The Flight to no where or camping at Wellington Airport

Today, the day of the long flight (yea right).

After a relaxing start to the day (great breakfast) we got the hotel shuttle to the airport. Got to the Jetstar check in - too early, come back at 9.45 am. So off we went. Duely arrived back at check in, everything went smoothly until it came to the boarding pass and bags. Duh! Apparently Jetstar have a policy off not working with Qantas code shares, namely American Airlines. Turns out Jetstar would only take us and our bags as far as Auckland domestic terminal, Warning bells began to ring.

The flight to Auckland was due (emphasis on due) to arrive at 12.35 pm. Our flight to LA was due to leave at 2.20 pm. 90 minutes to retrieve our bags, get to the international airport and check in... No way!!.

Rang our travel agent immediately, pointed out the issue..no way can we make the AA flight. Our regular agent was on vacation, so someone unsure of what to do was given the problem to solve. Got to the gate.... Jetstar was going to be 10 minutes late..rang travel agent..what is happening, then Jetstar flight was delayed by 20 minutes...means arriving at Auckland domestic at 1.25 pm. No way are we going to meet the AA flight...another phone call or two...Agent advises not to get on the flight, retrieve our bags and await further instructions....the idea was to get an Air NZ direct to San Francisco (yea right). At 3 pm our agent advised us we could go on Air NZ for an extra $2000+ (yea right).

Finally. Around 4 pm, pulled the plug. Got the agent to get us a room at the Brentwood for the night while she was working on getting us on tomorrow's flights. Went back to the hotel and began the rapid calling to cancel or re-adjust bookings (accommodation and rental car). Unfortunately, it means we may not be able to catch up with Cory in Lucrene CA. 

We decided that I couldn't drive to Mendocino (about 31/2 hours north of San Francisco), so planned on staying the first night around SFO airport.

Now here it is almost 7 pm and we have finally received our tickets for tomorrow's big adventure. Unfortunately we are flying to Auckland on Jetstar, but 5 hours before the AA flight us due to leave. Yea Ha. Only problem is the short time gap between arriving in LA and departing for SFO. Have been assured that the time gap is acceptable (we will have to wait and see).

Cancellation fees are now banking up, so I am in for long discussion with either the Travel agent or or travel insurer (should be interesting).

So, here we are eating room service (not sure who is going to pay for that).

Moral of today's story, don't trust travel agents itinerary, and Jetstar can't get a flight away on time (plus don't trust Jetstar to keep you informed or show any empathy with its customers.

So that is it..thanks to the kids for plenty of advice and in the travel agent who worked well beyond the 5 pm quitting time to get things sorted.

Looking forward to an early rise tomorrow so to get to the Jetstar check in by 7.45 am.

Here's hoping