Originally Posted by
chrisj85
I think the dilemma for mid-level FOs such as myself (have been GM and PM in the past, still fly about 30-35K MQMs a year) is that we feel DL has broken the "social contract" with us. This makes DL less trustworthy in the future. Sure, it's possible for me to reach GM this year with a few mileage runs or an extra European trip, but then I wonder, next year will DL target the GMs with a midyear benefit dilution/reduction as they did to the FOs this year? Imagine if this time next year, DL deems that henceforth only PM/DM/FC will receive SP benefits.
Also, by barely reaching GM with no rollover miles left at the end of the year, it will become that much harder to re-qualify next year.
Or do I just trudge along as a FO, booking cheap flights on DL and booking elsewhere when necessary (unlike in the past when I would book everything on DL even if I had to pay a significantly higher fare), rolling over 15K which makes re-qualification next year as a FO a snap, and hope that DL doesn't further degrade the FO level in the future?
Or do I take my business elsewhere entirely?
These are questions with no good answers, if one no longer trusts DL to consistently reward Elite level flyers as they have in the past.
I agree with ALL of the above.
I am a SM, fly about 35-40K year, just flew five legs over the past few days.
Check-in at MSP- SMs have separate line from SP, clearly marked. Line was short- no problems for me, but there could be in the future.
SMs not allowed to use SP carpet- fine, whatever. I loaded with Zone 2 when not upgraded and Zone 1 when upgraded. Worked fine but I had a small bag.
The announcement specifically thanking Diamond, Plat, GM, and excluding SM, was heard on all of my 5 flights. Honestly, I just find it tacky. Why explicitly exclude SMs?
My biggest complaint is the $50 SDC for SM. SM should be able to standby for free, at the very least. But that isn't related to Sky Priority.
But as the PP mentioned- Delta has broken the social contract. I no longer trust them- what is the point of trying to fly an extra 8K miles this year beyond scheduled trips to hit GM when they may just devalue GM next year?