Russ,

Thank you for your reply, I too have tried to locate you when in Atlanta, but it was not possible.

I would just like to make a few personal points:

1) Delta has always been run as a business. It may be run more successfully now and be more profitable, but many other airlines have improved as well over the last several years.

2) Technically we passengers should have to pay no more for our tickets for fuel on Delta for several reasons; Since 1989, airlines have at least three times raised prices broadly in line with increases in fuel prices, when fuel prices have sank, corresponding discounts have never been made. Also, what the airlines do not like to state, especially Delta is that hedging over the last several years has taken much of the fuel price risk out of running an airline. Delta is the best at this and has had the smallest increase in its jet fuel price of all major airlines.

Also, Russ, I would like to note that personally I have never flown on a U fare and have not flown on an L fare for several years. I flew 120,000 miles on DL in 1999, will fly slightly more this year and next year at least 150,000. The cheapest ticket I have had has been an H domestically and M internationally. More than half my travel is booked in D and J. I have not used an 800 mile upgrade in 4 years, and my wife is Gold, so she has had her own SWU's up through now. I am sure you can understand why the SWU thing pisses me off, and I feel screwed.

Tell me how you think that anything DL has done helps me, or why I should stay at the airline?

As for the ticket thing and the RPU. My suggestion to everyone, stay with paper tickets! Once tickets are printed by an airline, they legally have to be honoured. This principle should apply to e-tickets as well, but unfortunately does not always.