All these flight schedule changes are really getting on my nerves!

Both AA and United have switched my flights numerous times and really starting to get me pi**** off!

Every day for as long as I can remember Continental/United had a fllight from Philadelphia to Houston at 5:35am which was perfect since it always got me into Latin America by mid afternoon. The flight was always full. Now they decide to get rid of the 5:35am flight and make it 10:45am which screws up everything - I was going to arrive in Nicaragua at 12:30pm and now due to this stupid, stupid flight change, I do not get into Nica until midnight! Have to tell the hotel the later pick up time and it is a 1 1/2 ride to the hotel - what a waste of the 1st of a 5 night stay. Customer service stinks - sorry no other flights to switch you to. 5 hour layover in Houston! There is not even an option out of Newark which would get us there earlier and Newark is supposed to be one of thier hubs (well there is an option but only gives 45 minutes for flight change arriving from Newark to Houston which any scheduler will tell you is not enough time)

1st AA and now United - and folks feel sorry for the airlines - just more cost cutting and "screw the customer" tactics as far as I am concerned.

What did I hear on TV the other day - "welcome to the new normal."

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Originally Posted by jsattapr2

What did I hear on TV the other day - "welcome to the new normal."

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DH--If you can do carry on, 45 mins is acceptable for domestic connection--even most ATL flights.
When you can't beat the new normal system, why not take charge? Get them to switch you to the last flight out the night before and book cheap digs for layover. Keep the pickup but now it can be earlier. October starts the flight reductions every year. This is not new.
The airlines don't care if you're PO'd. They need to make money and if you're willing to give it to them, you have the lower hand. It is what it is. Doesn't make it equitable in your mind but if you continue to pay the price, you get what they will give you. We still have the best options for air travel in the WORLD. We're a huge country and we want flights NOW to EVERYWHERE. I have to say we are spoiled.

Can't do carry on for 2 weeks - have tried but does not work.
May work - take a flight to Houston the night before, stay overnight and then catch the earlier flight from Houston to Managua - that is if they will switch me to night flight on March 4th and then the early Houston to Managua on March 5th as originally planned -without charging me a change fee.

I can deal with flight changes but now there are actually less options. Why change an early flight that was always full no matter what day of the week you travelled to something different and at an awkward time at that - most business travellers like the early morning flights and I have to say that the early morning flight from Philly to Houston was mostly business travellers. 10:45am is a strange time - I even tried other days of the week to see if it changed to the 10:45 time instead of the for years 5:30am time and it did so it looks like they are totally cutting out the 5:30am to Houston from Philly. This will actually make me really think about abandoning United/Continental altogether after being a very loyal customer for many, many years. I asked around and it seems like they have cut many flights from Philly to various destinations so i am thinking that they do not consider Philadelphia an important market anymore. This will then leave it even more wide open for US Air which is the most expensive domestic airline in Philly (and Philly is a US Air hub).

got through to United and the customer service was surprisingly good. Was able to change my flight from PHL to IAH to an earlier day so I can still make the early flight to Managua the next day.
Also was able to book a decent hotel on United's web site for under $100 so all worked out.
Now I know why I usually try and fly out on a Tuesday - it leaves Monday free in case I have to go a day earlier!

Nice move!! Glad it worked for you. Enjoy your "bonus" overnight. Any interesting plan for Managua? We may do something similar if I can convince Boss to visit Jicaro.

Actually just getting picked up in Managua by Aqua Wellness Resort for the 1 1/2 - 2 hour drive to the resort - 5 nights at Aqua and then 5 nights in Jicaro. Looking into the possibililty of renting a car in the Aqua area so we can drive down to San Juan del Sur, etc.