Cut and paste from another forum. I am hoping I am wrong on my understanding and looking for more opportunities to be corrected. Say it ain't so....

I have 130+ segments and 150,000+ base miles with Delta this year. Everyone of those segments that was in mainline aircraft, which was over 90%, was bought in a K or higher fare. When both legs were on RJ's and a LUser fare was available , I took it. Otherwise, always K or better.

I bought the way Delta wanted me to buy.I consistently bought K or better fares when L and U were available. I don't know and will not invest the time to figure my dollars spent with Delta in 2002 but it was certainly over $20,000.I routinely paid more money to Delta for connecting flights than I would/could have paid WN for nonstop service. WN flys to 28 destinations nonstop from BNA - all on real jets. Delta flys to 5 (DFW-RJ service only, MCO-RJ service only, LGA - RJ only, CVG-6 of 7 flights on RJ and ATL where all flights are currently mainline).

The bottom line is that I ALWAYS flew thru ATL at more time and more expense because of the PM program.That program has now changed and there is no longer a justifiable cost-reward model for me. There is no possible way to upgrade 110-120 segments under the "enhanced" program without buying certs which I will not do.

The way I have figured it, I will spend 70-80% of my time in coach under the new program EVEN THOUGH MY FLIGHT ACTIVITY AND REVENUE WILL CONTINUE TO QUALIFY ME FOR PM!!!

Even though I continue to perform to their desired level, I suffer a huge decrease in reward. BNA-ATL-PDX and return now becomes a 12 upgrade RT. I will have to fly 30,000 miles to earn those upgrades. I go to the west coast about 8 times per year or 32 segments. Travelling those 32 segments will now require 96 upgrade certs or 240,000 flight miles!!! In addition to this enhancement, the other 100 segments I have flown on Delta for the past 5 years that weren't to the west coast will now be spent in coach.

I may be the only one or one of few in this situation. But continuing to meet the requirements for PM and still spending 100 segments annually in coach is unacceptable. The decrease in benefits is monumental.

As one who has been PM for 5 consecutive years, my understanding is that I will be comped until '05. However, why would I continue to fly Delta for the next 2 years after what they have done? It seems much better to use the next 12 months achievibg top status on another carrier rather than marching closer to the ineviatable with Delta.

I am shocked and saddened. I have enjoyed Delta's people and have been treated with dignity and respect 99% of the time. I (and they) deserve better. In light of these changes, leaving Delta is easy, obviuos and mandatory.