Don't fly DELTA!

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I don't have time to read all the pages of responses, however...

Why would you have booked Delta AT ALL if you haven't had good experiences with them before? After all, you flew SWA down there... Why not both legs? You even mention SWA had a good fare for a good flight on the return? Why didn't you book that to begin with?

PS - SWA has the same damaged-bag policy as every other airline, FWIW

I know that these things happen. The problem is that it seems to be the NORM for Delta. I have only flown with them 3 times. ALL 3 flights have been canceled and we have been combined with another flight to fill the plane to capacity. One flight lost an engine and we had an emergency landing, once they lost our luggage for 3 days, twice my suitcase has been damaged, and I have been treated poorly by more than one employee.

I choose not to be treated like this again. I just wanted to give others a heads-up. Perhaps if they loose customers they will start to treat people better.

 

[carolina_yankee]

I think everyone has airlines they would rather not fly for various reasons probably for the same reasons as the OP.

I can't comment on luggage damage. They should pay exactly what their policy requires, and not a dime more or a dime less because that's what the OP agreed to when they turned over their bags. Absent seeing the damage, it's hard to tell.

As for schedules, I know it's disappointing to lose a day you had already planned. I think, though, that the reality of air travel today is that even short trips are likely to be at least half-day affairs no matter how well you plan. I've learned to structure Disney vacations so that the first and last days are travel days. The most I hope for us dinner at WDW on day of arrival and a good night's sleep before DME picks me up on day of departure. Anything else is gravy!

Besides, they say fly early if you want to increase your chance of your flight being on time. Who knows. If you kept the last flight, sometihng could have happened to cause a delay that would have kept you in the airport over night. It's happened to me . . .

All that said, I agree with what people have said regarding Southwest. In the last 5 years of about 25 different trips on 4 airlines, Southwest has always shown the most efficient service, cleanest planes, and best communication. All airlines have gotten me to my destination and fairly resolved any problems - all of which have been due to the risks associated with flying.

For those who say that Disney should start an airline - if they were to do so, think Grand Floridian prices. It would be well run, but not cheap - and likely to bankrupt the company if they don't know what they're doing.

Dirk

 

[eeyoregon]

OP: Sorry about what happened to you but it's not just a Delta thing! EVERY airline out there is cancelling and condensing flights to keep from going out of business. If you choose to fly you risk some inconvenience these days. The airline industry is in a state of severe crisis.

We are flying Delta in August because they out priced Southwest by over $200 per ticket. Plus 6 of my last 7 flights on Southwest were at least 1 hour late with the longest delay being 6 hours becaue they "couldn't find a flight crew to fly the plane" = missed connecting flights, lost luggage and trips that took twice as long because of the delays. Never have had delayed flights on Delta.

 

[Alexander]

We fly Delta a lot and have been very happy with their service. Do I have expectations that cannot possibly be met? No, I don't. Have we had delayed flights, yes...have I had flight times changed, every flight...have I been stranded at the airport for 18 hours by myself with an 8 y/o and a 9 month old, yes. Will I still fly with them, yes.

Everytime there has been a change with flight times, I did my research as to alternate flights, picked up the phone and very nicely requested a change that met my needs.

Delayed flights, there isn't a darn thing you can do about that. Do you really want to fly on a plane that has mechanical issues, or in a storm the FAA deemed to dangerous to fly in?

When we were stranded for 18 hours (mechanical issues) we were fed breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When the flight was finally canceled we were given transportation to and lodging in a hotel nicer than I could ever afford. We were fed breakfast in the morning and put on the first morning flight out.

Have we been inconvenienced, yes...Did we let it ruin our vacation, no...It is all what you make of it. You have to be a prepared flyer these days, that means for delays, cancellations, and always know what options are available to you. I always travel with my laptop so I have information at hand. It is so much quicker when you get to the counter and say, "Hey, how about....do you think this is possible?" instead of "What are you going to do for me...I HAVE to get to xyz TODAY"

 

[bavaria]

Over the past two weeks I have deviated from my usual flight pattern and have been driving to a number of destinations (usually drives which should take 2-4 hours each, for work)

I have come to realise very quickly that I prefer flying to driving. It is far less work to have someone else fly the airplane. I don't have to pay for the maintenance of the plane, or perform maintenance on it myself. I don't have to worry about having enough gas to make it to my destination. I can sleep on the plane and can't do that in the car (I'm driving!)

As to delays? I have had a number in the past week; one was a 2 hour drive which became a 6 hour sit on a road.

At least when the plane is delayed, there is a bathroom. Stuck on the side of a narrow mountain road with a sharp cliff drop off, hundreds of people had nowhere to use the facilities, and the section of the road next to me became a not-so-private pit stop.

For me, I will take flying over driving any day. So long as flyers take some time to educate themselves, take responsibility for themselves, and pack a little patience and common sense, flying shouldn't be a big deal except in the most unusual of situations.

Happy flying!! (I can't wait to get out of the car and back on a plane next week )

 

[safetymom]

Ah a woman after my own heart. We drove to CLT last weekend for my sons wedding. That long drive in the car I felt was a waste. I could have flown across the country in less time.

I would much rather fly than drive!!!

 

[Kathy C]

I just don't understand why this is OK?!?!?!?! If the airline industry uses equipment that shreds/crushes people's belongings, then WHY don't they change the equipment. Why to we just have to sit back and say.... "OK, I just paid a couple of hundred dollars for my suitcase, but it's OK if you destroy it. I'm just glad you let me pay you to fly on your plane."

I didn't say is was okay, but I know going in that it's a possibility and that's way we don't pay a "couple of hundred dollars" for a piece of luggage. And, IMHO, one airline isn't any better than the other when it comes to the handling of luggage - we've had some kind of damage from every airline we've flown whether it be a broken zipper, a missing wheel and even a crushed suitcase that we couldn't pull the handle out to wheel. I guess it's just a chance we're willing to take for the convenience of flying.

 

[Evil Queen 2]

I understand that you are upset, but this could have happened on XYZ airline, not just Delta.

I agree however, IMO, it seems to happen alot more with Delta. And when it does happen with Delta the customer service reps you deal with are, again IMO, rude and unhelpful 99% of the time. Only 1 time have I had a Delta customer service rep be pleasant and try to be helpful. Usually the response attitude is that a) you're bothering me, go away, b) I don't have to help you, and c) so what I don't care if you fly with Delta again.

I've had cancellations/delays/baggage problems with other airlines over the years but was always treated with courtesy. Treating a customer with courtesy does not seem to be the Delta way.

 

[CarolA]

Well considering that DL has never cursed at me. That honor is reserved for another major airline....

DL has never walked out of the baggage claim area on me. That honor was also resevered for another airline (this one said "our baggage handlers only load baggage when they want to and you luggage will arrive when it gets here. I suggest you just come back tomorrow, I don't have time to have it delivered" turned and walked away. Three guesses who it was?)

DL has never told me "we can't find the plane so we have NO idea when it will land to load you"

IMHO DL is NOT the worst on customer service. It can get a LOT worse. (For current examples see Spirit LOL!)

 

[Laxmom]

I agree however, IMO, it seems to happen alot more with Delta. And when it does happen with Delta the customer service reps you deal with are, again IMO, rude and unhelpful 99% of the time. Only 1 time have I had a Delta customer service rep be pleasant and try to be helpful. Usually the response attitude is that a) you're bothering me, go away, b) I don't have to help you, and c) so what I don't care if you fly with Delta again.

I've had cancellations/delays/baggage problems with other airlines over the years but was always treated with courtesy. Treating a customer with courtesy does not seem to be the Delta way.

Wow! I have never had a rude CS rep with Delta. They have always been very courteous and helpful. Definately more issues with NW.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree however, IMO, it seems to happen alot more with Delta. And when it does happen with Delta the customer service reps you deal with are, again IMO, rude and unhelpful 99% of the time. Only 1 time have I had a Delta customer service rep be pleasant and try to be helpful. Usually the response attitude is that a) you're bothering me, go away, b) I don't have to help you, and c) so what I don't care if you fly with Delta again.

I've had cancellations/delays/baggage problems with other airlines over the years but was always treated with courtesy. Treating a customer with courtesy does not seem to be the Delta way.

I actually prefer to fly Delta. When there are delays, they are the quickest to find a way to get its passengers where they need to go. And I have never had any baggage problems with them either. Maybe because when there are problems I don't loose my temper and take it out on the Delta representatives. I make sure I smile, say please and thank you, and treat them the way I want to be treated. Being super nice goes a long way in determining how people treat you.

 

[bavaria]

Wow! I have never had a rude CS rep with Delta. They have always been very courteous and helpful.

Me too - as have the Delta FAs I have dealt with. They went above and beyond several times, and coming from someone who flies weekly, that says a lot.

As to luggage office staff - they have a horrible job. They have to deal with passengers screaming at them, not understanding the difference between delayed and lost luggage, or that their cheap suitcase was damaged and that the airline won't compensate. My very expensive luggage has been damaged in past, but the luggage manufacturer has a warranty - that is why I recommend not buying cheap luggage with no warranty.

Every time I deal with delayed luggage, I thank the luggage office staff. They in turn thank me as they admit that most of their day is dealing with shrieking passengers.

A few weeks ago I arrived after a day of VERY long delays; before even going to the baggage carousel I stopped at the office, handed over my tags, and said 'I believe that my bags didn't make the last flight'. The agent said 'you are correct', to which I responed with 'oh THANK GOODNESS!' She was puzzled until I explained that at 1am all I wanted to do was go to bed, and now I didn't need to wait for my luggage and schlep it to a taxi.

I've had long conversations at MCO with the UA luggage staff; for whatever reason that seems to be a really bad place for shriekers. The staff there are relieved that ME has reduced the amount of passenger interaction. Last time my bag was delayed (I had 14 minutes between flights) I filed my report, chatted with the agents, and warned them that another passenger would be arriving shortly from my flight. Sure enough, we heard her huffing and puffing and barreling her way past people before she arrived, and promptly started to shriek and wail at the staff.

I took my report, smiled, thanked them again, and left them to their regularly scheduled passenger meltdown.

 

[TruBlu]

Why would you have booked Delta AT ALL if you haven't had good experiences with them before? After all, you flew SWA down there... Why not both legs? You even mention SWA had a good fare for a good flight on the return? Why didn't you book that to begin with?

Good question - and part of the reason that I was so upset with the cancelation and being booked on a different flight.

We actually paid MORE for the Delta flight than the one that was offered by SW. DH and I picked the flight based on the flight time. Had we know Delta would change it and ruin our last day at Disney, we would have definitely taken the cheaper (but later) SW flight.

The Delta flight was at a perfect time before they changed it. It would have given us a full day in the parks, but we would have gotten home before midnight. Instead, we ended up paying more, loosing a day in the parks, and being treated like we didn't matter.

That is why my family will choose not to fly with Delta whenever given the chance.