Bad Experience at JFK Airport with Delta Air Lines
May 10, 2010, 11:17 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Nice
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The solution here, as implied by a few posters, is to take another airline in and out of JFK until there is a new Delta facility. I have been confused a few times there and i am not a stranger to the facility. If JFK is in my plans it is with AA whenever possible because of the shiny new facilities.
May 10, 2010, 1:26 pm
#32
Join Date: Aug 2006
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She was at the wrong terminal at T-70, so how on earth did she make the T-75 minute req for being at the airport?
She also clearly did not get her bags checked by T-60, since she never even got into a line by then. Not clear if she was even in the terminal by then.
Yes, big dutch, you are no mathematician.
She also clearly did not get her bags checked by T-60, since she never even got into a line by then. Not clear if she was even in the terminal by then.
Yes, big dutch, you are no mathematician.
May 10, 2010, 1:35 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 953
That was your big mistake. Since you were flying business class then you should have went to terminal 2 instead of terminal 3. Terminal 2 is for first/business class and elite check-in and you would have had a very different experience if you would have asked to be dropped off at T-2. Even if your flight was departing from T-3 there is an airside walkway between T-2 and T-3.
).If that's T3, how do I get to T2 if I take the AirTrain in? Walk along the road?
May 10, 2010, 2:19 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2009
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There seem to be a lot of JFK complaint threads lately with title words ranging from 'Bad Service' and 'Delay' to 'Nightmare' and my favorite, 'Third World'. Mods, maybe there could be one thread devoted to everything bad about JFK terminals, staff, runways, weather, and everything else?
May 10, 2010, 3:02 pm
#35
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Honestly, I think this is a learning experience that we have to learn the "hard way". The bottom line is you need to do whatever you can to get yourself to a kiosk at Delta JFK 60 minutes before the departure.
I actually go out of my way to book my mother out of JFK because the lines at the Terminal 2 (Elite/Business class) are short and security is a breeze. I've never had to wait over 5 minutes.
Yes, I agree this 60 minute check-in rule needs some leeway, but just know for the future. It is a rule that can't be broken.
I actually go out of my way to book my mother out of JFK because the lines at the Terminal 2 (Elite/Business class) are short and security is a breeze. I've never had to wait over 5 minutes.
Yes, I agree this 60 minute check-in rule needs some leeway, but just know for the future. It is a rule that can't be broken.
I check in online - and I can always carry if need be - though often I check a bag since I'm headed home. I have had one marginal experience in the two dozen adventures through JFK and that was when the T2 elite security line was "broken." I hoofed it over to T3 (the sidewalk, then across the road, and up the hill) and got through the elite line in about 5 minutes.
My first time at JFK was when it was still Idyllwild and I was a young boy. Perhaps nostalgia has clouded my vision.
May 10, 2010, 5:41 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SMF
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt D
Posts: 416
Honestly, I think this is a learning experience that we have to learn the "hard way". The bottom line is you need to do whatever you can to get yourself to a kiosk at Delta JFK 60 minutes before the departure.
I actually go out of my way to book my mother out of JFK because the lines at the Terminal 2 (Elite/Business class) are short and security is a breeze. I've never had to wait over 5 minutes.
Yes, I agree this 60 minute check-in rule needs some leeway, but just know for the future. It is a rule that can't be broken.
I actually go out of my way to book my mother out of JFK because the lines at the Terminal 2 (Elite/Business class) are short and security is a breeze. I've never had to wait over 5 minutes.
Yes, I agree this 60 minute check-in rule needs some leeway, but just know for the future. It is a rule that can't be broken.
I transit JFK a couple of times a month. T2 is typically an easy checkin and go. I always plan for bad traffic coming out of Manhattan so I usually get there with 120 minutes to spare. I know where T2 drop off is - and my drivers usually know, too.
I check in online - and I can always carry if need be - though often I check a bag since I'm headed home. I have had one marginal experience in the two dozen adventures through JFK and that was when the T2 elite security line was "broken." I hoofed it over to T3 (the sidewalk, then across the road, and up the hill) and got through the elite line in about 5 minutes.
My first time at JFK was when it was still Idyllwild and I was a young boy. Perhaps nostalgia has clouded my vision.
I check in online - and I can always carry if need be - though often I check a bag since I'm headed home. I have had one marginal experience in the two dozen adventures through JFK and that was when the T2 elite security line was "broken." I hoofed it over to T3 (the sidewalk, then across the road, and up the hill) and got through the elite line in about 5 minutes.
My first time at JFK was when it was still Idyllwild and I was a young boy. Perhaps nostalgia has clouded my vision.
T2 is a breeze. The first time I ever flew out of JFK used the T3 terminal by mistake and almost missed my flight. Didn’t make that error again. Been in and out of JFK 20+ times and still amazed how fast the check in and security process is at T2.
It’s a good thing to check in on-line even if your checking bags. You just never know when the check-in process can get delayed and blow up on you.
May 10, 2010, 6:47 pm
#37
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 176
Veery interesting thread - an education.
I haven't flown DL out of JFK in seveeral years. I recall how EASY it was to fly on DL from JFK - preferred it to most other airlines, and preferred it to LGA.
Clearly, things have changed.
I'll be flying Biz class DL to AMS soon (On a KLM flight).
Is the lesson to be learned here to go check my bags at Terminal 2, not 3. even if my flight leaves from 2?
I do always leave much more time than I need - I hate to be rushed before getting on a flight - so I'll have plenty of time to cool my heels in biz lounge.
Thanks
I haven't flown DL out of JFK in seveeral years. I recall how EASY it was to fly on DL from JFK - preferred it to most other airlines, and preferred it to LGA.
Clearly, things have changed.
I'll be flying Biz class DL to AMS soon (On a KLM flight).
Is the lesson to be learned here to go check my bags at Terminal 2, not 3. even if my flight leaves from 2?
I do always leave much more time than I need - I hate to be rushed before getting on a flight - so I'll have plenty of time to cool my heels in biz lounge.
Thanks
May 10, 2010, 8:55 pm
#38
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Hell's Kitchen, NYC
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KLM sounds like T4 (double check me) Excellent terminal with a great lounge. KLM to AMS is very pleasant. I also enjoy the pilot's announcements in English with a Dutch accent: "Cabin crew. Take your seats." and sometimes you hear "Takeoff is imminent."
Once, after landing in a 747 at JFK with heavy cargo of sculptures and prize Arabian horses, we were instructed by the pilot (again, imagine a Dutch accent) "Ladies and gentlemen please stay for awhile in your seats while we offload some cargo otherwise we might tip over."
Once, after landing in a 747 at JFK with heavy cargo of sculptures and prize Arabian horses, we were instructed by the pilot (again, imagine a Dutch accent) "Ladies and gentlemen please stay for awhile in your seats while we offload some cargo otherwise we might tip over."
May 11, 2010, 5:29 am
#39
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I must be very lucky when flying through EWR (and I have done that quite a bit over the past 10+ years) and very unlucky when flying through JFK (and I've done that enough over the past 2+ years)...both tude's leave much to be desired one is certainly head and shoulders above the other (not to mention when mis-connecting on CO they have ALWAYS greeted me at the podium with a new boarding pass, voucher etc, no "oh let me see what I can do for you"..it's there waiting for me, even if I'm on a paper ticket which recently happened)...have yet to have that every happen on PMNW, PMDL or the New DL
Jul 6, 2010, 6:54 pm
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum, Delta Gold
Posts: 184
Here is the end of the story:
I received a response from Delta that said: we are sorry for this and we are sorry for that and here's a $100 certificate for your next flight. I responded with: thank you very much but what I really would like is to talk to someone at JFK about fixing some of these issues. Their response: we are sorry you are unhappy with the compensation but that's all you are getting. Finally they had a JFK Customer Service supervisor email me asking me to call her. I called her and left a voicemail message. A week later, no response. I emailed her, no response. I called her again (now I am having fun with this) and she said she's on another call and she would call me on Monday. Monday - no call. I wrote again and said that her failure to contact me is indicative of the problem.
She finally called me back. Basically she admitted that there is a customer service issue at JFK and that they are working on it; that the agents are trained to treat people the way they wanted to be treated but it seldom happens. She did admit that there was a way to check my bags after the flight closed but that it included walking the bag somewhere to make sure it made the flight and it was a long walk; she said that some agents do it and others don't. I asked her why I had to find out what terminal was the correct terminal to use for Business Class from the good people at Flyer Talk and she had no response. The conversation was a waste of time. (She did mention that things should improve when they move into Terminal 4 - whatever that means.)
Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback.
I received a response from Delta that said: we are sorry for this and we are sorry for that and here's a $100 certificate for your next flight. I responded with: thank you very much but what I really would like is to talk to someone at JFK about fixing some of these issues. Their response: we are sorry you are unhappy with the compensation but that's all you are getting. Finally they had a JFK Customer Service supervisor email me asking me to call her. I called her and left a voicemail message. A week later, no response. I emailed her, no response. I called her again (now I am having fun with this) and she said she's on another call and she would call me on Monday. Monday - no call. I wrote again and said that her failure to contact me is indicative of the problem.
She finally called me back. Basically she admitted that there is a customer service issue at JFK and that they are working on it; that the agents are trained to treat people the way they wanted to be treated but it seldom happens. She did admit that there was a way to check my bags after the flight closed but that it included walking the bag somewhere to make sure it made the flight and it was a long walk; she said that some agents do it and others don't. I asked her why I had to find out what terminal was the correct terminal to use for Business Class from the good people at Flyer Talk and she had no response. The conversation was a waste of time. (She did mention that things should improve when they move into Terminal 4 - whatever that means.)
Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback.
Last edited by Fontaine; Jul 6, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Jul 6, 2010, 7:00 pm
#41
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Very true but it is difficult to compare an airport with 60% less passengers in a metropolitan area 1/20th the size to JFK and NYC. As for the attitude, CO employees at EWR aren't much better, though they have improved. I never had a problem with agents at JFK T2 Check-in, but T3 is insane.
