Horror Story, Profiteering from Travel Misery

[Princess Fiona]

National Express operate a Hotel Hoppa which serves 21 hotels around Heathrow Airport for just £4 each way door to door, from all terminals and the Central Bus Station.
http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/transport.html

[Jacqui Harvey]

Thanks for that, I will tell my daughter who has been on the internet all day trying to find some transport for my Son in law.

[steveb1]

can fly stansted to glasgow for £30 on the 21st with ryanair if that is any use

[Jacqui Harvey]

Thanks for that Steve, but he has already booked an open train ticket which means he is not guaranteed a seat, he just has to turn up and can get a train to, hopefully, Aberdeen.  The cost of this magic ticket...£209.00.  Up to now their bill is £1,000.

[Jacqui Harvey]

Well, he got the train this morning at 6.15am to Aberdeeen.  When they got outside Peterborough all the lights went off and the train stopped.  Apparently the train behind them pulled all the power lines down, so now they are waiting for an engine to pull them back to the Station and have been told it will be a long wait... I really just can't believe anyone could have such bad luck, there seems no end to this.

[Jacqui Harvey]

After 14 hours on various train routes the one from Newcastle to Aberdeen broken down at Edinburgh.  My Son-in-law took the train to Kirkcaldy and stayed at his parents last night.  Today, his Brother in Law drove him up to Aberdeen, so it has taken 6 days to get up here since he arrived at Heathrow and cost over £1,000... and still no bag.[!]

[badger]

 On the news at 6pm tonight the head honcho at Heathrow is offering not to take his bonus,not much comfort to your son- in- law Jacqui or the customers who have been stuck at the airport for 4 days  

[Jacqui Harvey]

I think him and the Transport Minister should both resign, if it was up to me they would both be jailed.

[nuttybird]

Hi Jacqui, bit late in to this conversation, but just wanted to say im sorry for your son in laws problems, how blooming awful for him. I also just wanted to clarify, not all black cab drivers are the same, I am Hackney carriage licensed, and I drive a black cab at the weekends. By law we can not refuse a fare, at all, no sir ree. I appreciate your soninlaw had other things on his mind rather than get the cabbys number (always displayed in the back of a cab with our photo i.d.'s) (which also must be on display) some cabbys dont display these for reasons of being complained about. but just so you all know for future, you have every right to demand a black cab driver take you to your destination, and if not just say you'll report them to Hackney Carriage, they soon will take you. Also just wanted to agree with the majority that as soon as the snow hit in my town in Essex some petrol stations prices went up! On saturday I was in the cab (working) when the snow hit, and had a fare on board, so i turned the meter off, and we picked up people on the way that were walking and stranded, I had 5 random people in the back and they were all so appreciative of me picking them up and not charging. They tried to pay me but i wouldnt accept. droppped them all off as near to their homes as I could, got stuck going back to my house, 10 minute journey too 1.5 hours for me to get home. Got home and snuggled up happy in the knowledge that I had helped some people and got them home safely. Not all black cabbys are bad, just some are miserable giits. Sorry for your troubles Jacqui x

[scorcher]

Horrendous tale of doom and gloom.I'm told that an email address is up and running direct to Number Ten.Pretty sure that they would be very interested in your saga,especially the price hikes. Nothing to lose by so doing and who knows someone with "clout" may put a stop to this nonsense ! x