TTT

RA spoke this morning on CBS to further clarify the carrier's press release regarding immigration.
http://www.thestreet.com/story/12966...mmigrants.html

mudpuppy

Whoa, the political stuff drowns out the REAL news here, that "Delta will introduce a basic economy fare, with no frills, in 2015". What does this mean, E fares being expanded everywhere?

And this is justified by low fuel prices?!? Oh jet fuel went down in price, let's take away all their perks!

TTT

Somehow I thought that had already been announced. But you are right, the real news is obscured by the politics of the situation.

pbiflyer

Pretty sure we have rules in the US about cruel and unusual punishment.

dgilman

You can have an informed conversation about about the best policy approach to immigration in this country. You can have an informed conversation about the best policy approach to poverty in this country.*

But you can't have an informed conversation about whether or not all people have equal rights. They just do. If it rubs you the wrong way, there is something wrong with you. It's not different if you said women in the workforce rubbed you the wrong way. Or inter-racial marriage rubbed you the wrong way. There is no informed argument for those positions. Only hate.

David

* - You are going to end up being racist when you do, but at least it is theoretically possible.

WolfieG

Absolutely! If I'm not mistaken, they are voted as the most LGBT friendly airline and I admire the work they have done with Habitat for Humanity . Excellent points jackplum!

Haha true pbiflyer! God forbid I have to use a CRJ that far, heck, I don't even want to see it on my JFK/LGA-MCO/PBI/FLL flights, which is pretty rare thankfully. Usually, the aircraft on these routes are anything from 717-200s (haven't been on but seem nice) to 757-200s (at least to MCO and occasionally, FLL and one of my favorites in the DL fleet).

That is an excellent thought! I have seen DL bulk up service to Central/South America and Mexico and I hope they continue it, as especially to JFK, it would be nice to have more nonstop to Latin America. For example, there are nonstops from JFK to CUN (it's on their codeshare with AM), Rio de Janiero, and Quito.

Hi TTT and mudpuppy. I have heard about the new E-basic fares. I am against them, but at least I could book a basic E-fare for $10-$20 more hopefully and get less restrictions, like being able to choose my seat in advance. At least Delta isn't going the Spirit route (God forbid) by reducing legroom and getting rid of amenities, like free drinks and snacks (http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...c-economy.html).

Sometimes, you cannot win David. I don't care what anyone does, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone.

I don't necessarily agree with tbe decisions, but as long as no one gets hurt, it is all good.

TTT

I was thinking along those same lines but more from a domestic angle. I hope this doesn't go to OMNI but if one looks at where Delta is focusing its growth (SEA, LAX, NYC, MSP, DTW) most of those metro areas are left-leaning. Immigration reform, specifically the President's recent EO, tends to follow party lines. I wonder if Delta is hoping this will increase business in those markets by supporting something that "many" in those markets may also support.

In any case, I am sure this was a very calculated response by the company. It wasn't just one exec speaking off the cuff.

davetravels

Yes, even a CRJ from JFK to LGA would be unbearable!!! . . . .

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ight=side+town

kop84

I like that thought as well, another cold political thought from my old job is maybe DL puts out a short calculated statement that no one was expecting them to make to force UA/AA to make hastier less calculated responses to the same question in the hopes that one or both of them say something stupid (I don't mean agree or disagree, I mean make a comment that doesn't show a very nuanced position)

motytrah

It's in the long term interest of the airline. Just based on the remittances (the money transferred cross border) there's a huge spending power from the US to Mexico. Temporary papers means a whole slew of people would legally be able to fly between the US and Mexico.

Traditionally airlines would just let Airlines for America and the US Chamber of Congress make all the media comments. However, given the rather quick turn around on the papers and the upcoming holidays that DL might be making a play for some juicy last minute fares down south.

jackplum

Exactly!!!

pbarnette

I suspect that those most "offended" by these statements fall into demographics that are not DL's prime target customers.

jackplum

And we have another winner!

If a few more companies did the right thing - well - it would be a better world.


Even doing anything is better than sitting back and doing nothing.

motytrah

Publicly traded companies in America usually only do the right thing when profits support it.

As I said previously, most political action is taking lobby and advocacy groups like Airlines of America or the US Chamber of Congress.

Back in the election cycle of 2010 a number of high profile companies gave money directly to right leaning Political Action Committees. The action backfired on a number of public retailers such as Target Corp and Best Buy.

I'm pretty sure DL thought very carefully about this and has concluded blow back will happen in places that really don't matter or where there's little competition.

gloyster

Yeah, Delta's whole raison d'etre is just to make money. They only care about things insofar as it impacts profits. I don't know why it's shocking that they'd be in-favor of more access to cheep labor.