When the Airline You Love Walks Away - DL Leaving BGM
#1
In memoriam
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: DAL
Programs: SWA A list preferred and CP, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Hertz President's club
Posts: 9,803
When the Airline You Love Walks Away - DL Leaving BGM
Well, the writing was on the wall, and I said it here a year ago, Jim Whitehurst promised me it wasnt going to happen, and it was announced today. DL is pulling all service from BGM Sept 6th!
I was as much of a kool-aid drinker as there was, but Delta you did this to yourself.......
Last year DL changed from BGM-CVG....this is the end product of that decision
In between we had BGM-ATL, a 2+ hour flight on RJ's, a severe drop in on time performance and a huge increase in cancellations. A couple months ago we swapped one of the BGM-ATL (we had 2 a day) for BGM-JFK. Reliability even lower, and using props instead of RJ's.
The only one who has benefited from this is NWA, their BGM-DTW flights are constantly oversold. They were smart enough to know a reliable flight, to the center of the country was what we need. Delta was too blind to see that.
BTW Delta is claiming that this was over loads, loads at BGM are up 44% in the last year.
Jim, Jerry....you guys really blew it on this one!!!!!!!!!
I was as much of a kool-aid drinker as there was, but Delta you did this to yourself.......
Last year DL changed from BGM-CVG....this is the end product of that decision
In between we had BGM-ATL, a 2+ hour flight on RJ's, a severe drop in on time performance and a huge increase in cancellations. A couple months ago we swapped one of the BGM-ATL (we had 2 a day) for BGM-JFK. Reliability even lower, and using props instead of RJ's.
The only one who has benefited from this is NWA, their BGM-DTW flights are constantly oversold. They were smart enough to know a reliable flight, to the center of the country was what we need. Delta was too blind to see that.
BTW Delta is claiming that this was over loads, loads at BGM are up 44% in the last year.
Jim, Jerry....you guys really blew it on this one!!!!!!!!!
#2
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: SDF
Posts: 3,302
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)
Enjoy the DTW WorldGateway or. trekking up to SYR, neither of which will be fun in the Winter.
Enjoy the DTW WorldGateway or. trekking up to SYR, neither of which will be fun in the Winter.
#3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Atlanta
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Marriott Platinum, National Exec Elite, Delta
Posts: 505
Sorry to hear that DL is pulling out of your home airport. What does this mean for you? Flying on NW? Driving to another airport that DL serves?
I know if you leave DL for NW, DL will lose one of their most loyal outspoken customers.
#4
In memoriam
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: DAL
Programs: SWA A list preferred and CP, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Hertz President's club
Posts: 9,803
Truth, this is going to drive another decision I was pondering, moving out of Binghamton in the very near future (my house has been on the market for about 3 weeks but I still hadnt decided for sure if I was buying another in the area or moving to the Twin Cities area).
Forget for a minute the Kool-Aid and how I feel about Delta, this decision will have major travel implications for our community. Prices on flights for the other three airlines will go up significantly, and the availability of seats will go way down. It was already impossible to get home if you missed a connection, it took days to get a seat, loads at the airport are VERY high right now, almost always oversold. Flying every week under those conditions just isnt going to be viable anymore.
As for my loyalty, I am not sure what I will do. I hate NW, that is the bottom line, but it looks like I will be spending a lot of time on their planes, so will probably have no choice now but to be an elite with them. That will never make me a loyalist however, this will be about functionality not love.
Forget for a minute the Kool-Aid and how I feel about Delta, this decision will have major travel implications for our community. Prices on flights for the other three airlines will go up significantly, and the availability of seats will go way down. It was already impossible to get home if you missed a connection, it took days to get a seat, loads at the airport are VERY high right now, almost always oversold. Flying every week under those conditions just isnt going to be viable anymore.
As for my loyalty, I am not sure what I will do. I hate NW, that is the bottom line, but it looks like I will be spending a lot of time on their planes, so will probably have no choice now but to be an elite with them. That will never make me a loyalist however, this will be about functionality not love.
#5
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,989
I hope this does not portend you no longer posting in the Delta forum, Lehava.
I am sorry to learn of the latest news regarding Delta Air Lines ending their service to Binghamton.
I am sorry to learn of the latest news regarding Delta Air Lines ending their service to Binghamton.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: About 45 miles NW of MCO
Programs: Acapulco - Gold, Panama - Red, Timothy Leary 8 Mile High Club
Posts: 29,219
My condolences on your loss.
At least, unlike for Grandma BamaVol and l4p, DL pulling out still leaves you with options that don't involve a 90 minute drive and it doesn't make US look attractive.
DL seems to come and go in the smaller markets and I'm not sure they're learning anything from the experience.
It looks like you'll be giving your loyalty to another airline, even if you do move to another location, but I hope you'll stick around this forum.
Good luck.
At least, unlike for Grandma BamaVol and l4p, DL pulling out still leaves you with options that don't involve a 90 minute drive and it doesn't make US look attractive.
DL seems to come and go in the smaller markets and I'm not sure they're learning anything from the experience.
It looks like you'll be giving your loyalty to another airline, even if you do move to another location, but I hope you'll stick around this forum.
Good luck.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MGM/ATL
Programs: DL, NW Silver Elite, Hilton
Posts: 2,345
Well, if I recall, you'd told me some time back about a possible career/move/change, and how your loyalty may be affected.
I know you're disappointed, but maybe in the long run it helps make your decisions easier.....
I know you're disappointed, but maybe in the long run it helps make your decisions easier.....
#9
In memoriam
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: DAL
Programs: SWA A list preferred and CP, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Hertz President's club
Posts: 9,803
I actually considered that in my move criteria, and CVG was one of my top choices, but the reality is a lot of my work is in the Twin Cities and it is the place that will mean I can be home the most nights and that is the single biggest factor for me right now
#10
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SEA
Programs: DL DM, former NW PE
Posts: 934
Come on over to the RedTails...Mikey did, I did, and it has been a good experience. I'll buy the first round in the MSP World Club.
Although there is the informal "no match within ST", I'd write to NW and see about getting status. Since DL is leaving your market, they might just see this as a great opportunity.
Although there is the informal "no match within ST", I'd write to NW and see about getting status. Since DL is leaving your market, they might just see this as a great opportunity.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: El Paso, TX, USA
Programs: Kicked out of all of them
Posts: 32,554
Where is BGM, couldn't find it on a map
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still a Hilton Diamond & Club Cholula™ R.I.P. Super Plats
Posts: 25,415
The SkyTeam airlines generally refrain from poaching one another's elites but do make exceptions when service is withdrawn from a community. I'd suggest you save some documentation about DL's withdrawal from BGM and use it to make your case with NW. Caveat on timing: If you do that late in the year and move to MSP and end up flying less, you might not requalify by the end of the year.
#15
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,241
Well, the writing was on the wall, and I said it here a year ago, Jim Whitehurst promised me it wasnt going to happen, and it was announced today. DL is pulling all service from BGM Sept 6th!
I was as much of a kool-aid drinker as there was, but Delta you did this to yourself.......
Last year DL changed from BGM-CVG....this is the end product of that decision
In between we had BGM-ATL, a 2+ hour flight on RJ's, a severe drop in on time performance and a huge increase in cancellations. A couple months ago we swapped one of the BGM-ATL (we had 2 a day) for BGM-JFK. Reliability even lower, and using props instead of RJ's.
The only one who has benefited from this is NWA, their BGM-DTW flights are constantly oversold. They were smart enough to know a reliable flight, to the center of the country was what we need. Delta was too blind to see that.
BTW Delta is claiming that this was over loads, loads at BGM are up 44% in the last year.
Jim, Jerry....you guys really blew it on this one!!!!!!!!!
I was as much of a kool-aid drinker as there was, but Delta you did this to yourself.......
Last year DL changed from BGM-CVG....this is the end product of that decision
In between we had BGM-ATL, a 2+ hour flight on RJ's, a severe drop in on time performance and a huge increase in cancellations. A couple months ago we swapped one of the BGM-ATL (we had 2 a day) for BGM-JFK. Reliability even lower, and using props instead of RJ's.
The only one who has benefited from this is NWA, their BGM-DTW flights are constantly oversold. They were smart enough to know a reliable flight, to the center of the country was what we need. Delta was too blind to see that.
BTW Delta is claiming that this was over loads, loads at BGM are up 44% in the last year.
Jim, Jerry....you guys really blew it on this one!!!!!!!!!
How long is the drive to SYR for you, and does Delta serve SYR? Another option that a friend of mine in BGM uses is Wilkes-Barre Scranton and ABE. Just a couple of thoughts.