Originally Posted by jimrpa
You forgot to list some of the best aspects:
- The world-renouned efficiency of DL Connection Carriers (especially ASA)
- Warm, friendly, efficient DL Connection ground and in-flight staff
- Convenient "tarmac-boarding" in Atlanta
- Taxiing around the terminal for hours in ATL, looking for a parking space
LOL. This is both funny and very true.
You forgot the "convenience of knowing a Crown Room is available two terminals away."
There are few things at the airport worse than sitting in the "Connection" carriers waiting area (this applies to DL and all the majors) - seemingly thousands of flights to every small town, all leaving within 5 minutes of each other, continuously - gate agents yelling over eachother's announcements on the public address - half the pax never having flown before, the other half having missed their connections - and all the general confusion that results.
Then, you get to go outside, in the rain (it's probably 40 degrees outside), stand there for a few minutes while one person has trouble climbing up the stairs, then can't find seat 3B so jams up the boarding line even longer....
All that being said, I did fly SLC-PHX on an RJ last week (first time on an RJ in 18 months, roughly) and it wasn't that bad. The RJ concourse at SLC was relatively calm. Exit row seating really helped onboard. At PHX, DL actually uses jetways for the RJ (in the one city where they don't have rain!!).