10/31/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Partly Cloudy, Wind: 8 miles/h from W, Sunset: 5:48 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/31/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Wind: 12 miles/h from SSW, Sunrise: 7:25 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/30/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 10 miles/h from SSE, Sunset: 5:50 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/30/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 7 miles/h from SSE, Sunrise: 7:23 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/29/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 8 miles/h from S, Sunset: 5:51 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/29/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 5 miles/h from S, Sunrise: 7:22 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/28/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 6 miles/h from SW, Sunset: 5:52 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/28/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: Calm, Sunrise: 7:21 AM
Reason: Unaccepted weather condition

10/27/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Clear, Wind: 5 miles/h from WNW, Sunset: 5:54 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/27/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 9 miles/h from W, Sunrise: 7:20 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/26/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Light Rain, Wind: 7 miles/h from NE, Sunset: 5:55 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/26/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 8 miles/h from NE, Sunrise: 7:18 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/25/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Partly Cloudy, Wind: 10 miles/h from NNE, Sunset: 5:56 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

72 consecutive weekday flights have been canceled since the first cancellation of our flights on 8/27/07.

10/25/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Wind: 12 miles/h from NE, Sunrise: 7:17 AM
Canceled

10/24/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 17 miles/h from NE, Sunset: 5:58 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/24/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Partly Cloudy, Wind: 15 miles/h from NNW, Sunrise: 7:16 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/23/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Wind: 6 miles/h from SW, Sunset: 5:59 PM

10/23/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Wind: 9 miles/h from NNW, Sunrise: 7:15 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/22/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Light Rain, Wind: 6 miles/h from NW, Sunset: 6:01 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/22/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Partly Cloudy, Wind: 5 miles/h from WNW, Sunrise: 7:14 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/21/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Partly Cloudy, Wind: 14 miles/h from S, Sunset: 6:02 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/21/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 16 miles/h from S, Sunrise: 7:12 AM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/20/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 6 miles/h from S, Sunset: 6:04 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/20/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 9 miles/h from SW, Sunrise: 7:11 AM
Reason: Due to wind

10/19/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 21 miles/h from SW, Sunset: 6:05 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/19/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 19 miles/h from SSW, Sunrise: 7:10 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/18/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 19 miles/h from SSW, Sunset: 6:07 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

64 consecutive weekday flights have been canceled since the first cancellation of our flights on 8/27/07.

Again, on their web site, they claim only
"50% of flights in the Midwest are rescheduled due to weather."

10/18/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 19 miles/h from SSE, Sunrise: 7:09 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/17/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 7 miles/h from E, Sunset: 6:08 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/17/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 7 miles/h from E, Sunset: 6:08 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/17/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: N/A, Wind: Calm, Sunrise: 7:08 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/16/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Mostly cloudy, Wind: 7 miles/h from SSE, Sunset: 6:10 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/16/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fog, Wind: 7 miles/h from S, Sunrise: AM 7:06
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/15/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 5 miles/h from ENE, Sunset: 6:11 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

The flight status recording says they don’t reschedule this year anymore since this is the end of the season. They say they’ll extend the expiration date if you need to. However, if they keep canceling their flights like they've been doing, it doesn't matter how much they extend. This way, they keep your money, and will say “Nobody has ever wasted their tickets.”
In Chicago Sun-Times, I saw an article about a woman who had been trying to fly for two years.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20061113/ai_n16841020

Calling your credit card company for an advice may be an option if you don’t want to wait that long. Keeping your money at the Balloon Company won’t give you any interest.

10/15/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 3 miles/h from SSE, Sunrise: 7:05 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/14/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 5 miles/h from NE, Sunset: 6:13 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/14/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Light rain, Wind: 3 miles/h from ESE, Sunrise: 7:04 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/13/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: Calm, Sunset: 6:15 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/13/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: Calm, Sunrise: 7:03 AM

10/12/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Partly cloudy, Wind: 6 miles/h from NNE, Sunset: 6:16 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

Better Business Bureau reported us that our complains have been reviewed by one of their Complaint Specialists and the case has now been forwarded to the business for their response.

10/12/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Partly cloudy, Wind: 3 miles/h from NNE, Sunrise: 7:02 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/11/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 9 miles/h from NNW, Sunset: 6:18 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

56 consecutive weekday flights have been canceled since the first cancellation of our flights on 8/27/07.

10/11/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 9 miles/h from NW, Sunrise: 7:01 AM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/10/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 13 miles/h from WNW, Sunset: 6:19 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/10/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 9 miles/h from WNW (@ 8 AM), Sunrise: 7:00 AM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/9/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 13 miles/h from WNW, Sunset: 6:21 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

We filed a complaint at Evanston Better Business Bureau.

Complaint summary:
We purchased tickets for Hot Air Balloon rides from A Great American Balloon Company flying out from Windy City Balloon Port. Even on their web site they say "50% of flights in the Midwest are rescheduled due to weather.", they have not flown even once during weekdays since August 2, which has been over 2 months. The tickets are non-refundable, yet they do not provide an opportunity to use them.
They failed to call us back twice when they promised us to do as well.
We have been recording the weather conditions and reasons for canceling flights. Even on calm days they do not fly. They are always prepared with an excuse that cannot be verified.

Desired solution summary:
-Full refund
-A change to their claims of flight frequency on their web site
-A change of terms in their present and future agreements to allow for refunds if they are unable to provide the advertised service

10/9/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 6 miles/h from SW, Sunrise: 6:58 Am
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/8/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Partly cloudy, Wind: 17 miles/h from WSW, Sunset: 6:23 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

Even though they promised me that A Great American Balloon Company manager, Ron Lake would call me back today, he never did.

This is the 2nd time they didn't call us back when they had promised to do so.

10/8/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 5 miles/h from SSE, Sunrise: 6:57 AM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/7/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Partly cloudy, Wind: 6 miles/h from SSE, Sunset: 6:24 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/7/07 Sun - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Mostly cloudy, Wind: 3 miles/h from SE, Sunrise: 6:56 AM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/6/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 7 miles/h from S, Sunset: 6:26 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/6/07 Sat - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 5 miles/h from SSE, Sunrise: 6:55 AM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/5/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Partly Cloudy, Wind: 7 miles/ h from SSE, Sunrise: 6:28 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/5/07 Fri - Mia talked with Austin from A Great American Balloon Company

I called A Great American Balloon Company and asked Austin who answered the phone why the balloon ride was canceled yesterday even though the wind was only 3 miles/h according to the weather record. He then said "It was 10 miles/h over 1500 feet in the air. Did you check the wind speed at 1500 feet up?" Hey, that's a jerk thing to say! He knows that there's no way I can prove the wind speed at 1500 feet in the air.

I asked him for a full refund since then have not once offered a service since I purchased our tickets in August. He took my number, and promised that his manager Ron Lake will call me on Monday.

Oh well, I don't trust Ron Lake, and I was sure he wouldn't call me back on Monday, but I decided to hang up the phone because there was nothing else Austin could do for me.

10/5/07 Fri - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 3 miles/ h from SSE, Sunrise: 6:54 AM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/4/07 Thur - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 3 miles/h from SE, Sunset: 3:29 PM
Reason: Unacceptable wind condition

10/4/07 Thur - Eric called the credit company

Eric called our credit card company for advise.

He explained the situation, and the representative from the dispute department told him that it should not be a problem to reverse the charge. We decided not to make the action today, but this could be a future option if A Great American Balloon Company doesn't voluntarily provide a refund we've been asking for numerous times.

10/4/07 Thur - Eric talked with Ron Lake, the manager of A Great American Ballon Company

Eric asked Ron Lake to explain in details how they decide if the wind condition was acceptable. Ron promised Eric that one of their pilots would call him back for the explanation, but they never did. A Great American Balloon Company has 4 pilots: Antonio, Jack Richard and Don.

To meet FAA regulations, each balloon should have a flight ID number. Eric asked Ron for the number, but he refused to give it to Eric. When I talked with Ron, he mentioned that they flew many times in June, so Eric asked him to give him the dates and kind of flights (sunrise or sunset). Ron refused to give Eric the info telling him that he didn't have it in front of him.

Eric asked him for a full refund since they hadn't offered any service during weekdays since we got the tickets more than a month ago. Ron refused to do so. Eric asked him what was the case when they had given a refund. Ron said that they had given a refund only one time when the lady who booked a flight passed away.

We couldn't make any more reservations for this year, since their business was closing October 31st for the year, and Ron told us that it was booked up since October was a popular month for balloon rides. (What!? Ron told me today's flight might be canceled because only 2 passengers had signed up!)

Hey, you make no sense, Ron Lake!!!

10/4/07 Thur - Eric talked with Austin from A Great American Ballon Company

Eric talked with Austin who started just two weeks ago according to him.

Austin couldn't answer why the balloon ride was canceled this morning even though there was no wind. He told Eric that they got lots of complaints, and everybody complained to him. Eric asked for the manager, but he was out.

10/4/07 Thur - OUR FLIGHT was Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: Calm, Sunrise: 6:53 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

It's a beautiful morning with almost no wind! If this is an "Unacceptable weather condition", what's "Acceptable"!?!?

10/3/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: Calm, Sunset: 6:31 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/3/07 Wed - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fair, Wind: 6 miles/h from SW, Sunrise: 6:52 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/2/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 19 miles/h from SSE, Sunset: 6:33 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

Eric and I continued info gathering on A Great American Balloon Company and Windy City Balloon Port. I found an article that complained about A Great American Balloon Company in Chicago Sun-Times from last year. In the article, I even found Ron Lake's name.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20061113/ai_n16841020

10/2/07 Tue - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Fog, Wind: 6 miles/h from S, Sunrise: 6:51 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

Eric and I started to look up information about A Great American Balloon Company and Windy City Balloon Port. We found several complaints for both of them in Evanston Better Business Bureau data base.

Both companies are owned by the same person, Kent Heitzinger, who also owns an advertising company, Ad Air Lines, Inc. which flies an airplane for aerial banner towing. That explains why we saw the ad of Windy City Balloon Port in the sky this summer. Those companies also have different names as below.

-President: Kent Heitzinger
-Great American Balloon company:
Cloud Nine Balloon Port
We Do Fly
-Windy City Balloon Port:
Sky Rides, Inc.
(Source: Better Business Bureau)

10/1/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunset Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 6 miles/h from SSW, Sunset: 6:35 PM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition

10/1/07 Mon - Canceled: Sunrise Flight

Weather: Cloudy, Wind: 10 miles/h from SW, Sunrise: 6:49 AM
Reason: Unacceptable weather condition