Delayed by Delta

DL 4275, 20 Jul, toronto to atlanta

2011-07-20T21:51:00.001-04:00

Hi,I am sitting on the runway. We have arrived an hour late. Our gate is occupied and will be for another 20 minutes. It is unforgivable incompetence that you can not plan well so that once you know when a flight will actually arrive you can't arrange a gate. It is stupidity beyond belief; it is malcompetence beyond measure; it is awesomely idiotic that you guys take an already late flight and

YouTube - Tweetin On A Jet Plane

2009-12-05T20:00:00.000-05:00

YouTube - Tweetin On A Jet PlaneThis is hilarious. I know that no one at Delta is laughing but, hey ... I can just imagine some day, a kid pulls out his guitar in the middle of a flight and soon the whole plane is singing along, word for word - flight attendants too.

Free Wi-Fi on Delta through the end of the year

2009-10-22T18:15:00.000-04:00

From The Ticket: to get FREE Wi-Fi on Delta Air Lines (thru Dec 31)– just use the code DELTATRYGOGO when you log on.Airtran: use the code AIRTRANTRYGOGO when you log on.American: use the code AATRYGOGO when you log on from the plane.

Smelly, hot plane coming in from Tulsa last night

2009-10-22T16:09:00.003-04:00

Tip to Delta--when the plane smells of vomit, having working air conditioning makes life better. The wimpy flow coming out of the air vent didn't have a chance of competing with the stained carpet under our feet on the 3:05 flight (delayed about an hour) out of Tulsa.Geez.

Two points for a quick rebooking

2009-10-22T16:07:00.001-04:00

Checked in at Toronto to fly to Tulsa via Minneapolis. One leg delayed, one cancelled. But Delta immediately rebooked by on American, without even being asked. That was an exceptional and good experience.

Delta vs Air Canada to the UK

2009-10-22T16:01:00.003-04:00

That headline's not fair--it summarizes two separate flights in the last week.I took Air Canada and found friendly skies and a great aircraft. Unlike the jets that Delta flies to London, coach seats hadA 7" (diagonal) screen on the back of each seat with a slew of movies. (Delta shows 2 movies, 1 at a time, on old screens that hang from the ceiling. Films such as "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past".)A

Passenger advocate claims Delta hacked her e-mails | ajc.com

2009-10-15T19:36:00.000-04:00

This one surprises me - I consider Delta a much more honest company that is portrayed. I hope it is a groundless accusation (but if true, Delta should gets it ass kicked)> "A passenger rights advocate accused Delta Air Lines Inc. in a federal lawsuit Tuesday of conspiring with a Virginia company to obtain hacked e-mails from her computer to help them derail her efforts to protect air travelers

Delta Inconsistency Frustrating

2009-10-09T21:31:00.002-04:00

Let's add another basic problem that Delta has: consistency.*Suit bag. Carried it on many times. Including yesterday, ATL -> O'hare. Today? Nossir, that bag's too big; gotta check it. (Who enforced it? TSA. Huhhhhhhh?)(As a person walks past me with a waiver signed by Julie, a Delta employee, to tell TSA her non-sizewise bag was OK to carry through security.)Delta counter: No. Don't care

Our gate was ready, but...

2009-10-09T20:18:00.002-04:00

Getting in from Chicago today (delayed because loading baggage took longer than it should (huh?)), we waited on the tarmac not because our gate was occupied but because another plane was pulling away from an adjacent gate. I'm somewhere north of 800k miles as a Delta flier but that's a new on on me.

Woman sues Delta; was kicked off plane for breast feeding | ajc.com

2009-10-09T00:36:00.001-04:00

Woman sues Delta; was kicked off plane for breast feeding | ajc.com: "Gillette was ordered off a Delta Connections plane by a flight attendant after twice refusing an order to cover up while she breast fed her baby prior to takeoff."

Atlanta-Miami nation's third busiest air route | ajc.com

2009-10-09T00:30:00.000-04:00

Atlanta-Miami nation's third busiest air route | ajc.com: "The air travel corridor between Atlanta and the greater Miami area is now the 3rd busiest in the nation, and the corridor from Atlanta to the New York area is not far behind at 5th, according to a report from the Brookings Institution."

Cupholders?

2009-10-08T10:16:00.002-04:00

Why do we have cupholder in cars (more cupholders than seats, it seems) but no cupholders in aircraft? No cute folding/sliding/popping up ways to hold a drink securely? Surely there are some rockets scientists out there who could figure out how to do this!

We're early but we'll blow it!

2009-10-08T10:10:00.002-04:00

Coming back from Hartford last night, the good news was that we ere an hour early. The bad news? Of course, no gate was ready and we were going to sit for 10 minutes for another plane to push back.I assume that Delta keeps track of its planes that are in the air and their ETAs. (At least, I think I asumme that. Maybe they don't. Maybe it is a surprise to on-the-ground operations at Hartsfield

Georgia man charged in ND airport vandalism

2009-10-04T09:13:00.000-04:00

Bismarck Police Sgt. Dwight Offerman said the 40-year-old Wright is accused of striking and breaking the kiosk shortly before 5 a.m., Thursday. Offerman said Wright arrived 30 minutes before to his flight and was frustrated when the kiosk failed to work. (Should medallion fliers set up a defense fund for the guy?) Details: Georgia man charged in ND airport vandalism | ajc.com

Delta matches American, United on $10 holiday surcharge | ajc.com

2009-09-25T22:02:00.001-04:00

You GOT to be kidding... a surcharge for flying on a holiday? Not an increased fare because of increased demand, but a SURCHARGE? Can I call Delta and demand a reverse surcharge for flying on slow days? Of course not... but the fares are cheaper, yes?Complete story at ajc.com but note... "AirTran Airways, the second-largest carrier in Atlanta, said it will not match the holiday fare surcharge."

Possibly the worst meal in the world

2009-09-23T12:57:00.001-04:00

The good news: I got my vegetarian meal flying to France earlier in the week. The bad news: Delta seems to think that undercooked carrots and peas on white rice constitutes and entree. This was the worst meal I've had on any airline at any time, bar none.However, the flight attendants were GREAT and managed to cobble together a decent meal for me. And, they remember the problem when breakfast

Delta's lack of integration with partners a headache

2009-09-23T12:50:00.003-04:00

Normally, I wouldn't mind too much Delta being unable to issue a boarding pass in Atlanta for a continuing flight on a partner airline (even though Delta booked the entire itinerary and took the money for, and the flight has a Delta flight number).BUT... when I'm changing planes in Charles de Gaulle, and not having the boarding pass means going outside security, finding the Delta counter, jumping

SkyMiles Medallion Program Updates and latest improvements at Delta.com

2009-09-17T15:36:00.001-04:00

Platinum System-wide Upgrades now eligible on Northwest flights Platinum Medallion® members can now redeem their System-wide upgrade on Northwest Airlines® operated flights. Members should continue to contact Delta for their upgrade request.Direct Ticketing Charge Exemption changes Effective October 1, 2009 Platinum Medallion and Gold Medallion members will no longer be charged the

Delta Connection carriers, AirTran in back of on-time pack | ajc.com

2009-09-13T15:19:00.000-04:00

Delta Connection carriers Comair and Atlantic Southeast Airlines, along with AirTran Airways, occupied the three bottom spots in on-time rankings for July, according to the latest federal monthly report. Full story: ajc.com:

DOT Secretary Blames Delta Unit for Flight Delay - WSJ.com

2009-09-06T13:10:00.000-04:00

"U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Friday blamed an employee at Delta Air Lines Inc. for exacerbating a delay that left passengers stuck on a rival's jet at a Minnesota airport for almost six hours. However, the chief executive of Mesaba Airlines, the Delta regional airline unit targeted by the secretary, said he disagreed with the DOT's initial findings.Mr. LaHood said the initial

Lousy Delta ticket counter experience in Portland, ME

2009-09-06T12:58:00.004-04:00

Coming back from Portland, ME yesterday afternoon it was pretty obvious that the Delta counter isn't the best-run operation in the world. Of their 6 kiosks, 1 was down and another was stuck on an NWA page. It took close to 15 minutes to wait for machine and check in (these machines just cannot find my itinerary 5 times out of 10 until I type the destination and time) and at least anothe r 15 to

Free wi-fi coming to Hartsfield, but not yet | ajc.com

2009-09-06T12:57:00.000-04:00

"Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport hopes to laulnch free wireless Internet access next year, though it will also continue to offer fee-based wi-fi for those who need or prefer it." Read the full story at ajc.com - which perhaps explains why some people need or prefer for it.

What has happened to Delta's in-flight recycling program?

2009-08-17T15:32:00.000-04:00

From Marc Friedman on the Minneapolis Airlines/Airport Examiner: "Several weeks ago I wrote about the lack of in-flight recycling on several Delta Air Lines flights that I had recently taken. I received numerous comments from other travelers who had the same experience that I did, but I also heard from a few Delta flight attendants who told me that their program is indeed operational and offered

Would you fly an airline that doesn't know basic geography?

2009-08-15T23:02:00.002-04:00

From the Delta SkyMiles Insider: "Want to be adventurous this summer? Delta now flies to all six continents, so you're certain to find a destination that will satisfy the traveler in you." Yes, it would be adventurous to fly an airline that can't keep track of how many continents there are.I bet they fly to all 49 states, as well.

Airlines' Expert on Missing Bags Fights Lost Cause - WSJ.com

2009-08-15T22:41:00.000-04:00

"In Andrew Price's first year on the job, airlines lost his luggage seven times. That would be bad enough if he were the average continent-hopping businessman, but Mr. Price is the man the airlines rely on to help them stop losing bags. On a three-day trip to Canada from Switzerland last year, his bags landed on the final day -- when he was already at the airport. He sent them straight home.

'Nightmare' flight: 47 fliers trapped overnight on regional jet

2009-08-13T23:33:00.000-04:00

'Nightmare' flight: 47 fliers trapped overnight on regional jet - USATODAY.com: "The latest air-travel horror story comes to us from Minnesota, where 47 passengers (and three crewmembers) on a Continental Airlines regional flight spent nearly 14 hours in transit and were trapped in a six-hour ground delay on a 50-seat regional jet. The Minneapolis Star Tribune writes the stranded flight was '

Late again, and the gate display is wrong - again

2009-08-12T17:27:00.002-04:00

The agent at check-in an hour ago, the internet, and the gate agent all agree--my flight from Toronto is delayed 30 minutes.And once again, all airport displays show a 10-minute delay. What is it with Delta's displays?

Southwest may land in Atlanta, but will it matter? | ajc.com

2009-08-10T23:33:00.000-04:00

Southwest may land here, but will it matter? | ajc.com

Accountant ‘to join Chippendales’ after sensational airport security performance

2009-08-04T16:29:00.000-04:00

From NewsBiscuit.com "Nigel Weston, a 43-year-old accountant from Cricklewood, was approached by a talent spotter from the male exotic dance troupe the Chippendales after a ‘raunchy and erotically mesmerising’ performance at the security gates of Dublin airport."

Atlanta airport ranks 17th in on-time flights | ajc.com

2009-08-04T16:25:00.001-04:00

From the AJC: "Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport ranked 17th in the nation for on-time arrival performance in June, down from the No. 4 spot a year ago. ... 76 percent of flights arrived on time in Atlanta in the month." Full story here:

Ryanair Is Thrifty, and Chief Makes No Apologies - Biography - NYTimes.com

2009-07-31T19:56:00.000-04:00

From the New York Times: "The mystery is why so many people are willing to put up with an airline that, in the words of The Economist, “has become a byword for appalling customer service, misleading advertising claims and jeering rudeness towards anyone or anything that gets in its way. Nobody helps you — it’s as simple as that,” said Malcolm Ginsberg, editor in chief of the travel newsletter

2010 SkyMiles Frequent Flyer Program Benefits

2009-07-30T16:35:00.002-04:00

Delta has announced 2010 changes to the Skymiles program. They are not trivial and most writers regards them as good. Seehere for details. It includes: * Diamond Medallion Status: 125,000 MQMs or 140 segments. Complimentary Delta Sky Club™ membership, a 125% mileage bonus, more fee waivers and exclusive rewards. * Rollover MQMs: Any MQMs you've earned above your Medallion qualification level at

Putting Some Personal Contact Back Into Flying (NYTimes.com)

2009-07-29T14:36:00.000-04:00

"... some airlines, stung by a wave of negative publicity about their treatment of customers, are reversing course. One is Delta Air Lines, now the world’s largest carrier after its merger with Northwest. It is reviving a service program known as the “Red Coats,” for the crimson-jacketed airport service people who assist passengers in need. Delta has already brought the agents back to Kennedy

Delay + Poor Gate Choice = Insult + Injury?

2009-07-29T11:24:00.004-04:00

Coming back from O'Hara last night we were delayed an hour due to weather. There were a lot of people on board with connections, and some with int'l connections; as we were deplaning in concourse T there was a page: "The four people who are connecting to a Lagos flight - your plane is waiting in Concourse E."My question: Why did Delta bring us into gate T-2 (the end of the concourse) when many

Delta's answer and my puzzlement (re: Where is Delta posting on-time performance?)

2009-07-27T16:27:00.002-04:00

Dear Customer Care,Thanks for your reply but could you please detail out the steps to find the performance for a specific flight? I was unable to figure this out.Thank you. On 7/27/09, Customer Care wrote:> Dear Mr. Marcus,>> Thank you for contacting us through delta.com. We are sorry for the delay in responding to your message.>> There is a link to historical flight

Re: Where is Delta posting on-time performance? (KMM27049790I120L0KM)

2009-07-27T15:52:00.001-04:00

Dear Mr. Marcus,Thank you for contacting us through delta.com. We are sorry for the delay in responding to your message.There is a link to historical flight on-time performance on the Flight Schedule page. Below the flight schedule box, is a link for 'Historical Reliability Information'. This opens a government website with generic statistics for Delta and other airlines. We have forwarded your

A friend's lousy experiences with Delta...

2009-07-26T11:19:00.000-04:00

A close friend writes:"Following up on a much earlier conversation, how do I reach someone at Delta who might take the trouble to care about a HEAP of things that have gone wrong re: my flights to Kenya and Hawaii. Not getting credited for frequent flyer miles for the Amsterdam to Nairobi and back segments is pretty much the last straw in a range of problems including having no vegetarian food

Where is Delta posting on-time performance?

2009-07-25T12:45:00.000-04:00

Dear Delta Customer Care, I went to check historical flight on-time performance information for an upcoming flight by looking at your Flight Schedules page--and did not see this information. Please let me know where Delta is posting historical performance information by flight; this can be an important part of the decision as to what flight to take when timely arrival is important to a

Flight canceled mid-air, heads back to Charlotte - The Post and Courier

2009-07-25T00:30:00.001-04:00

From the Charlotte Post and Courier: "A strange thing happened to a plane en route from Charlotte to Charleston on Wednesday night. Already beginning his final descent into the Lowcountry, the pilot on U.S. Airways Flight 3203 announced that he was turning around and heading back to Charlotte. Charleston International Airport, he told passengers as the clock ticked past midnight, had closed."

New Delta fee: pay at the airport and get charged $5 more

2009-07-23T14:17:00.001-04:00

Delta Air Lines announced it is adding a $5 surcharge for paying for checked baggage fees at the airport instead of online. It goes into effect Aug. 4, and follows moves made by others like US Airways and United Airlines.

Relief in sight for on-board waits over 3 hours?

2009-07-22T22:59:00.006-04:00

A Senate committee passed legislation today that would require U.S. airlines to let passengers get off planes that are stranded on the tarmac after three hours. For details see here. Delta is reported by Bloomberg as opposing the rule. Delta passengers might want to complain to Delta about that. Perhaps Delta wants to hold the world record for longest involuntary confinement of passengers.

Mobile gadgets threaten in-flight entertainment

2009-07-22T14:55:00.002-04:00

From Reuters: "Airlines around the world now spend millions of dollars annually upgrading their inflight entertainment systems, but iPods and other mobile entertainment gadgets could render all that useless.... with USB ports and a power socket increasingly common even for economy class passengers on carriers such as Singapore Airlines Ltd and Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, the concept of in-flight

7kg limit and my poor little scissors

2009-07-21T20:49:00.002-04:00

Things to ponder as my flight to LAX boards.- 9 times out of 10 I leave my bag of liquids and gels in my carry-on as I go through security. TSA never notices. Voluntary self-declaration of potentially dangerous items without the technology to detect these items when people don't self-declare seems useless.- Security in Turkey last week detected the very small pair of nail scissors that I've

Virgin Australia "Premier Economy"

2009-07-20T16:42:00.005-04:00

Overall comfort: not there yet. It wasn't waterboarding but it wasn't a hot tub, either. HOWEVER - their promotional price matches Delta's coach fate so GO FOR IT (and screw the miles).This class of service isn't economy by a long shot but isn't business either. From LAX -> Sydney, bottom line, it was 14 hours of moderate torture, not bad torture. Seat width - great; recline - good; video

Fun on 777 #7106

2009-07-19T00:49:00.002-04:00

Just had the pleasure of flying ATL->LAX on Delta's third-newest 777, #7106. Got to spend 10 minutes sitting in the cockpit talking to the captain and first officer. This is really an amazing plane - one engine (for I think $27 million) has the same amount of power on all the engines of a 747. It has a 25:1 glide ratio--if it lost all power at 35,000' it could glide about 175 miles if I am

Delta's international strategy struggling

2009-07-19T00:37:00.003-04:00

A good article on international ridership decline and route cuts at Delta. Delta's international strategy struggling There's nothing like a global recession to make the best-laid plans go awry. A little over a year ago, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines was on an international growth streak started in 2005, rapidly expanding with more flights to Africa, Europe and elsewhere around the world. . . .

Upgrades to Sydney

2009-07-18T12:52:00.004-04:00

Last week tried to get an upgrade going LAX -> Sydney. Could get one for outbound travel on this Monday only (ok, not too unreasonable, only tried a couple of dates). Could not get a return upgrade [for miles or for certificate] until late August. Zero, zilch, nada. I wonder how long it took before they all disappeared?Ended up flying Virgin ... we'll see how their Premier Economy feels. Delta

A great response to July 7 problems

2009-07-18T11:23:00.008-04:00

Every company has problems. In my opinion, how they respond is an important measure of the company and, when problems are isolated, the response defines how the consumer views the company as much as the problem itself defines the customers' attitude.About a week ago I emailed Delta and let them know that I'd been delayed on an Atlanta to Detroit leg which caused me to miss my Detroit to Madison

Delays and a Snotty Flight Attendant

2009-07-18T10:57:00.003-04:00

The flight wasn't that bad - delayed only by an hour or a bit more - but the flight attendant was infuriating. As we had been sitting near the gate for awhile, I asked her what our status was.Flight attendant: What do you mean, status?Me: How delayed are we? What's the reason?FA: Haven't you ever flown out of JFK before?Me: Yup.FA, pointing nose in the air: Well then you know it takes awhile