A disappointing experience - or a reflection of how things are?
Apr 4, 2012 | 11:51 am
#16
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
Come on man, you know full well what traveling with kids is like. You had no way of knowing what how full J was going to by the time of departure. I'm not going to say the crew was perfect, they weren't, but you know better.
Apr 4, 2012 | 11:57 am
#17
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I can see both sides. But DL sticks to their policy one this one point (if only they stuck to all their policies consistently). Splitting up a family with children is a very bad idea.
BTW to those who don't like kids in BE: I bring mine, I pay for it, and I know how to keep them from disrupting you. If you don't like it, fly an airline that doesn't allow it, if there is one (Virgin?).
BTW to those who don't like kids in BE: I bring mine, I pay for it, and I know how to keep them from disrupting you. If you don't like it, fly an airline that doesn't allow it, if there is one (Virgin?).
Apr 4, 2012 | 11:59 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 99
I've been to 61 countries and 49 states, and had tons of fabulous FAs! That said, every now n' then, there seems to be a decades long veteran FA who, somewhere along the way, has lost sight of basic, good, friendly customer service. I'm not sure how this happens! I don't want to quite go so far as to say that it's a culture issue between former airlines, but sometimes it may seem that way.
That said, what do you do with these 30/40 year employees who have, somehow, strayed from norms of basic humanity, to some kind of controlling personality or a borderline power trip? Retrain them? Maybe.
Drop DL a note, so they can check the employee's records for any past complaints, and let them decide how to fix it for the future, and possibly pacify you!
That said, what do you do with these 30/40 year employees who have, somehow, strayed from norms of basic humanity, to some kind of controlling personality or a borderline power trip? Retrain them? Maybe.
Drop DL a note, so they can check the employee's records for any past complaints, and let them decide how to fix it for the future, and possibly pacify you!
I don't know what you do with some of the veterans either. Teaching an old dog new tricks may be difficult.
I have written a complaint once or twice in all the years, I think. Don't like doing that, plus not sure whether it has any effect whatsoever. I guess, formally speaking, the purser's actions can be justified as simply "following the company's policy." Power trips fall outside of the personnel manual ...
Apr 4, 2012 | 12:07 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 99
Yes, I know very well what traveling with my kids is like. Have done it countless times, all over the world. Have not had any problems, even when they were lap infants. The "magic line" was crossed in this case twice, I think, and not a single time by either of the children.
Apr 4, 2012 | 12:07 pm
#20
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE US
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Posts: 4,201
years ago, they would have slipped you up there and it would have been a win/win as far as I am concerned. Now, if they did, some Gold in EC would have written a letter about unfair treatment.
It seems to me the FA was on the defensive. Either by perception or prejudice of you having kids and being split up. Not saying it is right, but it may explain the situation...
It seems to me the FA was on the defensive. Either by perception or prejudice of you having kids and being split up. Not saying it is right, but it may explain the situation...
Apr 4, 2012 | 12:13 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 100K, DL MM, AA PLT
Posts: 3,000
Yes, I know very well what traveling with my kids is like. Have done it countless times, all over the world. Have not had any problems, even when they were lap infants. The "magic line" was crossed in this case twice, I think, and not a single time by either of the children.
What we learned, as I'm sure you have, is that every trip is different. Just because it has always worked in the past doesn't mean it will in the future. In this case, clearly your kids had some issues that required multiple parents' hands. I'm not blaming you, but as a parent you must know this happens from time to time.
All I (and several other posters) are trying to say is splitting the family is a calculated risk. This time you rolled craps. Yes, the FAs could have been more accommodating, but, as Thomas Hudson put it, there is blame to go around here.
Apr 4, 2012 | 12:20 pm
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 99
You're not alone. Many of us have. My first-born had visited every (inhabited) continent before he turned 2. And all of his intercontinental flying was in J. And he was an angel---almost all the time. Except that one flight from SCL to IPC when he had a bad head cold and couldn't be consoled.
What we learned, as I'm sure you have, is that every trip is different. Just because it has always worked in the past doesn't mean it will in the future. In this case, clearly your kids had some issues that required multiple parents' hands. I'm not blaming you, but as a parent you must know this happens from time to time.
All I (and several other posters) are trying to say is splitting the family is a calculated risk. This time you rolled craps. Yes, the FAs could have been more accommodating, but, as Thomas Hudson put it, there is blame to go around here.
What we learned, as I'm sure you have, is that every trip is different. Just because it has always worked in the past doesn't mean it will in the future. In this case, clearly your kids had some issues that required multiple parents' hands. I'm not blaming you, but as a parent you must know this happens from time to time.
All I (and several other posters) are trying to say is splitting the family is a calculated risk. This time you rolled craps. Yes, the FAs could have been more accommodating, but, as Thomas Hudson put it, there is blame to go around here.
Apr 4, 2012 | 12:23 pm
#23
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,407
I was only making an observation that, as a former NW'er, I have ALWAYS supported NW "stuff"!! That said, I have bumped into this mentality every now n' then over the years, but I can't ever remember ever encountering it from a PMDL employee.
Nuff said.
Apr 4, 2012 | 12:26 pm
#24
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL-MM-Diamond HH-Diamond
Posts: 3,218
You are correct, it is a calculated risk. The point is that I did not ask for any special accommodations. The purser's actions (or lack thereof as far as her direct responsibilities go) and comments were preemptive, unprovoked, and plain nasty. She escalated the situation, I have not, whereas she could have easily defused it and made everyone's life easier by simply not going on a power trip.
You know that you are not allowed in Business Class if not flying it. Period, end of story. You were there in there at boarding which regardless of your reason is not allowed and when she asked you go back to your seat you had to say your wife did not get a PDB? That is something your wife should have discussed with her, not you as she was the passenger. There are two sides to every story but it seems to be that you were pissed from the start that there were NRSA in BE and you were not allowed.
From there the attitude started and doubt anything anyone could have done would have made it a pleasant flight for you.
I do give you kudos for stepping up and handling the medical situation, I admire that for any medical professional to do.
Apr 4, 2012 | 12:35 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 481
Well, your impressions do not accurately reflect the reality, but you are entitled to your opinion even if it is dead wrong. I don't want to engage in any protracted arguments with you simply because there is no logic to your conclusions; they are preconceived notions.
What I expected was a normal service for the two who were seated in BE and merely a civilized treatment by the FAs of everyone. Ignoring two out of three BE paying passengers in the otherwise empty cabin and demonstratively taking care of the non-revs considering them "premium customers" was poor service.
Did not expect anyone to move anywhere. I am vehemently opposed to on-board upgrades by FAs, and said so on this board too.
My children did not cause any serious trouble, but the FA's conduct was unacceptable regardless of whether they were sick or not.
The experience would not have been miserable at all had the FAs not made it as bad as it was.
And yes, I considered my fellow passengers. Always do. Neither I nor my family members have been "disruptive" in any way, neither in Y, nor in BE, especially since there were no fellow passengers in the BE altogether.
Enjoy peeing in the "exclusivity" of the BE lav! We all self-validate in different ways.
What I expected was a normal service for the two who were seated in BE and merely a civilized treatment by the FAs of everyone. Ignoring two out of three BE paying passengers in the otherwise empty cabin and demonstratively taking care of the non-revs considering them "premium customers" was poor service.
Did not expect anyone to move anywhere. I am vehemently opposed to on-board upgrades by FAs, and said so on this board too.
My children did not cause any serious trouble, but the FA's conduct was unacceptable regardless of whether they were sick or not.
The experience would not have been miserable at all had the FAs not made it as bad as it was.
And yes, I considered my fellow passengers. Always do. Neither I nor my family members have been "disruptive" in any way, neither in Y, nor in BE, especially since there were no fellow passengers in the BE altogether.
Enjoy peeing in the "exclusivity" of the BE lav! We all self-validate in different ways.
OP, I sympathize with you.
I do NOT fly Delta or U.S. airlines to Asia. Have you and your family been on Cathay, or Singapore which I fly regularly, your experience would have been impressive and memorable in a very good way.
Many times on flight to Europe, I have witnessed FAs being extra 'helpful' and 'generous' to their peers, which is fine only if they do not neglect the other pax. Sat next to a luggage handler (believe a supervisor) once, and different FAs constantly dropped by chatting and asking if he needed anything...etc. It was a bit annoying but fortunately he was a considerate gentleman, making the conversations very short, and leaving his headphones on most of the time.
Last edited by ConciergeBrandon; Apr 4, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Apr 4, 2012 | 12:36 pm
#27
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Sorry you had such a difficult time and if she was rude, then you should write it. However, it seems you were on the power trip not her.
You know that you are not allowed in Business Class if not flying it. Period, end of story. You were there in there at boarding which regardless of your reason is not allowed and when she asked you go back to your seat you had to say your wife did not get a PDB? That is something your wife should have discussed with her, not you as she was the passenger. There are two sides to every story but it seems to be that you were pissed from the start that there were NRSA in BE and you were not allowed.
From there the attitude started and doubt anything anyone could have done would have made it a pleasant flight for you.
I do give you kudos for stepping up and handling the medical situation, I admire that for any medical professional to do.
You know that you are not allowed in Business Class if not flying it. Period, end of story. You were there in there at boarding which regardless of your reason is not allowed and when she asked you go back to your seat you had to say your wife did not get a PDB? That is something your wife should have discussed with her, not you as she was the passenger. There are two sides to every story but it seems to be that you were pissed from the start that there were NRSA in BE and you were not allowed.
From there the attitude started and doubt anything anyone could have done would have made it a pleasant flight for you.
I do give you kudos for stepping up and handling the medical situation, I admire that for any medical professional to do.
Apr 4, 2012 | 12:37 pm
#28
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX, SFO
Programs: Delta GM, Lifetime Marriott Platinum, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,634
Sorry you had such a difficult time and if she was rude, then you should write it. However, it seems you were on the power trip not her.
You know that you are not allowed in Business Class if not flying it. Period, end of story. You were there in there at boarding which regardless of your reason is not allowed and when she asked you go back to your seat you had to say your wife did not get a PDB? That is something your wife should have discussed with her, not you as she was the passenger. There are two sides to every story but it seems to be that you were pissed from the start that there were NRSA in BE and you were not allowed.
From there the attitude started and doubt anything anyone could have done would have made it a pleasant flight for you.
I do give you kudos for stepping up and handling the medical situation, I admire that for any medical professional to do.
You know that you are not allowed in Business Class if not flying it. Period, end of story. You were there in there at boarding which regardless of your reason is not allowed and when she asked you go back to your seat you had to say your wife did not get a PDB? That is something your wife should have discussed with her, not you as she was the passenger. There are two sides to every story but it seems to be that you were pissed from the start that there were NRSA in BE and you were not allowed.
From there the attitude started and doubt anything anyone could have done would have made it a pleasant flight for you.
I do give you kudos for stepping up and handling the medical situation, I admire that for any medical professional to do.
Apr 4, 2012 | 12:37 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 481
This too. Thank you.
Apr 4, 2012 | 12:42 pm
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 99