24 delay with Thomson WHOLE holiday ruined for medical reasons

dollyxdimple

I am scared of flying. When I say scared, I am terrified. After several goes at hypnosis and taking a Flying Without Fear course with Virgin, the only way I am able to get on a plane is to get Diazepam, which is prescribed by my Dr. Due to the addictive nature of the drug, my Dr will only ever prescribe the exact amount I need to get me through one return flight at a time.

So, on Tue 3 Jan my husband and I were due to fly to Cape Verde. I took my meds, the plane took off, I managed not to have a complete panic attack and all was as well as I can just about stand. Until, over half way to CV, the plane develops a technical fault and we have to turn around and go back to Gatwick.

They put us up overnight at a hotel and we flew out again the next morning. Now I only have enough meds for one flight. I spent the whole night awake panicking. I had NO sleep and my husband had hardly any either because I was pacing and crying etc. The next morning I thought the only thing I could do was take half the meds I had left, just to try and take the edge off. It did not work. I had the most awful time. But, eventually we arrive in CV. Then I am in the position where I only have half my meds for the flight on the way back and I know for a fact they are not going to be enough. I spent the whole holiday stressing about it. I could not get any relaxation at all. Panic, panic, panic. I know it might sound daft, but this is a real phobia that I have which needs treating with medication.

I am fuming to say the least. Let alone that we lost an entire day of our holiday, wasted money on booking a hotel the night before the flight, paid an extra day for car parking at the airport etc.

So, naturally, I want to haul Thomson over the coals about this. Do you think Thomson will even care about it though? I know I can get money back for the delay, but really, I feel I need compensating for the whole holiday as it was totally ruined. I'm not even sure I could ever fly again at the minute to be honest, as flying is bad enough, let alone I was on a plane with a technical fault (my worst nightmare). I feel that this experience may have damaged my ability to fly ever again (

Anyone else experienced any such thing and if so, did you get any sympathy at all from the airline?

Thanks in advance.

GwylimT

Would a Dr in Cape Verde not prescribe any?

Caz3121

you need to stick to the facts and what you can claim. EU261 will make the airline liable for the delayed arrival and, assuming it was a technical issue, there will be a fixed amount payable.
You may want to speak to your travel insurance about what they will pay for the "ruined holiday" (did you contact them when you were away re your panics?) but I would expect nothing more from the airline than the EU261 payment
You will find details on the EU261 process in the "read this first" thread
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5173888
there is also a Thomson thread where you could post if you have anything further

Ganga

dollyxdimple wrote: »

I am scared of flying. When I say scared, I am terrified. After several goes at hypnosis and taking a Flying Without Fear course with Virgin, the only way I am able to get on a plane is to get Diazepam, which is prescribed by my Dr. Due to the addictive nature of the drug, my Dr will only ever prescribe the exact amount I need to get me through one return flight at a time.

So, on Tue 3 Jan my husband and I were due to fly to Cape Verde. I took my meds, the plane took off, I managed not to have a complete panic attack and all was as well as I can just about stand. Until, over half way to CV, the plane develops a technical fault and we have to turn around and go back to Gatwick.

They put us up overnight at a hotel and we flew out again the next morning. Now I only have enough meds for one flight. I spent the whole night awake panicking. I had NO sleep and my husband had hardly any either because I was pacing and crying etc. The next morning I thought the only thing I could do was take half the meds I had left, just to try and take the edge off. It did not work. I had the most awful time. But, eventually we arrive in CV. Then I am in the position where I only have half my meds for the flight on the way back and I know for a fact they are not going to be enough. I spent the whole holiday stressing about it. I could not get any relaxation at all. Panic, panic, panic. I know it might sound daft, but this is a real phobia that I have which needs treating with medication.

I am fuming to say the least. Let alone that we lost an entire day of our holiday, wasted money on booking a hotel the night before the flight, paid an extra day for car parking at the airport etc.

So, naturally, I want to haul Thomson over the coals about this. Do you think Thomson will even care about it though? I know I can get money back for the delay, but really, I feel I need compensating for the whole holiday as it was totally ruined. I'm not even sure I could ever fly again at the minute to be honest, as flying is bad enough, let alone I was on a plane with a technical fault (my worst nightmare). I feel that this experience may have damaged my ability to fly ever again (

Anyone else experienced any such thing and if so, did you get any sympathy at all from the airline?

Thanks in advance.

Why do you want to haul Thomson over the coals for this?
You have the problem,the pilot made a decision on safety grounds and turned back.
What would have happened if you had hit severe turbulance?you would probably have refused to fly home!
I know this will not convince you but flying is safe,you have more chance of an accident in the taxi on the way to the airport.
As for your rant about Thomsom paying for your holiday,hoteel etc. dream on.

richardw

GwylimT wrote: »

Would a Dr in Cape Verde not prescribe any?

My thoughts exactly. They should have gone to a Dr, paid and got the appropriate medication. Not Thomson's fault at all.

ERICS_MUM

Have you thought about taking a cruise from a UK port such as Southampton, thus avoiding the need to fly ? From the description of your fear of flying it doesn't seem worth all the worry and pill-popping for a holiday. There's also the impact this has on your OH.

dollyxdimple

Ganga wrote: »

Why do you want to haul Thomson over the coals for this?
You have the problem,the pilot made a decision on safety grounds and turned back.
What would have happened if you had hit severe turbulance?you would probably have refused to fly home!
I know this will not convince you but flying is safe,you have more chance of an accident in the taxi on the way to the airport.
As for your rant about Thomsom paying for your holiday,hoteel etc. dream on.

Aww, please don't be a hater, I don't need unkind words right now, I'm upset enough as it is. I'm not 'ranting', I've just had a really bad time and need a little advice. I'll get over it, I'm sure. Also, I do get the turbulence thing, sandstorms, ice, fog, snow. Can't be helped. But I do expect a plane I get on to be able to get me to my destination. I don't think that is unreasonable? The decision to turn back was made on the grounds that, although safe to get to Cape Verde, a component on the plane would have needed to be replaced before the plane could take off from CV again and that component was not available in CV. It's only a 5.5 hr flight. I'd like to think that my plane was checked over thoroughly enough that it was in fine enough working order not to have to turn back after only 3 hours in the sky. Also, one of the reasons I am most angry is that, upon our return to Gatwick, Thomson staff scuttled like cockroaches. There was not a single person to help any of us at Gatwick. Not one. We were all told by the Pilot we would be put up at the Hilton South Terminal, (even though we had departed from and were returning to North Terminal). When we arrived back the whole plane of passengers just kind of stumbled onto the shuttle bus to South Terminal, followed signs to the Hilton where we were met by Hilton staff. Not a single member of Thomson staff showed their faces at the Hilton. I felt really bad for the Hilton staff with a whole plane full of tired/fed up passengers to deal with. We were told we would get a hot meal at the Hilton. What happened was they quickly threw a bit of a salad bar together in a conference room, with some bits of chicken and fish. And water on the tables. I was meant to be in a 5 star resort with a huge buffet and unlimited all inclusive drinks. We didn't even get offered one single drink. So I am angry at Thomson, and I think quite rightly so.
Also, I do know I am more likely to be killed by a vending machine toppling over on me than I am on a plane, yet I am not scared of vending machines. Phobias are not by choice. xx

dollyxdimple

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Have you thought about taking a cruise from a UK port such as Southampton, thus avoiding the need to fly ? From the description of your fear of flying it doesn't seem worth all the worry and pill-popping for a holiday. There's also the impact this has on your OH.

Thanks for your kind words. Yes, it seems like it may come to that in the end. It's such a shame, I used to be OK but it's just got worse and worse over the years. Only problem is, my husband gets really, really sea sick. Go figure. LOL. xx

Bogalot

dollyxdimple wrote: »

Aww, please don't be a hater, I don't need unkind words right now, I'm upset enough as it is. I'm not 'ranting', I've just had a really bad time and need a little advice. I'll get over it, I'm sure. Also, I do get the turbulence thing, sandstorms, ice, fog, snow. Can't be helped. But I do expect a plane I get on to be able to get me to my destination. I don't think that is unreasonable? The decision to turn back was made on the grounds that, although safe to get to Cape Verde, a component on the plane would have needed to be replaced before the plane could take off from CV again and that component was not available in CV. It's only a 5.5 hr flight. I'd like to think that my plane was checked over thoroughly enough that it was in fine enough working order not to have to turn back after only 3 hours in the sky. Also, one of the reasons I am most angry is that, upon our return to Gatwick, Thomson staff scuttled like cockroaches. There was not a single person to help any of us at Gatwick. Not one. We were all told by the Pilot we would be put up at the Hilton South Terminal, (even though we had departed from and were returning to North Terminal). When we arrived back the whole plane of passengers just kind of stumbled onto the shuttle bus to South Terminal, followed signs to the Hilton where we were met by Hilton staff. Not a single member of Thomson staff showed their faces at the Hilton. I felt really bad for the Hilton staff with a whole plane full of tired/fed up passengers to deal with. We were told we would get a hot meal at the Hilton. What happened was they quickly threw a bit of a salad bar together in a conference room, with some bits of chicken and fish. And water on the tables. I was meant to be in a 5 star resort with a huge buffet and unlimited all inclusive drinks. We didn't even get offered one single drink. So I am angry at Thomson, and I think quite rightly so.
Also, I do know I am more likely to be killed by a vending machine toppling over on me than I am on a plane, yet I am not scared of vending machines. Phobias are not by choice. xx

None of which is relevant to your complaint.

Claim your 261 compensation and move on.

dollyxdimple

richardw wrote: »

My thoughts exactly. They should have gone to a Dr, paid and got the appropriate medication. Not Thomson's fault at all.

Thanks for the advice, but have you been to Cape Verde? It really is incredibly barren. Apart from a tiny airport and two or 3 hotels dotted on the beach, there really is nothing there. Like nothing. The trip from the airport to the hotel is on a half built road with scenery like the surface of the moon, with only a few scabby goats to see on the 30 minute drive! I would have loved to have been able to get the tablets, believe me ;o) xx

Bogalot

dollyxdimple wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, but have you been to Cape Verde? It really is incredibly barren. Apart from a tiny airport and two or 3 hotels dotted on the beach, there really is nothing there. Like nothing. The trip from the airport to the hotel is on a half built road with scenery like the surface of the moon, with only a few scabby goats to see on the 30 minute drive! I would have loved to have been able to get the tablets, believe me ;o) xx

There is a pharmacy in Sal. The hotel also would have been able to get you a doctor if a prescription was needed. Did you ask?