Oh bugger...

[Simon-JG-hr]

Well, as some of you know (and others may have gathered), I'm in Turkey at the moment.

Just found out that I shouldn't be though... I should be in the sky somewhere over Bulgaria...

During the week I was very ill. Somehow, whilst not quite with it, I managed to convince myself that my flight was on Sunday. Not that it should have been an issue, as I requested that British Airways (who until now I had always backed to the hilt) to remind me when check-in opens (24 hours before the flight) - by e-mail AND by text, so I should have had plenty of 'back-up' and had my memory jogged in plenty of time.

Neither came. So, this afternoon, slightly perplexed that I still hadn't had any reminders, I logged on anyway to check-in. Oh, check-in has closed... It's still 23 hours to go (I thought). Oh no, flight left half an hour ago.

SHIT.

Pardon my language guys, but I was not impressed. I've paid for an extra night at a hotel which I needn't have, plus I may now have to pay for a broken hotel phone... Still, my fault that I lost my temper.

So, watch out BA customer services at Ataturk airport - if you try to con me out of nearly ?400 for a flight tomorrow you'll be on a drip 'til this time next year - I'm not a happy bunny.

[Simon-JG-hr]

More accurately. I should be in the UK now.

[bambini]

Ouch. That's more than just bad customer service: it's a total shambles. Sorry to hear about your predicament. Make sure BA pays for your hotel room, although the replacement phone may have to come out of your own pocket

[Simon-JG-hr]

I won't try for the room, I booked it in my period of lesser lucidity and even if they had reminded me I'd have had to pay for it. I've got stuff from the doctor in Ankara, so will be able to prove to them that I was out of it for a week so can't be held responsible.

Normally, I'd go 'you stupid tit' to myself for getting it wrong. I pride myself on not needing the reminders (I'm a very organized traveller as a rule) - but ask for them just in-case something like this happens... So not impressed that the one time I needed it, it didn't get sent...

[Robusto]

I hope you won't be stupidly out of pocket, Simon, and wish you a safe journey home. What a bugger.

[cohibaIV]

Its a bitch mate but still...HOW can they be to blame if YOU forget WHEN your flying back..?

You did have a date on your ticket did you not???

[Simon-JG-hr]

They don't give you tickets any more.

Normally, I'd go 'you stupid tit' to myself for getting it wrong. I pride myself on not needing the reminders (I'm a very organized traveller as a rule) - but ask for them just in-case something like this happens [being extremely ill and deluding myself that the flight is on another day]... So not impressed that the one time I needed it, it didn't get sent...

[Simon-JG-hr]

PS. Not blaming them for missing the flight per se. However, I am blaming them for not providing a service which was offered and asked for which would have prevented it. And having a pre-whinge about being asked to pay ?400 for a flight which doesn't even leave the continent.

[cohibaIV]

I understand your point bud...

I'd be pissed too...

[davidruddell]

Safe journey home Simon,

Give them BA wallah's hell.

[Soft Top]

Simon that's a bugger. Sorry to hear you've been unwell.

I hope you manage to get back OK.

[daverave999]

Shit man. I'd be exceptionally upset with the lapse of service there, mainly due to the cost implications. Hope you weren't too ill?
I can't imagine I can, but if there's any way I can help, let me know.

[tippexx]

Simon that's a bugger. Sorry to hear you've been unwell.

I hope you manage to get back OK.

+1 Si. If you're not feeling that well, it might just be better to get home and deal with BA later.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Cheers guys. Feeling a little better now, but still not 100%. Test results should be back from the doctor, but can't find the email he says he's sent me...

Well, I'm back in the UK now. Very unimpressed with BA's customer service/ticket sales desk in Istanbul - staffed by a very curt and sarcastic woman. Much better service when I arrived at T5 and went to customer services - they couldn't do anything on the night, but apologised for any problems and gave me the necessary details for my letter of complaint.

The woman on the desk was so bad in fact that I lost my temper (well, what I would consider as losing my temper - I suspect many onlookers would have described me as being 'mildly irritated' - and I have NEVER been like that before, a sign of how bad she was?) Anyway, I ended up getting my father to book me my ticket through the UK office and text me the details as I couldn't stand to deal with that woman again.

I felt a little disappointed with myself for becoming visibly irritated with her (as I say, it's out of character) - I wondered if I had over-reacted due to the stress of the situation. Then... in the waiting lounge, I overheard a conversation which, if written, would read almost exactly the same as my description of her customer service skills. I didn't catch the other group's situation, I just gathered that they had a very sarcastic woman who was quite rude to boot 'help' them at the BA ticket office (and they were flying Business!).

With any luck, they'll make a written complaint too and she'll be sacked - truly awful service. Possibly the worst I've ever encountered, and someone more deserving (and better) should be allowed her job.

[ACMCC]

Good luck with claiming your costs back with BA, if you have travel insurance, you may be able to swing something on the illness front!