HELP! Freaking out about Delta!

[kjs1976]

I posted something similar over on transportation, but thought this might get more conversation over here.

We're flying Delta twice at the beginning of April. I just read an article that stated pilots might strike if an agreement isn't reached (or maybe it's just if they get something dropped from their contract) by March first. Does anyone know any more info on this? Should I be really concerned? What happens with our tickets if they go on strike and can I get refunded or what? UGH! This frustrates me! We really want to go to Vegas and DH really wants to go to WDW for the inline marathon!

Thanks!

 

[karen l]

I saw this too!! We booked our April WDW trip with Song & now we have to worry about a strike. Did you also hear that Delta announced today that they're beginning to have flights to Africa? Hopefully this will mean that they'll settle with the pilots rather than let them strike. I think they have to go into arbitration the first of March if they can't come to a resolution. Let's hope they settle so we can enjoy our trips!!!

 

[Michelle2]

I know how you feel. We had our DCL cruise and WDW trip at the end of November, and there started to be some rumblings about the pilot strike then. Thank goodness when I called Delta a nice representative who seemed to know alot, said the ruling and all its effects were not be until after the holidays.

I hope that this does not happen to you....even we have more tickets for our next cruise at the end of November so I was hoping all of this would be settled by then??? But who knows....

Here's some pixie dust for anyone travelling soon on Delta!

 

[kjs1976]

HUGE DOSES OF PIXIE DUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so looking forward to Vegas as a break this Spring

 

[DarkSideMoon]

Where are you flying from? and what day do you leave?

 

[DarkSideMoon]

Have you thought about flying to south bend and taking allegiant air to las vegas?

 

[MagicKingdom05]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060209...RqyBhIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Just a little sympathy...I'm in the same boat with Northwest Airlines. Their pilots should make an announcement late next week. Supposedly they may go under if the pilots strike. I just hope if they do, they do it fast so I can get my $ from my CC and book a new flight, instead of waiting until the last minute and paying a bundle.
I'll send you some PD if you send some back to me!
Robin M.

 

[bicker]

What will happen to ticket-holders will depend on what Delta's reaction is to the strike. Delta has previously said that any significant strike could result in ceasing operations permanently. In that case, ticket-holders would generally be left holding the bag, so to speak. (See http://www.hasbrouck.org/articles/bankruptcy.html for full details.) However, anything short of that, and ticket-holders will probably get accommodated on other airlines, or at worst, get a full refund.

 

[jen0610]

Even if they don't strike, you will need to stay on top of your flights with Delta. Happened to us back in Aug, with flights being changed, cancelled, horrible ending to a great vacation. Flight to Orlando just fine, flight home...needless to say, we will never again fly Delta.

If no strike takes place, please make sure you regularly check your flight status. Even while in Vegas and at WDW, check your return flights, cause Delta will move you to a different flight, time, and route and NEVER notify you. Our flight was cancelled and they moved us to a later flight, but sent us thru a different airport with a much longer layover than we wanted. Only found out about this when we went to check in w/DME. It got very ugly between 2 different Delta cs rep's and I before, I was mildly happy with the arrangement. By the time we got home, Delta got a very long, detailed letter on the reason they will not ever be getting our business again. I would rather spend more money for a flight than give Delta my money.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

I realize that ALPA is "doing their job" to set up for a strike BUT.....

they agreed at the end of last year to arbitration if a contract agreement can not be reached and to abide by the arbitrators ruling. I hate the media postering. All in does is get people's feathers ruffled (mine included), and harm the company. The whole thing just makes me sick.

 

[kjs1976]

Planejoy1-Are you in the business or work for Delta? Seems like you are in the know! Sorry if this affects your job. That's why I feel bad. I want our trip to go on smoothly as planned, but I also realize a lot of peoples jobs are at stake and that is ultimatly the important thing to consider.

 

[DawnCt1]

I realize that ALPA is "doing their job" to set up for a strike BUT.....

they agreed at the end of last year to arbitration if a contract agreement can not be reached and to abide by the arbitrators ruling. I hate the media postering. All in does is get people's feathers ruffled (mine included), and harm the company. The whole thing just makes me sick.

Jerry Grenstein signed on as CEO for less $$$ than most CEO's are paid for their jobs. He immediately took a self imposed 25% pay cut, and then did it again. He isn't asking the pilots to do anything that he hasn't been willing to do. There have been a lot of cuts in all of the airlines and I wouldn't be surprised that Delta could find some very willing pilots to cross the picket line and competently fly the planes.

 

[dvcgirl]

I posted something similar over on transportation, but thought this might get more conversation over here.

We're flying Delta twice at the beginning of April. I just read an article that stated pilots might strike if an agreement isn't reached (or maybe it's just if they get something dropped from their contract) by March first. Does anyone know any more info on this? Should I be really concerned? What happens with our tickets if they go on strike and can I get refunded or what? UGH! This frustrates me! We really want to go to Vegas and DH really wants to go to WDW for the inline marathon!

Thanks!

Honestly, I'd be surprised if the pilots strike. It would be like commiting career suicide as Delta would likely go out of business. So, tough to tell who is bluffing here....but since there are only so many places that commercial pilots can find jobs, well, I'm thinking that it won't happen.

 

[DawnCt1]

Honestly, I'd be surprised if the pilots strike. It would be like commiting career suicide as Delta would likely go out of business. So, tough to tell who is bluffing here....but since there are only so many places that commercial pilots can find jobs, well, I'm thinking that it won't happen.

I agree with you. Its the union's job to posture and the company's job to figure out who is bluffing. We have my tickets to Hawaii for this summer and plan to be in our assigned seats

 

[Chicago526]

If a airline goes on strike, other airlines will accept the stricking airlines tickets and put you on their flights if seats are available.

If an airline goes under (ceases operations), same thing, other airlines will honor the tickets.

The problem with this is that the other airlines will ONLY do this if they have empty seats. If they are all sold out that day, you're still stuck.

I think in both cases the airlines that honor the strikeing/bankrupt airline's tickets can only charge a maximum of a $25 fee per ticket, or something like that.

The real problem in all of this is that you can do nothing until the event (strike or ceasing operations) actually happens. You can't get a refund ahead of the possible event. The best you can do is cancel your tickets and re-book, then IF the carier is still in operation, use the canceled tickets for a future trip, minus any cancelation penalties.

FYI, Delta's change fee is $50 per ticket, one of the lowest in the industry. If you are really freaking out, and you can find a good price on a differant airline, you may want to consider canceling the Delta tickets and rebooking on a differant airline, then using the old DL tickets at a later date. You'd be out $50 a ticket, but you'd be buying peace of mind and possibly saving the hundreds or thousands of dollars you've invested in your vacation if DL really does go belly up.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

The other solution, if you can swing it is to book a CANCELABLE (in other words not the real low fare) flight on another airline. It may be a lot more money but if Delta strikes you have a guarenteed seat option. If they don't you cancel and go on the original flight

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Jerry Grenstein signed on as CEO for less $$$ than most CEO's are paid for their jobs. He immediately took a self imposed 25% pay cut, and then did it again. He isn't asking the pilots to do anything that he hasn't been willing to do. There have been a lot of cuts in all of the airlines and I wouldn't be surprised that Delta could find some very willing pilots to cross the picket line and competently fly the planes.

Jerry is also not a part of the severance compensation. If the board decides tomorrow that he shouldn't be the leader.... he gets NOTHING! Jerry is quite the respectable man. He doesn't NEED the money, so he isn't greedy and taking a lot from the company. I do believe that he will come out with stock or something at the end. All of the Delta officers are paid at least 30% under standard market compensation. Are they still paid a lot? Sure, but compensation is all about the market.

On a side note, if I remember correctly Jerry was only supposed to take a 20% pay cut. HE decided it wasn't enough and they had to scramble to update the media releases. He has integrity.

 

[DarkSideMoon]

I wouldn't worry too much, if delta goes under there will be a heck of alot of other companies breaking free of it's deathgrip on them, some doing quite well ( Delta connection, specifically Comair, who can be sold/bought out by other companies, or by itself. ) for you to fly on.

 

[ILUVMYBRIT]

Even if they don't strike, you will need to stay on top of your flights with Delta. Happened to us back in Aug, with flights being changed, cancelled, horrible ending to a great vacation. Flight to Orlando just fine, flight home...needless to say, we will never again fly Delta.

If no strike takes place, please make sure you regularly check your flight status. Even while in Vegas and at WDW, check your return flights, cause Delta will move you to a different flight, time, and route and NEVER notify you. Our flight was cancelled and they moved us to a later flight, but sent us thru a different airport with a much longer layover than we wanted. Only found out about this when we went to check in w/DME. It got very ugly between 2 different Delta cs rep's and I before, I was mildly happy with the arrangement. By the time we got home, Delta got a very long, detailed letter on the reason they will not ever be getting our business again. I would rather spend more money for a flight than give Delta my money.

You should ALWAYS recheck your flights about 72 hours before your trip starts. Especially if its been booked months in advance. EVERY airline has schedule changes about 1 time a month...sometimes more. Depending on who you booked your trip with depends on WHO is responsible for notifying you. If you booked specifically through the airline (not through expedia, travelocity or an agent) then its the airline who needs to notify you. But...be sure you dont have your email send those messages directly to your trash.

Good luck to those of you whose trips are up in the air.