Originally Posted by
btonkid12345
OP - sorry to hear about your recent delays. A few questions to help me and others perhaps better understand the details.
*Was the delay in DTW due to MX or weather? You mentioned that incoming equipment was late (why?), that MX happened in DTW, and that the GA at JFK said something about weather causing the delay. Or perhaps there was delayed incoming equipment AND MX in DTW. Let us know.
The delay was mechanical - there was NOTHING about weather that caused the delay. The GA at JFK was just, imho, shirking any responsibility to be helpful let alone civil.
Originally Posted by
btonkid12345
*Did you independently verify alternative rebookings when offered the VDB? In these instances, as well as in IRROPS, DL can usually book onto KLM or AF transatlantic. They have nonstops to DTW and AMS that, with one connection there, would have gotten you to TLV. I never trust the GAs, just because they are low on time and are taking what the system gives them...not because they are purposely trying to pull something on you...and with flights as full as they are these days, it is best to check your options independently.
I love VDBs (rare as they are) because you can almost do anything you want with routing and such, and even if it's the last seat left, if it's available for sale at any price, it's yours (I had an op-up internationally on a VDB once because the GA moved me to an oversold in Main flight, unbeknownst to me).
Yes, I did. We turned down the VDB because there were no suitable options on DL or a partner that would arrive early enough. There were, if memory serves, AC and UA flights.
Originally Posted by
btonkid12345
*Regarding your back and forth with customer service - what specifically do you want (besides an apology) that they haven't granted yet? Compensation? If so, what do you think is fair, and have you proposed it to your CS representative yet?
I asked them for compensation proportional to the amount of the conference that was missed, or ~$300. I didn't think that was particularly out of line given the ticket cost was over $2200
Originally Posted by
Often1
The bottom line first: Drop it. There is nothing to push. You have DL's decision. When Marsha told you, after four rounds that it is all over, it means that DL will back her up unless there is some horrible misunderstanding. There is not.
A better way to put this is: What do you want from DL above and beyond an apology?
See above. Part of what bothers me about this is that in this scenario, changing my plans is worth $800 to DL if it suits them, $450 if it suits me, and $0 when it's DLs fault.
Originally Posted by
Often1
As davetravels notes, if the purpose of this trip was time-sensitive, you pushed the envelope too far here. This trip required arrival a day earlier just because planes break, weather intervenes, and things happen as they did here.
While I see your point - there is a definite distinction between weather related delays (in which case I wouldn't be irritated with DL) and MX. At this point, I am angry about the flippant disregard from customer service and maybe that is what's ultimately driving me. Or maybe my expectations were/are just too high. My days of frequent travel are, for now, behind me. Hence, why I was asking to see what people who are much more in tune with things currently had to say. Thanks!