9/30/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 10 miles/h from SSE, Sunset: 6:36 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/30/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Partly cloudy, Wind: 8 miles/h from SSE, Sunrise: 6:48 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/29/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 9 miles/h from SSE, Sunset: 6:38 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

9/29/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 5 miles/ h from ESE, Sunrise: 6:47 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/28/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 7 miles/h from E, Sunset: 6:40 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

9/28/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: Clam, Sunrise: 6:46 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/27/07 Thur - Mia talked with Ron Lake, the manager of A Great American Ballon Company

Our flight was canceled again. This is the 3rd time. I understand that it was too windy today, but if they don't fly even on calm days, we'll never be able to fly. It doesn't matter how much they extend our expiration date.

I complained and asked for a full refund again, but Ron Lake kept refusing to do so. I again brought up that they were doing false advertising by stating that only 50% of the flights were canceled because of the weather condition.
Ron told me that some times nobody booked the flight so they would not count those times as canceled. So if they calculate the percentage of cancelations against reserved flights, it comes out to be "approximately 50%."

He kept stressing that it is "approximately 50%", but they've been canceling 100% of weekday flights for almost 2 months. How does it even get close to 50%!?!?

Also, I noticed when they say "we flew 10 times", it doesn't necessarily mean they flew 10 different occasions. If they fly two balloons at a time, then they call it twice. So, their "We flew 10 times this month" could mean only 5 different occasions but 2 balloons each.

After about a half an hour argument, I decided to make one more reservation. I was quite sure they would cancel it too, but what else can I do!?!?!? My next reservation is October 4th. Ron told me that so far, only two people had signed up for that flight, so even if the weather would be nice, the flight might be canceled unless the number of passengers reach six. Oh, well, a little over a week ago he told me that it was totally booked until October 15th. And now, he's telling me there may not be enough people!? He says the maximum number of passengers is 12. Does it mean suddenly 10 people canceled the flight, and nobody has taken the spot? Last time, he suggested to try next year since October is pretty full, and when I actually do make a reservation, he says there aren't enough people signed up. He doesn't make sense at all!!!! I've been in denial, but my bad feeling that this is a scam could be true........

9/27/07 Thur - OUR FLIGHT was Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 9 miles/h from W, Sunset: 6:42 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/27/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: Calm, Sunrise: 6:45 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/26/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 6 miles/h from WNW, Sunset: 6:43 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/26/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 6 miles/h from NNW, Sunrise: 6:44 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/25/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 6 miles/h from W, Sunrise: 6:45 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/25/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 9 miles/h from SSW, Sunrise: 6:43 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/24/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Partly cloudy, Wind: 10 miles/h from S, Sunset: 6:47 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

9/24/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Mostly cloudy, Wind: 6 miles/h from SSE, Sunrise: 6:42 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/23/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 7 miles/h from E, Sunset: 6:49 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/23/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: Calm, Sunrise: 6:41 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/22/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 6 miles/h from E, Sunset: 6:50 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

9/22/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 3 miles/h from N, Sunrise: 6:40 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/21/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Partly cloudy, Wind: 9 miles/h from S, Sunset: 6:52 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/21/07 Fri - Mia talked with Austin from A Great American Balloon Company

I talked with a new part time worker, Austin. I asked him if I could get a refund since they had not offered enough flights. He said that he had to ask his boss, but it seemed like his boss was not around. I mentioned that they hadn't flown on weekdays since 8/2. He seemed to be surprised to hear that. I asked him why flights get canceled even when the weather was exactly the same as some weekends they flew. Austin told me that the wind condition at 200 feet above was different from the land, and they release a balloon to check the actual altitude's condition.

I asked him when the next available weekday flight was. He gave me some days such as 9/27, 10/1, and 10/3. Oh, wait, what!?!?!? Just two days ago when I talked with Ron Lake, he told me that all the flights were booked until 10/15. Why suddenly there are so many openings!?!? The information Ron gave me 2 days ago doesn't sound accurate now. Did he tell me it was booked until almost 1 month ahead so I could not make a reservation!?!?

9/21/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Partly cloudy, Wind: 7 miles/h from SSE, Sunrise: 6:39 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/20/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 8 miles/h from ENE, Sunset: 6:54 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/20/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 5 miles/h from N, Sunrise: 6:38 AM,
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/19/07 Wed - Mia talked with Ron Lake, the manager of A Great American Ballon Company

I was pretty annoyed that they haven't flown weekdays for such a long time, but called them to reschedule our flights. (3rd time.)

Ron Lake answered the phone, and he suggested me to book a flight next year since this year it's pretty full. We may be moving abroad next year, so we cannot wait until then. He then told me that the next available day was 10/15. It's almost a month away!!! They are closing the business for the year on 10/31. What if they cancel the 10/15 flight too? (It most likely to happen seeing the 100% weekday cancellation rate since 8/3.)

I asked Ron for a full refund again since there was not enough service offered. He refused, telling me that I purchased the tickets knowing that their service was weather dependent. Well, it does say only "50% flights are canceled", not 100%! He told me that I was not looking at the big picture. He claimed that in some months, they flew 10 times. Well well... they offer two flights a day. Sunrise and sunset, which add up to 60 - 62 flights a month. If they only fly 10 times, that still means 80% of the flights are canceled! In a GOOD MONTH!

He then said that not all the flights were booked, so if they calculate the flights that were booked, the cancellation rate would be approximately 50%. It's hard to believe it! Since I started to check the flight info in August, they canceled only one flight because of insufficient number of passengers. Every other time, the reasons for cancellation were either because of the "wind" or "weather" condition. That means they are lying about either the cancellation reasons or the cancellation rate.

I noticed that they were prepared with excuses that we cannot prove wrong for all kinds of complaints. When I asked him why they canceled weekday flights even on days with almost no wind. Ron told me that I was getting "land weather info", and at 1,500 feet above which they check for balloon flights, the wind situation was different. Oh really, for all of those calm days!!!!???? No way! I don't believe you, Ron Lake!!!!

9/19/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 6 miles/h from N (8 PM), Sunset: 6:56 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

9/19/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Mostly cloudy, Wind: 6 miles/h from SSW, Sunrise: 6:37 AM
Reason, Unacceptable weather condition

9/18/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 17 miles/h from SSE (5 PM), Sunset: 6:58 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/18/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Partly cloudy, Wind: 12 miles/h from SSE, Sunrise: 6:35 AM,
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/17/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Partly cloudy, Wind: 14 miles/h from SE, Sunset: 6:59 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

9/17/07 Mon - Mia talked with Ron Lake

I called and talked with Ron Lake, a manager and co-owner of A Great American Balloon Company.
I asked him for a full refund since they are not providing us the service we paid for. Ron refused to give me a refund, and insisted they would fly. He told me that nobody had ever wasted their tickets they purchased. The balloon season is from June to October. If they keep canceling like they have been, we won't be able to fly then. Ron told me that we could try next year in that case. Next year!?!?!? I bought the tickets for my husband's birthday THIS YEAR!!!! They just keep OUR money for a year like this!?!? Who knows if they'll fly enough next year!? I'm not talking about some specific dates. We're willing to be flexible with our work schedule, and have been checking flight status everyday. If they don't fly at all, how can we fly!?!? Ron Lake mentioned that pilots don't get paid unless they fly. Then, who's keeping our money without doing anything?!? How do those pilots eat with a job like this!? Do they go to work everyday hoping they can fly and get paid, and end up coming home empty handed?!

9/17/07 Mon - OUR FLIGHT was Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 8 miles/h from SE, Sunrise: 6:34 AM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

Our flight was canceled for the 2nd time. Wind being 8 miles/h, it's understandable not to fly today. However, they haven't flown during weekdays for 1 month and a half! The cancellation frequency is totally different from what they claim in their web site!!!

9/16/07 Sun - Flew: Sunset - but NOT for our tickets

Weather: Fair, Wind: 6 miles/h from SSE, Sunset: 7:01 PM

They flew even though the wind was stronger than many weekdays they canceled.

9/16/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: Calm, Sunrise: 6:33 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/15/07 Sat - Flew: Sunset - but NOT for our tickets

They told me that they had 2 flights. I wonder how they did it. They later told Eric there was only 1 balloon at Windy City Balloon Port.

9/15/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

9/14/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Partly cloudy, Wind: 17 miles/h from NNW
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

9/14/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 10 miles from NW, Sunrise: 6:31 AM,
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

9/13/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 7 miles/h from SSE, Sunset: 7:07 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

9/13/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: Calm, Sunrise: 6:30 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

Again, they canceled the flight even though the weather & wind condition was exactly the same as the time they flew on one weekend! I have no idea why the flight was canceled. Is this a scam!? Well, I'll see if our second reservation on 9/17will fly. If it doesn't I should complain. I'm glad I've been recording the weather condition.

9/12/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: Calm, Sunset: 7:08 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

Oh well....By now, I've been very skeptical about Great American Balloon company. They claims that they cancel 50% of flights because of the weather, however they haven't flown during weekdays at all since I bought the tickets in August. They say the reason is "Unacceptable weather condition", but today's flight was canceled even though the weather and wind condition was exactly the same as the day they flew on one weekend!

9/12/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 3 miles/h from NW, Sunrise: 6:29 AM,
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/11/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 14 miles/h from WNW, Sunset: 7:10 PM,
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

9/11/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 3 miles/h from W, Sunrise: 6:28 AM,
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/10/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Light rain, Wind: 14 miles/h from N, Sunset: 7:12 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/10/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 10 miles/h from NNE, Sunrise: 6:27 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/9/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 16 miles/h from NNE, Sunset: 7:14 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

9/9/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind 11 miles/h from NNW, Sunrise: 6:26 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/8/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunset Flight

9/8/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 8 miles/h From N, Sunrise: 6:25 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather & wind condition

9/7/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Wind: 11 miles/h from WSW, Sunset: 7:17 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather & wind condition

9/7/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 24 miles/h from S, Sunrise: 6:24 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/6/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Wind: 20 miles/h from SSE, Sunset: 7:19 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather & wind condition

9/6/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 6 miles/h from SSE, Sunrise: 6:23 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/5/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Oops! I deleted the weather info by mistake!
Cancellation reason: Unacceptable weather & wind condition

9/5/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: Calm, Sunrise: 6:22 AM
Unacceptable weather condition

9/4/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: Calm, Sunset: 7:22 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/4/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Foggy, Wind: 5 miles/h from S, Sunrise: 6:21 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/3/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 5 miles/h from WSW, Sunset: 7:24 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

9/3/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: Calm, Sunrise: 6:20 AM
Reason: Insufficient number

This is the first time they canceled not because of the weather, but because they didn't have enough people signed up. I should have made a reservation then.

9/2/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 7 miles/h from S, Sunset: 7:26 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

9/2/07 Sun - Flew: Sunrise - but NOT for our tickets

Weather: Fair, Wind: Calm, Sunrise: 6:19 AM

Our weekday tickets cannot be used.

9/1/07 Sat - Flew: Sunset - but NOT for our tickets

Weather: Fair, Wind: 5 miles/h from E, Sunset: 7:27 PM

Our weekday tickets cannot be used.

9/1/07 Sat - Flew: Sunrise - but NOT for our tickets

Weather: Fair, Wind: 5 miles/h from N, Sunrise: 6:18 AM

Our weekday tickets cannot be used.