It's been several year since this incident, so obviously won't be complaining now. We did at the time, but never got a response, then family members were rushed to hospital with heart problems and we never got round to complaining again.
We were staying in Praia du Luz (portugal) for two weeks. On the day of return, our coach to the airport arrived on time. To get to this resort, it had taken us just under an hour from Faro with a five other drop offs. On the return journey, however, it took nearly 4 hours. We travelled up and down the coast, picking up from at least 12 different hotels, going round in circles (one resort, then another, then back to first resort etc). At least two children were sick on the coach, making quite a mess (the driving was not particularly steady ). There was no toilet available (the driver didn't have the key), and the rep on the coach said we didn't have time to stop. Other children were crying because they needed the toilet.
When we arrived at the airport, many parents rushed their children off to sort them out. The driver loaded all of the luggage out of the coach, and left it by the airport, driving off. When getting to check-in, the whole coach found it had closed! We were too late, which wasn't surprising. Thankfully, they decided to reopen it - it had only just closed, and there was a whole coach load of us.
We complained on the given form on the flight home, and contacted them the day after. As said before, we had no response. Whilst preparing to contact again, a family member was rushed to hospital with heart problems. The day after he was discharged, another was also admitted to the same hospital, so we obviously had more important things to worry about.
This was a package holiday, booked through Thomas Cook.
We are not looking to complain, but just wanted to know what other people's response would have been.
My first reaction would be to state that they got you to the airport. You didn't miss the flight (though nearly did). Contract therefore fulfilled.
Maybe the drivers tachygraph played a part!
However I suppose this forum is for "official" Complaints - and to be honest I think by starting the complaints process you might have been giving yourself more hassle than it is worth - I dont know that you would have been due anything in compensation - however I suppose the satisfaction of letting them know how you felt might have made you feel better about your terrible experience!
Knowing Portugal as I do I would have been WELL MIFFED to be on a bus for 4 hours transfer to this particular resort!
if it was me, at the time, i would have written to the tour comapny, telling them of the situation, not for any compensation but just to make them aware of the situation....
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