Thomas Cook. (Thomas Cook Airlines)

Member Name: tiggr

Product:	Thomas Cook Airlines
Date:	21/09/09 (209 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: Lost Holiday Time.

Thomas Cook Flight to Cayo Coco Guillermo. Departure time 1220. At 1140 hours the flight was advertised as Boarding. Went to the Departure Gate to be told there was a delay of possibly 1 - 2 Hours. Technical Fault was the excuse. At 1415 hours the Pilot made the announcement that the plane was delayed due to a Technical fault (later found out that it had been damaged in Jamaica the previous day but had still flown back to the UK) and that the test had been carried out and that Thomas Cook were waiting clearance from Airbus France to say that the plane could fly. He promised an up-date within 1 to 2 hours. After 3 hours the passengers were getting a bit fed up obviously. The information given at 1140 hours was boarding yet 5 hours later we were still sat in the Departure Lounge. Vouchers were given out to the value of £6.00 but the only place in the Lounge was a Costa Coffee Bar. Shortage of Staff and food made the waiting even worse. We were told that we could return to the Airport Lounge but could be left behind if we did not return immediately to the departure gate which was a 20 minute walk away. Tempers were begining to rise. I politely asked the Thomas Cook Representative some logical questions when the Pilot still had not returned with the up date as promised.
1. If the Pilot had been on Duty since 1100 hours surely his allocated working time of 1515 hours would be over and he would not actually be legally allowed to fly the plane. (Flight time was 9.5 hours)
2. Why would Thomas Cook not tell the Truth that the Plane had been damaged before take off in Jamaica the previous day. People would have accepted the truth its the lies that make people angry.
3. Why call passengers to the departure gate where there are no faclities for Children or Adults.
The Representative was unwilling to answer truthfully the questions that I asked.
At 1630 hours the Pilot returned to say that they were still awaiting clearance from Airbus France. ? Would this really take over 5 hours if the tests had been carried out and all details forwarded to Airbus at 1030 hours that Morning and all details provided the previous day when the plane had received the damage and the fact that the Plane flew from Jamaica to UK.
I understand the need for 100 safety but this was just another lie from the staff.
People were begining to get angry and the other Representative behind the Desk had obviously had enough and stormed off.
We finally took off 5 hours and 40 minutes late.
Why I ask myself is this an issue.
Because for 5 weeks prior to our flight the same flight on the same day each day had also been delayed by six hours.
So why cant Thomas Cook tell the truth.
Our return flight was on time but the following week on the same flight on the same day the plane was delayed by you guessed Technical Faults.

Summary: Tell the Truth and Shame Thomas Cook