What exactly is a "Red Coat"?
 

I am slightly embarrassed to admit this, but I have no clue what makes a red coat a red coat. I have almost a million miles on Delta, DM three years in a row/qualified for DM next year on MDMs and fly them every week: yet I don't know what they do.

1) are they supervisory level? Do the gate agents report to them?
2) do they receive special training?
3) Can they do things the rank and file gate agent cant? More than the DM line?
4) is there one per departure gate?

I consider myself lucky in that I clearly have never had an issue that rises to the point of needing a red coat.

Just curious.

Thanks!

British soldier in the revolutionary war.

Exactly what I was going to say.

From recent reports here, that's how they've been behaving.

The one time my wife and I needed a red coat, was because of the way a red coat was treating her.

Assistant at Butlitz...
https://www.butlins.com/

google 'Butlins' - a UK holiday 'resort'. ;);)

Some have said they are the direct decendents.

OP here: allow me to try this again 😎
What exactly is a DELTA red coat EMPLOYEE?

1. Only supervisors in the sense that they have the privilege of having more power to fix things during a service failure. Gate agents don't report to them as managers, but Red Coats do tell gate agents where to be.

2. All Red Coats are Complaint Resolution Officials and Ground Security Coordinators. They also take some extra customer service training when initially promoted.

3. They can issue a little bit more denied boarding compensation and they can do more with seat assignments out of their own airport.

4. There's at least one *available* per departure (per concourse usually).

They're supposed to be a highly visible person to go to if you need extra assistance or need to escalate a situation either due to poor service or the employee isn't familiar with what you need done.

Is everyone wearing a red jacket a "red coat" by role? I recall a period where some agents would wear blue and others (seemingly more of them) red... And all the ones in red appeared to be generally younger to me. I heard a "blue coat" employee complaining about them/mention that they were contract employees (DGS?)...

At the same airport if there are Delta and DGS employees, then all Red Coats would be Delta. If it's a DGS airport, some of those are in the habit of giving a Red Coat to just anyone.

Gralistair?

:D

Ok. So don't assume everyone in a red coat is a "red coat". Good to know. Other than specifically asking for one, are there any other identifying marks?

You'd only have possibly untrained Red Coats at small airports not staffed by Delta. The only way to identify a Red Coat is by a red blazer or red vest.