Originally Posted by
HDQDD
From past experience at another airline with US-GRU flights (on 767's):
The S.A. flights were some of the most difficult to work on the ramp. Not sure if this relates to DL's issues, but might be interesting to you nonetheless.:
U.S.-S.A. flights are usually very difficult to load. They're often weight restricted, and many times cargo has to wait to the last minute to be loaded, depending on how many pax actually show up. Cargo generally has to be loaded before bags (FILO), so those have to wait also. Loading a widebody isn't something that can be done in 5-10 minutes. It's more like 20-35 minutes.
Additionally, the length of those flights is pushing the flight attendant max duty limits. I recall that if our flights took just over an hour or so of delay, the FAs would time out. Then it would be delayed until the next morning and re-crewed. So if the flight went mechanical for any reason, you could pretty much plan on having an overnight delay.
A lot of this makes sense, and I experienced this a few years back on an AA flight JFK->EZE (delayed due to cargo, then due to a mechanical issue, then the crew timed out so our 8pm departure turned into noon the following day.
That said, both ATL->GRU flights and the DTW->GRU flight seem to always be on time or close to it.
Does anyone have access to Delta systems that would explain why there are delays? last nights flight was 2 hours 5 minutes delayed.
Is there any chance I could convince Delta to reroute me NYC->ATL->GRU? Or even better NYC->ATL->GIG due to these delays? I'm guessing the answer is no (since theres no guarantee my flight will actually be delayed, and then it would be too late anyhow). I'm a GM who used skymiles to book J if that makes a difference.?
Thanks.