This could have been avoided

[Madame]

I fly Delta through DTW all the time, and I would hardly call equipment changes an epidemic. Personally, I've only encountered a couple, and there was only one trip when there was an equipment change involving seat reassignment which was all ready to go upon arrival. My best guess is that they temporarily swapped a 757 with an A320 for some reason. It might have been maintenance, it might have been demand, I don't know. I do know it's the exception rather than the rule.

Stuff happens. I've seen enough and been involved in enough to give Delta the benefit of the doubt.

So I'm lying? Please. This has been MY experience.

Next you'll tell me that the last time I flew Delta MCO-DTW, that they didn't swap the plane out.

That even though I checked in the night before & got a seat number that Disney didn't tell me that they couldn't send my luggage ahead because, damn, they didn't give me a seat assignment when they swapped the equipment.

Maybe I wasn't traveling with just my daughter with 5 pieces of luggage b/c the rest of my party was flying Spirit. Maybe the Delta counter agent didn't give me nothing but poor attitude, b/c if I'd wanted an assigned at the gate seat I'd have paid $70 less a ticket for basic seating.

Sure I'm lying... I love how people rarely sympathize with others unless it effects them.

 

[reimero]

So I'm lying? Please. This has been MY experience.

Next you'll tell me that the last time I flew Delta MCO-DTW, that they didn't swap the plane out.

That even though I checked in the night before & got a seat number that Disney didn't tell me that they couldn't send my luggage ahead because, damn, they didn't give me a seat assignment when they swapped the equipment.

Maybe I wasn't traveling with just my daughter with 5 pieces of luggage b/c the rest of my party was flying Spirit. Maybe the Delta counter agent didn't give me nothing but poor attitude, b/c if I'd wanted an assigned at the gate seat I'd have paid $70 less a ticket for basic seating.

Sure I'm lying... I love how people rarely sympathize with others unless it effects them.

I didn't say you were lying. I'm saying my own experience flying the same airline through the same airport has been decidedly different. Based on sample size, my takeaway is that you've been unlucky.

 

[Madame]

I didn't say you were lying. I'm saying my own experience flying the same airline through the same airport has been decidedly different. Based on sample size, my takeaway is that you've been unlucky.

You implied that I was suggesting that equipment issues were an 'epidemic.' I never said they were. In fact I said 1/2 the time for ME, PERSONALLY.

The trip before the last one when they deleted my seating assignment I had a 6:30AM flight which didn't leave until 11:45 AM. The flight before that a 3 hr delay. Each time we received new seating assignment the day/night before. Some luck...

Perhaps you don't fly during the same periods I do. This does not make my experience any less valid.

I gave my personal experience as the reason why I no longer trust Delta's 'mechanical issues' explanations. Using the word 'epidemic' is an attempt to invalidate my experience. I did not say my experience was typical, but I'm sceptical it's isolated. I'm done with this conversation.

 

[RedSox68]

Very sad that they didn't have insurance. But another airline with employee problems holding up peoples' flights. United's problem was trying to give four seats to their employees, I think it was American where the attendant hit the woman with the stroller and went crazy toward another passenger, and now Delta has an employee not even show up! Where are they getting their staff these days

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Not sure how it was news. We ALMOST missed our first cruise. We thought we left plenty of time - we were flying down leaving at 7am and arriving at MCO at 9am - Disney told us to arrive by noon, so we figured a first flight out 3 hours in advance gave us plenty of leeway. However, the flight had mechanical issues. They had to deboard us and get a new plane. We made the cruise, but not with much time to spare.

Since then we always fly down the day before and stay at a DVC resort.

In any case, a family missing a cruise because of flight troubles is not news. It happens ALL THE TIME.

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

Due to items that can end up out of our control; we made the decision that on any major vacation that has hard departure time (i.e. cruise) to make sure we arrive a day early. We would rather spend the extra money on a hotel room; then miss something that cost of thousands of dollars. We have also started to get trip insurance as added protection.

Psy

 

[Eeyore19]

We missed our Disney cruise, March break 2016, due to a plane mechanical issue. This was our first cruise, and we stupidly flew out the morning of embarkation. We had booked the first flight out of Buffalo to MCO, scheduled to leave before 8:00am. Once we noticed the initial flight delay we talked to the gate agents. We explained to them the time sensitivity of us getting to Orlando. We recommended getting on a different flight that was also leaving for Orlando, however, the agents thought that our delay was going to be short. Ultimately, our flight didn't end up leaving until late that afternoon. Once we realized that we had no chance of making our cruise, we worked with the gate agents. Although we were disappointed, we never yelled or become abrasive with the airline staff. We took the risk of flying in the day of the cruise. After going over our options with DCL we decided to meet the ship in Tortolla. Thankfully, the airline picked up the cost of getting us to Tortolla. Jet Blue used Orbitz business to get us Tortolla. The cost from Buffalo to Tortolla for a family of four was over $6000 according to the sheets that we were given. Unfortunately, the Jet Blue staff in Buffalo wasn't very adept at using Orbitz and we had some struggles with the our connecting flight from San Juan to Tortolla. Moreover, during the myriad of flight changes, our return flights from Buffalo to Orlando were somehow altered by Jet Blue. Once home we wrote a letter to Jet Blue explaining both our disappointments, and also our thankfulness, in getting us to Tortolla and eventually home . We never really asked for any compensation, just politely explained what happened during our travels. In response, Jet Blue was very apologetic for not getting us on the alternate flight out of Buffalo that we originally had recommended. They also apologized for the problems that we encountered in both San Juan and in Orlando. In the end, they reimbursed us for our 2 night hotel stay in Tortolla, and gave us full value credits for our flights. So I agree with an earlier poster, I think that people miss embarkation quite often due to flight issues. Of course, the ramifications, or in our case opportunities, are different in each instance. Once we missed our embarkation, we agreed as a family to treat our cruise like an adventure. After the initial shock and disappointment, we had a memorable family building experience. Moreover, we had no choice but to do a cruise “re-do” just after Thanksgiving.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

Funny, because every time this subject comes up on these boards, there are legions of responses claiming there is no need to fly in the day before because the respondents have flown in the day of many times and have never encountered a problem. There is never a problem until there is, then it's too late. It's comparable to putting on your seatbelt; it may wrinkle your shirt but if you need it, it is so much better to have it than not.

 

[bumbershoot]

United's problem was trying to give four seats to their employees

No, their problem was that one guy flipped out. Also that they let people get seated before doing everything. That part should be looked at. But once you're asked to leave a plane, you leave a plane. Dude is lucky he's not in federal prison right now.

Moving airline employees to where they need to be by plane is normal. Just like moving bus employees by bus is normal.

 

[bumbershoot]

Funny, because every time this subject comes up on these boards, there are legions of responses claiming there is no need to fly in the day before because the respondents have flown in the day of many times and have never encountered a problem.

Thankfully there are many others who explain exactly why it could be a problem!

 

[RedSox68]

We missed our Disney cruise, March break 2016, due to a plane mechanical issue. This was our first cruise, and we stupidly flew out the morning of embarkation. We had booked the first flight out of Buffalo to MCO, scheduled to leave before 8:00am. Once we noticed the initial flight delay we talked to the gate agents. We explained to them the time sensitivity of us getting to Orlando. We recommended getting on a different flight that was also leaving for Orlando, however, the agents thought that our delay was going to be short. Ultimately, our flight didn't end up leaving until late that afternoon. Once we realized that we had no chance of making our cruise, we worked with the gate agents. Although we were disappointed, we never yelled or become abrasive with the airline staff. We took the risk of flying in the day of the cruise. After going over our options with DCL we decided to meet the ship in Tortolla. Thankfully, the airline picked up the cost of getting us to Tortolla. Jet Blue used Orbitz business to get us Tortolla. The cost from Buffalo to Tortolla for a family of four was over $6000 according to the sheets that we were given. Unfortunately, the Jet Blue staff in Buffalo wasn't very adept at using Orbitz and we had some struggles with the our connecting flight from San Juan to Tortolla. Moreover, during the myriad of flight changes, our return flights from Buffalo to Orlando were somehow altered by Jet Blue. Once home we wrote a letter to Jet Blue explaining both our disappointments, and also our thankfulness, in getting us to Tortolla and eventually home . We never really asked for any compensation, just politely explained what happened during our travels. In response, Jet Blue was very apologetic for not getting us on the alternate flight out of Buffalo that we originally had recommended. They also apologized for the problems that we encountered in both San Juan and in Orlando. In the end, they reimbursed us for our 2 night hotel stay in Tortolla, and gave us full value credits for our flights. So I agree with an earlier poster, I think that people miss embarkation quite often due to flight issues. Of course, the ramifications, or in our case opportunities, are different in each instance. Once we missed our embarkation, we agreed as a family to treat our cruise like an adventure. After the initial shock and disappointment, we had a memorable family building experience. Moreover, we had no choice but to do a cruise “re-do” just after Thanksgiving.

Wonderful attitude!

 

[RedSox68]

No, their problem was that one guy flipped out. Also that they let people get seated before doing everything. That part should be looked at. But once you're asked to leave a plane, you leave a plane. Dude is lucky he's not in federal prison right now.

Moving airline employees to where they need to be by plane is normal. Just like moving bus employees by bus is normal.

Sternly saying "I'm not leaving" and "flipping out" are two different scenarios. But either way, breaking his nose, knocking out two teeth and knocking him unconscious was more than extreme (and unnecessary) -- and certainly didn't warrant federal prison for him, but maybe for the rent-a-cops who attacked him. I think United's many apologies, firing the one "police" (who was illegally wearing that jacket) and upping their future monies for cancelling proves they knew it got out of hand.

 

[reimero]

You implied that I was suggesting that equipment issues were an 'epidemic.' I never said they were. In fact I said 1/2 the time for ME, PERSONALLY.

The trip before the last one when they deleted my seating assignment I had a 6:30AM flight which didn't leave until 11:45 AM. The flight before that a 3 hr delay. Each time we received new seating assignment the day/night before. Some luck...

Perhaps you don't fly during the same periods I do. This does not make my experience any less valid.

I gave my personal experience as the reason why I no longer trust Delta's 'mechanical issues' explanations. Using the word 'epidemic' is an attempt to invalidate my experience. I did not say my experience was typical, but I'm sceptical it's isolated. I'm done with this conversation.

My apologies, it appears I misunderstood. When I hear "half the time" I'm hearing "10 out of 20" and not "2 out of 4" or what have you. I'm not invalidating your personal experience, I've experienced it myself, and in my experience - with the same airline, at the same airport - it's been the exception rather than the rule. An equipment change rate of 50% is an epidemic. That shouldn't happen.

 

[Markonefive]

Even though I get that adding that extra night of hotel and meals and transfers can add a few hundred dollars to your trip, it is actually essential for such a large investment. If you miss the boat, it's not the same as starting your Disney World vacation a day late. And the trip insurance for a family of four including medical and cancellation can be several hundred more, but hey, you buy fire insurance for your home every year even though the chances of your house burning down are actually pretty low. Vacations are a big investment, and relying on everything going perfectly well is a gamble, which unfortunately this family lost. I do feel sorry for their loss, but ultimately, they have some degree of responsibility.

 

[RedSox68]

Even though I get that adding that extra night of hotel and meals and transfers can add a few hundred dollars to your trip, it is actually essential for such a large investment. If you miss the boat, it's not the same as starting your Disney World vacation a day late. And the trip insurance for a family of four including medical and cancellation can be several hundred more, but hey, you buy fire insurance for your home every year even though the chances of your house burning down are actually pretty low. Vacations are a big investment, and relying on everything going perfectly well is a gamble, which unfortunately this family lost. I do feel sorry for their loss, but ultimately, they have some degree of responsibility.

And missing the first night on the ship on your first cruise is stressful and disappointing. For us, the hotel costs are not only worth it to be there the day before, but it keeps the stress and worry away from your vacation because you have padded the time-frame between arriving and embarkation.

 

[maxiesmom]

Very sad that they didn't have insurance. But another airline with employee problems holding up peoples' flights. United's problem was trying to give four seats to their employees, I think it was American where the attendant hit the woman with the stroller and went crazy toward another passenger, and now Delta has an employee not even show up! Where are they getting their staff these days

That lady on American wasn't hit with a stroller. Even her lawyer admitted to that. She tried to put a stroller in the overhead bin and went nutso when she was told it had to be gate checked.

 

[truck1]

Of course, as always, there are THREE sides to every story... Party A, Party B, and the truth.

This is true. The little bit I saw on Fb said that RCCL offered to fly them to Mexico to meet the Harmony, but the kids did not have passports. What else happened as far as who said what etc, is pure speculation. The people I do feel sorry for are the kids, you can see the disappointment in the pictures that were posted as an open letter to Delta.

 

[AquaDame]

That lady on American wasn't hit with a stroller. Even her lawyer admitted to that. She tried to put a stroller in the overhead bin and went nutso when she was told it had to be gate checked.

Supposedly he "roughly" took it away from her - but that could mean anything.

Even flying in the day prior doesn't mean you WILL make that cruise... my issue in Jan a few years ago was due to weather in New York. We were flying in a day prior but the airport for the stopover was closed. We could have left two days early and hope we didn't get stuck as it was starting but we didn't have time off for it or a hotel booked for that night yet. We could have flown in the day of but no one knew when the blizzard would blow past and be cleaned up at JFK. Ultimately we had to buy new tickets and reroute through Texas instead (not an option on Jetblue - we forfeited our refund since they "technically" could have moved us to a different flight that missed the ship). You just never know...

 

[MaryKatesMom]

If the flights were through RCCL would they have the option of flying in a day early?

I never booked my flights from the cruise line because they pick your flights I'd rather have control over my flights.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If the flights were through RCCL would they have the option of flying in a day early?

I never booked my flights from the cruise line because they pick your flights I'd rather have control over my flights.

Yes. DCL would have me fly in with a midnight-isn arrival (so, arrive the same day, but certainly not recreationally). The same-day flights all have significant timing issues, save a handful of direct flights.