Sounds disturbingly like my Delta Experience:
Them: It's 7:14, check in for that flight ended at 7:10.
Me: There was an accident on teh freeway, the flight doesn't leave until 7:50. I have 45 minutes - check me in.
They have already released the seat to standby, I can't check you in
Put me on standby and let me have the seat.
only the gate can give a standby seat
I can't get past security to the gate if you don't give me a boarding pass to get a seat on standby.
I can't rebook you at this counter, please use our courtesy phone
<coutesy phone> Time 7:18
How may I help you?
I'm scheduled for a flight and the counter won't check me in without a re-booking from you. The flight hasn't begun boarding and I need to get to Idaho this afternoon.
Ok, I can re-book you leaving RDu at 1230 arriving in Idaho at 1027 pm?
No, I have a seat on this flight, it's only 7:20 and I want my seat back
hold please while I check
<holding>
<holding>
Time 7:35
I'm sorry, that flight is boarding and your seat has been given to another standby passenger, would you like me to re-book you on the 1230 from RDU?
And so I took it in the cornhole cause I had to get to my TDY. Got in trouble for being late, got a $50 charge for chage fees and DFAS wouldn't re-imburse the charge.
I HATE DELTA!!!! (no it's not the only bad experience and I've never had a good experience with them)
-K-
Calling Delta, trying to get a flight changed, and having a "service" employee in India tell you "yes, Mister Kaufman I see mr. Kaufman you are flying to San Jose Mr Kaufman on the 22nd Mr. kaufman and how may I help you this today?"
"Well...the problem is that the flight was scheduled to go to Los Angeles."
"No, I see you are going to San Jose."
" I know that that is what your computer says, but I need to go to Los Angeles."
"This reservation will not take you to Los Angeles."
"That is correct. I agree. May I please speak to your supervisor? Perhaps someone in America?"
"Mr. Kaufman, I assure you I can assist you Mr. Kaufman in whatever needs it is that you need today Mr. Kaufman."
"I sincerely doubt that. Can you change my ticket to take me to Los Angeles on the 22nd?"
"I understand perfectly. You would like to add a stop to your itinerary to take you to Los ANgeles after San Jose?"
"May I please speak to your supervisor?"
"Mr. kaufman, I am able to get you to Los Angeles after San Jose the next day, on the 23rd."
"May I please speak to your supervisor?"
"If I may, Mr. kaufman, I see that you are flying to San Jose first class. I could have you in los Angeles later that night, leaving San Jose in our coach cabin."
"I am not going to San Jose, I am flying DIRECTLY from Hartford to Los Angeles on the 22nd. may I please speack to your supervisor?"
"Mr. Kaufman, your reservations will not take you to Los ANgeles, you will fly to San Jose."
Click. I need a friggen drink.