Was early for my DEN-SLC flight and called the DM line to see if I could do a SDC. DM rep told me that the flight was full and that I would have to ask the GA to put me on the stand-by list. This is fine, and happens quite frequently. I must also add that as a DM I have yet to miss a flight after being put on the standby list on a SDC.

I get to the gate prior to boarding and approach the GA, "Gail" and I say, "Hi Gail, I am a Diamond medallion and was hoping to go standby on a same day confirm for this flight to Salt Lake, I am actually booked on a later flight today."

Without looking up from the computer screen she responds tersely, "No, the flight is full!"

I will admit I was stunned at her response, since my understanding was the standby list was used for the exact reason she was stating she could not help me??? I moved to the end of the counter and called the DM line to see if I was somehow misunderstanding the process. Gail and another GA could hear my conversation with the DM line that lasted for several minutes as boarding commenced. DM line tried to add me to the standby list, but could not.

A few minutes later the other GA comes to me and says that they have a seat for me in 1B. I board the plane and the GA follows me down the jetway and apologizes for what happened saying that Gail has been with Delta for a long time...

The moral of the story? If you've been at DL a long time you have the liberty to treat your loyal customers like trash and not follow procedure?

Worth a complaint, I think. Gail will likely do it again and again unless she is dealt with.

This also reinforces what we have heard over and over: if you don't like the answer, ask someone else.

Had a similar situation in ATL. Wanted to SDC to an earlier flight. Got to the gate, and saw they were selling gate upgrades. Excellent, I can change and get in FC, I thought. The youngish GA, upon hearing my request, said "No, the flight is full".

Not feeling like arguing, I went to the SC, and had the change done. The SC agent didn't know why the GA said that, except it was close to shift change and she probably was going to leave very soon and didn't want to bother with it. Indeed, upon returning to the gate, a different GA was working the flight. The upgrade had already been processed. Go figure.

We all have bad days, and dealing with thousands of could-be/probably-are idiots every day can take its' toll. Not saying it was right, and she should have apologized...but remember, small "snaps" do happen.

I would almost agree with this, except that the small snaps should not have the ability to change the rules.

I SDC'd a flight LAX-MSP this week. Had an aisle seat, but made sure the lady on the phone put me on the UG list. Got to the gate and they were selling UGs for $150. Went to the GA and asked about my UG and she said "I don't clear the UG list until 30 minutes before the flight." I told her I thought she had cleared it because she was selling UGs and she just looked at me like I was nuts. I have no problem with DL maximizing their revenue, but would like to know what the rule is. I got my UG, but if you SDC does that put your UG behind the ones they are selling at the gate?

Sold gate upgrades should always clear after the upgrade list has been cleared... normally this means there are not enough medallions to fill FC. If you DIDNT get an upgrade in a case like this, then that would be a clear break of the rules.

When they sell upgrades ahead of clearing the UG list, they are not really selling them...they are taking names and credit card numbers but not processing upgrades. They will be added to the UG standby list, but their credit cards won't be charged unless they are actually cleared.

Seeing upgrades for sale is a good thing...means that at the moment there are more F seats available than there are Medallions on the list.

I've probably tried to go on standby four or five times when SDC hasn't been available, and each time the agents - at the ticket counter, skyclub, gate, etc - just look at me like I'm nuts and tell me that I cannot standby. Last time in SEA, they treated me like an idiot, too. "How can you possibly fly enough to be platinum and not know that standby is no longer an option?"

In my experience, it just seems that most of them think that SDC replaced same day standby completely, for everyone.

I should probably know that, but I didn't. Thanks!

i heard a good one a few weeks ago: "no i can't add you to the standby list because this flight is oversold." of course there were lots of no shows and plenty of standbys cleared.

I know it seems crazy, but isn't that the definition of "stand by"? You stand by in case someone doesn't show or is caught in security lines or something similar? I know this is anecdotal, but why are GA's reluctant to put you on stand by, I don't understand what the problem is? Or are they just over worked and under appreciated?

You technically used the wrong term. You can NOT SDC on to a full flight. You can SDSB (Same Day stand-by) on to a full flight as a GM/PM/DM though. You specifically said "on a same day confirm" which might have confused the situation.

My reply would be "Could you just humor me and add me anyway? Thanks"

yea i'm not sure - especially since the many times an agent has been glad to add me to the standby list it took them about 5 seconds and 3 keystrokes (it seemed).

that was exactly my approach:
- hi i'd like to standby on this flight
-- sorry i can't add you because this flight is oversold
- hmm, i was not aware of that delta policy
-- well it wouldn't matter anyway, the list is long
- since i'm here already (last flight at 1am) could you humor me and put me on the list?
-- i'll keep your boarding pass and let you know

i don't think he ever entered my info into the computer and i figured i didn't have to mention my status since it was on the BP he kept. result: others cleared, i did not.