Removed from First after boarding
Oct 29, 2012, 1:00 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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In this particular case, I would not write a letter unless you have a valid reason to believe that you were downgraded improperly (i.e. out of order, etc.). The FA's did the best they could under the circumstances and were very nice. Save the complaint for a particularly egregious situation.
Oct 29, 2012, 2:15 pm
#33
Join Date: Feb 2011
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Oct 29, 2012, 2:44 pm
#34
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 198
Been thinking about this one before posting.
(a) How many VALID reasons are there really for a downgrade after an upgrade?
(b) As a poster above stated, at T-15, your upgrade should be not "downgradable".. If you aren't at the gate by then, whether you paid for the seat up front or not, the GA's can give your seat away whether they upgrade someone else into the seat or seat a standby. If someone else has taken your seat because you are late, the solution is for you to get to the gate earlier next time.
(c) If I were upgraded then downgraded, I would of course be polite, but I would really make it a point at the appropriate time to inquire as to the exact reason for the downgrade, especially if the downgrade occurred after T-15 had passed.
(a) How many VALID reasons are there really for a downgrade after an upgrade?
(b) As a poster above stated, at T-15, your upgrade should be not "downgradable".. If you aren't at the gate by then, whether you paid for the seat up front or not, the GA's can give your seat away whether they upgrade someone else into the seat or seat a standby. If someone else has taken your seat because you are late, the solution is for you to get to the gate earlier next time.
(c) If I were upgraded then downgraded, I would of course be polite, but I would really make it a point at the appropriate time to inquire as to the exact reason for the downgrade, especially if the downgrade occurred after T-15 had passed.
I can imagine the conversation now, sorry mr. traveler we know we left you sitting on the runway for an hour due to no fault of your own, and we know you ran as fast as you could to avoid missing the flight, and we know our computer system shows you should make the flight, and we know you paid for a first class ticket, but get in the back please.
Good luck with all of that
Oct 29, 2012, 2:44 pm
#35
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Location: IND
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A lot of people are using the T-15 rule. Fair enough BUT, in practice, we know it really doesn't work that way. Many times there are still many, many people in the boarding line all at T-10 or T-5. How would you feel if you show up in the line with 25 people yet to board and your seat have been given away....especially a paid seat but even an upgrade. Practically, we know that situation doesn't come up much either since they tend not to clear those deals until after the line is gone but then that brings up the dreaded empty FC seat thingy.
Oct 29, 2012, 2:59 pm
#36
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: DL, Amex MR
Posts: 287
So if a passenger has paid for a first class ticket, and arrives to the gate late because the airline got him there late, weather, aircraft issues, ect, and he gets to the gate of his connecting flight tired and frustrated you are okay with putting him in the back of the plane?
I can imagine the conversation now, sorry mr. traveler we know we left you sitting on the runway for an hour due to no fault of your own, and we know you ran as fast as you could to avoid missing the flight, and we know our computer system shows you should make the flight, and we know you paid for a first class ticket, but get in the back please.
Good luck with all of that
I can imagine the conversation now, sorry mr. traveler we know we left you sitting on the runway for an hour due to no fault of your own, and we know you ran as fast as you could to avoid missing the flight, and we know our computer system shows you should make the flight, and we know you paid for a first class ticket, but get in the back please.
Good luck with all of that
Oct 29, 2012, 3:43 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX, SFO
Programs: Delta GM, Lifetime Marriott Platinum, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,634
So if a passenger has paid for a first class ticket, and arrives to the gate late because the airline got him there late, weather, aircraft issues, ect, and he gets to the gate of his connecting flight tired and frustrated you are okay with putting him in the back of the plane?
I can imagine the conversation now, sorry mr. traveler we know we left you sitting on the runway for an hour due to no fault of your own, and we know you ran as fast as you could to avoid missing the flight, and we know our computer system shows you should make the flight, and we know you paid for a first class ticket, but get in the back please.
Good luck with all of that
I can imagine the conversation now, sorry mr. traveler we know we left you sitting on the runway for an hour due to no fault of your own, and we know you ran as fast as you could to avoid missing the flight, and we know our computer system shows you should make the flight, and we know you paid for a first class ticket, but get in the back please.
Good luck with all of that
Oct 29, 2012, 5:40 pm
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 12
I will send a polite inquiry letter to delta asking why it happened. Note tht it was not a terrible experience and the ca made up for it. But would like an explanation to the extent they can provide one. I'll post my letter and the response when available.
Thanks all... More to come.
Thanks all... More to come.
Oct 30, 2012, 6:12 am
#41
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE US
Programs: Duke of Bombay, Delta Ham Sandwich tm, Delta's Glitch
Posts: 4,201
So if a passenger has paid for a first class ticket, and arrives to the gate late because the airline got him there late, weather, aircraft issues, ect, and he gets to the gate of his connecting flight tired and frustrated you are okay with putting him in the back of the plane?
I can imagine the conversation now, sorry mr. traveler we know we left you sitting on the runway for an hour due to no fault of your own, and we know you ran as fast as you could to avoid missing the flight, and we know our computer system shows you should make the flight, and we know you paid for a first class ticket, but get in the back please.
Good luck with all of that
I can imagine the conversation now, sorry mr. traveler we know we left you sitting on the runway for an hour due to no fault of your own, and we know you ran as fast as you could to avoid missing the flight, and we know our computer system shows you should make the flight, and we know you paid for a first class ticket, but get in the back please.
Good luck with all of that
I had an A fare with a FC seat and my (first) connecting flight was late, I ran and got to the gate right at 10 minutes before sched depart... I gave them by BP and it beeped and he said sorry, my FC seat was given away, since I "missed" the flight.... but he was able to get me on in a middle back seat. Best part was my old seat was filled by a guy I have flown with a few times who was a Gold and got a last second "upgrade"... I wrote a note and got a pound of flesh, but I was really wanting a drink after making that run...
Oct 30, 2012, 6:43 am
#42
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,877
DL policy:
http://www.delta.com/traveling_check...irements/#when
From U.S. cities, you must be at the boarding gate at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time
From U.S. cities, you must be at the boarding gate at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time
Oct 30, 2012, 7:16 am
#43
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 198
I realize it happens. My response was it is wrong, and directed at the poster who stated the solution was to get there earlier.
I feel your pain, ouch!
I feel your pain, ouch!
I had an A fare with a FC seat and my (first) connecting flight was late, I ran and got to the gate right at 10 minutes before sched depart... I gave them by BP and it beeped and he said sorry, my FC seat was given away, since I "missed" the flight.... but he was able to get me on in a middle back seat. Best part was my old seat was filled by a guy I have flown with a few times who was a Gold and got a last second "upgrade"... I wrote a note and got a pound of flesh, but I was really wanting a drink after making that run...
Oct 30, 2012, 7:24 am
#44
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 198
Very profound, but if the reason you are not there is because you are stuck on, or just exiting their flight maybe just maybe they could use a little common sense.
This is turning into a Monty Python skit.
Sir you must be at the gate 15 minutes prior to the flight
Sir the captain has not turned off the seatbelt sign.
Sir I said you are running late
Sir sit down we are waiting on the ground crew.
On and on
This is turning into a Monty Python skit.
Sir you must be at the gate 15 minutes prior to the flight
Sir the captain has not turned off the seatbelt sign.
Sir I said you are running late
Sir sit down we are waiting on the ground crew.
On and on
Oct 30, 2012, 7:37 am
#45
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,877
They want flights to leave on time. And, while they may not be able to enforce their carry-on luggage policy, they are easily able to enforce the boarding gate cutoff time.
Boarding passes are scanned and systems updated. The T15 (another Ttimes) are most certainly flagged in the GAs computer and may even automagically drop the PAX at the Ttime.
Last edited by DelrayChris; Oct 30, 2012 at 7:44 am