VS11 on Friday 8th - Cancelled

This flight (my flight) has just been cancelled just in case anyone is flying.
This is the time when VS normally shine. In this case I'm a bit disappointed. Even thought flying U/C and Au they couldn't (or perhaps the operator on the other end wouldn't) get me in to Newark or JFK before 7pm on the same day, not really a lot of good. Now I understand they everyone will be trying to rebook but the speed of his / her "Sorry I can't do that" was instant.

Perhaps it's just me being too used to out of this world service by VS in these situations.

This flight (my flight) has just been cancelled just in case anyone is flying.
This is the time when VS normally shine. In this case I'm a bit disappointed. Even thought flying U/C and Au they couldn't (or perhaps the operator on the other end wouldn't) get me in to Newark or JFK before 7pm on the same day, not really a lot of good. Now I understand they everyone will be trying to rebook but the speed of his / her "Sorry I can't do that" was instant.

Perhaps it's just me being too used to out of this world service by VS in these situations.

Presumably they were in the process of deciding to cancel flights into JFK and EWR at the same time?

Even thought flying U/C and Au they couldn't (or perhaps the operator on the other end wouldn't) get me in to Newark or JFK before 7pm on the same day, not really a lot of good. Now I understand they everyone will be trying to rebook but the speed of his / her "Sorry I can't do that" was instant.

Well since all JFK and EWR flights are cancelled that would have been a stretch - a little more gentleness in the response seems to be what you wanted but I do think that the team will be very busy trying to sort out 100s, maybe even 1,000s of peoples' journeys.

Winter weather in the US does suck. Happened to me once two years ago, flight to EWR showed as the only one leaving that day, rang VS before getting into the CDC, then checked in to find it had been cancelled between home and the airport ...

Well since all JFK and EWR flights are cancelled that would have been a stretch - a little more gentleness in the response seems to be what you wanted but I do think that the team will be very busy trying to sort out 100s, maybe even 1,000s of peoples' journeys.

Winter weather in the US does suck. Happened to me once two years ago, flight to EWR showed as the only one leaving that day, rang VS before getting into the CDC, then checked in to find it had been cancelled between home and the airport ...

I concur that they may have been dealing with hundreds of other pax. At the time all the NYC Area flights were open. It was just the brashness of the reply.
I did in fact call back later to find out if there were any options and got a completely different response. The new agent took the time to go off and check if there was anything he could do, for a good 20 mins. Even tho his answer was the same, it shows how a customer interface is so important to Virgin.
If the first member of staff would have showed half the concern it would have been all smiles and no flight!!

Apologies. I misread the nature of your issue with the response you had from VS.

Apologies. I misread the nature of your issue with the response you had from VS.

No offense taken pjh. Your reply may well have been the correct answer. It was just the don't care, "Computer says no"attitude, even before I had asked.
If they were thinking about the other closures a simple comment from the agent would have been all I needed to just rebook for another day.

I suppose my real worry is that my service on the phone has always been really good. Hoping it's not more cuts in the service v(

So just as an update to this.....
VS also cancelled the VS11 today (Sat 8th). Phones as soon as the email came thru.
VS Call Centre - "Sorry sir, Sunday's is fully booked"
Me -"OK, so what can you do for me. I need to be in Boston Monday as I have meeting Monday AM and connecting flights early Tuesday AM from Boston"
VS Call Center - "Sorry sir. We are now protecting passengers that were booked on today's flight"
Me - "I was booked on today's flight"
VS Call Center - Silence for about 20 sec then "I'm sorry sir, I'm not sure what you expect me to do"
Me - "Well how about looking at that screen in front of you and seeing if you can get me in NYC and then get me to BOS"
VS Call Center - "All flights are full sir we are very busy"

I then explained my plight again. Not sure if there was a bolt of lighting but then I got.
"Can you hold Mr x, just let me see what I can do. Can't promise"
Eight mins later they had found me the last seat on the VS17 in to EWR. They went on to explain that I must keep checking as there is a chance this could be cancelled later in the day.

This was not a great option but at least gets me in the right country. Why did the call start out so hard??? The outcome in the end was showing customer service. If I had not tried to explain again I would have been p@ssed off Au and more bad vibe about VS CS :0 :0

Me - "Well how about looking at that screen in front of you and seeing if you can get me in NYC and then get me to BOS"

[...]

Eight mins later they had found me the last seat on the VS17 in to EWR. They went on to explain that I must keep checking as there is a chance this could be cancelled later in the day.

I hope you do get into Boston for Monday, but bear in mind there is currently a complete ban on road travel in Massachusetts right now, and all public transport is shut down. Logan Airport isn't going to open until 11PM tonight, but you won't be able to get from Logan Airport to anywhere because the road travel ban is probably going to be in place until late Sunday.

In short, I think it's going to be near impossible to get to Boston from Newark tomorrow. But good luck - I'm sure it'll be an adventure!

Well I'm sitting in the CH now with a rental car waiting for me the other end.
As for the driving ban in MA, your 100% correct. A quick call to a "local" I know states that law enforcement as NOT ticketing unless you are out for a "joy ride" ?| . I wont hit MA until well past 3am anyway so fingers crossed. It wont be the first traffic violation I have had. Let's hope the English accent works it's normal (rabbit in the headlights) effect ):

Roads closed in Connecticut as well

State by State update from Washington Post

Hope everyone is safe and well.

Best of luck to you
However I don't think you're going to get a "traffic violation" because to do that you need to be driving and from what the tv reports show - there certainly isn't much driving possible on any roads out of new york travelling towards the Boston area, cars have been abondoned on the main highways.
Sunday looks a nice day though y) and they usually can clear roads quickly.

Best of luck to you
However I don't think you're going to get a "traffic violation" because to do that you need to be driving and from what the tv reports show - there certainly isn't much driving possible on any roads out of new york traveling towards the Boston area, cars have been abandoned on the main highways.
Sunday looks a nice day though y) and they usually can clear roads quickly.

Thanks very much for your support Hev60.
I may be out of turn here, checking all the live webcams along the I-84E corridor and a majority of the the roads look fine(a lot different from how the weather channel has been describing it ?| ) now I agree the north of Mass may well be another matter, I will see when I get there. There will be no rush, gently, gently. On a real plus point just had a call and driving bad seems to be lifting at 4pm EST today.
This may make a good trip report!!!!

Good luck. Hope all goes well for you.
Keep safe !
Best wishes
Hiljil

Hi all,
Firstly, thanks for all the concern.
I made the trip from EWR to Boston after my VS17 and arrived in one piece. They revoked the driving bans in CT and MA whist I was in the air, not sure even the English accent could have got me thru two states with a ban ):
You have to tip your hat to local teams that have dealt with all that snow on the east coast ^) . I only shudder to think what havoc it would have caused in Blighty.
The drive took just under 4 hours, which is testament to how well they have done. I decided to take I-84 as the reports of I-95 were a bit scary. A few hair raising moments between exit 20 and exit 30 on I-84 like some junctions were, well just not there, just walls of snow.
Then seeing a truck decide to slide for about 200 yards while the three cars behind him decided where about we were going to hit each other :0 :0 I wish I could have taken a picture of a six lane highway covered in snow, thought my time was better with two hands on the wheel. I have clicked one, will have to see later what it looks like....
Looking back at it now, it's what traveling is all about to me. A life experience.
Now time for breakfast, well lunch anyway y) y) and then here for my meeting tomorrow and my connections over to the West Coast on Tuesday.
I should really make this a trip report. The flight was a blinder as well. y)

[honey lamb]

I should really make this a trip report. The flight was a blinder as well. y)

Yes you should. It's a rule of VF membership that trips out of the ordinary should be reported ): Well it's my rule. :w

Glad you made it safe and sound

It's a rule of VF membership that trips out of the ordinary should be reported ): Well it's my rule. :w

Speaking of HL, are there not some reading materials still outstanding from your lovely self??

Sounds like one hell of a trip LovingGold, def shows commitment to the job, although as you said.. it was fun

Glad you got through in once piece and citation free ):

Well done LovingGold, you're either a super hero or a silly idiot ): only kidding. I think you was really brave to attempt to drive in those conditions and hope the folk at your meeting appreciate your effort. Hopefully the west coast will be warm and sunny for you 8D

[honey lamb]

It's a rule of VF membership that trips out of the ordinary should be reported ): Well it's my rule. :w

Speaking of HL, are there not some reading materials still outstanding from your lovely self??

Just posted

Given that travel on the 8th was impossible to Boston, the 9th spent digging out and actually travel bans were "we won't ticket unless you get in an accident or need pulling out--then it's a year in jail/$500" --most obliged. I doubt even an Eton accent would have gone far. The visibility was nil and the amount of snow mind boggling. Snow was 1" at 9 PM and 24" at 6am. This was seriously a dangerous storm and we normally do snow fairly well these parts.
Overall the Commonwealth did an excellent job of dealing with the blizzard and if that was an inconvenience to international flights, surely well worth the overall protection of safety. Not sure even AU status would override that!

Given that travel on the 8th was impossible to Boston, the 9th spent digging out and actually travel bans were "we won't ticket unless you get in an accident or need pulling out--then it's a year in jail/$500" --most obliged. I doubt even an Eton accent would have gone far. The visibility was nil and the amount of snow mind boggling. Snow was 1" at 9 PM and 24" at 6am. This was seriously a dangerous storm and we normally do snow fairly well these parts.
Overall the Commonwealth did an excellent job of dealing with the blizzard and if that was an inconvenience to international flights, surely well worth the overall protection of safety. Not sure even AU status would override that!

Hi Roadrunner,
I may have misinterpreted your post here......... ?|
There was no disrespect meant with the ability to deal with the snow at all, in fact I applauded the teams. The amount of snow I saw that had not been touched in certain parts was astounding.
Safety always has to come first, agreed, in this day and age of seamless travel weather delays are frustrating and is part and parcel of travel, been delayed and cancelled before and will get delayed and cancelled again.
As for the "Commonwealth", that was a bad decision your forefathers made a few hundred years ago
Do you mean my Au status does not trump local law?? I think a letter to Crawley Towers is in order to set that right ) )

LovingGold

Glad you made it in one piece, and glad you had a good flight. I hope you don't mind me asking this, but I was wondering whether you really needed to travel? I have developed a healthy respect for the US weather and I just wonder what meeting would really be worth such a journey -- given the capabilities of modern IT/AV equipment (and I say that as someone who works in a business where face-to-face encounters are essential). Like I said, just asking in a friendly way, not a criticism.

Hi at240,
No offense taken and a valid question. y)
I seem to spend half my like of the phone or video confs so understand the benefits of AV systems etc.
The simple answer is yes. It would have been a lot easier to stay at home.
This is quite a large integration of a company we have just closed on. In situations like this there is a certain amount hand-holding that we have to perform to make sure business process are not disrupted, CTO's feel comfortable and other parts of the business integration processes. I run the IT side of these acquisitions globally for the corporation I work for.
An interruption to an IT system of any kind when linked to orders, cash-flow, customer relations is not an accepted outage.
As you well know, you sometimes have to have a "face" to buffer business and personal streams.