Delta was a nightmare!

[DebbieB]

We choose to fly Delta and have never encountered a problem and in fact, on this trip we were upgraded to First Class, which made for a pleasant flight down. The airlines have no control over the gate, so I don't even understand how that is a valid complaint. Most flights on most airlines arrive ahead of schedule so they can have a little more leeway which regard to their on time flight stats. As far as crushing luggage, strollers, etc. That can happen with any airline and the only damaged article we have ever had was with Southwest. They refused to replace the Oakley sunglasses that were inside of the suitcase as well.
In terms of the stroller? We are here now and one thing that is evident is that strollers have grown in size over the years. They take up space on Disney transportation, buses and boats, in the parks and in the shops. Somehow 20 years ago guests managed quite well with $25 strollers with a small canopy and sunscreen. Now strollers look like royal chariots.

The airline does have control over the gates. If they lease 5 gates at Seattle, they are responsible for operating those gates. They hire the workers to operate them, not the airport. They only thing that would have been out of their control was if there was lightning in the area, the workers are not permitted outside to guide them in.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The airline does have control over the gates. If they lease 5 gates at Seattle, they are responsible for operating those gates. They hire the workers to operate them, not the airport. They only thing that would have been out of their control was if there was lightning in the area, the workers are not permitted outside to guide them in.

Actually that can vary....

At some airports the airline "subleases" the staff etc from the airport or even other airlines.

Depends on the size of the operation and the terms of the airport etc....

 

[DebbieB]

Actually that can vary....

At some airports the airline "subleases" the staff etc from the airport or even other airlines.

Depends on the size of the operation and the terms of the airport etc....

Right, that's what I meant by outsourcing in my other post. My reply was to the comment "the airlines have no control over the gate". In the end, it's the airline's responsibility to operate the gate. If they choose to use outsourced workers, then that's still their responsibility if there are problems. They can't say they have no control.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Right, that's what I meant by outsourcing in my other post. My reply was to the comment "the airlines have no control over the gate". In the end, it's the airline's responsibility to operate the gate. If they choose to use outsourced workers, then that's still their responsibility if there are problems. They can't say they have no control.

There are honestly airports where they do have "no control" I have flown into them....

Generally they are NOT US Airports, but I can't gurantee they aren't. At those airports what you are really "buying" as an airline is a "landing slot" The airport then sends you wherever they want etc.... They handle everything and the airline has little to no say in gate operations.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks for all the comments and support. I understand this could happen with any airline, but I think that maybe if they didn't contract their employee's in Seattle to a company who can not keep employee's and pay's low wages with no benefits that the service in Seattle would be better. Sitting and looking at 5 empty gates in Seattle, all in which Delta uses, and not being able to park at one of them was just horrible.
When a company treat's their employee's well, then the employee loves their job and does well at it.
I just need to stick to an airline who use's their own employee's and I think all will be better.

All due respect, I don't think this http://www.portseattle.org/business/airport/ airport or any of the airlines affiliated with it subcontract ramp services out to a third party vendor that pays virtually nothing, offers no benefits, and can't keep employees.

 

[DebbieB]

There are honestly airports where they do have "no control" I have flown into them....

Generally they are NOT US Airports, but I can't gurantee they aren't. At those airports what you are really "buying" as an airline is a "landing slot" The airport then sends you wherever they want etc.... They handle everything and the airline has little to no say in gate operations.

I could see that happening with a charter airline that does not have regular service. For example, years ago I took junkets to Atlantic City on a charter. They used one of the other airline's gates.

But in the case of Delta in Seattle, they should have a regular operation going and know who is working for them even if it's outsourced.