Woman gets stuck at SFO for 8 days over baggage fees

[meegbear]

In just three months, U.S. Airlines raked in $1.4 billion in fees for checked baggage and ticket changes. For many travelers those fees can be an expensive annoyance, but one caused a whole lot of trouble in the life of a Sonoma County woman. This woman's story sounds like a movie plot. In fact, she compared her plight to the Tom Hanks movie, "The Terminal," when an unforeseen problem left her stranded in the last place she would ever expect.

Teri Weissinger thought she was flying out of San Francisco International Airport, she couldn't believe she wound up living there. "I found a little stairway and I lay on the floor and slept there," said Weissinger. She was stranded in a terminal for eight days and eight nights. It wasn't because of bad weather, it was because of baggage fees. "That's ridiculous, I couldn't believe it sometimes, you know, it's just incredibly ridiculous situation to be in," said Weissinger.

Weissinger was broke and leaving California to start a new life in Idaho. She had nothing but an airline ticket and $30 in her pocket. "$30 would get me there, so I thought," said Weissinger. However, the last time she flew, five years ago, checking a bag was still free. Most travelers are aware of the fees, but so she was shocked when she got up to the ticket counter. U.S. Airways said she had to pay an extra $60. "$25 for one bag, $35 or another bag," said Weissinger.

She explained she didn't have enough money and asked couldn't she pay when she got there? The airline said no. She offered to leave one bag behind. That was against security rules. "I started making phone calls to everybody I knew," said Weissinger. She wound up missing her flight. Now she'd have to pay the bag fees plus $150 in change fees. She couldn't fly out, but had no home to return to either. "I thought it looks like I might have to stay there tonight," said Weissinger.

At first she didn't panic. She even treated herself to dinner that night, but the next morning her problems grew bigger. U.S. Airways told her she now had to book a new flight -- about $1,000. "They just claimed we can't do anything, they couldn't help me," said Weissinger. She spent days wandering the airport, but her cash quickly ran out. "I was tired, hungry, dirty," said Weissinger. Weissinger was treated for anxiety at the airport medical clinic. She even asked police for help, but was nearly hauled in for vagrancy.

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http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/7_on_your_side&id=8415070

[ananda]

1. The "Airport Church of Christ"?

Geez

[CanonRay]

2. This proves corporations are people!

Cold, heartless, monstrous people.

[MineralMan]

3. Greyhound - SF, CA to Boise, ID - $160.

When you're broke and need to get somewhere, take the bus.

[valerief]

5. She couldn't refund the ticket. nt

[MineralMan]

9. Book the bus first. That's what I'm saying.

In times when money was tight, I took the bus. One time, I rode it from Charleston, SC to Los Angeles, nonstop. Same bus, many drivers. I was back in CA in less than 72 hours. Had I flown, all my money would have been gone. Since I rode the bus, I had money left when I got back to CA.

[valerief]

15. I agree. Bus is more economical. nt

[MindPilot]

8. Or Southwest. $214, no baggage fees, no change fees.

This is one of those stories I really don't believe. Exactly how do you buy an airline ticket without knowing what the baggage fees are? It isn't like the airlines keep it a secret and spring that on you after you clear security. I think this story if true might go a long way to explaining why this woman was broke in the first place.

[MineralMan]

10. Oh, I believe the story.

I just don't believe that most people would make the mistake or spend eight days at the airport.

[valerief]

4. Rules are rules. Except, of course, when torturing presidents break them. nt

[MineralMan]

12. Non sequitur of the day, I believe.

Uff da!

[valerief]

17. I needed a sarcasm tag after the "rules are rules". Rules don't apply to the exempt. nt

[hedgehog]

6. Here's a question - how many of the people she contacted would have

helped her out but were frustrated because they had to follow corporate rules?

[MineralMan]

11. Probably none.

I know that if a friend contacted me in that situation, I'd have fronted the money to get the friend on the plane. Maybe her friends are as broke as she is. I don't know.

[MindPilot]

7. Take the bag on board with you.

When it won't fit in the overhead, they will check it, and at that point they have no way to charge you for it.

[NeedleCast]

13. Many Airlines Actually Do Now

it's a pretty recent thing, but at least two airlines were carrying swiper machines so they could charge people who had to gate-check their bags. United and Delta, at least, have the capability to do it. Not sure they always do it. A lot of business traveler websites were suggesting what you did and I guess the airlines are on to that work-around now.

[MindPilot]

14. Yeah, but that requires a credit card.

And I think at that point they cannot remove you from the flight without giving you a refund.

[jberryhill]

16. That's Nothing Compared To The Horror Of Actually Getting Aboard A US Airways Flight

This woman got lucky for 8 days!

[TwilightGardener]

18. That's a crazy story. I can sympathize with her, I haven't flown in 16 years and had no idea

they charged a separate fee for baggage.