We had a HORRIBLE experience with not-Grand Classroom. They flew our 7th-grade children into a storm in Dallas for a layover that never should have been part of the trip. They actually took our group from South Florida west right into a storm that was predicted more than 24 hours in advance all over the internet and news, including cnn, Fox News, etc!
As a result, the kids landed and were stranded for OVER 12 HOURS. The company should have known that there were storm and tornado warnings for a full day before departure.
In Dallas, all flights were cancelled and the kids were stranded with zero communication with
parents. It was bedlam.
We were told there were no hotels available, yet we found plenty when we started looking ourselves.
Ultimately, the airline provided a hotel.
The children never made their enriching trip. Instead, they spent the entire next day at a mall.
It was only when the school stepped in that we received notifications. The company was cavalier and tried to blame it on the weather. The fact is, they should not have flown our kids into a dangerous storm that was predicted and they should have booked flights that were nonstop instead of a layover in Dallas for a Tennessee destination.
Ultimately, it seemed all about money. They were scrimping and getting the cheapest deals they could find while charging us $1700 for Wednesday - Friday trip to Knoxville, Tenn.
We were very sorry to not have been able to have this child and her Mom not join us at the Grand CanyonAs with all travel products, when you cancel right before the trip takes place, there is little we can do to recoup funds and as our terms state no refund can be given on such short noticeI was very sorry to hear about the young lady having asthmaWe have children attend our trips all the time with various health issues, including many with asthma, and we are very proactive in accommodating these children and explaining all of the activities to parents and chaperonesHad we known of this we could have allowed for a hike that would have fit within her situationI have asked our entire staff, and searched all of our emails, and we do not see any indication that this was brought to our attentionIf the child would like to travel on a future trip, we would love the opportunity to discount the future trip and get this young lady to this very special placeThanks, Grand Classroom
As a result, the kids landed and were stranded for OVER 12 HOURS. The company should have known that there were storm and tornado warnings for a full day before departure.
In Dallas, all flights were cancelled and the kids were stranded with zero communication with
parents. It was bedlam.
We were told there were no hotels available, yet we found plenty when we started looking ourselves.
Ultimately, the airline provided a hotel.
The children never made their enriching trip. Instead, they spent the entire next day at a mall.
It was only when the school stepped in that we received notifications. The company was cavalier and tried to blame it on the weather. The fact is, they should not have flown our kids into a dangerous storm that was predicted and they should have booked flights that were nonstop instead of a layover in Dallas for a Tennessee destination.
Ultimately, it seemed all about money. They were scrimping and getting the cheapest deals they could find while charging us $1700 for Wednesday - Friday trip to Knoxville, Tenn.
We were very sorry to not have been able to have this child and her Mom not join us at the Grand CanyonAs with all travel products, when you cancel right before the trip takes place, there is little we can do to recoup funds and as our terms state no refund can be given on such short noticeI was very sorry to hear about the young lady having asthmaWe have children attend our trips all the time with various health issues, including many with asthma, and we are very proactive in accommodating these children and explaining all of the activities to parents and chaperonesHad we known of this we could have allowed for a hike that would have fit within her situationI have asked our entire staff, and searched all of our emails, and we do not see any indication that this was brought to our attentionIf the child would like to travel on a future trip, we would love the opportunity to discount the future trip and get this young lady to this very special placeThanks, Grand Classroom