Whilst accepting that all carries chop and change in this day and age of fast computers - I do think that ayroplain has every right to feel he has been let down. His description of waiting an hour to check in with on a carry on IS very poor.
To get 4/5 flights canx and swapped? Not an impression any company should be giving. If they had apologised and offerred an upgrade or something, maybe. But, unfortunately, each booking is treated separetly and the computer would not know it is pi$$ing off the same customer x4 times in a row!
It sounds as if the same rotation was canx across a mopth or so. Yes - it happens. Yes - they told him in good time. No - it's not clever to do this.
ayroplain Do you have Blue Card? If so, you might be able to protest to greater effect. But don't hold your breath.