troyintn

The other part of the problem is the whole boarding process. I just went ATL to AMS last week, and 30 or so people boarded and only two at the time were in BE. So who knows how many are elites or just people bum rushing the GAs anymore. A lot of this is do to no overhead space and lack of controll at the gates anymore.

GeorgeDickel

If you say so. I know that upgrades are based on availability. As long as Delta follows the rules they set regarding upgrades, then I am happy. I understand that Golds, Platinums and Diamonds come first. As a silver, I am 75% on upgrades this year. So much is based on the routes, days and times that you fly. I have admittedly had good luck this year.

George Dickel

bronco2008

I agree, it all depends on the routes and the times you fly.Flying from DCA to DTW and as a DM I am routinely one of the 50 or 54 people on the upgrade list on Thursday evenings with 2 or 3 seats available (I don't clear 90% of the time) so understandably there are a lot of elites on this route and also possibly a lot of lower tier elites (Platinum, Gold etc) buying expensive last minute tickets and so forth.

Travelomania

^ Same here.

I must be one of the very few who earned my status solely with my butt in the seat thru countless longhaul miles in Y on my very own dime - no Amex, tricks, or reimbursements for me - and am proud of it !
I've received upgrades when they were available (and questioning stares when boarding in zone 1) - but I truly earned them by flying and appreciate this perk as a privilage, not a right, seemingly acquired by most thru a padded expense account or a company travel agent.

Culrain

As a lowly Silver, my 30,000+ MQMs last year were 100% flying miles. No triple MQM international bonuses, no AMEX bonus, no nothing. Just unadulterated flying. I know I did more flying than many Golds and possibly some Platinums.

For those of us that fall into the "grey zone" of only-flown MQMs, it's pretty frustrating to be in such a crowded field when many of my co-Medallions didn't fly as much as I did, particularly when being number 46 on the UG list on an LAX-ATL flight.

avidflyer

That does stink but being from LA your bigger issue is me and the other DM's and Plats here. I swear LA is the biggest home of PM/DM's other than ATL or at least it seems that way. As a DM I have been in the back twice on the ATL flight (fly it weekly) and I was #6 or something on those occasions. Tough market to be a FO for sure.

TravellingMan

Wonder why people even bother with this wretched airline called Delta.

DP-340

Ticket prices are not bad and if you fly domestic a lot (e.g., PM or DM), the upgrade % is very decent...

Nevertheless I know what you mean; the main problems with DL are well known: crappy award engine, few low awards, exorbitant M-fares (in the USA only), PMU + M-fare requirement on TATL+TPAC flights, etc.

longing4piedmont

Looks like you may be in a very small minority with your opinion. Otherwise the title of the thread would not be asking if there are too many medallions now would it?

mfullmer

You have NOT just earned MQMs with your "butt in the seat". If you fly on a Y fare you are earning 50% more MQMs. It's no different than the doubles and triples out there. I hope you're going to ask Delta to take those 50% fare class bonus MQMs back...

Culrain

I can't speak for Travelomania, but I interpreted the comment to mean he/she travels in Y ("in" being the preposition Travelomania used), as in the economy section without any FC/BE MQM bonus, not on a Y-code fare.

shiner

As someone who has paid for consultants to come to me, paid for my own extensive travel, and is now paying for employees to fly, the issue is much more complex. Many people who travel for their job see the elite perks, miles, and points as part of their compensation. I know that if I were to strip away the miles and perks from my employees, I would have to pay a few of them more to offset the perceived loss. Is it right? I don't know, but it IS reality. One of my talented consultants sees the upgrades and accumulated miles as a benefit much like a 401k, dental plan, or vacation days.

When I was paying for people to fly to me, I expect that if I had demanded they fly at horrible times, with multiple connections, or with an undesirable airline, I would have paid for those 'savings' somewhere along the line.

edscholl

LAX does suck as a silver, but unless you're flying the business heavy times (Mon / Fri) on the 'big' routes, the problem isn't even DMs and Plats- it's GMs and other FOs on higher fares. As a GM this year, I've cleared on most flights (85%), and I fly mostly business times (Monday mornings / Thurs or Fri evenings). On leisure routes or days, I have no problems clearing at all, and usually in advance.

CMK10

I would imagine the Diamond who was in the RDU security line this week with me holding a Y BP for a RDU-ATL flight on a Q fare would agree with you

TravellingMan

^ Well said

I wonder why people still bother maintaining medallion status with Delta. Is it just for domestic upgrades? They do not even serve the decadent chocolate cakes that NW used to do in domestic First Class