The competition on these TCON routes isn't UA, it's AA (with better upgrades for 100k fliers), VX (with reasonable DoD upgrades), and B6 (with 38" EMS and Mint).

There will always be some changes -- some will positively affect people and some will negatively affect people. I just sort of roll with it

My only concern on this area is that if this change allows a lot of non revs to get the seats that would have been occupied by loyal travellers who typically spend a lot of time on Delta flights ( DM and PM), then I have an issue

I bought FC yesterday and it was not any classier than when I get a freebie. I actually wish they would take my meal choice first to make me feel a little better about laying out $2k for a transcon with a connect....

And there have been times I have sat in the back as a DM on DTW/LGA.

Seriously, Bubbashow?

In the last year, I've been upgraded on 9 of 14 flights LGA-MSP where I bought coach seats. (I've paid for FCM a few times, and missed at least one upgrade in part due to FCAM.)

And that will get worse after March 2014, All those people that would have been on the transcons now competing as well for that small number of F seats on those flights.

WLBL (Want Loyalty, Buy Loyalty). If DL gives me something because I choose to fly DL when I have a choice, even when DL is a little more expensive or less convenient, then DL is buying my loyalty. That's a fair exchange.

When DL stops giving me benefits for flying DL often, then I have no incentive to fly DL often, and my JFK-SFO flights (maybe half a dozen round trips in the past year) won't all be on DL. But DL doesn't need my revenue, it has Bubbashow's gloating "WFBF" over a lot fewer miles to live off of.

The new Global Upgrades are the only possibilities DM's have to get an upgrade for international or transcon, and since they get only four of them (one way each), DM's can only get complimentary upgrades on two RT's. If they use them on international (which would be my choice), they won't have any left to get transcon upgrades. The difference between that and what we have today is that DM's (and PM's, GM's, even FO's, actually) had a fair shot (though slim) of getting a transcon complimentary upgrade every time they flew. Now, hardly anyone (other than non revs) will ever get upgraded on transcon. So that is a big reduction in benefits.

Platinums don't get the Global Certs

so you don't fly JFK to SFO anymore on DL. What other choices do you have? What other airline will give you free comp UG's to BE on these Premium Transcon flights? I'll give you a hint...None.

As an alternative, prices on JFK to LAX with a stopover in ATL, connecting to the 77L, sells for $1400 RT. You get a flatbed and bonus MQMs. U won't get the heavenly pillow or upgraded meal service tho

Options to fly in coach, yes. However, there are no other legacy carriers that allow free comp upgrades into their premium cabin without using some kind of upgrade instruments, and in all of those cases, I believe you have to be top tier elite with that airline. DL is just on par with the other legacies now.

I was the only one on the UG list 10 days ago on JFK to LAS.

I don't see that happening. If it did, DL would be competing on price alone (with the exception of routing). Their loyalty program is one of the worst in the industry. WN would look much more attractive with their free luggage policy. Status would be almost meaningless. Besides, empty seats up front mean lost revenue on full flights in Y.

I can get EC, and a checked bag on B6 for no additional charge without the MQM, MQD headaches.

This is superior to Delta's new unlimited free EC upgrade policy after you are GM or higher subject to MQD requirements.

Why maintain status on Delta to get what B6 provides for the cost of a ticket?

DL is behind UA (which allows regional certs on TCON) and AA (which allows instruments for GLD and PLT, and no instrument needed for EXP). DL is also behind VX (which allows discounted DoD upgrades). In Y, DL EC is behind B6 EMS in terms of legroom, though otherwise EC is a competitive product.

But the real issue here isn't that some low yielding Y traffic may disappear, it's that the incentive for incremental travel to make a higher status level (to increase UG chances) is gone. There is little effective difference between GM and DM to the TCON flyer now. Sure, DL won't miss me when I book a TCON on VX, but now when I'm looking at pricier TPAC fares I'll probably book on NH or JL because I don't need the MQM on DL.

Meanwhile, delta.com lists the TCON flights as mileage upgradeable. As we know, this is currently false advertising since inventory is never opened in advance and mileage UG don't go the gate. But if DL fixed that (and/or made regionals valid on these routes), there'd be more incentive to stick with DL.

That is exactly what is going to happen.

BTW if you "have an issue" you aren't "roll[ing] with it."