Before your first post, read this....

justjenn

Can somebody tell me if I did the right thing please. I was due to fly on a BA flight to Tampa. Unable to check-in on line so tried to do it at Gatwick. It was very busy with many flights. I arrived at desk with 50 minutes to spare before flight closed. The boards stated 45 minutes for closure so I was very close. The very rude member of staff behind desk told me I had missed my flight and would have to re-book. I bought my ticket through a Travel Agent not directly with BA. I pointed out the board he left me standing there [and of course time was ticking away] finally he came back and said he had spoken to Manager who said I couldn't fly. Anyway cutting a long story short. As I had lost £517.00 I made a complaint and was offered £150 Voucher for next flight which I ungracefully accepted.
I have since found these forums and wished I had found them sooner as I think I could have made a claim for being denied boarding as it was no fault of my own. Is it too late now? Any thoughts on this please would be appreciated.

Vauban

If you arrived at check in only 50 mins before boarding closed, you were way too late to get through security and the gate. So you were not "denied boarding" - you simply didn't turn up in time.

Caz3121

justjenn wrote: »

I arrived at desk with 50 minutes to spare before flight closed. The boards stated 45 minutes for closure so I was very close. The very rude member of staff behind desk told me I had missed my flight and would have to re-book.

BA checkin closes 45 minutes before departure. Do you have evidence that you were at the checkin desk (not in the queue) before this time so you believe BA closed the flight before the official closure time? Have you asked BA what time the system shows the checkin closed? could your watch have been wrong?

justjenn

Vauban, I was at the check in desk 50 minutes before flight was due to leave. I believe the desk agent deliberately delayed things and not listening and all of a sudden looking busy. As I am disabled I have to go to the gate via wheelchair and I go straight through security.[The chair was already organised} I have done this trip many times. I overheard staff members laughing and saying 'good' I can travel to Tampa now. I am guessing but they were looking for a scapegoat to get a member of staff on that flight. I don't think I kicked up enough of a fight as I was outnumbered. I kept pointing out that the boards state 45 minutes before checking closes. I was there in time.

justjenn

Thank you for reply. I was alone so nobody to vouch for my time of arrival at desk. It was very busy but I made sure I went straight to the nearest free desk and No I did not ask BA what time the system stated the flight closed. That's a good idea.I don't think BA closed it early though. I just feel the desk agent deliberately made himself look busy with something else so the the last 5 minutes would tick by. I do not wear a watch but I go by my mobile phone which is in time with the BBC. I had a wheelchair waiting to take me to the gate as well. I normally go straight through Security.
I just remembered something else he said. that check in closes 1&1/2 hours before departure.
I asked him why all the A boards state 45 minutes then? He had no answer.

NoviceAngel

Sad, to say but I'd give this one up....

IMHO you were not denied boarding - shame and you have my sympathy - but EC 261 goes on regs and legalities, you should try a NWNF sols, but I don't hold out much hope.

Caz3121

justjenn wrote: »

As I am disabled I have to go to the gate via wheelchair and I go straight through security.[The chair was already organised}

This I suspect is the issue. BA advises passengers receiving wheelchair assistance to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time.
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/disability-assistance/disability-and-mobility-assistance

The wheelchair service needs to be called to collect the passenger and take through security to the gate at which time wheelchair passengers are boarded before any other passengers. 50 mins was over an hour too late

Vauban

justjenn wrote: »

Vauban, I was at the check in desk 50 minutes before flight was due to leave. I believe the desk agent deliberately delayed things and not listening and all of a sudden looking busy. As I am disabled I have to go to the gate via wheelchair and I go straight through security.[The chair was already organised} I have done this trip many times. I overheard staff members laughing and saying 'good' I can travel to Tampa now. I am guessing but they were looking for a scapegoat to get a member of staff on that flight. I don't think I kicked up enough of a fight as I was outnumbered. I kept pointing out that the boards state 45 minutes before checking closes. I was there in time.

justjenn: if you present yourself only 50 mins before departure, when the advice is to be there much earlier, I don't think you will be able to persuade a judge that you were unfairly denied boarding. As such, I doubt any airline would agree to compensate you for this, in line with the regulation. If you were caught up in traffic or some other unavoidable delay, perhaps your travel insurance might cover the missed departure?

justjenn

Thank you for your advice. From now on I will take camera and stopwatch with me. I have to swallow the result painful though it is. I cannot really afford to loose that amount of money again.

justjenn

Thank you for your advise.