I have never particularly like Delta as an airline and try to avoid using them if I can.
From here on out it will a full out ban by myself and everyone in my family
What they did yesterday was absolutely despicable and inhuman. They should be brought up on charges and fined.
http://youtu.be/M9DpSBU0gM4
For those of you who can't watch the video here is the rundown.
38 Army service men were finally coming home after more than a year deployed in Afghanistan.
After a 18hr layover in baltimore they tried to board their flight to Atlanta only to be told that all of ther '4th bags' were subject to a $200 fee totally more than $2800 for the unit.
here are the 2 important facts
1- Delta has a contract with the US government that states that all active service members traveling to or from a deployment are allowed 4 bags free
2- their 4th bags- carried their weapons, armor or other specialized military equipment.
They were all forced to pay out of pocket for these fees.
If Delta does have an agreement with the government, then the G.I.'s can get reimbursed for the expense (happened to me during a deployment once for overweight luggage), they will just have to add that to the travel voucher and the DOD will cut them a check.
Wanna bet Delta pockets the cash the soldiers paid and then submits a voucher to the DOD to get paid a second time?
Probably to late to repair the damage, but Delta has agreed to make amends and either re-imburse the soldiers or the government
for this faux-pas.
God what a bunch of A$$holes.
Poor training for the employees. I have helped thousands of soldiers with their 4th bags over the years. My team helped write the government policy in question and it was clearly not followed. It is all a misunderstanding that will be rectified.
One time, we had 250 soldiers in an L-1011 coming home. That was a lot of weaponry in the cabin. The FAA inspector about filled her pants.
Delta is also going against their agreement with the DoJ ans MN and MAC about keeping former NWA employees and service centers. They are repaying the $175 loan and leaving our state, in significant part. I am not happy about this.
Let's turn this positive...Easy to belch about "those bastards" when it's their money not ours eh?
Long ago the owner of this site forgave what we owed for R/F pins if we promiced to donate the cost to a great organization...Fisher House. They help military families be near their loved ones as they recover from their wounds.
I posted this on Facebook too. It's easy to ask big business to give up their profits and "do the right thing". It's hard to do it ourselves. I have been woeful in my charitable giving as late...I am giving $50.00 to the troops through Fisher House. Ain't a lot, but it's a start.
To this day every time I wear that R/F pin I think of Fisher House 1st, then R/F. Thanks John.
http://www.fisherhouse.org/ (http://www.fisherhouse.org/)
I always found it interesting that every time I have deployed, I could carry automatic weapons on the plane but god forbid I have a knife?
Noble Dreg,
I respectfully disagree with you.
Delta has a written legal binding contract with the government that takes care of this issue, as aptly stated through first hand account by William_MacKean
Delta failed in 2 parts
1- poorly training their employees at the service counter
2- failing to immediately rectify the situation the moment it came to light. They waited until there was enough public outcry to decide to do something about it.
that and Delta isn't making any kind of charitable donation to anyone so I really don't see how that applies in this situation.
Quote from: Sir Ironhead on June 10, 2011, 09:19:01 PM
I always found it interesting that every time I have deployed, I could carry automatic weapons on the plane but god forbid I have a knife?
Yup. @ MSP's HHH Terminal (Now Terminal 2) Those same ~200 troops on the 3-hole with guns all over that plane and munitions in the cargo were being given grief by the TSA screeners as they re-planed. They were refused entry past the checkpoint with knives and TSA management was unreachable @ 0400 Saturdays. So, I took the troops to their plane from behind the Sun Country ticket counter downstairs. It was silly.
People can say what they want about training or forgiving.. blah blah blah. But I refuse to fly Delta unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. Why? EVERY negative airline experience I have EVER had has come from a Delta flight. I fly. A lot. And we're not talking only one type of bad experience. Poor customer service on the phone: Check. Poor In flight service: Check. Poor/ rude service at check in: Check. Mechanical issues with the plan: Check. Being required to deplane one plane to get onto another plane: Check. Absolutely WORST experience in a 15 hr flight: Check.
Yeah, Delta is the worst airline it has been my experience to fly with. I wasn't surprised with their faux pas regarding those soldiers. Just one more thing.
Auryn, not saying Delta didn't F-up...They did, big time.
And I am not saying anything directly to you...in no way do I take offense at you or your post.
Here is what I am saying...
I see people complaining EVERYWHERE. Here, Facebook, at work, etc. Easy to do, internet is a free place to moan about everything and it's easy because you don't need to offer a solution or even attempt to make it better. Raise the alarm, share a link, and we've done our civic duty. Apparently no one will match my offer of support to the troops so I will...It's gonna hurt but I'm doubling my contribution...
...and saying the hell with this place.
But Dreg, it was that very outcry that got Delta to turn around. Started by a few soldiers this happened to. That's powerful stuff. Not just moaning. I agree there's alot of negativity out there, but sometimes you can stand up and say you are angry about something and the situation can turn around.
I'm sorry I didn't post here my thoughts about your link. I was impressed by what you passed along. It's a good organization. .I'll match you.
Please don't leave. We all have our opinions and ways of getting through the day. It's still a good place to come for a grin or a giggle or something more serious if you wish.