Interesting Devolution at Mesaba (Delta)
 

While passing through on travel this past Friday, I had the opportunity to chat with some local airport personnel.

Apparently Delta has removed Mesaba outstation agents access to the reservations system. If passengers are delayed, Mesaba agents can no longer assist, passengers must call the 800#.

Mesaba outstations have become 'groundstation' support only. It will be intereresting to see how this pans out and if more complaints result.

That's too bad
 

I frequent a lot of Mesaba served airports and the ground staff have been able to help me out so many times.

And remember... you are paying mainline prices for the devolving "service."

Delta... in name only.

Hmmm...not true. From what I've read if you approach a Ticket Counter for initial ticketing or voluntary changes....you get directed to Reservations (the 800 number). If for an IROP...ticketing counters or agents at boarding gates should be able to provide assistance. Coming the 1st of Feb...PARS and AOP are gone and everyone will be
using Cornerstone and Deltamatic. More details?

Stations that were operated by Mesaba are now handled by Regional Elite, a new DL subsidiary. DL seperated the ground ops of Mesaba, Comair, and Compass (the wholly owned regionals) from flight ops and combined them to create the new entity. So technically, there are no more XJ operated stations.

All I know is what I was told (and it may not be the total scoop as this station is going away 1 Mar due to EAS dicontinuation).

I did inquire, " is this all Mesaba stations" and the person I spoke with said they thought so....

What I was told was "we are ground ops. only cannot help with reservations or changes, for these you have to call 800#"

Blech. While there are times calling SMS is beneficial, I do sometimes like to have an agent deal with it right then and there. :td: if true.

In order to further enhance the bottom line, Regional Elite will be operated from Tibet....upper management believes the lack of English speaking personnel will not hinder operations...