Don't fly DELTA!

[Chuck S]

It seems the solution for the OP is to simply not fly Delta. I had problems with American, and I don't fly them anymore. It is a personal choice.

Delta is the airline I choose out of San Antonio. Yes, there are sometimes delays and cancellations, especially with a main hub in Atlanta...weather can be "iffy." Given the price of fuel, expect more delays and cancellations on all carriers.

Southwest, while a popular airline, is often more expensive than the legacy carriers from our location.

 

[safetymom]

I just drove back from CLT over the weekend. It is so much easier to fly than drive. If the tickets hadn't been so expensive I would have flown.

 

[CarolA]

I long ago learned in travel "Never say never"

Becasue as soon as you do, you will have to go to the middle of nowhere and the only airline going there will be the one you SWORE you would never fly again LOL!

I have said NEVER AGAIN once and that was for Alamo. (And that was at least 10 years ago and I have never rented from them.. I don't care HOW much it costs me LOL!)

 

[RabbitFood]

I agree airline travel isn't what it used to be, but

One flight lost an engine and we had an emergency landing,

would have me kissing the pilot, copilot, and anyone else responsible for getting me back on the ground safely!

OP--I understand your frustration. And I totally agree that rudeness is never acceptable from any airline employee.
As a family, we fly almost once a month, and I've learned to expect the worst--thus maybe 5 out of 10 times I'm pleasantly surprised.
Some other things I've learned about air travel:
--Become a frequent flyer with one airline. The preferred status has helped us get faster resolutions to problems.
--Avoid checking baggage whenever possible. Do laundry during your trip if you need to.
--Take the earliest flight possible there. And be flexible--don't schedule your flights close to a major appointment.

And sluggozmom--I would jump all over a $209 r/t to MCO!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

You live in NC? Why don't you drive to WDW?? I'm not being a smart-alec, I'm perfectly serious. As you've noticed, flying isn't exactly easy or fast anymore. With your own vehicle you set your own schedule, transport whatever comforts you need, including snacks and drinks ..... AND toy weapons!

We drive to FL from PA just about every year now. It's long, but I don't think I could do it on a plane. We love the freedom and we love carrying all of our crap with us (no crushed suitcases for us!). And even with gas prices, it's still waaaaaay cheaper than flying.

We are considering driving the next time we head to WDW. From Maryland it's a long trip....but my little 2002 Saturn runs like a charm (36 mph on our last vacation --- 810 miles) and a surprisingly large trunk.

We always rent cars at WDW (free with holiday inn points) so we are used to the ultlimate convenience of a rental car....but don't mind if it sits in the lot for a day or so.

The convenience of bringing what we want and the inconvenience of air travel now (I travel for work a great deal and I'm just tired of the hassel).....a few books on CD for the journey and it's sounding pretty good to us!

 

[debster812]

Sometimes stuff happens. It's all up to you how you handle it. It can happen on any airline.

Oh, this is SO true.

OP--word of advice, never, ever fly with me . I generally am flying from the NE to FL in January and February. Usually on Delta as well. 2 years ago, because of weather, we we delayed at the airport nearly 8 hours, and then finally cancelled. Because it was peak travel time from the NE, the soonest Delta could get us out was 3 days later. And we gladly took it. When I spoke to the Delta rep, she told me that I was the 1st person in over 5 hours who was not yelling at her. She put us in 1st Class, and gifted each of us with 1000 skymiles.

Last year we were delayed in Ft Myers due to bad weather in the NE, and waited in the airport for over 6 hours for our flight. We finally got there, and the gate agents and ground crew did a fantastic job keeping us all informed.

We flew Spirit last summer, and I found their customer service (or lack thereof) to be horrible. Delays on both legs of the trip, and not a soul around the gates to tell us anything, and hour plus waits on hold if you tried calling them. That was maddening.

I'm really sorry about your experience, but I think the next couple of years are going to be very rough on the consumer, the airlines, and the airline employees. Hopefully you've got all your 'bumpy journeys' under your belt, and your next flights will be smooth.

As my pal Bavaria always tells me, packing patience and common sense will serve us all well.

 

[TruBlu]

OP--word of advice, never, ever fly with me . I generally am flying from the NE to FL in January and February. Usually on Delta as well. 2 years ago, because of weather, we we delayed at the airport nearly 8 hours, and then finally cancelled. Because it was peak travel time from the NE, the soonest Delta could get us out was 3 days later. And we gladly took it. When I spoke to the Delta rep, she told me that I was the 1st person in over 5 hours who was not yelling at her. She put us in 1st Class, and gifted each of us with 1000 skymiles.

Wow that sounds terrible! I completely understand flights being canceled due to weather. All three of mine (it seems to me - I don't know for sure) appear to have been canceled so that 2 flights could be combined. That is what frustrated me. I don't know why 2 flights are ever scheduled if the plan is to combine them after tickets are sold. Again - I do not know for sure that this is the case, but it seems that way to me.

I can't imagine the response I would have gotten if I had gone in yelling. I'm afraid to think about it. I went in smiling and asking for help and still got a nasty response - that is why I'm complaining. My family is very easy to please. My kids hugged the flight attendant and pilot as we got off the plane and thanked them. We generally don't complain unless we are treated really badly. I felt we were this time - not by the flight crew (they were great), but by the people in the airports.

 

[bavaria]

I know that a few posters have said that this is the way it is with the new reality of high fuel prices, but I really don't think that has much impact on the OPs situation. If I look at her major complaints, they are all issues which would have arisen in past, and are really not that significant (although I do understand that they are to her)

• schedule changes: every US airline except SW changes schedules; we often caution here that if one books months in advance, one is subject to schedule changes
• seat assignment changes: see previous note. I would never wait until the day of my flight to check my seat assignment, and I would continue to check for a new seat assignment until boarding, without becoming an annoyance to the gate agent
• toy guns on board: I don't know how long those have been denied in America, but I can assure you that based on the frequent hostage situations and terrorist acts in Europe in the 1970's, even as a child I knew that fake weapons should not be taken on board an aircraft
• 'crushed' luggage: I can't tell you how many times I am at the baggage office filing a delayed baggage report when there is a passenger ranting and raving about having the airline replace their suitcase NOW. Usually it is what is considered 'minor wear and tear' and the reality of flying. No suitcase will appear new after one flight, and even my high end durable cases look very worn after just a few flights. The cheap cases that many report here buying won't last more than one or two flights without being in very poor shape. If it was truly crushed ie the frame was broken, there may be some recourse to file a claim.

As to the agent's demeanour; none of us were there. Perhaps she was frustrated, in fear of her job, or had had just one too many inexperienced travellers hold her accountable for all of their travel woes. Or perhaps the OP was frustrated and it was a combination of both parties.

My sympathy may sound limited, but as many of said, this is just the reality of airline travel. When I travel by car, stuff happens too. Last year a truck in front of me on the freeway lost a load and I barely avoided a crash. I drove over several wooden blocks and ended up having to pay an insurance deductable. I filed that under 'stuff happens'.

As Deb says, pack your patience and your common sense. And I would add to that the comment that travellers should learn to take responsibility for themselves and not wait for someone do it for them. The schedule change, seat assignment, and toy gun issue could have been avoided or lessened if the OP knew some of the basic guidelines of air travel.

Sorry that there hasn't been more sympathy on this thread

 

[msmayor]

As Deb says, pack your patience and your common sense. And I would add to that the comment that travellers should learn to take responsibility for themselves and not wait for someone do it for them. The schedule change, seat assignment, and toy gun issue could have been avoided or lessened if the OP knew some of the basic guidelines of air travel.

Sorry that there hasn't been more sympathy on this thread

Perhaps the best piece of advice given.

Last month I flew to Las Vegas...it was literally the very FIRST flight I had taken since 9/11, and I was well aware that I was WAY behind the curve in knowing what the current rules and regulations were for flying.

Thank goodness for the internet, for I learned a great deal about everything from actually purchasing a ticket on-line, checking in, and found a wealth of information at the TSA website. The two-page brochure I was able to print out clearly explained what I could and could not bring on-board an aircraft.

Reading boards such as this one also helped me decide the best ways to pack, and how to get through the security lines with little hassle.

 

[pumpkinboy]

First of all, my sypathies to the OP, who appears to have been really badly handled by the airline. What a nightmare!

If I recall correctly, Delta's service to NC locations (esp RDU) is generally through its Atlantic Southeast Airlines affiliate, which has a terrible reputation for all sorts of things. That would be consistant with the little plane description and the poor service, for which ASA is notorious. I think ASA may even be worse for service than Comair, Delta's little plane affiliate in the Northeast, which has a lot of trouble being on-time (possibly due to the airports it serves). We have always had very good luck and good service with "regular Delta" and somewhat iffy experiences with ASA and Comair. ASA once stranded DW at RDU in a miserable experience; No, we will not be flying ASA/Delta to RDU, especially now that jetBlue serves that city. But we will do "regular Delta" whenever the price is right; we'll just look closely to ensure that it is in fact a Delta plane flying and not Comair or ASA.

The good news for OP is that they have 3 Orlando-bound non-stops a day with SouthWest out of RDU, so they can take a good airline in the future. And with JetBlue serving other destinations out of RDU, you've got two good airlines.

 

[phorsenuf]

I was just reading at the TSA website because I wanted to look up knitting needles (they are allowed on carry-on in case anyone wants to know) and I saw this and thought of this thread.

Toy Weapons - if not realistic replicas. Yes Yes

The yes's are for carry on and checked baggage. I don't know how realistic the gun was, but according to TSA it should have been allowed. Now maybe each airline has their own set of rules, I don't know but I would be curious to see.

 

[CarolA]

First of all, my sypathies to the OP, who appears to have been really badly handled by the airline. What a nightmare!

If I recall correctly, Delta's service to NC locations (esp RDU) is generally through its Atlantic Southeast Airlines affiliate, which has a terrible reputation for all sorts of things. That would be consistant with the little plane description and the poor service, for which ASA is notorious. I think ASA may even be worse for service than Comair, Delta's little plane affiliate in the Northeast, which has a lot of trouble being on-time (possibly due to the airports it serves). We have always had very good luck and good service with "regular Delta" and somewhat iffy experiences with ASA and Comair. ASA once stranded DW at RDU in a miserable experience; No, we will not be flying ASA/Delta to RDU, especially now that jetBlue serves that city. But we will do "regular Delta" whenever the price is right; we'll just look closely to ensure that it is in fact a Delta plane flying and not Comair or ASA.

The good news for OP is that they have 3 Orlando-bound non-stops a day with SouthWest out of RDU, so they can take a good airline in the future. And with JetBlue serving other destinations out of RDU, you've got two good airlines.

ASA = America's Sorriest Airline.

(And I have to admit the name fits!)

I have never had major problems with Comair, but ASA is a whole different story.

 

[CarolA]

I was just reading at the TSA website because I wanted to look up knitting needles (they are allowed on carry-on in case anyone wants to know) and I saw this and thought of this thread.

Toy Weapons - if not realistic replicas. Yes Yes

The yes's are for carry on and checked baggage. I don't know how realistic the gun was, but according to TSA it should have been allowed. Now maybe each airline has their own set of rules, I don't know but I would be curious to see.

The TSA in Orlando will not allow ANY toy weapon that looks like a GUN on the plane. As a matter of fact I am pretty sure that's true ANYWHERE! Toy Weapons that are "not realistic" would be things like "Buzzlightyear's gun!

ANd it's RARE that I agree with the TSA, but "guns" should not be allowed. I don't want the pilot having to decide if it's a "kids toy" or a real gun while flying the plane!

 

[pumpkinboy]

ASA = America's Sorriest Airline.

(And I have to admit the name fits!)

I have never had major problems with Comair, but ASA is a whole different story.

America's Sorriest Airline - well, the shoe fits, and the service OP describes (or lack thereof) is looking like ASA to me too.

Comair flies those regional jets that my DS's wheelchair has trouble with; and inevitably if I'm on a Comair flight, or if I am waiting for one, the flight is delayed, a lot.

Remember TWA = The Worst Airline? (aka Try Walking Across, on international flights)

 

[TruBlu]

I was just reading at the TSA website because I wanted to look up knitting needles (they are allowed on carry-on in case anyone wants to know) and I saw this and thought of this thread.

Toy Weapons - if not realistic replicas. Yes Yes

The yes's are for carry on and checked baggage. I don't know how realistic the gun was, but according to TSA it should have been allowed. Now maybe each airline has their own set of rules, I don't know but I would be curious to see.

It was a wooden pirate gun from POTC. It looks nothing like a real gun, but I understood not being able to carry it on. Before they knew we would have to get rid of it, my boys were joking and quoting the movie... some line about being able to use it as a club.

It had a sticker on it saying that it needed to be checked, so that was what I tried to do. It just didn't work out for me. Next time, I will keep out one bag to check when we get to the airport for last minute purchases that can't be carried on.

 

[jeffbear]

Norm or no norm ... opinion or not ... I quit flying Delta over 10 years ago and haven't regretted it for a single solitary second. They botched something or another on four of my flights in a row and customer service basicaly fixed none of it. Sorry but I've got a firm four strikes and you're out rule.

 

[goofy4tink]

Oh, this is SO true.

OP--word of advice, never, ever fly with me . I generally am flying from the NE to FL in January and February. Usually on Delta as well. 2 years ago, because of weather, we we delayed at the airport nearly 8 hours, and then finally cancelled. Because it was peak travel time from the NE, the soonest Delta could get us out was 3 days later. And we gladly took it. When I spoke to the Delta rep, she told me that I was the 1st person in over 5 hours who was not yelling at her. She put us in 1st Class, and gifted each of us with 1000 skymiles.

Last year we were delayed in Ft Myers due to bad weather in the NE, and waited in the airport for over 6 hours for our flight. We finally got there, and the gate agents and ground crew did a fantastic job keeping us all informed.

We flew Spirit last summer, and I found their customer service (or lack thereof) to be horrible. Delays on both legs of the trip, and not a soul around the gates to tell us anything, and hour plus waits on hold if you tried calling them. That was maddening.

I'm really sorry about your experience, but I think the next couple of years are going to be very rough on the consumer, the airlines, and the airline employees. Hopefully you've got all your 'bumpy journeys' under your belt, and your next flights will be smooth.

As my pal Bavaria always tells me, packing patience and common sense will serve us all well.

Okay...I need to know...are you flying in Dec? Around the 6th? If you are, I'm canceling my flight!!! Figure I'm safe in April.

 

[lanand3]

Actually,with the airlines in financial troubles,they should WANT customers to choose their airline over others. Why should airlines be excempt from treating people w/kindness? We,the customers,are PAYING for the service of getting there from point A to B. Has customer service gone so downhill that we should just be gratefull to get there safely??A little kindness can go a long way,and it does not cost a penny.On the flip side,it will maintain or build a customer base which in turn makes money,just what the airlines need now.When treated poorly at a restaurant,store,etc we would feel upset.I see this as no different.If I were rude to customers at my job I could get fired.

 

[CarolA]

Ssdly we have shown in the past that we don't want to pay for service.

Airlines that provide better service tend to charge a little more then those that don't... and we voted. There have been several examples of this, but a few that come to mind are things like "More Room Through Coach" on AA which was going to put fewer seats on a plane (which would have resulted in better sevice from the FAs since they had fewer customers to serve) AA gave that up becasue while we were saying "yeah we want more room and better service" when it came time to book... off to Spirt which was cheaper and never even pretended to do "service"

MidWest is another one. They have tradiionally been a little higher then the other airlines but had GREAT service..... Now they are fighting to survive.

On the International front several airlines have folded in the past year. Thier model was ALL about service, fares were higher. They couldn't sell enough tickets to make it.

People on these boards RACE to the Spirit and Skybus sales. Sadly the other airlines have attempted to compete and here we are. In order to compete they have lowered costs. That means that the expereinced staff took early retirement or found new jobs rather then take the paycuts. That means there are a LOT fewer staff working at all the airlines then just a few years ago but there are MORE of us flying... We have low fares, but there was a price! Even SW's service has dropped over the past few years as they try to do more with less. (Notice how many flights each gate agent works now!)


Americans has shown that when it comes to airlines "customer base" is strictly price based. So AA was nice to you. If Delta is $20 cheaper off you go. Trust me if folks are flying Spirt and were flying Skybus it was not for "service"

 

[debster812]

Okay...I need to know...are you flying in Dec? Around the 6th? If you are, I'm canceling my flight!!! Figure I'm safe in April.

Well! I feel decidedly unloved.

No ma'am. We're flying in January on JetBlue, and will be flying with 'an airline to be named later' in February for School Vacation. Your December flights are clear from the Curse of the Debsters