Have I really been to Texas?

[biittner77]

My flight from LA was late so my connecting flight left without us (actually American Airlines gave away our seats even though we actually made it tot the plane before it left but that story belongs in rants) Since we had 6 hours to kill we went to a hotel and slept until the next available flight.

 

Does this count as having been to Texas? I was there for over 5 hours, I left the airport and I rented a room. However, I didn't see anything or do anything while I was there.

[NCCubFan]

Since the airline gave away your seats even though you got there before your connecting flight left I think they owe you denied boarding compensation. I don't see how they could hold you to the rule of being at the gate 20 minutes before departure since it was due to the delay of their own flight that you were unable to. Their system certainly could have told them that your flight would arrive on time for you to have made your next flight by departure time or only a few minutes late (and normally airlines will delay a flight at least a few minutes to accommodate connecting passengers whose flights are late). And they certainly could have seen that you were actually on the originating flight by looking at the passenger log. They dropped the ball and owe you for the inconvenience. Last I knew American's standard compensation for denied boarding was a $250 voucher toward future travel.

 

As far as the actual poll is concerned, I said leaving the airport (and by that I mean actually leaving the property completely, not just stepping outside the terminal building).

[Derwood]

if just being at an airport counts, I've been to Germany. if landing at an airport but not leaving the plane before taking off again counts, I've been to Dallas and Los Angeles

[Careless]

If you were in a stampede or gunfight or football game, yes. If you ate certain meats, maybe. Otherwise, no.

 

and yes, I'm not just using stereotypes, I'm searching for them deliberately

[biittner77]

Since the airline gave away your seats even though you got there before your connecting flight left I think they owe you denied boarding compensation. I don't see how they could hold you to the rule of being at the gate 20 minutes before departure since it was due to the delay of their own flight that you were unable to. Their system certainly could have told them that your flight would arrive on time for you to have made your next flight by departure time or only a few minutes late (and normally airlines will delay a flight at least a few minutes to accommodate connecting passengers whose flights are late). And they certainly could have seen that you were actually on the originating flight by looking at the passenger log. They dropped the ball and owe you for the inconvenience. Last I knew American's standard compensation for denied boarding was a $250 voucher toward future travel.

 

As far as the actual poll is concerned, I said leaving the airport (and by that I mean actually leaving the property completely, not just stepping outside the terminal building).

 

I'm not sure I want to fly American ever again. I'm going to ask them to pay for the hotel room which was ~$40. That seems fair.

[jersey cubs fan]

Staying overnight is not necessary, I've been in a city for a day, arriving in the morning and leaving at night, and feel that fulfills any standard necessary for having been there.

 

I would lean toward just setting foot on the ground, provided it's outside the airport terminal.

[TruffleShuffle]

my criteria for being in a state means setting foot in that state, but not just in an airport terminal. For example, I've "been" in West Virginia because one time on my drive back to State College from Washington, D.C., I drove across the border of WV and Maryland, pulled over to the side of the road, got out and stood there for a few seconds, then got back in the car and drove back into Maryland.

[Derwood]

my criteria for being in a state means setting foot in that state, but not just in an airport terminal. For example, I've "been" in West Virginia because one time on my drive back to State College from Washington, D.C., I drove across the border of WV and Maryland, pulled over to the side of the road, got out and stood there for a few seconds, then got back in the car and drove back into Maryland.

 

you stayed about 2 seconds longer than necessary

[seanimal]

my criteria for being in a state means setting foot in that state, but not just in an airport terminal. For example, I've "been" in West Virginia because one time on my drive back to State College from Washington, D.C., I drove across the border of WV and Maryland, pulled over to the side of the road, got out and stood there for a few seconds, then got back in the car and drove back into Maryland.

 

you stayed about 2 seconds longer than necessary

 

Unless it was to go into that giant Cabella's. That's the only thing I've ever done in WV.

[wolf stansson]

my criteria for being in a state means setting foot in that state, but not just in an airport terminal. For example, I've "been" in West Virginia because one time on my drive back to State College from Washington, D.C., I drove across the border of WV and Maryland, pulled over to the side of the road, got out and stood there for a few seconds, then got back in the car and drove back into Maryland.

 

you stayed about 2 seconds longer than necessary

 

Unless it was to go into that giant Cabella's. That's the only thing I've ever done in WV.

West Virginia is a beautiful state to drive through. Just don't make eye contact with anyone.

[frostwyrm]

If you hop a helicopter to the Alamo and sing "Deep in the Heart of Texas" with passersby then you have been to Texas, even if you leave immediately afterwards.