I had the misfortune to turn up at Miami and find that one of the cabin crew on my flight back to London (VS006 13/1/99)was my ex (we didn't split amicably).
Tried to get on the plane but, in front of all the other passengers at the aircraft door, I was told that my ex had complained about my presence and the captain had refused to let me travel on the aircraft. The ground staff were very rude and were not in the slightest bit interested in the fact that I had to work the next day and that this was why I wasn't using staff travel!
Bearing in mind that: I had no idea my ex was going to be on that flight; I had done nothing wrong; I had no intention of doing anything wrong; I hadn't been drinking; and in any case as an air traffic controller would not want my name in the papers what on earth was the captain thinking of??
I subsequently was told by friends of my ex that the cabin crew had got together to concoct a story that I had threatened my ex in the airport, and that the Captain had believed this! Does this give open season to all cabin crew to make up a story just cos they don't like the look of one of the passengers so that the passenger is offloaded without even knowing why or being able to defend themself? I've heard of air-rage but this is taking it to extremes!
As for Virgin, they lost half the revenue of our tickets to BA (we had the tickets endorsed to them so I could get home in time for work) and when I complained they couldn't give a toss. Despite all the embarrassment they caused me all they could say was 'we hope to see you on board a Virgin aircraft soon' !!! Yeh right!
Maybe the crew of that 747-400 that day would care to comment if they visit this site? It would be nice to know how they feel after the embarrassment this caused Virgin (I had the story in a local newspaper) and the fact that they lost £200 in revenue!
My ex, by the way, was promoted 2 months later.
I dont know wether you've heard of the website
http://www.virginaircrewlies.com but its worth a visit if you want to know what Virgin are REALLY like!
[This message has been edited by atcomatic (edited 18 November 2000).]