Air travel can be infuriating at the best of times, but spare a thought for Terri Weissinger.
All she wanted was to get out of town to start a new life. But what followed turned into a nightmare.
Flat broke, Terri had packed her bags to move home and booked herself on a flight from California to Idaho.
Eight days after turning up at San Francisco International Airport, however, she was still in the departure lounge - having not even boarded a plane.
The problem was having booked her flight just before a federal law went into effect requiring ticket brokers to disclose all hidden fees, she didn't know about her airline's extra baggage fees.
And, having packed too much, she had just $30 to her name - while the baggage fee was $60.
The airline, U.S. Airways, refused Terri permission to board despite her offer to pay the fee when she landed or leave one of her bags behind.
U.S. Airways said their policy didn't allow them to let her board without paying and airport security meant she couldn't leave her luggage.
While attempting to resolve her situation, Terri missed her plane - thereby racking up another $150 in fees.
It left her stuck, with no option but to live in the terminal. Terri slept in a stairwell and was treated for anxiety at the airport medical clinic.
When she tried to plead with airport authorities for help, she was threatened with arrest on vagrancy charges.
Speaking to ABC 7, she said: '[It's] ridiculous. I couldn't believe it sometimes, you know, it's just incredibly ridiculous situation to be in.'
Finally, she saw a listing for the nearby Airport Church of Christ in a phone book and call them.
Moved by her situation, the church quickly raised the $210 Terri needed to pay her fees and get on her plane.
In a statement, the airline said: 'We have apologised to Ms Weissinger for her experience, but unfortunately are unable to offer a refund.
'When you purchase a non-refundable ticket, you accept the terms and conditions. If a passenger cannot travel with their bags, they need to make other arrangements.'
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1 Penyokong CHELSEA:
sometimes is frustrating to deal with dis so call policy...
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