Being Delta-ed

[kybearfuzz]

I feel like I'm in a repeat of last year, sitting here at Reagan National Airport, and recognizing the lengthy day and night ahead of me.

Delta decided to replace their 70 seat, full-flight to Cincinnati with a 50 seater. The change was due to "mechanical issues" they say, but the never said with that plane. I overheard a gate agent say that Delta had taken the 70 to replace an earlier flight to St. Louis. This same thing happened to me last year.

So instead of my 2 PM flight home, I'll be heading to Atlanta at 5 PM, where upon landing at 6:35 I enjoy the local ambiance until 9 when I'll finally head home, landing at 11 PM or later.

I have 300 Delta $'s and a lunch voucher for my pain and time, 100 Delta $'s of which the counter lady added for being nice about it.

My suspicions get aroused when they do this switch. I often wonder if this shell-game of planes isn't a ploy to fill empty seats on later flights. I see some @$$holes doing beancounting and card shuffling in my head, the jerks smoking expensive cigars and guffawing at the thought of the weary travels whose only thoughts are of slumbering in their own beds finally.

Either way, no point in raising hell with the gate agents who caught some serious grief from other passengers. It's not like they did it themselves.

I guess I'll start drawing.

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Comments

[martini-tim.livejournal.com]

Delta did the same thing with my flight out of Reagan last week. They canceled it (no reason given) and moved people to later flights, often hubbing in different cities. I am positive that they do it to move people into less crowded flights and save themselves money, but they won't admit it.

I am planning to send them a note to say that if they keep pulling this kind of stunt, I am switching to another airline, frequent-flier miles be damned. Their beancounters need to learn that saving a few pennies is going to cost them several dollars later.

[martini-tim.livejournal.com]

I just sent Delta that note! I told them that after having two legs canceled on my last set of flights, I would fly them once more, but if anything got canceled at the last minute for anything except the weather, I am done with them.

I doubt they will care, but I feel better.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I'm going to send them a message as well. My only problem is that my office has a contract with them and I may have no choice but fly them.

Still I will feel better.

[barak.livejournal.com]

Northwest used to be "okay". Delta used to suck. Since the merger, the new Delta sucks so bad I refuse to fly them anymore.

Perhaps its time to stop flying Delta.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Agreed!

[spikejrt.livejournal.com]

AA does that all the time with its last 2 flights out from DFW to OKC . I can guaranty you that one or the other gets cancelled routinely. It is a 2 hour difference, so it is not unreasonable, but I am sure it is standard revmax practice.

[jkusters]

I admire your attitude about the unforeseen schedule change. You set a great example.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

The best experiences I've had in making a difficult situation better is when I've been nice to the gate agent. You did the right thing ... I can't wait to see what you've drawn.

HUGS!

Have a safe trip!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Posted the cartoon today :)

Thanks! And hugs back!

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

"I guess I'll start drawing."

Words of hope and wisdom.... I'll keep them in mind when I board a plane for Atlanta next Sunday; though I'm flying Midwest Airlines, so crossing fingers that I won't get Delta'd.

You're a model of grace under duress - hope you made it back safe and sound.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I certainly hope your trip goes well.

I remember watching those episodes of "Airline" and seeing people losing their minds and freaking out on the gate agents. These folks have no control over the planes, those decisions are made elsewhere, so getting angry with them isn't fair.

Now, alternatively, I would have loved to go off on that lady at the ticket counter who told me I had a seat even though it said "seat request." All info says that the plane change had already occurred before I got my ticket so she just lied to me. Her, I would go off on.

[mississippicub.livejournal.com]

Yeah... and my experience before I lived in Atlanta was that once you got here there was no guarantee you would leave. I used to get delayed here ALL the time. Speaking of which... if you ever have a long layover here again, let us know!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

If I had gotten an overnighter in Atlanta, I would have been sending messages to at least grab dinner with some folks. :)