I need to vent, if this is out of line, please remove this posting mods.

So, my in-laws are stuck in Denmark because Newark airport is all snowed over, fair enough, not Orbitz' fault.

But I called the airline, who told me to call Orbitz, who then told me to call the airline. I called the airline again, and they say Orbitz locked the record so they couldn't help me, no matter how much they wanted to.

Time in queue at the airline: 5 minutes
Time in queue at Orbitz: 2 hours

I'm really <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> right now.

Sitting in a phone queue for Orbitz again, no music or anything else to let me know if the line is still even open.

Next time I'm booking straight through the airline, would have been pretty much the same price.

MD, That's a lot like the "reduced rate phone carriers". If you have trouble with the actual phone LINE, guess who THEY call (at least around here)? YUP, Ma Bell, A T&T THEY own the actual lines! That's why we have stuck with AT&T. It just a cheap for us and a LOT easier to get LINE problems fixed.

The only remaining companies that give "good customer service" are: Scrap Yard, Swamp Rat, Bravo Comany (BCM AR15 stuff), LaRue Tactical, StreamLight, Sig Sauer, and SKD Tactical.

Seemingly every other company has given me trouble in very recent years.

The Marine Corps still has many companies that still give excellent service. Just ask our enemies! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I had a young Marine at my house for Christmas. He'd agree with you.

Hate to hear that. Seems like customer service is gone the way of the do-do bird.

Ain't that the truth!

Well...........in some cases ( not all) folks are trying to get DEALS on travel- hotles- resturaunts etc and this is where things can go wrong IMO <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />. I had some friends that paid about 25 % less than I did for a flight- cruise- hotels combined and their trip was a NIGHTMARE with nothing they could do about it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> They got a DEAL. Thus- crappy service etc went with their great deal <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbdn.gif" alt="" />. I try to get the best price with one exception.........I also want QUALITY so most of the time there is no discounts. Just like good guns and knives- ya get what ya pay for <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I absolutely agree.

I sat in their [censored] phone queue all day almost constantly, from 8am to around 9pm that day. One time I was on hold for 4 hours, when the person finally got back to me with information the phone line died just as she was about to give it to me.

We finally got my in-laws a new flight, and I'm never again booking through a place like Orbitz, straight to the airline next time. Lets drink.

I usually book straight through too, may pay just a little more but it usually proves worth it in the end!

I used to work at a motel, and the Orbitz and Travelocity rates were actually a little more than you could get online if you contacted the motel directly!

Great move on your part. Less frustration and your time is worth much more than that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />. I have another friend that is always looking for GREAT DEALS and he really doesn't save that much in the long run. His wife won't travel with him as they alawys get rooms next to elavators- smoking rooms- or whatever is " left over" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> . Concert seats where you need binoculars to see the performers !! Just ridiculous IMO. The really sad part is she is smokin hot and my cheap [censored] friend doesn't realize that somebody is going to treat her " special" and he is going to lose her from being a tightwad. Kind of like buying a knife made in China for a survival situation <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> -OUCH <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />