Sob story

[apprehensive]

So, generally I try not to recount my woes to others, but I fear that this will have some much needed therapeutic value for me.

This morning, I rocked up to the airport taxi, bags in hand and a little spring in my step, all ready to head to the local airport in the north of Scotland, which would then take me to Manchester and from there to San Francisco. Awesome. I was pretty anxious, but excited all the same at the prospect of it all, and completely glad that I'd resolved to attend this event year. I'd planned on going last year, but for various reasons couldn't attend. This was to be my first Burn. I say *was* because when I got midway to the airport, the taxi driver told me that he wasn't aware of a morning flight, and when I checked my ticket reservation on my phone, it turns out that I'd booked the 30th of September and not August. I'm massively careless owing to the joyous combination of severe OCD and autism, but I am extra careful because of this as I know what I'm like in this regard. I spent so much energy and time double checking the international flight arrangements, that I obviously missed the mistake in the domestic one.

Long story short, there wasn't another connecting flight and I missed the international flight, which Delta say is now wholly nonrefundable since I only noticed within the last few hours. So, no Burn for me. And I feel like crying. Except I'm incapable of doing so owing to my conditions and so am spilling my frustrations presently onto the forum.

[Canoe]

That certainly does suck.
And would surely go in the "Fuck!" thread.

If you can afford it, and flights are available, you certainly wouldn't be the only Burner arriving sometime in the middle of the week.
If you can't afford it, get your ticket up for sale: someone else gets to go, and you get those funds for a ticket next year...

[apprehensive]

Is it wrong to suggest that Delta are a bunch of unhelpful, by the book asshats? They're totally within their rights not to offer me any refund or to transfer my flight to another day, but in the circumstances and given that I'm offering to fly with them tommorrow and to pay any difference in the price I'd have thought they'd have been slightly more accommodating.

[Canoe]

You could try Delta customer service, not booking. Don't mention Burning Man, but mention your medical difficulties.
Was your Delta flight for Aug 30th or Sep 30th. If so, you could point out that they have a month to book that seat.
Don't expect anything, but it can't hurt to ask?

If it doesn't work out, get your ticket up for sale. Is it a physical ticket or a Will Call Ticket? If Will Call, there's a new reliable ticket transfer method.

[flashdance]

Sorry ... a bit of delta humor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os-rupiVrvs?

[apprehensive]

I ended up booking another flight from London to San Francisco. And then missed it. So I had to fly to LA instead and then drive up. Is there an award for most ramshackle journey to get to Burning Man? Because I think I could be a contender.

Delta told me to go away regarding the first missed flight, as I thought they would. Oddly the domestic flight I had with Delta from San Francisco back to LA was really rather nice, and their snacks were even vegan.

[gaminwench]

Yes, but how was your burn?

[Dr Helix]

[quote="apprehensive"]I ended up booking another flight from London to San Francisco. And then missed it. So I had to fly to LA instead and then drive up. Is there an award for most ramshackle journey to get to Burning Man? Because I think I could be a contender.

So you mixed up the dates on the first flight, then MISSED the second one? Ya got my vote!

[apprehensive]

Yes, Virgin were really nice and got me onto an alternative flight. Two missed international flights within the space of a week is quite impressive.

Then my credit card wasn't working when I tried to pay for my ticket it roll call. I didn't have enough cash on me and so had to drive all the way back to Gerlach to find a cash machine. I felt like screaming at that point.

My Burn was interesting though. I found it really quite overwhelming at times and I'm still, weeks later, processing it all.

[Sham]

Why didn't you find a cash machine in Reno---by the airport?

[BBadger]

Roll call? Will call?

[apprehensive]

Sorry, Will Call. Mea culpa.

I should have found a cash machine at the airport. But I am an idiot. I has disorganisational skillz.

I also managed to get completely lost in LA for about three hours when my phone stopped working. Also, when I got to the Burn, I had thought that I'd arrange my new itinerary such that I was leaving on the Saturday night after the Man burnt and that I was flying back on the Tuesday. Nope. I'd actually arranged it for the Sunday and was flying back on the Wednesday. I noticed this immediately prior before my arriving at the hotel on the Sunday, which was great.

[Simon of the Playa]

remind me never to use a travel agent with a scottish accent.

[Netty58]

Dang. I applaud your tenacity. You should get the Golden Ferret Award for running in circles. What time do you leave for work in the morning? I assume either your car never starts or you miss at least 2 buses.

[maladroit]

Write shit down.

[The Rod]

Either that, or you can just go with the flow...

[Sham]

Apprehensive has done a better job than I would to go with the flow. After the first misstep, I would have been back home throwing things and sulking. He's got true burner tenacity!

[BBadger]

How were you buying a ticket at will call?

[CyanEssence]

How were you buying a ticket at will call?

Perhaps LIT?

[Roundabout]

How were you buying a ticket at will call?

Perhaps LIT?

That is a lot of walkon airfair for an LIT.

[BBadger]

How were you buying a ticket at will call?

Perhaps LIT?

Ah, that makes sense now.

[maladroit]

Yeah, what? Someone who can afford an international flight, miss it, and then fork out for another one, miss THAT, and change to another flight, rent a car from LA and book a flight from SF to LA...was awarded a low income ticket?

I guess the title of this thread has a lot more meaning now.

[Dr. Pyro]

Maybe we should change the name of this thread to Sap Story.

[maladroit]

My business isn't doing so well, so I'm only able to pull out about $36k/yr before taxes. I live paycheck to paycheck. Even so, I'd feel really dirty applying for a low-income ticket. I couldn't afford flying to Europe for a desert party there. Who is the low-income ticket program for, again?

[Dr Helix]

My business isn't doing so well, so I'm only able to pull out about $36k/yr before taxes. I live paycheck to paycheck. Even so, I'd feel really dirty applying for a low-income ticket. I couldn't afford flying to Europe for a desert party there. Who is the low-income ticket program for, again?

I know the low income thing is what it looks like, but this person has been so scattered who knows if that's what they meant. But it does sound like that's what it was. And I agree, if you can afford all that, you should not be in the running for a LIT.

[maladroit]

I saw OP was logged in and watching this thread for an hour or two, I kept checking for an explanation. I guess it will take a bit longer to come up with one.

[Doctor VonBacon]

I understand the intent behind the low income ticket program, and it is a great concept.

But honestly, with all of the related expenses, if $200 is going to make or break your trip, you have seriously under-prepared.

Just my .02

[Ano]

This is straying off topic, but I'd really wish the LIT program was abolished.

I know a photographer who spends his life travelling around the world photographing for a very rich person who enjoys vanity. He received a LIT ticket this year, because he doesn't technically have an "income," he just gets comped nearly everything to basically take facebook/instagrma pictures of someone.

He also made one of the most infamous "bad" Burning Man videos that ended up on burners.me and other places full of hate. Not exactly a good person, to be honest.

[BBadger]

Oh look what I started...

Though that photographer sounds like a douchebag, I wouldn't hold it against the LIT program anymore than a soup kitchen that a well-off person exploits.

For more fundamental reasons, however, I do think the LIT program should be abolished. That $200 is not something that makes or breaks a vacation, and if somehow it is, you probably shouldn't be stretching your finances in the first place. Also, Burning Man is a luxury; it shouldn't be subsidized. Those tickets don't have to be disbursed into the general pool, but can be rolled into volunteer programs or something, but a "Low Income" ticket for a vacation just seems ridiculous.

Alas, it's all been said before.

[Elderberry]

Next you'll be telling people what they can and cannot buy with their food stamps. No steak and lobster for you!