Big Dogs Weblog

Delta Strikes Again

by Big Dog on Apr 17, 2005 at 08:57 Uncategorized

I had the opportunity to stay in San Antonio Texas the week of the 4th for a conference. The area is absolutley beautiful and the weather very nice. We had many chances to go out and enjoy the local sites and cuisine. The week was very good but as with all travel, when it is time to go home, you want to leave.

Enter Delta Airlines. My wife and I attended this conference together so we had the same flights. When we arrived at the airport and tried to check-in using the kiosk a message indicated we should see a customer service agent. We were directed to use the customer service (a misnomer) phone. I called and the gentleman who answered told me the flight had been cancelled. I asked him what we were booked on and told him that there had better be a good reason that the flight was cancelled. He said that it had to do with crew rest. There is an FAA requirement that crews get a certain amount of rest before they fly again. I appreciate this but I have heard that Delta uses crew rest as a reason to cancel flights that are not full.

Anyway, my wife and I were originally in first class (as the result of an upgrade) but only one was placed there this time. On the connecting flight the same was true. Both of us were upgraded for one of the flights. We would have known all this if Delta followed its policy of contacting travelers when there is a flight problem. This was not a real big deal because the next flight was only a half hour later than the original. We flew in to Atlanta and that is where Delta earned its new name “Delay”. Our flight was supposed to leave a bit after 1100. When we arrived it was delayed until 1145. Then 1200, then 1215. Finally we boarded and arrived in Baltimore much later than originally scheduled.

Travis, JB, and I have all had problems with Delta. It is getting worse and letters to them receive canned text responses about “knowing we have to do better to keep your business” blah, blah, blah.

They will be bankrupt before long if they do not straighten up and fly right, so to speak.

Tags: Rants