Fliers trapped overnight on tarmac want more from airline
— -- An attempt by Continental Airlines to compensate passengers stuck overnight inside a regional jet on the tarmac of the Rochester, Minn., airport two weeks ago has angered some of them, who say they deserve more.
"For what we went through, Continental's attempt at compensation is wholly inadequate," says Link Christin, who says he felt "imprisoned" for 5½ hours waiting for Continental Express Flight 2816 to take off.
Christin, 48 other passengers and two young children held in laps were on the flight that left Houston Aug. 7 bound for Minneapolis-St. Paul before a thunderstorm diverted the plane to Rochester.
The passengers spent an uncomfortable night in the 50-seat jet with babies crying and a foul odor emanating from the toilet. They were allowed off the plane in the morning and later got back on for a short flight to Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The Department of Transportation is investigating the incident, and Continental and ExpressJet Airlines— which operated the flight for Continental — have publicly apologized to the passengers.
Continental also has sent them a compensation package that includes a letter of apology, a promise to refund the cost of their tickets, a $200 voucher for a future flight and a $50 gift card.
"I thought they could have done more," says Scott Johnson, a Minnesota state employee who was returning home from a business trip in Texas. "A $200 flight credit won't buy a round-trip flight."
Christin, a professor at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, says he's annoyed because the $200 voucher expires in a year and includes a "release of liability." The voucher reads that by accepting it, "you release Continental, the operating carrier and their respective employees, agents and representatives from any and all liability, claims or damages resulting or arising from the matters related to your flight, compensation therefore or any related complaint."
'A shut-up package'
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