Of course.

But again your typical passenger hears "Weather" and goes "OK". Tell them some tower in Tampa has a problem for your flight from Atlanta to Orlando... and they will say "I'm not going to Tampa".

well, you could just say "air traffic control is down" and the guy would say "OK" too if you don't specify where. THere are tons of weather delays that don't involve weather at the origin or destination or anywhere in the path, so if you tell some guy flying Atlanta to Orlando that his flight is delayed because of "Weather in Milwaukee" (where his plane is inbound from) he's going to say "I'm not going to Milwaukee."

I was listening to JFK tower yesterday,and they were saying it was flow going to Florida. A few Mexico flights were delayed,too.

In the end, it's about being truthful with the customer.

I would hope that it isn't Delta's policy to lie because it's quicker, or that its customers wouldn't understand anyway.

I would be shocked if this is "Delta Policy".

During this holiday week, there are also severe Miles in Trail and lower AARs for traffic heading from the NE to FL and beyond (Carib). This happens every year (snow bird routes) and the delays usually aren't that bad (<30 min typically), but sounds like it was exacerbated due to the equipment failure.

During the holidays, the volume (especially from GA) goes up and causes the ATC delays for snow birds.