her finger in my face screaming,"I won't help you and refuse to help you." Honestly, I did not do anything to provoke her. I had waited in the line for over twenty minutes to talk to her and I calmly,(even after being awake all night in the airport) explained to her that hers was the name given to me to ask about a dayroom where we could freshen up that day while waiting for that evening's flight. I finally broke down and started to cry. I was exhausted from being sent up and down the stairs of the terminal with no results. This treatment was the final straw. I was told that we couldn't even get a dayroom until we checked in for our flight. Since this was early in the morning, I was repeatedly told we were too early to check in for our evening flight. I finally got them to realize that we had spent the night in the airport, were told we could get a dayroom that day, and I was just doing what I was told. When all the procedures were over in the checking in process, we were told by the agents that there were no dayrooms they could give us. Aaaaaargh! We decided to get out of that prison and spent the day in New York City and got back in plenty of time for our flight. After finally boarding our flight to Ireland, we then spent 2 hours on the ground at Newark Airport while waiting for Continental Airlines to do maintenance on the nose of the plane! I felt as if we were a herd of cattle. The flight crew ignored everyone in coach for those two hours. No water or any concern for our comfort was offered.
(I know this is long but one more of Continental's inconveniences) When we finally did arrive in Ireland, guess what!!! Our luggage didn't arrive with us. The Continental employees in Ireland were very apologetic and contacted a delivery service which finally did get our luggage to us around 10:30 that evening. It felt good to change out of the clothes we had been wearing for the past 3 days.
So, if you're thinking about using Continental Airlines for your hard- earned, expensive European vacation, please keep these events in mind and decide if you want to chance loosing a day or two of your plans as we did. I purchased travel insurance with our package, so hopefully we'll be reimbursed for all the extra money we spent in Newark area while waiting for our "punishment" to be over with.
Jul 12th, 2006, 12:53 PM
#45
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Few thoughts about SLLovett's post:
1. CO's ground employees at EWR are bad. Year round, all the time. I don't know if this is a NY/NJ thing or what, but even CO loyalists hate them.
2. There have been two complains on this board about indifferent cabin crew during long delays on this board in as many weeks. I don't know why, but all CO flight deck and cabin crew I've met are very professional, very good.
3. I don't know when you made this trip, but the whole E. Coast has horrible weather the last week of June, and lots of operation problems.
4. You said early on that you chose CO because of price. Well, there are Chicago-Ireland non-stop flights, but you chose an EWR connection. There's always added risk for missed connection, lost baggage, etc when you take a non-direct flight. Most of the time, it's fine; sometimes it's not. Unfortunately, you gambled and lost. And to make matters worst, you chose the late flight out of EWR. CO has earlier flights to DUB and SNN in the day. When you chose a late flight to Europe, you don't have any margin of error.
5. I won't believe them if they tell me they'll give me a day-room either. But where did you spend the night? I hope not at the terminal, especially because you have travel insurance. This is the part I'm not very clear what exactly happened.
1. CO's ground employees at EWR are bad. Year round, all the time. I don't know if this is a NY/NJ thing or what, but even CO loyalists hate them.
2. There have been two complains on this board about indifferent cabin crew during long delays on this board in as many weeks. I don't know why, but all CO flight deck and cabin crew I've met are very professional, very good.
3. I don't know when you made this trip, but the whole E. Coast has horrible weather the last week of June, and lots of operation problems.
4. You said early on that you chose CO because of price. Well, there are Chicago-Ireland non-stop flights, but you chose an EWR connection. There's always added risk for missed connection, lost baggage, etc when you take a non-direct flight. Most of the time, it's fine; sometimes it's not. Unfortunately, you gambled and lost. And to make matters worst, you chose the late flight out of EWR. CO has earlier flights to DUB and SNN in the day. When you chose a late flight to Europe, you don't have any margin of error.
5. I won't believe them if they tell me they'll give me a day-room either. But where did you spend the night? I hope not at the terminal, especially because you have travel insurance. This is the part I'm not very clear what exactly happened.
Jul 12th, 2006, 01:15 PM
#46
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Yes, we did spend the night in the terminal. We did not feel safe to leave the airport at such a late hour because we weren't familiar with New York City area. I met a family from Belfast during the night who tried to get to a motel where they did make a reservation after missing their flight. The mother told me that their cab driver would not stop after driving them around in circles over an hour. She had to call 911 on her cell phone to force the driver to stop. They jumped out of the cab and the driver sped off. They found a policeman to take them back to the airport for the night. They were very upset, and I couldn't blame them. They, too, had been repeatedly treated bad by the CO employees. She said she cried at least 4 times.
We had to drive 4 hours to get to Chicago O'Hare Airport and the fare which included the late night flight was the cheapest.
It shouldn't matter what area of the country one is from, customers, no matter they be first class or coach, should be treated as badly as everyone was that evening. I understood about the weather delays and accepted that we would have to stay the night in the airport. What upset me was the treatment by the employees. My impression, as was everyone I talked to, was that CO could care less about their customers. They had our money already and we were at a disadvantage because of the weather, so they did not have to do anything for us.
However, they could not blame the weather for our 2 hour delay on the ground due to maintenance and the fact that our luggage didn't arrive on our flight made me distrust their concern about customer service even more.
We had to drive 4 hours to get to Chicago O'Hare Airport and the fare which included the late night flight was the cheapest.
It shouldn't matter what area of the country one is from, customers, no matter they be first class or coach, should be treated as badly as everyone was that evening. I understood about the weather delays and accepted that we would have to stay the night in the airport. What upset me was the treatment by the employees. My impression, as was everyone I talked to, was that CO could care less about their customers. They had our money already and we were at a disadvantage because of the weather, so they did not have to do anything for us.
However, they could not blame the weather for our 2 hour delay on the ground due to maintenance and the fact that our luggage didn't arrive on our flight made me distrust their concern about customer service even more.
Jul 12th, 2006, 01:34 PM
#47
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SLLovett - There is no excuse for employees to treat their customers badly. I totally agree with that. But then they really do not have to do anything for you because you missed the flight due to weather/air-traffic.
And also, a two-hour mechanical delay or bags delivered a day late are basically par-for-course in air travel these days, and have to be expected. On any airline.
It's unfortunate that air travel is like this these days. And it's doubly unfortunate that there's a gap between most travelers' perceived notion and the ugly reality. The frequent traveler simply sees this more, knows how to handle it better, and gets less upset.
And also, a two-hour mechanical delay or bags delivered a day late are basically par-for-course in air travel these days, and have to be expected. On any airline.
It's unfortunate that air travel is like this these days. And it's doubly unfortunate that there's a gap between most travelers' perceived notion and the ugly reality. The frequent traveler simply sees this more, knows how to handle it better, and gets less upset.
Jul 12th, 2006, 01:43 PM
#48
SLLovett, did they offer a reduced rate for motels/hotels nearby? I assume this option exists because delays are part of air travel.
Last year I missed my connection (AA) in Chicago ORD and I was offered a room at reduced rate near airport which I paid for. There were a number of passengers from different airlines and we all took the free shuttle to the hotels.
I am interested in this because I may end up using a Continental credit for travelling to France and I think I'll have to go via EWR.
Last year I missed my connection (AA) in Chicago ORD and I was offered a room at reduced rate near airport which I paid for. There were a number of passengers from different airlines and we all took the free shuttle to the hotels.
I am interested in this because I may end up using a Continental credit for travelling to France and I think I'll have to go via EWR.
Jul 12th, 2006, 01:47 PM
#49
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I also want to comment on the hotel issue. EWR is a major airport and there are quite a few airport hotels around, all with complimentary shuttle. I know on a day with bad weather, many or all of them may be full, but I'd at least try calling all of them. Your travel insurance should cover the cost; and even if not, it's definitely worth the cost.
<b>Anyways</b>, here is what I would have suggested to you, if you're my friend and call me for suggestions during the ordeal.
0. If you live in Chicago, and before the flight departs Chicago, they already announced the delay, you may want to have them reschedule your whole flight for the next day. Instead of overnighting in EWR, you can go home in Chicago. [But apparently, you live pretty far away, so it'll be basically a choice between hotel at ORD or hotel at EWR, both at your expense.]
1. Knowing that the delay of your ORD-EWR flight is due to weather/air-traffic, CO will not give you hotel for the night. I'd suggest you either call yourself, or have someone else look for hotel rooms near EWR. You'll beat the other delayed passengers to it.
2. Once you get off the plane, just head straigth to the hotel. Don't deal with airport agents who are all grumpy and overworked.
3. After you get to your room, then call CO's 800 number and deal with those people. They can rebook you, or they have already rebooked you for the flight next day, hopefully the earlier one too.
4. Go enjoy the day at NYC the next day.
Again, next time, consider the risk you're taking when booking a one-stop vs non-stop, and a late flight US-Europe. Some flights are cheaper than others, usually for a reason.
<b>Anyways</b>, here is what I would have suggested to you, if you're my friend and call me for suggestions during the ordeal.
0. If you live in Chicago, and before the flight departs Chicago, they already announced the delay, you may want to have them reschedule your whole flight for the next day. Instead of overnighting in EWR, you can go home in Chicago. [But apparently, you live pretty far away, so it'll be basically a choice between hotel at ORD or hotel at EWR, both at your expense.]
1. Knowing that the delay of your ORD-EWR flight is due to weather/air-traffic, CO will not give you hotel for the night. I'd suggest you either call yourself, or have someone else look for hotel rooms near EWR. You'll beat the other delayed passengers to it.
2. Once you get off the plane, just head straigth to the hotel. Don't deal with airport agents who are all grumpy and overworked.
3. After you get to your room, then call CO's 800 number and deal with those people. They can rebook you, or they have already rebooked you for the flight next day, hopefully the earlier one too.
4. Go enjoy the day at NYC the next day.
Again, next time, consider the risk you're taking when booking a one-stop vs non-stop, and a late flight US-Europe. Some flights are cheaper than others, usually for a reason.
Jul 12th, 2006, 01:53 PM
#50
I agree rkkwan. That's why I asked the poster about the options available.
I ended up spending one night in LHR several years ago (not my choice but that's another story) and would never do that again.
I ended up spending one night in LHR several years ago (not my choice but that's another story) and would never do that again.
Jul 12th, 2006, 04:54 PM
#51
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I haven't flown CO myself, but I recently met my mother and sister in Rome (they departed Houston and went via Newark) and their flight was on CO. My mom was in BusinessFirst, my sister in coach. This was a dream trip for Mom, hence her FC seat.
Sis has flown only AF and BA overseas and said CO was awful in comparison. Granted, she can be a bit more picky than I, she basically told me she would not be flying them trans-Atlantic again. She said the service was okay, but what really bothered her were the seats. She said she much prefers AF and BA for comfort on such a long flight (and she is really tiny, so I wouldn't think it would matter much). She did have some other complaints, but I kind of tuned her out on them so I don't recall what they were.
Mom's flight was great other than getting deathly ill from something she ate on the last leg of the return home and it took her over a week to recover. I'd like to think it was something she ate before she left Rome, but we all had the same thing and Sis and I were fine.
If it were me and the price was right, I would probably still give CO a try, even given their experience.
Sis has flown only AF and BA overseas and said CO was awful in comparison. Granted, she can be a bit more picky than I, she basically told me she would not be flying them trans-Atlantic again. She said the service was okay, but what really bothered her were the seats. She said she much prefers AF and BA for comfort on such a long flight (and she is really tiny, so I wouldn't think it would matter much). She did have some other complaints, but I kind of tuned her out on them so I don't recall what they were.
Mom's flight was great other than getting deathly ill from something she ate on the last leg of the return home and it took her over a week to recover. I'd like to think it was something she ate before she left Rome, but we all had the same thing and Sis and I were fine.
If it were me and the price was right, I would probably still give CO a try, even given their experience.
Jul 12th, 2006, 04:54 PM
#52
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Agree that the key thing is not to deal with ground staff in a situation like this. Assume you're on your own - get a hotel organized by phone and at least have a bed for the night.
Then call the airline and have them fix everything over the phone - it;s way faster, less work and more effetive than trekking all over the airport.
Then call the airline and have them fix everything over the phone - it;s way faster, less work and more effetive than trekking all over the airport.
Jul 12th, 2006, 05:45 PM
#53
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I flew Continental from Newark to Paris this spring. The 757s were awful -- one aisle, no way to stretch your legs...I like CO for domestic flights (I travel MSP to EWR frequently)but would not travel them international again.
Jul 12th, 2006, 06:08 PM
#54
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I always fly Continental overseas because I am a neurotic, superstitious, fearful flyer and I'm like the baseball player who will wear the same pair of socks as long as he is on a winning streak. Plus FF miles linked to my chase card.That said, I also only fly their Biz class overseas which I very much like. However I too have experienced extremely rude ground crews. In Rome-I got the you don't look like biz class nasty treatment, but I took care of her. And more recently experienced a very rude little girl ticket agent. Sometimes I'll say to them, which I did on this latest occasion," you should be careful how you speak to people, you never know if your talking to a new york times travel editor, someone from conde naste or the TSA and shoot them a look, it makes them nervous and they get quite nice very quickly. Little white lies never hurt anyone IMHO.
Jul 12th, 2006, 08:09 PM
#55
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As much as it pains a CO loyalist like myself, I have to agree that the staff at EWR are way rude, especially in contrast to the excellent customer service at other CO hubs. I chalk it up to regional culture but still don't like it.
I also detest those godawful one aisle 757's for overseas flights if I have to fly coach. And domestically, since CO reduced the number of seats in the front on many aircraft, it is harder to get an upgrade even with elite FF status.
To be honest, I may just fall victim to some of the really enticing fares being offered by AA. I have avoided them like the plague based on uniformly horrible experiences in the past but have heard that they are geting better. It sort of feels like the process of deciding whether to continue a relationship - "am I better of with or without him?" - but stay tuned.
I also detest those godawful one aisle 757's for overseas flights if I have to fly coach. And domestically, since CO reduced the number of seats in the front on many aircraft, it is harder to get an upgrade even with elite FF status.
To be honest, I may just fall victim to some of the really enticing fares being offered by AA. I have avoided them like the plague based on uniformly horrible experiences in the past but have heard that they are geting better. It sort of feels like the process of deciding whether to continue a relationship - "am I better of with or without him?" - but stay tuned.
Jul 12th, 2006, 08:26 PM
#56
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I have done CO's 757 across the Atlantic, and it is tolerable if the middle seat is left open. Which is something you can't count on these days, and that's why I also suggest people to avoid them if possible.
The flipside is that CO's 757s go to some destinations not served by any other airline directly from the US - Belfast, Bristol, Oslo, Hamburg, Cologne & Berlin. When the alternative is a connection in LHR or CDG, then the 757 non-stop becomes a bit more attractive.
And don't forget that CO also flies the 767/777 to a whole bunch of European destinations - LGW, CDG, AMS, BRU, FRA, MAD, GVA, ZRH, MXP, FCO. Not as many as Delta, particularly from Atlanta, but still a decent network.
What one should really avoid is take the 757 to CDG or LGW when there's also 777 services to those destinations.
The flipside is that CO's 757s go to some destinations not served by any other airline directly from the US - Belfast, Bristol, Oslo, Hamburg, Cologne & Berlin. When the alternative is a connection in LHR or CDG, then the 757 non-stop becomes a bit more attractive.
And don't forget that CO also flies the 767/777 to a whole bunch of European destinations - LGW, CDG, AMS, BRU, FRA, MAD, GVA, ZRH, MXP, FCO. Not as many as Delta, particularly from Atlanta, but still a decent network.
What one should really avoid is take the 757 to CDG or LGW when there's also 777 services to those destinations.
