Anonymous wrote:We have had a bad stretch of flight cancellations. These include plane repairs, navigation computer problems, crews timing out because of delays and so on. A couple of times we've seen the airline takes a plane scheduled for one flight and transfers it to another flight to move passengers who have been stranded for longer. Often they change the plane to another smaller or larger one and change the seat allocation.

It has happened so often to us that we travel with a toothbrush band extra outfit in our cabin baggage.

Thanks. If it is becoming such an issue then I don't think she will be able to come anymore. I guess I don't understand how we can get charged so much for flights and then get a totally different experience, including destination, with zero compensation. There isn't an incentive to make things better for passengers.

Doesn't happen often, but does happen. There is a lot behind the scenes that you can't possibly know.

We have had a bad stretch of flight cancellations. These include plane repairs, navigation computer problems, crews timing out because of delays and so on. A couple of times we've seen the airline takes a plane scheduled for one flight and transfers it to another flight to move passengers who have been stranded for longer. Often they change the plane to another smaller or larger one and change the seat allocation.

It has happened so often to us that we travel with a toothbrush band extra outfit in our cabin baggage.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can they cancel a huge flight? Hmm, I don’t know, maybe air traffic controller shortage, flight crew shortage, Newark going “dark” and not having any ground-to-air communications twice in the last few weeks, other airports having problems and “ripple effect” to related flights and crew…

This is in Europe and I know the plane arrived on time (same plane she would have taken back to the US) Also not Newark.

Just because the plane arrived on time doesn't mean there weren't issues with crew.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s really hard for your mother; I’m sorry her trip has been made so difficult.

But it does happen. Maybe you can arrange wheelchair escorts or buggy service through the airline to help her navigate the transfers? My mother used to disdain this kind of support, until she tried it. Then she used it whenever possible.

Best of luck to you both!

How could I do this? Just call JFK and ask they meet her at her flight? She would gladly ask but she does not speak English, another reason why she avoids these scenarios!! I am actually a little shocked they did not put her on a direct partner flight (there was one) because she visibly does not look well, it would be striking. She is also likely very frazzled right now.

I don’t mean this to be rude but she does not remotely sound like a viable candidate for solo overseas travel. This is actually a fairly common occurrence. And yes if you change planes in the US, you have to pick up your bags and walk them through customs and recheck them.

We have been going back and forth for 25+ years so yes, we both know about this which is why she never ever does it that way! She pays more for an easier trip, flies from her country to the US so there is no luggage or baggage issue. This has never happened before. She does just fine with her usual routine.

It’s pretty lucky she hasn’t had an itinerary change in 25 years. I fly 5-6 times a year and have a change 1-2 times a year. Just because something has worked for 25 years for an aging person, doesn’t mean it’s going to keep working. You need to stay on top of it - she’s not getting younger.

I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do specifically. She is coming for an event she wanted to come for. She's 70 fwiw and has been in poor health for most of her visits. That's why she minimizes connections, makes sure she has her med prescriptions. But I guess we have been lucky. It just seems odd to me just this one flight was completely cancelled not for weather or mechanical reasons. I have had that happen with Spirit-type flights in the US but never for this and I fly at least once a year if not twice to Europe.

Anonymous wrote:How can they cancel a huge flight? Hmm, I don’t know, maybe air traffic controller shortage, flight crew shortage, Newark going “dark” and not having any ground-to-air communications twice in the last few weeks, other airports having problems and “ripple effect” to related flights and crew…

This is in Europe and I know the plane arrived on time (same plane she would have taken back to the US) Also not Newark.

How can they cancel a huge flight? Hmm, I don’t know, maybe air traffic controller shortage, flight crew shortage, Newark going “dark” and not having any ground-to-air communications twice in the last few weeks, other airports having problems and “ripple effect” to related flights and crew…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s really hard for your mother; I’m sorry her trip has been made so difficult.

But it does happen. Maybe you can arrange wheelchair escorts or buggy service through the airline to help her navigate the transfers? My mother used to disdain this kind of support, until she tried it. Then she used it whenever possible.

Best of luck to you both!

How could I do this? Just call JFK and ask they meet her at her flight? She would gladly ask but she does not speak English, another reason why she avoids these scenarios!! I am actually a little shocked they did not put her on a direct partner flight (there was one) because she visibly does not look well, it would be striking. She is also likely very frazzled right now.

I don’t mean this to be rude but she does not remotely sound like a viable candidate for solo overseas travel. This is actually a fairly common occurrence. And yes if you change planes in the US, you have to pick up your bags and walk them through customs and recheck them.

We have been going back and forth for 25+ years so yes, we both know about this which is why she never ever does it that way! She pays more for an easier trip, flies from her country to the US so there is no luggage or baggage issue. This has never happened before. She does just fine with her usual routine.

It’s pretty lucky she hasn’t had an itinerary change in 25 years. I fly 5-6 times a year and have a change 1-2 times a year. Just because something has worked for 25 years for an aging person, doesn’t mean it’s going to keep working. You need to stay on top of it - she’s not getting younger.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s really hard for your mother; I’m sorry her trip has been made so difficult.

But it does happen. Maybe you can arrange wheelchair escorts or buggy service through the airline to help her navigate the transfers? My mother used to disdain this kind of support, until she tried it. Then she used it whenever possible.

Best of luck to you both!

How could I do this? Just call JFK and ask they meet her at her flight? She would gladly ask but she does not speak English, another reason why she avoids these scenarios!! I am actually a little shocked they did not put her on a direct partner flight (there was one) because she visibly does not look well, it would be striking. She is also likely very frazzled right now.

I don’t mean this to be rude but she does not remotely sound like a viable candidate for solo overseas travel. This is actually a fairly common occurrence. And yes if you change planes in the US, you have to pick up your bags and walk them through customs and recheck them.

We have been going back and forth for 25+ years so yes, we both know about this which is why she never ever does it that way! She pays more for an easier trip, flies from her country to the US so there is no luggage or baggage issue. This has never happened before. She does just fine with her usual routine.

^^no language or baggage issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s really hard for your mother; I’m sorry her trip has been made so difficult.

But it does happen. Maybe you can arrange wheelchair escorts or buggy service through the airline to help her navigate the transfers? My mother used to disdain this kind of support, until she tried it. Then she used it whenever possible.

Best of luck to you both!

How could I do this? Just call JFK and ask they meet her at her flight? She would gladly ask but she does not speak English, another reason why she avoids these scenarios!! I am actually a little shocked they did not put her on a direct partner flight (there was one) because she visibly does not look well, it would be striking. She is also likely very frazzled right now.

I don’t mean this to be rude but she does not remotely sound like a viable candidate for solo overseas travel. This is actually a fairly common occurrence. And yes if you change planes in the US, you have to pick up your bags and walk them through customs and recheck them.

We have been going back and forth for 25+ years so yes, we both know about this which is why she never ever does it that way! She pays more for an easier trip, flies from her country to the US so there is no luggage or baggage issue. This has never happened before. She does just fine with her usual routine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s really hard for your mother; I’m sorry her trip has been made so difficult.

But it does happen. Maybe you can arrange wheelchair escorts or buggy service through the airline to help her navigate the transfers? My mother used to disdain this kind of support, until she tried it. Then she used it whenever possible.

Best of luck to you both!

How could I do this? Just call JFK and ask they meet her at her flight? She would gladly ask but she does not speak English, another reason why she avoids these scenarios!! I am actually a little shocked they did not put her on a direct partner flight (there was one) because she visibly does not look well, it would be striking. She is also likely very frazzled right now.

I don’t mean this to be rude but she does not remotely sound like a viable candidate for solo overseas travel. This is actually a fairly common occurrence. And yes if you change planes in the US, you have to pick up your bags and walk them through customs and recheck them.

Call the airline she is using and request special assistance. Make sure to mention the change in itinerary.

Anonymous wrote:That’s really hard for your mother; I’m sorry her trip has been made so difficult.

But it does happen. Maybe you can arrange wheelchair escorts or buggy service through the airline to help her navigate the transfers? My mother used to disdain this kind of support, until she tried it. Then she used it whenever possible.

Best of luck to you both!

How could I do this? Just call JFK and ask they meet her at her flight? She would gladly ask but she does not speak English, another reason why she avoids these scenarios!! I am actually a little shocked they did not put her on a direct partner flight (there was one) because she visibly does not look well, it would be striking. She is also likely very frazzled right now.

That’s really hard for your mother; I’m sorry her trip has been made so difficult.

But it does happen. Maybe you can arrange wheelchair escorts or buggy service through the airline to help her navigate the transfers? My mother used to disdain this kind of support, until she tried it. Then she used it whenever possible.

Best of luck to you both!

My mom is visiting from Europe and flying today. She always has a connecting flight in Europe because of where she lives but always avoids US connections because of having to take out her luggage. She is in poor health (cannot walk well, diabetes, chronic pain from arthritis). She found out at the first airport that her flight to the US was cancelled. They are sending her to JFK instead of Chicago, then she has to take a third flight. I know because she called my brother so he could let me know. How do they cancel a huge flight many hours in advance, not for weather reasons? I am worried she is not going to do well at all.