Re: EasyJet to downsize in UK, over 250 jobs affected

I'm furious and have had the day from EASYJET HELL!!! Last Thursday, yes typical, last Thursday... I booked two flights from East Midlands to Barcelona, booked and paid for in full for May 2010. Five minutes later whilst waiting for my email confirmation to come through from Easyjet, BMI Baby very kindly sent a mailer informing people of the closure of the East Midlands base in 2010. I rang my friend, who in turn put on Sky News to indeed confirm that flights would be honoured up to December 2009.

I rang Easyjet. No mean feat as anyone who has tried to find a telephone number for Easyjet will understand and feel my pain. Eventually, being charged 10p per minute, I went through the automated service and spoke to a "human" in the loosest of terms.

I was informed it is not Easyjet's policy to refund on flights and there is a charge of £22.50 per person, per flight to cancel my reservation (£100 in total). Ok, I understand this in normal circumstances however does the fact that my flight won't exist in May 2010 count? No, apparently not. Why not? Because I haven't received an email from Easyjet about my flight being cancelled.

I was very nice to the lady because by this stage, I hadn't realised just how ludicrous and infuriating Easyjet can be, after all it's not her fault is it? I don't know but I would guess that she was on a bonus for each time she managed to squeeze "not Company policy" into the conversation. Twenty minutes later we're still no closer to any conclusion to my request for a refund for the non-existent flight. I have gleaned that I will receive an email sometime in the near future or maybe next year or maybe never, informing me of what they will do with my non-existent flight however, yes you've guessed, "it's not company policy" to refund me any money. I thanked her for her time, informed her I wasn't going to pay £100 to cancel my reservation of the ghost flight and I will await the email.

Nearly one week later and they're still selling the flights online for 2010 from the East Midlands. Disgruntled to say the least, not only because I can't afford to book another flight with another carrier because Easyjet have my money but also because they are blatantly still selling flights without a health warning - "these non-existent East Midlands flights will cause you stress and an unhealthy bank balance" should be mandatory.

I decided to telephone Easyjet again, spurred on by friends and family's confident support that this surely is illegal and against the consumer credit act and a breach of contract and.... I could go on. I wish I had made a note of the telephone number the first time around, I think I could crack M15 secrets in a quicker time than finding the Easyjet contact number!

An hour and a frustating half later and I had a verbal warning for my language.... I apologised for saying "this is bloody ridiculous" however was still no nearer to any assistance, help, advice or understanding. Apparently, the management will be considering things for 90 days, that's 3 months, that's January 2010 and possibly I may have my email offering me alternative flights by then.

I explained they are still advertising flights for sale from the East Midlands now and taking people's money. That they have my money for a flight to Barcelona and I am unable to relax because the flight day and times and locations are very important to me - I am unable to book with another carrier because I can't afford to. They knew on the day they took my money they were "considering" closing East Midlands but didn't give me a chance for me to "consider" that option before taking my money.

The good news? I can cancel my flights. At a cost of £100. I can't afford to.

The bad news? Everything.

The light at the end of the tunnel (quickly extinguished).... "we can offer you alternative flights from another airport". Fantastic, yes, let's do it for peace of mind.... "that will cost you £22.50 per person, per flight because we haven't emailed you yet to tell you that your flight is cancelled! That's a total of £100" (I do believe this is when I used the "bloody" obscenity)!!

Eventually, worn out, fed up, incredulous and furious that my money is earning Easyjet interest in their bank account, I telephone the AUC - something to do with Aviation Watchdoggy type thing that Trading Standards have put me in touch with. Great, this will show them....

Not. There is no legislation to protect the consumer if the airline say they might be closing the airport - even if it is pretty much 100% probable that they will. Until they officially cancel my flight, I'm stuck. The advice was if you're brave enough, book flights now with another carrier and when, not if, when, Easyjet offer you alternative flights take the full refund - whenever that may be!! Worst case scenario, I have four flights instead of two.....

The moral of this story, never, ever, never, ever fly with Easyjet - and absolutely don't book anything out of the East Midlands, come January 2010 no one will have heard of them in Nottinghamshire.....