Lost luggage is a major issue in air travel horror stories. You arrive at your destination, but your bags are nowhere to be found. And sometimes, the airline's process for handling lost luggage is so slow and inefficient that it adds to the frustration.
Delays are very common. Airlines often overbook flights, leading to passengers being bumped off. Another element is bad behavior from fellow passengers, like being drunk or overly noisy.
Poor in - flight service can be a big part of horror stories. For example, if the food is bad or there are not enough blankets. Also, technical issues with the plane during the flight can be really scary, like engine problems or strange noises from the aircraft.
Passenger misbehavior is quite common. Like unruly or drunk passengers who can be verbally or physically abusive towards the air hostess. For example, shouting at them for no good reason or making inappropriate remarks.
Weather is often a factor. Bad weather can disrupt communication and make it difficult for pilots to fly and for controllers to guide them. For example, in heavy fog or thunderstorms, visibility is low and signals can be distorted. Also, human error, such as fatigue - induced mistakes by controllers, is a recurring element in these horror stories. When controllers are overworked and tired, they are more likely to make errors that could endanger flights.
Unfriendly or unhelpful locals can be part of these stories too. Imagine being in a foreign country where you can't communicate well and the locals are not willing to assist you when you're in trouble. It adds a lot of stress to the travel experience.
One common element is accommodation problems. Like in my case where the hotel was dirty and the staff unhelpful. Another is transportation issues such as flight delays or getting lost while traveling between places.
One common theme is the pressure and stress. The intense competition among cadets to succeed can lead to a lot of mental strain. This can be a horror in itself as it can cause some cadets to break down. For instance, the fear of not making the grade and being sent home.
Once, my flight was severely delayed. I had to wait for over 8 hours at the airport. There were no proper announcements, and the airline staff was unhelpful. I missed an important meeting because of it.
Flight delays and cancellations are often in these stories. And the lack of proper compensation or assistance during such situations. For example, passengers left stranded without clear information on when they can get to their destination. Also, problems with baggage handling, like lost or damaged luggage, seem to come up a lot in these horror stories.
Flight delays are common. Passengers often end up waiting for hours, disrupting their travel plans.
Overbooking is another issue. Air Canada sometimes overbooks flights and then asks passengers to give up their seats. They may offer some compensation, but it's still a hassle for those who have planned their trips carefully. Imagine being told at the last minute that you can't board the flight you booked months ago.
The most common is probably flight delays. It seems to happen quite often with Norwegian Air. Another is poor customer service. For example, when passengers try to get refunds or compensation for problems, they face a lot of bureaucracy. And also, uncomfortable seating has been mentioned a lot in horror stories. The seats are sometimes too cramped, which makes long - haul flights really unpleasant.