Help Me Hank: California Dreaming

Somewhere in this tangle of harried airline passengers are two happy people excited just to be at the airport with tickets in hand. It started last summer when Glen and Jen Develis planned their romantic get away to California.

Glenn Develis
"I just love the people's attitude out in California, free-willing and just having a good time in life."

Glen booked the airline tickets using frequent flyer miles, so the airfare was essentially free.

Glenn Develis
"They said you're all set, you're going to have a great time."

They splurged on a hotel, appointments to a fancy spa, visits to vineyards, even tickets to a Chris Isaak concert.

Jen Develis
"We were really excited."

Their flight was reserved and confirmed and their appointments set.

Jen Develis
"We had been talking about it for so many years and it was just great that we were finally going to be able to do it."

But a week before the trip when Glen called to confirm the departure times, he was told the airline had made other plans.

Hank
"They told you your reservation was canceled?"

Glenn Develis
"That's right."

Hank
"Had you canceled it?"

Glenn Develis
"Not me… no one notified us of anything."

The airline offered no explanation and only one solution, to put them on a flight the following week, putting California dreamin’ in jeopardy.

Glen did find tickets online for the original flight, but the cost was now sky high.

Hank
"So, you thought it would be free and it was going to be $4,400. What did you think?"

Glenn Develis
"I was really just shocked."

No airline tickets would mean, no spa, no vineyard, and no Chris Isaak.

Glenn Develis
"My heart dropped to the ground at that point."

The couple was going to have to map out a new plan of action.

Glenn Develis
"She said, you know, ‘I'm calling Hank, this is nuts.’"

So we hopped online to chat with the airlines... Days of jargon filled e-mails soon followed with ticketers, bookers, customer service and reservations people -- all trying to figure out what happened.

One e-mail reminded everyone that a TV station was involved. Finally they all decided it was a booking error by one of their agents and the jargon for that was -- all systems go. Jen and Glen's original reservations would be re-instated. And that's why here at the airport Jen and Glen are taking off on time.

Glenn Develis
"Thanks, good-bye."