Delta sucked, DME rocked

[KATIESMOMMY]

Just got back from our very first trip to WDW and just wanted to share my experiences as a newbie.
Lets start with Delta.Well it started out because of the ice storm 24 hrs before our pilots werent able to get in before 11 pm the night prior and because of govt rules they couldnt fly again till 8am. Well that is fine and dandy-I appreciate that as my DH is a truck driver and follows similiar rules. Well the delay wasnt posted till after 4am, I was up at 230 am-flight was to leave at 7am,got online, printed our boarding passes and checked in. We were ready to go. Something told me at 4am, before we left to go to the airport to check one last time, sure enough, our flight had been delayed and hence our connection in Atlanta had been changed .A little perturbed that we didnt receive a phone call or anything, but hey, I figured it wasnt there fault.

We check in at SBN, no problems, get through security and wait the2 hours. Get on MD80 that was overbooked, they were looking for 4 people to give up their seats, I got nervous, but evidently they found volunteers.Get on the plane, no heat and its 22 degrees outside. We finally got heat 80 minutes into a 2 hour flight.

Get to Atlanta, find our gate which they have moved, and they are flying us on an aeromexico flight.We sit for 2 hours and then they start announcing delays. They have a bad sensor they are replacing, be another 45 minutes, testing the engines, another 30 mintes, sensor still bad, another 30 minutes. Finally they announce they are looking for another plane. There were 20 cruise passengers onboard in danger of missing their boat. Well they got the plane and we finally boarded 40 minutes later. I am sorry, that plane was sitting at the gate when we arrived,I just feel it was very poorly handled.

By this time by daughter who is autistic is having meltdowns, her valium isnt working and she has been cooped up with multiple people for too long-her biggest problem! We get to the DME desk--HUGE line but only 10 minutes to check in. Get checked in- some confusion on my return trip with split ressies but they fixed it quickly.She then directs me to to the line to stand in for the poly.I made a big sigh asked if there were anyway for me save our place in line and have my family off to the side till the last minute. SHe asked why and I explained. Well she said oh no, that wont do and asked where my family was.

She came with me to my family, escorted us to the waiting queue and told us to have a seat. Then someone else came and got us and put us on an empty bus and said to have a magical day. Unfortunately I didnt get their names.Then Foster, our bus driver comes up, talks to my DD and stows our stroller and carryons and puts us in the front seats. DD loved the whole trip until we got stuck in some traffic and then she started stemming and hitting herself. Well Foster said hang on Princess I am going out of route and getting you to your hotel. He got out of the turn for WL and hit the Poly turn lane. With all the hubbub of getting us unloaded I thought DH tipped him and he thought I did. Foster was our angel, treated us so well and made it a very magical moment for us. I will be writing WDW about him!!
Manuel was our driver back, very pleasant and witty. Made for a pleasant experience.
For all those in doubt about the DME, it is a great system, we were well taken care of and it was very quick. We were at our resort within an hour of landing.We had our bags in 2 hours and we came home with all our bags from Resort check in also.We were definately pleased

 

[kaytieeldr]

We check in at SBN, no problems, get through security and wait the2 hours. Get on MD80 that was overbooked, they were looking for 4 people to give up their seats, I got nervous, but evidently they found volunteers.Get on the plane, no heat and its 22 degrees outside. We finally got heat 80 minutes into a 2 hour flight.

I'm going to suggest writing to Delta to let them know about your um, 'displeasure', but I can tell you now not to expect much from them in the way of an apology.

On the other hand, thank you for the GREAT report about your Magical Express experience. It's so good to see somebody post a positive report, since there are several recent negative ones.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The plane trip sounds like a real hassle, but I'm not sure why you would expect much in way of apology from Delta. They didn't plan the bad weather, nor do they purposely cause mechanical problems. Your experience sounds pretty typical for a flight with weather and mechanical delays.

Op - In the future, you should try to book non-stop flights (if available from your airport), even if they cost more, at least when traveling with your daughter.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

The plane trip sounds like a real hassle, but I'm not sure why you would expect much in way of apology from Delta. They didn't plan the bad weather, nor do they purposely cause mechanical problems. Your experience sounds pretty typical for a flight with weather and mechanical delays.

Op - In the future, you should try to book non-stop flights (if available from your airport), even if they cost more, at least when traveling with your daughter.

I never said I wanted an apology whatsoever.......I totally understand the weather was not their fault and I know they didnt purpsoely plan the mechanical delays- please reread my post. I just believe they should have changed the equipment earlier as the plane had been sitting at the gate for hours before they decided it couldnt be fixed.

Cost wasnt an option, this was a free flight for us, cost us nothing as I won the trip. There are NO direct flights from SBN to MCO.My daughter did fine on the flight itself it was the huge wait in Atlanta that was horrendous.

DME was wonderful- I suggest everyone tr it for themselves.

 

[dudspizza]

I never said I wanted an apology whatsoever.......I totally understand the weather was not their fault and I know they didnt purpsoely plan the mechanical delays- please reread my post. I just believe they should have changed the equipment earlier as the plane had been sitting at the gate for hours before they decided it couldnt be fixed.

First of all, I wouldn't say Delta sucked. Those are pretty harsh words in a title of a thread. The weather and equipment problems are not in their control. Delta is first going to try to fix the plane you are to fly on before trying to find a replacement. They don't keep "spares" on the side for things like this. When your flight was moved to the new aircraft, that set off a chain of events that included other passengers now needing a new plane and having a delay as well. Delta first tries to inconvenience as few people as possible... when that doesn't happen, they change out equipment. The plane was sitting at the gate for a later flight, I am sure.

First trips can be very nerve racking, especially when delays happen and things don't go as planned. Was the flight home ok? More flights go off without a hitch versus missed connections and delays.

Chalk this one up to learning how to handle things in a delay. Next time might be a lot better.

Here is one for you. I flew home from LONDON alone at 17 years old. I had to connect in Boston. When my plane lands in Boston, I find out that my connecting flight has been cancelled. After getting through customs, I have to find the NWA desk and rebook my flight. They finally route me on a plane that is going to Washington DC and then to MSP. Just a stop, not a plane change. While on the ground in Washington, the plane has a part go bad and they try to fix it.... we sit forever and they finally tell us they are combining the flight with another and we get off and load on to another plane with many passengers already on it... we are told to grab any open seat.... I am stuck in the middle seat between people... I have lost my nice window seat. I get to MSP around midnight (it is New Years Eve) and I finally find my mom who is picking me up for the 3 hour drive home....

I have never thought NWA sucked or held anything against them. I understand things happen and you make due the best you can. Once something happens, we all have to focus on the future and what can we do to make this the best trip possible.

I am glad the ME people helped put you in a better mood! Have a great day... please don't take my post as getting on your case... I tend to ramble....

Duds

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I never said I wanted an apology whatsoever.

Sorry - this was not directed towards you, rather the poster who advised you to write to Delta. You did indeed not say that Delta owed you an apology.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

First of all, I wouldn't say Delta sucked. Those are pretty harsh words in a title of a thread. The weather and equipment problems are not in their control. Delta is first going to try to fix the plane you are to fly on before trying to find a replacement. They don't keep "spares" on the side for things like this. When your flight was moved to the new aircraft, that set off a chain of events that included other passengers now needing a new plane and having a delay as well. Delta first tries to inconvenience as few people as possible... when that doesn't happen, they change out equipment. The plane was sitting at the gate for a later flight, I am sure.

First trips can be very nerve racking, especially when delays happen and things don't go as planned. Was the flight home ok? More flights go off without a hitch versus missed connections and delays.

Chalk this one up to learning how to handle things in a delay. Next time might be a lot better.

Here is one for you. I flew home from LONDON alone at 17 years old. I had to connect in Boston. When my plane lands in Boston, I find out that my connecting flight has been cancelled. After getting through customs, I have to find the NWA desk and rebook my flight. They finally route me on a plane that is going to Washington DC and then to MSP. Just a stop, not a plane change. While on the ground in Washington, the plane has a part go bad and they try to fix it.... we sit forever and they finally tell us they are combining the flight with another and we get off and load on to another plane with many passengers already on it... we are told to grab any open seat.... I am stuck in the middle seat between people... I have lost my nice window seat. I get to MSP around midnight (it is New Years Eve) and I finally find my mom who is picking me up for the 3 hour drive home....

I have never thought NWA sucked or held anything against them. I understand things happen and you make due the best you can. Once something happens, we all have to focus on the future and what can we do to make this the best trip possible.

I am glad the ME people helped put you in a better mood! Have a great day... please don't take my post as getting on your case... I tend to ramble....

Duds

Actually I do have to say I think that delta does in fact "suck",lol.The equipment I was on was poorly maintained- well maybe not so much Delta as their codeshare partners. The plane without heat for an hour 20 minutes in 22 degree weather was a Chataqua md80-we could see our breath- the plane with the sensor out was an aeromexico widebody which they replaced with an actual Delta widebody that a piece of trim came flying off and hit a passenger in the head in row 11.
On my return leg, the flight from MCO to ATL went off without a hitch, on the chataqua flight from atl-sbn, they couldnt get the door to close - took them about 10 minutes to get it to shut properly.

overall it could have been worse

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The plane without heat for an hour 20 minutes in 22 degree weather was a Chataqua md80-we could see our breath- the plane with the sensor out was an aeromexico widebody which they replaced with an actual Delta widebody that a piece of trim came flying off and hit a passenger in the head in row 11.

Chautauqua Airlines does not operate any Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) MD-80 aircraft. Chautauqua Airlines operates a fleet of 95 Embraer regional jets. Chautauqua Airlines operates flights as Delta Connection and several other brands.

AeroMexico does not operate domestic flights within the United States. (The U.S. Government does not allow foreign airlines to operate U.S. domestic flights.) AeroMexico sells tickets on U.S. domestic routes through a codeshare arrangement with Delta, generally as part of international itineraries. The ATL-MCO flights are operated by Delta on Delta aircraft. So, this was not a case that a Delta aircraft was substituted for an AeroMexico aircraft.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Chautauqua Airlines does not operate any Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) MD-80 aircraft. Chautauqua Airlines operates a fleet of 95 Embraer regional jets. Chautauqua Airlines operates flights as Delta Connection and several other brands.

AeroMexico does not operate domestic flights within the United States. (The U.S. Government does not allow foreign airlines to operate U.S. domestic flights.) AeroMexico sells tickets on U.S. domestic routes through a codeshare arrangement with Delta, generally as part of international itineraries. The ATL-MCO flights are operated by Delta on Delta aircraft. So, this was not a case that a Delta aircraft was substituted for an AeroMexico aircraft.

Exactly.

Try being a business traveler - your delays were nothing to get upset about - things happen. Would you rather fly with sleepy pilots or on an aircraft with broken equipment? You got to your destination safely and in a timely manner. That is all Delta or any airline is required to do.

Next time you fly with a connection then consider purchasing a day pass for your family to the Crown Room or one of the VIP lounges - it is a quiet haven away from the hustle and bustle of the airport and would probably be a nice place to relax with your child until your next flight leaves. There are several in Atlanta - the new one in Terminal C is gorgeous!

Sorry you had a rough time. It is never easy traveling with children.

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

thank you for correcting me, you are correct Mr Horace, it was an Embraer and I am not sure about the Aeromexico--All I know is that is what it was saying on the gate- I know nothing about planes and the way the gates were positoned I did not get close enough to look at the signage on it.

Yes, I know nothing about business travelers and am sure you have it quite rough. As a leisure and first time traveler I was just voicing an opinion.I apologize for not having all my information correct. Thank you all so much for correcting me.Also, I was never upset, I just thought the customer service was inadequate. But I do appreciate you two telling me HOW I should feel

No matter what you say, I still believe that Delta is not quite the "great" carrier that my parents believed in and flew exclusively.As my teenager stated and I will state again in her terms, I believe Delta "sucked".

They knew at 11pm the previous night my outbound flight was delayed because of the previous days weather problems. Yet they did not update the website till after 4 am and did not call my house until 6am according to my answering machine.The first plane had no heat, which I find unacceptable- I should have been told of this prior to boarding the aircraft as I had a toddler and infant in tow.

The Atlanta problems really werent my biggest problem. I felt sorry for the 20 cruise passengers who were going to miss their cruises. This was not a weather related problem, this was their equipment and to keep telling people that we would be boarding in 30 or 45 minutes over and over was not good customer service either.Also a passenger being struck by molding that was not secured was also a bit off the wall.

Overall- yes I did make it to MCO on Saturday--only 6
hours later than originally planned.


Also for Clarabelle-I never said I was upset about the pilots not flyhing, I understand perfectly that the pilots need their rest, my DH is a truck driver as was I , I understand perfectly the hours of service regulations that the govt requires and why they are needed. I never said I was upset that the plane didnt take off on time, I was a bit miffed I was not notified until 1 hour prior to my original departure time when I was already enroute to my airport.



*Warning*
This was just a first time WDW tripper offering an opinion, which is no in way supported or endorsed by the Disboards, the frequent flyers, business travelers, or Frequent posters on the Transportation board.THIS IS AN OPINION ONLY

 

[bavaria]

Now, in this case I am going to jump in and say that the OP actually came here before her trip and thanked the Tranportion Board posters for all their help before her first flight. While I didn't respond, I did see her post and thought 'how refreshing for someone to do that' as I have posted in past that we frequent flyers seem to get a bad reputation here for being 'knowitalls'.

OP, I'm sorry that you had to experience the frustration of delays. Ultimately, you can only do so much to control the situation, which may include checking weather forecasts, reconfirming your flight before you leave for the airport, having the airline's phone number in your cel phone and calling as soon as there is a delay to see what arrangements can be made, having some major hotel chain phone numbers in your phone so that you can call for reservations, etc.

I've been delayed more times that I can recall in my many years of flying, and yes, it is frustrating. But the travellers who scream and yell aren't leaving the airport any faster than those of us who get a coffee, take a seat, and get comfortable. (I'm not saying that you did any of the yelling and screaming! )

I think that you did get some good advice here - sorry that the flight was not a great experience.

(oh, and by the way, I'm not a fan of Delta either!)

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

Now, in this case I am going to jump in and say that the OP actually came here before her trip and thanked the Tranportion Board posters for all their help before her first flight. While I didn't respond, I did see her post and thought 'how refreshing for someone to do that' as I have posted in past that we frequent flyers seem to get a bad reputation here for being 'knowitalls'.

OP, I'm sorry that you had to experience the frustration of delays. Ultimately, you can only do so much to control the situation, which may include checking weather forecasts, reconfirming your flight before you leave for the airport, having the airline's phone number in your cel phone and calling as soon as there is a delay to see what arrangements can be made, having some major hotel chain phone numbers in your phone so that you can call for reservations, etc.

I've been delayed more times that I can recall in my many years of flying, and yes, it is frustrating. But the travellers who scream and yell aren't leaving the airport any faster than those of us who get a coffee, take a seat, and get comfortable. (I'm not saying that you did any of the yelling and screaming! )

I think that you did get some good advice here - sorry that the flight was not a great experience.

(oh, and by the way, I'm not a fan of Delta either!)

thanks alot for the comments, you made me feel a lot better. I really wasnt upset at all about the whole thing, loved watching the people and the planes and it was an exciting experience all around. I guess maybe I made it sound like I wanted sympathy or something, was just giving my perspective as someone with kids who has never traveled was all. I do appreciate all the help I got from these boards and esp from this one in particular.If I hadnt found you all I would not have even known to check my flights over and over etc etc...

Maybe I should have just titled it loved DME and Delta-was Delta, lol.

I do want to re-ititerate how great DME was.I was just overwhelmed with the great service. I was a little scared with all the bad things I had read and they were just marvelous. To be honest, I only met one castmember the whole trip was was not superb and I thnk she was just having an off day.
It was truly a magical trip I cried, laughed and made memories that nothing outside of childbirth can compare to. Its actually quite scary how much magic we experienced in the whole week....we were truly blessed.

Oh I do want to add, security at MCO on Saturday at 3 was a breeze- we were in and out in minutes!

 

[CarolA]

I never said I wanted an apology whatsoever.......I totally understand the weather was not their fault and I know they didnt purpsoely plan the mechanical delays- please reread my post. I just believe they should have changed the equipment earlier as the plane had been sitting at the gate for hours before they decided it couldnt be fixed.

Cost wasnt an option, this was a free flight for us, cost us nothing as I won the trip. There are NO direct flights from SBN to MCO.My daughter did fine on the flight itself it was the huge wait in Atlanta that was horrendous.

DME was wonderful- I suggest everyone tr it for themselves.

The real truth is that by giving you that plane a whole bunch of later passengers were displaced... it's a ripple effect. In this day and age, even in Atlanta, NONE of the airlines keep "spare" planes around. If one goes down they have to start juggling and it's not as simple as "just move plane X" over there. I watched a show on one of the networks one time on the USAir winter flight center. Losing just one plane due to weather or mechanical is a NIGHTMARE for the airlines now!


I realize it's frustrating, but I think you got lucky that it wasn't worse. (I have had mechanicals where the delay was MUCH MUCH longer. I once spent 3 hours on the runway at West Palm Beach because the hydrualic breaks got stuck on the runway. It took several hours to bleed the hydrualic fluid out and tow us back to the gate. And then SW spent the rest of the day finding us flights out. No "extra" airplane.

 

[snowbunny]

overall it could have been worse

Well yes, especially considering it was free

Your experience is fairly typical of what most air travelers have experienced at one time or another. A thought: perhaps it is not Delta that "sucked" -- in which case the same can be said of virtually every U.S. airline -- but the experience of modern cattle-car style air travel that sometimes (OK, often) "sucks."

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

thank you for correcting me, you are correct Mr Horace, it was an Embraer and I am not sure about the Aeromexico--All I know is that is what it was saying on the gate- I know nothing about planes and the way the gates were positoned I did not get close enough to look at the signage on it.

Please understand that I wasn't trying to beat you up. I just wanted to correct the errors for the benefit of others who are reading this thread. For example, nobody should believe that their ATL-MCO Delta flight will be on an AeroMexico aircraft. (For some ATL-MCO flights, the gate shows AeroMexico in an addition to Delta. The flights have flight numbers from both airlines, even though they are operated by Delta.)

No matter what you say, I still believe that Delta is not quite the "great" carrier that my parents believed in and flew exclusively.As my teenager stated and I will state again in her terms, I believe Delta "sucked".

Delta once had a reputation of being considered the best domestic airline by many passengers. Now Delta is no better—and no worse—than the other legacy carriers. And none of them are as good as they used to be.

By the way, I'm sure the passengers who were bound for cruises were very disappointed to miss their ships. That just shows that it's never a good idea to rely on flights being on-time. Flights are delayed all the time. It can be due to weather, mechanical issues, late-arriving aircraft (from the previous flight), air traffic issues, and missing crew. It happens. Sometimes airlines do a better job explaining the status to passengers and handling the consequences than other times. But there's only so much they can do when they don't have a plane that can depart on time.

For each our cruises, we've flown in at least the day before. And we've never missed a cruise—though once we departed with about 25% of the passengers missing (Celebrity Zenith in March 1993), even though the captain held the ship for around five hours. Many airports on the East Coast and the Midwest were closed because of the "Storm of the Century," as the news media were calling it.