Delta has ruined our vacation!

[SueM in MN]

Sometimes it happens.
Last year on our flight down to Orlando, we had worked with the Special Needs Department of Northwest to get 4 seats together, near the front of the plane. This is because youngest DD is disabled, can't walk and needs to be either held up to walk or carried back to her seat. We were assigned seats near the front of the plane - 2 and 2 in different row.
We confirmed our flight before we left home; still had the same seats. Got the airport and tried to check in with our E tickets without going thru the desk agent, but the computer wouldn't let us. The desk agent said they had a "computer proble" and our seat assignments would be made at the gate.

Fast-forward to the gate, where the agent tells us that according to the computer we are flying standby and that she can get us on the next flight "probably". Then she said she could get us 4 seats together - all at the back of the plane - back 2 rows. That wouldn't work, we could never get DD back there. That was all she would offer.
DH called the NW 800 number and got things straightened out. It took the Special Services person -who could see us assigned to our original seats on the airplane in her computer- to tell the gate agent what keystrokes to use to find us. We finally ended up with 2 seats of our original seats and 2 seats in the next to back row of the plane. Not the best, but even if a traveler has special need and their seat assignments were supposed to be blocked in, all the airline is required to provide is a seat; not necessarily the particular seat you picked out and thought you were getting.

It was not convenient and youngest DD had to sit next to someone (because they refused to move) which could have been "interesting". It turned out OK.

Whether it spoils your vacation or not, is up to you.

Edited to add: Reading the OPs later posts, I re-read mine and decided I sounded much harsher than I meant to be.
What I meant to say was that it does happen sometimes; something will be figured out; although the final seating may not be exactly what you had in mind, it should be adequate; and not to worry about it to much.

 

[belleandthebeast]

What goes around comes around - for those of you who like to lie about your kid being sick, etc, hope they do get sick, on you, on your flight!

How true! I'll keep that in mind if I ever decide to use that excuse!

 

[mc'smommy]

I find this a bit harsh!

Karen, I agree that this would put a damper on my vacation planning also, but take the advice on the kind DISers that have faith that Delta will do their best to make sure that you family is put back together. I'm sure it's all gonna work out well and you will have a fabulous vacation!!

Kristi

Harsh
Please !

Delta Ruined our vacation as quoted ! ... It is only the flight home for crying out loud !


Get over it...

 

[beattyfamily]

Wow, there's some nasty people hanging out at the DIS lately. How sad.

I promise you that this happens often BUT they always will seat at least one parent per child if not all of you together. They will not let one of your kids sit alone. It's happened to me at least 2 times and both times at least one parent was with each child or we all got to sit together.

Just get there a bit early to work it out.

 

[NCombs]

I have to say I was expecting a much bigger problem after reading the title of your post.

I just read the post by someone flying Trans Meridian who paid for tickets a long time ago and now the airline is completely out of business.

I'd be happy they are still flying.

Good luck.

 

[Goofy4]

We were split up on our honeymoon. The plane was filled mostly with some sort of Seniors tour. None of the older-folks we asked was willing to switch seats. :-(

Had we been there earlier and perhaps cried a little bit , the story would have been much different, I'm sure. I think it all might work out for you

 

[GilesFamily]

We were separated on two legs of our flight to and from Orlando. I ended up sitting for three hours trying to entertain our 6 year old. My DH got a seat all by himself, and had a nice relaxing flight. He loved it.

 

[Mom2R&D]

I empathize with you, OP. When we flew out to Phoenix last spring (which is another nightmare altogether) flights had been canceled due to inclement weather. Long story short, we were squeezed into a flight that was overbooked because two people were kind enough to give up their seats so that we could make it. My two DS's had never flown before and ended up sitting next to one another...but four rows behind me...and at least six or eight rows ahead of their dad. It was more stressful for me than anyone, thankfully they were fine and didn't need any parental intervention during the flight (I might add that they were 9 and 7 at the time).

I'm sure someone will be more than happy to accomodate your family so that you and your DH can sit near or with your children. Good luck!

 

[karenbaco]

Enough is enough. Ok Maybe my title WAS A BIT OVER THE TOP, but you have to understand that I wrote the post right after i found out that we were seperated and the next morning after i watched a plane crash documentary on the History Channel. I didn't in any way want this to turn into a big uproar. I was just venting some anxiety and felt this was the best place to do it. Thank you to those who had encouraging words, and i'm sorry to those who didn't have enough compassion to make me feel better. Not everyone is anxiety free in this world, and it doesn't mean i'm a freak because i worried about something so minor. I am thankful for how lucky i am to even be going and to have a healthy happy family. Like i said before i was just venting.
Thanks so much for all the comments.
Hopefully it'll all work out in my favor in the end.
Karen

 

[Goofy4]

Same thing would likely have happened in this house. .. Hope it works out

 

[kirstyfly]

What???

Delta has gone bankrupt? what happens if you have flights booked?

Our flights to WDW from NYC are operated by Delta as song (make sense to anybody?)

i am ringing the travel agent first thing in the morning.

 

[mishtb]

I work for AA and have been in the airline industry for almost 8 yrs.... when you book through the airline or a travel agent make sure you have confirmed seats..... you will know if you do when you get your confirmation info it should have a seat assigment with seat number.... The airlines only pre-researve an percentage of the seats on each flight. If you don't have a pre-reserve seat then check in as early as possible.. If you are with a large group or have a child make sure to advise the gate or ticket agent when checking in. Usually if the flt is not too full, the agent should have no problem asking others to switch seats with you. However, if the agent can not get you seats together - just board and ask the flt attendant usaully they will be able to make an announcment. I have it happen all the time when I travel wit my 2 yr old..

 

[grlpwrd]

I work for AA and have been in the airline industry for almost 8 yrs.... when you book through the airline or a travel agent make sure you have confirmed seats..... you will know if you do when you get your confirmation info it should have a seat assigment with seat number.... The airlines only pre-researve an percentage of the seats on each flight. If you don't have a pre-reserve seat then check in as early as possible.. If you are with a large group or have a child make sure to advise the gate or ticket agent when checking in. Usually if the flt is not too full, the agent should have no problem asking others to switch seats with you. However, if the agent can not get you seats together - just board and ask the flt attendant usaully they will be able to make an announcment. I have it happen all the time when I travel wit my 2 yr old..

I've worked for 2 airlines and owned a travel agency for a while myself... Yes, airlines do have blocks of seats left for assignment at the airport so definitely get there as quickly as possible. I make sure to be there at least 2 1/2 hours prior to departure when then happens (yes, a but extreme, but it has worked out each time), such as when I am unable to make seat assignments online.

GL!

 

[ktpool]

Your story reminded me of my flight from you-know-where! I was traveling alone to my Mom's with my DD (2) and DS (6 wks) and the gate clerk literally assigned us 3 seats on opposite sides of the plane! DUH....I asked her to change it and she said "Well, just ask the people next to you change seats"! OKKKAAAAYYYY....

So there I am with 2 babies, 2 car seats, a stoller, etc, etc, and my husband not allowed past security to help.

But the real topper is,same routine on the way home (minus hubby), after FINALLY getting settled and many dirty looks, they cancel the flight! So, we deplane and guess what? They have dumped all of our luggage in the middle of the aisle outside the gate (this is pre-9/11). I was so angry I could've screamed (probably should have). Took a looong time to get rebooked - man, I will never forget that day.


To this day, I have never flown that airline again, and never will. And I fly quite often.

 

[Pamle]

from Disney a couple weeks ago. We were with AirTran. The five of us were literally all over the plane. None of us were seated together. Their was nothing we could do. My 10 year old had a fever, so I was worried sick. My 9 year old was fine. My 6 year old was directly in front of me. You do what you gotta do. The people next to my kids took care of them. I walked up to check on them whenever I could.

 

[jodifla]

from Disney a couple weeks ago. We were with AirTran. The five of us were literally all over the plane. None of us were seated together. Their was nothing we could do. My 10 year old had a fever, so I was worried sick. My 9 year old was fine. My 6 year old was directly in front of me. You do what you gotta do. The people next to my kids took care of them. I walked up to check on them whenever I could.

This is terrible! A 6 year old had to sit by himself! And a sick child, too! I would have pitched a fit. So sorry you had to go through that.