Delta - Warning!

[grinningghost]

Just wanted to let those who are flying Delta to check their itinerary one last time before heading to the airport.

At the 11th hour (we were supposed to leave at 6 AM and fly through Cincinnati), they changed our flight time and connection city (Atlanta). If I hadn't checked online late last night, I never would have known. This was the 6th change since I booked the flights.

Now we're getting into Orlando much later. I hate Delta.

 

[aubriee]

It's not just Delta. Last Dec I had printed out our boarding passes for American Airlines and everything was fine, but when we arrived the next morning for our 6:00am flight and was checking our luggage in, we were told that the terminal had changed. What! We had how many minutes to find the tram and get from Terminal C to Terminal A and then the tram had to go through how many termianals before we got to A? Everybody was upset and running for the elevator. When I printed out our boarding passes the night before, that plane was almost full, but the morning of the flight it was about 1/2 empty. I'm sure quite a few people missed that flight becuase they went to the wrong terminal then didn't have time to get half way around the airport to the correct terminal before the plane took off..

 

[OKW Lover]

Checking your flight status is always a good practice, no matter what the airline. As far as your particular problem, you should call Delta and see if you can get put on a flight that leaves/arrives at a time that is closer to what you originally bought. Delta is pretty good at accomodating people tht have been inconvenienced by a significant change in their schedule.

 

[CarolA]

I recommend checking. I sometimes check as I am heading out the door.

THings happen. For example on a 6 am flight, if the plane the night before is going to be substantially delayed for some reason under FAA crew rest laws your flight may either be delayed and/or cancelled. (The FAA has rule stating how many hours of rest the pilots have to have, so if they get in at 2 am, then probably that 6 am isn't happening for example) Weather and mechanical can also mess you up. (And remember it doesn't mean weather where YOU are. If the plane is coming from someplace with a weather issue, then you are impacted even if it is sunny and beautiful at your home) The airlines will start rebooking as soon as they know. (I have received a phone call from DL more then once at 3 am in Nashville just for this reason, the flight from ATL the nibht before was delayed and now my AM flight is delayed... Ask me if I care at 3 am??? LOL!)

And actually this is why I depise AA. It never failed that they never even started "admitting" the plane wasn't going to make it until AFTER the original departure time and THEN they started rebooking... which meant that some other options were already gone.

 

[CarolA]

Thought of one other thing that might help.

On most airline web sites (I know DL and the majors have this not sure about SWA) they have a "notification" service. You put in your flight number, date and they way you want to be notified. Starting the day before you get one notice about the flight and then if something happens to your flight you get updates. They can send it to PC's, cell phones etc.

This has saved me spending several hours hanging around an airport more then once!

 

[goofy4tink]

Although Delta is 'known' for changes, it happens with all of them!! My dd and dh flew from Boston to Orlando in May. Had a 7:00 non-stop booked with JetBlue. Then, JB changed it to a 4:55 flight, stopping at JFK, still arriving at MCO at 10:15ish. Had an hour layover at JFK. Dh checked his flight status on Monday, saw it was changed for that day,(he was flying the next day). So, he took dd out of school early, and got to Logan at 2:55, to find that the 4:55 flight had been moved to 8:00!! Not a happy camper..he told them he had to be at JFK to make a 7:00 flight. They hustled them through the airport to hop on the 3:15 flight to JFK. So...just goes to show...they are ALL changing things around, even right up to the last minute.
And to think that my dh wanted to take the computer in for a servicing the day before I was to fly!!!! Don't think so....don't take away my 'puter until I'm on that plane honey!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Yes, there are many threads on this topic already. As noted, every airline has flight changes. Delta's have just been more noticable because of the many changes due to the merger with Song.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1161983&highlight=delta

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1163514&highlight=delta

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162911&highlight=delta

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1161717&highlight=delta

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1161864&highlight=delta

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1153031&highlight=delta

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1152928&highlight=delta

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1150477&highlight=delta

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1148376&highlight=delta

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

They all make changes. Whenever you book a flight over 3 months out also expect greater changes! Delta just loaded its offical winter schdule so many flights changed because of this. Come Jan they will imput there spring schdule so things will change then. I have noticed from reading the boards and from personal expearience Delta is extremely good at giving you what you want if your flight is changed such as changing flights times and even cities. I call delta right after I see the flight is changed and they put me on whatever flight I want then. Sometimes it works good since I end up on a more exspensive flight.

 

[dudspizza]

This thread also reminds me that you have to check all gates at the airport. Gate assignments change regularly, even after you have printed your boarding pass. When I am connecting in an airport, the first thing I do is top at a departures board to make sure my flight is still at the same gate as my boarding pass says or where it has been moved to. So many people assume that what is on their boarding pass is definite. You have to be heads up when traveling...

An example would be when I was connecting in Houston. Passenger after passenger came up to my gate asking if their flight was going to XXX. The gate agent told them another gate number and went about his business.... many stood their dumbfounded for a second before walking away.... The board said the flight was to MSP, yet they were adimant that their flight was taking off from that gate.......

Be informed..... now.... back to our regularly scheduled discussion...

Duds

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Thought of one other thing that might help.

On most airline web sites (I know DL and the majors have this not sure about SWA) they have a "notification" service. You put in your flight number, date and they way you want to be notified. Starting the day before you get one notice about the flight and then if something happens to your flight you get updates. They can send it to PC's, cell phones etc.

This has saved me spending several hours hanging around an airport more then once!

HI CAROLA,
IF IS SIGN UP WITH DELTA'S SITE, AS STATE ABOVE, WITH MY FUTURE DELTA FLIGHTS (I HAVE 3) THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN EVER THERE IS A CHANGE? I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS.
I WILL TRY, THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!!!
Sorry for the Cap's I was working & forgot turn of the Caps.

 

[miss missy]

HI CAROLA,
IF IS SIGN UP WITH DELTA'S SITE, AS STATE ABOVE, WITH MY FUTURE DELTA FLIGHTS (I HAVE 3) THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN EVER THERE IS A CHANGE? I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS.
I WILL TRY, THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!!!
Sorry for the Cap's I was working & forgot turn of the Caps.

ya will they?

 

[katiedid0801]

Thought of one other thing that might help.

On most airline web sites (I know DL and the majors have this not sure about SWA) they have a "notification" service. You put in your flight number, date and they way you want to be notified. Starting the day before you get one notice about the flight and then if something happens to your flight you get updates. They can send it to PC's, cell phones etc.

This has saved me spending several hours hanging around an airport more then once!

SWA does this too!

 

[JennSaint]

I fly Delta every year and they do change flight times often. But they always accomodate me and pretty much let me choose any other flight times I want. I always look online to see what's available and call them. Most of the flights I buy have a connecting flight and I've often been able to be put on a non-stop when they've made changes to my itinerary. I would have called them right away!

 

[chipscinderelly]

HI CAROLA,
IF IS SIGN UP WITH DELTA'S SITE, AS STATE ABOVE, WITH MY FUTURE DELTA FLIGHTS (I HAVE 3) THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN EVER THERE IS A CHANGE? I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS.
I WILL TRY, THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!!!
Sorry for the Cap's I was working & forgot turn of the Caps.

For American's notification service you need to enable it (sign up for it) for each flight, including each leg of a trip. It's easy, however, just remember that if you don't have text messages as part of your cell plan you then pay for the text - well worth it for me.

To Aubriee - sounds like you flew out of DFW and with the new train service this should not be a huge issues anymore. The trains get you there fast and as long as you checked in on time (eg with an hour to go) everyone should have time to get to the plane. Sorry things changed, DFW/AA can be a pain!

 

[CarolA]

HI CAROLA,
IF IS SIGN UP WITH DELTA'S SITE, AS STATE ABOVE, WITH MY FUTURE DELTA FLIGHTS (I HAVE 3) THEY WILL NOTIFY ME WHEN EVER THERE IS A CHANGE? I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS.
I WILL TRY, THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!!!
Sorry for the Cap's I was working & forgot turn of the Caps.

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[WeLoveThePoly]

And just as a note you need to be logged in with your SkyMiles # and PIN # to sign up for the flight notifications. (I just signed up for the notifications.)

I also check my itinerary every day. Only 97 more days of daily checking!

Debbie

 

[cassie]

I made ressies on Delta 2 months ago for travel in Sept. I have email notification if any changes are made. One was for our departure, but it was only a 10 minute difference in leaving. The next was a whopper. I'm using skymiles (25,000) and the only selection for return was a stop over in Atlanta and arriving at Hartford 5 hours later. Well, the change was the same time leaving MCO, but getting home 7 hours later!! I was sick over this. I called Delta and said the change would be a problem and could it be changed? She changed it to a non-stop flight at a time I would've booked if I had 50,000 miles.
Woohoo...I am so happy And there was no charge for the change.

 

[MomofCKJ]

Thanks for the reminder, my Dec Delta flights had changed a few times but I had not checked in a while. Well tonight they changed by an hour. We are leaving Boston to get to Orlando at noon instead of 11am. We get to Orlando at 3 instead of 2. I am a little bummed as we have a 5:40 dinner ressie at Chef Mickey. I think that will be cutting it too close. I am calling Dining tomorrow to see if we can get something a little later.

The good part is coming home our flight changed an hour too. Instead of leaving Orlando at 3 we leave at 4pm. Now we can have an extra hour at the park that day!

Allyson

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

They all make changes. Whenever you book a flight over 3 months out also expect greater changes! Delta just loaded its offical winter schdule so many flights changed because of this. Come Jan they will imput there spring schdule so things will change then.

When I go onto Delta's website the Flight Schedule (PDF file) is "effective July 1, 2006". Do they load these schedules quarterly? Delta has changed my October flights and the flight #s do not appear on the July 1 schedule. I'm assuming Delta will load a 4th quarter schedule on October 1st?

Debbie

 

[CarolA]

The PDF file is updated at least quarterly, maybe more often.

However, if your Oct flight has disappeared call them NOW. It probably won't be back