xliioper

That's nice to hear, but pre-merger (which is what was being compared), the JAX lounge (and MIA from what I here) were not so hot.

elitetraveler

My point was different: NW was never a good airline when it came to quality service and leading edge products. The new DTW complex is an exception.

DL until Ron Allen got there was a top notch airline.

The merger was between two pretty average airlines. NW had been on a bit of an upswing, DL on a decade long decline.

mersk862

Indeed - both the JAX and MIA clubs have seen significant improvements with their new facilities in the past two years (the MIA club was downright poor; it would be in the conversation with ATL B10 as the worst club facilities-wise in the system).

tarmac

If Delta has the resources to place into clubs, i'd much rather have the food returned to hub clubs, such as ATL, JFK, rather than opening scaled back clubs. The range of services in "full-service" clubs already has been scaled back. It was my understanding that earlier cuts were made to assure consistency among all clubs.

I would fear that the "new" Club-Lite would be a test-case for lowering the services all the clubs, yet again.

So, if there is more dough to spend . . . give us more dough (and salads, entrees, desserts) in the key hub lounges.

socrates

Please show me where I've ever spoken of Mileage redemptions.......

If you can't please try to stay on topic and stop bating people

socrates

I hope this isn't the case....and yes MIA is a great example

hockeystl

Thanks for all the input in this thread. I'm meeting with a DL exec this week and will be sure to share the FT perspective.

travelingsalesgal

Let us know what you find out/ how the meeting goes!

hockeystl

Meeting is complete....I spent about two hours enjoying breakfast with the DL exec and STL station chief. I'm kinda sworn to secrecy on the rollout of SCLight but let's just say it's not just a rumor. When I'm given the green light to share more, I will post here ASAP.

wbl-mn-flyer

Glad to say I play this game year by year.

As a captive of a fortress hub, I'm all about the quality of the club at first tier airports, not whether they open mom and pop Club-Light products at secondary or tertiary markets.

I can't imagine that the Club Light concept would stay on its own - it's obvious they'd use it to test the waters for a continued degrade of the main product.

Italy98

+1 for me and +1 for Mrs. Italy. We like to enjoy a drink between flights and, as we pay for our membership, do not want the bottom tier liquor or beer. Personally, it is bad enough that DL no longer stocks Woodford Reserve in the SC and I am wondering when DL will take Woodford off of flights.

I was in the JAX lounge about one month ago and there was a bartender behind the counter. Has this changed since then?

StayingHomeIsBetter

As I have said before, my great anxiety with the concept is that DL Management will use the Lite clubs to trial run ways to cost-reduce service in the main clubs.

That said, if DL Management can avoid their natural inclinations and actually use the Lite clubs to make membership more valuable, I'd support this.

But, to do so, DL Management would have to, IMHO, establish a significant number of the Lite clubs in smaller, less busy airports which, nonetheless, have enough DL business to warrant doing something nice for club members.^

If, on the other hand, they only put in a few of these Lite clubs in locations that really deserve a full club, it will quickly become apparent that they have followed this path as a token gesture to the membership.

Anyone want to place a bet?

BobH

Just clone the current WC's at either end of the tram at DTW or the old WCs at PHL or SEA and provide the same level of service those of us who flew NW then had.

They all were/are all fine.

Bob H.

scm53

Hockeystl has me optomistic. If so, I would be delighted. My home station is #17 (by seats on the no club list), so I have to think it is in the mix. Also, competitive offerings have to be looked at. SWA is #1 carrier at AUS (35%), but not a competitor (DL is long haul, hub and downline -- SWA is short haul, with some long haul, mostly leisure). Biggest competitors are AA (20%) and CAL + UA (16%). Both have clubs. DL (+ Alaska) is at 15%.

Until last year, DL psgrs had access to the CAL club -- no mas. All I want is a place to wait when the outbound is delayed. I'd like WiFi, power, a bathroom, seats, and some refreshments -- booze would be a bonus. We had that in the old Mueller a/p, when DL competed with the AA DFW hub. Code protected door, and the gate agents would occassionally stop by and tidy the place up. Frankly, this issue is part of the mix in me considering a status match to CAL (wait until Oct, when I make DM), then moving my not-inconsequential annual mileage to the new UA - CAL mix. If DL were to open a SCLite here in AUS, it would tamp down the infrequent "wonderings".

SkyTeam777

Did we ever get confirmation that this idea was being considered beyond STL or are we all just hoping that it is...?