in-flight, connection problems, questions
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Orlando
Programs: DL DM 2MM (NW+DL) FI Gold
Posts: 787
in-flight, connection problems, questions
I'm in flight right now, on DL 1781, MSP-ATL. I was supposed to connect to DL429, ATL-SJU, but we left MSP late are are now in a holding pattern over STL, as best as I can determine from Flight Tracker.
My flight to SJU (DL 429) is scheduled to leave at 1855.
Now, a lot can happen between now and then, but if I don't get to SJU tonight, for a morning meeting, there is no point in going.
I can work around the missed meeting with the client (hopefully), but as I paid for the ticket ( (A) to ATL, (I) to SJU, I hate to drop the MQM's. NW used to have something to cover a situation like this; let you return home but you still got the miles. I wonder if that still exists with the merger.
Everything tomorrow to SJU is full. DL.com is giving me a rebook option for an afternoon flight to SJU, but there is no way to get back to SEA that same day. Which means I miss a trip booked to leave SEA on Thrs morning.
Just trying to figure out how to retain the most MQMs from what is turning into a problem.
This is short notice, so I appreciate any thoughts while still in flight.
I have checked the inbound equip for my flight, which is DL 1136 from FMY into A-12, running late, but not as late as my flight. We will see how it works out.
Perhaps the real question, when I sort all of this out, is can I get the MQM's on a flight disruption such as this, without having to fly to SJU.
Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
My flight to SJU (DL 429) is scheduled to leave at 1855.
Now, a lot can happen between now and then, but if I don't get to SJU tonight, for a morning meeting, there is no point in going.
I can work around the missed meeting with the client (hopefully), but as I paid for the ticket ( (A) to ATL, (I) to SJU, I hate to drop the MQM's. NW used to have something to cover a situation like this; let you return home but you still got the miles. I wonder if that still exists with the merger.
Everything tomorrow to SJU is full. DL.com is giving me a rebook option for an afternoon flight to SJU, but there is no way to get back to SEA that same day. Which means I miss a trip booked to leave SEA on Thrs morning.
Just trying to figure out how to retain the most MQMs from what is turning into a problem.
This is short notice, so I appreciate any thoughts while still in flight.
I have checked the inbound equip for my flight, which is DL 1136 from FMY into A-12, running late, but not as late as my flight. We will see how it works out.
Perhaps the real question, when I sort all of this out, is can I get the MQM's on a flight disruption such as this, without having to fly to SJU.
Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Last edited by Donna49; Jun 15, 2010 at 4:08 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Orlando
Programs: DL DM 2MM (NW+DL) FI Gold
Posts: 787
Thanks. "Trip in vain" was the term I now recall being used for something like this, at least by NW. Perhaps DL has the same.
A refund for a "trip in vain" would be nice, but I'll settle for the MQM's without having to actually fly them. If I don't get to SJU tonight, there is no reason to go.
Capt just made an announcement that we will hold over MEM, not long (15 min) but perhaps long enough to mis-connect, if that is not already a certainty.
I'll go to the gate; pilots or F/a's could be late as well. But this is not looking good.
Thanks for your info.
A refund for a "trip in vain" would be nice, but I'll settle for the MQM's without having to actually fly them. If I don't get to SJU tonight, there is no reason to go.
Capt just made an announcement that we will hold over MEM, not long (15 min) but perhaps long enough to mis-connect, if that is not already a certainty.
I'll go to the gate; pilots or F/a's could be late as well. But this is not looking good.
Thanks for your info.
#4
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: CHI/MSP
Programs: Delta Platinum, United Prem Exec
Posts: 1,334
Ouch, 45-minute scheduled connection in ATL in the evening is not the best option. 
The holding patterns over STL & ATL combined with the late departure from MSP indicate arrival delays at ATL. Too much traffic at ATL and not enough capacity.
DL429 ATL-SJU has also been delayed now until 1925. Just another day of delays at ATL...but at least you may make your flight after all.

The holding patterns over STL & ATL combined with the late departure from MSP indicate arrival delays at ATL. Too much traffic at ATL and not enough capacity.
DL429 ATL-SJU has also been delayed now until 1925. Just another day of delays at ATL...but at least you may make your flight after all.
#5




Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL DM, DL MM
Posts: 4,428
I don't understand - if you aren't going to go to SJU at all because of a misconnect aren't you going to ask for a refund on that leg?
Are you looking to double dip - refund but still get the miles?
Are you looking to double dip - refund but still get the miles?
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: HKY
Programs: DL-DM MM & RW, UAL- PS, Marriott Lifetime PLT, SPG-PLT, Hilton-Gold
Posts: 4,468
There have been some nasty but isolated thunderstorms around the area all afternoon. I even commented to my rep while driving in the mess that I was glad I was not flying today.
So it could be worse, you could be trying drive on 285 this afternoon.....
So it could be worse, you could be trying drive on 285 this afternoon.....
#7
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 9
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Orlando
Programs: DL DM 2MM (NW+DL) FI Gold
Posts: 787
The Capt just announced we are diverting due to fuel. There is no way I will get to SJU tonight, so the meeting is not going to happen. I can live with all of that.
What I do want, is to get the MQM's for the flights booked but not flown, because there is no point in flying them anymore.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: GNV which is not where we would like to be :)
Programs: ABP, Mr. Mom without the kids, Signor Mucci, DL PM, HH & Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 4,526
Being a Diamond you may find that DL will locate seats for you tonight to make you AM meeting if that is what you ask for upon landing. I've found that DL is good in protecting PM/DM/GM paxs who may miss a connection on later flights.
#11
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
If the flt is diverted to BNA, there may be crew as well as fuel issues. At best you eventually get to ATL for an overnight but I learned the hard way last wk that all Priority service shuts down at ATL at 11 pm.
If you don't mind a long wait, there is 24-hr service down by baggage claim but I can tell you from experience, there is no love for Elites after 11 pm. Once I got to the counter, the individual was very kind and accommodating given the circumstances.
If you don't mind a long wait, there is 24-hr service down by baggage claim but I can tell you from experience, there is no love for Elites after 11 pm. Once I got to the counter, the individual was very kind and accommodating given the circumstances.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Orlando
Programs: DL DM 2MM (NW+DL) FI Gold
Posts: 787
Well, we diverted to BNA. Time on the ground there, called DL res....nice, but no MQM unless BIS. They did rebook me for the first morning flight up front, and I pick up my booked itn from there from there.
Must have been nasty wx in ATL.
All in all, not bad, Agent who did this on the phone said for me to check with an agent in ATL when I get there. I wonder why?
Anyway, now I know; for MQM's you must have BIS is DL policy. I really thought they would rather re-sell my seat and give me the MQM's, but what do I know.
Thanks all, almost into ATL.
Must have been nasty wx in ATL.
All in all, not bad, Agent who did this on the phone said for me to check with an agent in ATL when I get there. I wonder why?
Anyway, now I know; for MQM's you must have BIS is DL policy. I really thought they would rather re-sell my seat and give me the MQM's, but what do I know.
Thanks all, almost into ATL.



