Apr 8, 2017, 1:28 pm
Last edit by: Renes Points
Great explanation about Crew Tracking & Scheduling and what went wrong: Post #590
[Feel free to edit / add to the timeline of DL events.]
First waver ATL only and only 5-7 and by 11th: https://web.archive.org/web/20170406...perations.html
Second waver "all" hubs and 5-9 and by 16th: https://web.archive.org/web/20170407...perations.html
April 6th COO Gil West apology and blames "unprecedented" ( 5 hour ) storm / weather: http://news.delta.com/chief-operatin...cedented-storm
April 7 & 8 Five things to know list: http://news.delta.com/5-things-custo...tions-saturday
April 7th In midst of service fail Delta devalues SkyMiles with partners: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...000-miles.html
April 8th updates on operations: http://news.delta.com/operational-re...ontinues-today
April 12th will be $DAL earnings live and should yield more info: http://ir.delta.com/news-and-events/...s/default.aspx
April 9, 11:40 PM (EDT): What appears to be the last cancellation of the meltdown was made for DL2682/10Apr BOS-LGA (717 aircraft)
April 11th - Delta begins to pay out compensation for impacted travelers: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta-air-lines-skymiles/1835970-early-april-operation-disruption-compensation.html
Other coverage of the event:
Pilots board relating to this epic fail: https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/d...-atl-irop.html
Factors compounding delays/cancellations:
Current delay statistics: Flightaware's live flight delay and cancellation statistics
News coverage:
BuzzFeedNews: Delta Has Canceled Thousands Of Flights And Everyone Is In Hell - No spring break is safe. (Posted on April 7, 2017, at 11:59 a.m.)
The Southampton Press: Cancelled Flight Dashes Disney Dream For Hampton Bays Marching Band (April 7, 2017 11:30 AM)
USA Today: Thousands of Delta flights canceled days after storms (Published 8:53 a.m. ET April 8, 2017)
CNN - Delta meltdown: Pilots are on hold, too (Updated 6:52 PM ET, Sat April 8, 2017)
The Wall Street Journal - Delta Struggles to Recover From Last Week’s Storms (April 9, 2017 12:23 p.m. ET)
AJC.com: Delta woes stretch into Sunday with more cancellations (11:57 a.m. Sunday, April 9, 2017)
AJC.com: Why one day of thunderstorms turned into a five-day Delta meltdown (12:01 p.m Sunday, April 9, 2017)
Detroit Free Press: Headaches continue for Delta fliers in Detroit (Published 2:26 p.m. ET April 9, 2017 Updated 5:54 p.m. ET April 9, 2017)
CNN - Delta tries to 'normalize' as flight cancellations continue (Updated 4:06 PM ET, Sun April 9, 2017)
New York Times: Storms, Though Over, Still Disrupt Delta Flights (APRIL 9, 2017)
NewsChannel5.com - Nashville Man's Body Stranded After Delta Flight Chaos (4:24 PM April 9, 2017)
CBS North Carolina: Raleigh parents upset after son’s body stranded during Delta flight chaos (April 9, 2017, 8:14 pm Updated: April 10, 2017, 5:35 am)
AJC.com: Delta reassures customers as delays continue through weekend (5:53 p.m Sunday, April 9, 2017)
AJC.com: Hundreds of stranded bags left at Hartsfield-Jackson in aftermath of Delta flight cancellations (9:29 a.m. Monday, April 10, 2017)
Bloomberg: Delta Delays Drag On, Testing Passengers' Patience (April 9, 2017, 4:10 PM EDT Updated On April 10, 2017, 10:13 AM EDT)
BuzzFeedNews: Delta Suffered "Failure of Crew Tracking Systems" During Cancelled Flight Fiasco - "I feel like we are lost in the system." (Originally posted on April 11, 2017, at 3:28 p.m. Updated on April 12, 2017, at 10:38 a.m. )
Reuters (posted on BusinessInsider): Delta's profit drops 36.3% (Apr. 12, 2017, 7:20 AM)
AJC.com - Accused child rapist caught at airport when flight is delayed (7:39 p.m Thursday, April 13, 2017)
[Feel free to edit / add to the timeline of DL events.]
First waver ATL only and only 5-7 and by 11th: https://web.archive.org/web/20170406...perations.html
Second waver "all" hubs and 5-9 and by 16th: https://web.archive.org/web/20170407...perations.html
April 6th COO Gil West apology and blames "unprecedented" ( 5 hour ) storm / weather: http://news.delta.com/chief-operatin...cedented-storm
April 7 & 8 Five things to know list: http://news.delta.com/5-things-custo...tions-saturday
April 7th In midst of service fail Delta devalues SkyMiles with partners: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...000-miles.html
April 8th updates on operations: http://news.delta.com/operational-re...ontinues-today
April 12th will be $DAL earnings live and should yield more info: http://ir.delta.com/news-and-events/...s/default.aspx
April 9, 11:40 PM (EDT): What appears to be the last cancellation of the meltdown was made for DL2682/10Apr BOS-LGA (717 aircraft)
April 11th - Delta begins to pay out compensation for impacted travelers: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta-air-lines-skymiles/1835970-early-april-operation-disruption-compensation.html
Other coverage of the event:
Pilots board relating to this epic fail: https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/d...-atl-irop.html
Factors compounding delays/cancellations:
- Weather in ATL April 5
- DL terminating interline with AA
- Delta's systems crashing/overloaded
- DL's crew scheduling system crashed [rumor?]
- Rumored short-term power outage in ATL A concourse caused by airport construction some time around Tuesday-Wednesday
Current delay statistics: Flightaware's live flight delay and cancellation statistics
News coverage:
BuzzFeedNews: Delta Has Canceled Thousands Of Flights And Everyone Is In Hell - No spring break is safe. (Posted on April 7, 2017, at 11:59 a.m.)
The Southampton Press: Cancelled Flight Dashes Disney Dream For Hampton Bays Marching Band (April 7, 2017 11:30 AM)
USA Today: Thousands of Delta flights canceled days after storms (Published 8:53 a.m. ET April 8, 2017)
CNN - Delta meltdown: Pilots are on hold, too (Updated 6:52 PM ET, Sat April 8, 2017)
The Wall Street Journal - Delta Struggles to Recover From Last Week’s Storms (April 9, 2017 12:23 p.m. ET)
AJC.com: Delta woes stretch into Sunday with more cancellations (11:57 a.m. Sunday, April 9, 2017)
AJC.com: Why one day of thunderstorms turned into a five-day Delta meltdown (12:01 p.m Sunday, April 9, 2017)
Detroit Free Press: Headaches continue for Delta fliers in Detroit (Published 2:26 p.m. ET April 9, 2017 Updated 5:54 p.m. ET April 9, 2017)
CNN - Delta tries to 'normalize' as flight cancellations continue (Updated 4:06 PM ET, Sun April 9, 2017)
New York Times: Storms, Though Over, Still Disrupt Delta Flights (APRIL 9, 2017)
NewsChannel5.com - Nashville Man's Body Stranded After Delta Flight Chaos (4:24 PM April 9, 2017)
CBS North Carolina: Raleigh parents upset after son’s body stranded during Delta flight chaos (April 9, 2017, 8:14 pm Updated: April 10, 2017, 5:35 am)
AJC.com: Delta reassures customers as delays continue through weekend (5:53 p.m Sunday, April 9, 2017)
AJC.com: Hundreds of stranded bags left at Hartsfield-Jackson in aftermath of Delta flight cancellations (9:29 a.m. Monday, April 10, 2017)
Bloomberg: Delta Delays Drag On, Testing Passengers' Patience (April 9, 2017, 4:10 PM EDT Updated On April 10, 2017, 10:13 AM EDT)
BuzzFeedNews: Delta Suffered "Failure of Crew Tracking Systems" During Cancelled Flight Fiasco - "I feel like we are lost in the system." (Originally posted on April 11, 2017, at 3:28 p.m. Updated on April 12, 2017, at 10:38 a.m. )
Reuters (posted on BusinessInsider): Delta's profit drops 36.3% (Apr. 12, 2017, 7:20 AM)
AJC.com - Accused child rapist caught at airport when flight is delayed (7:39 p.m Thursday, April 13, 2017)
April 5, 2017: Delta cancels 300 flights due to thunderstorm
Apr 8, 2017, 5:40 pm
#466
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,158
Just randomly spoke to a Delta FA at hotel and the crew seems to have no idea what's going on. All they seem to know is that communications from DL are sparse, they are completely out of rotation, DL is falling behind on providing hotels for crews who suddenly need crew rest because of delays and cancellations.
Not excusing DL at all, just pointing out that may be an explanation for the sparse communication.
Apr 8, 2017, 5:41 pm
#467
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: DL Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, SPG Gold
Posts: 26
Interesting. In my situation, once they realized that people had overheard the fuel conversation and were getting even more upset they decided to go ahead and board the aircraft. This was originally a full flight, but by the time the inbound arrived only 30 or so people were left.
Apr 8, 2017, 5:42 pm
#468
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 21
We overheard gate agents having that exact same conversation as we were finally boarding a flight at JFK. This was around 1am where we had an A319 with only about 30 people left for what was originally a full flight. This flight was scheduled for the 4th which is another reason I'm not buying the weather excuse in full.
My bag also ended up at ATL some how even though I never had a connection there. The bag tracker never updated after the bags were checked in, but on arrival I recieve an email saying that I was entitled to the 2,500 miles.
My bag also ended up at ATL some how even though I never had a connection there. The bag tracker never updated after the bags were checked in, but on arrival I recieve an email saying that I was entitled to the 2,500 miles.
Apr 8, 2017, 5:45 pm
#469
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,911
Originally had LHR-BOS booked for THUR 4/7, and then we were going home BOS-ATL on NW on points/companion pass. In December got the schedule change e-mail and managed to set up LHR-ATL-BOS with no intent to do the ATL-BOS run.
On Thursday LHR-ATL was fine, went home and wasn't aware of the ongoing issues, and today I see that wife and I have been rebooked on the 10:48p ATL-BOS flight today. Checked flightaware and see that our THUR ATL-BOS flight had been cancelled. So wasn't inconvenienced at all, but wonder if Delta will automatically give us some compensation for nothing???
Or maybe go to the airport tonight and see what's up, maybe VDB?
On Thursday LHR-ATL was fine, went home and wasn't aware of the ongoing issues, and today I see that wife and I have been rebooked on the 10:48p ATL-BOS flight today. Checked flightaware and see that our THUR ATL-BOS flight had been cancelled. So wasn't inconvenienced at all, but wonder if Delta will automatically give us some compensation for nothing???
Or maybe go to the airport tonight and see what's up, maybe VDB?
Apr 8, 2017, 5:49 pm
#470
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 21
I can believe that these Delta employees are not getting information from their employer. Many of them seemed really frazzled and it seemed that they couldn't get through to other Delta people on the phone also. I'm sympathetic to their position, but that doesn't excuse the ones that were really callous in their dealings with customers.
Apr 8, 2017, 5:56 pm
#471
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,079
Despite being stuck in DC and two failed trips to the airport with apparently no clear end in sight as far as getting home, I refrain from speculating overly about what Delta could or should have done. But the pilot board is pretty telling. I don't think they have a specific axe to grind.
Apr 8, 2017, 6:24 pm
#473
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: TX
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1k; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 84
Whoa thanks for the info! i' m impressed by the breath and depth of the knowledge of the board!
No delta did not offer any reason for cancellation nor any compensation. I heard the agent said "weather" to the passenger in front of me. We were really exhausted by the time (worked 10-hour day, drove 3 hours to Lax amid LA Friday traffic, waited in line for 2.5 hours), and the line was so long behind us, we did't want to argue/question the agent; we just wanted to finish up so that she can help the next passenger.
I will ask Delta for the compensation. What's the best means? Email? Call to the Plt line after things settle down?
No delta did not offer any reason for cancellation nor any compensation. I heard the agent said "weather" to the passenger in front of me. We were really exhausted by the time (worked 10-hour day, drove 3 hours to Lax amid LA Friday traffic, waited in line for 2.5 hours), and the line was so long behind us, we did't want to argue/question the agent; we just wanted to finish up so that she can help the next passenger.
I will ask Delta for the compensation. What's the best means? Email? Call to the Plt line after things settle down?
Did they give you a reason for the cancellation? They gave your plane to 2260 to SLC. You can see this on flightradar24 if you look up tail # N314NB.
We were supposed to fly an A-319 coming in from BNA (2434, I think). I kept my eye on that flight before leaving for the airport. It was delayed three times, after which 2260 would show a delay as well. Finally it was canceled and I expected my flight to be canceled as well, but it continued to just show delayed. On flightradar24 I saw that our tail number had changed to another A-319, which also showed as scheduled for CMH, then after a bit the CMH flight was canceled and 2260 did finally go on to SLC , a couple hours late.
I don't know if they offered you any compensation, but I would be asking for reimbursement for the hotel last night and any additional amount you had to pay to fly WN. This wasn't weather. There was an aircraft and a crew ready to go. Someone just made a decision that the SLC flight was more critical.
We were supposed to fly an A-319 coming in from BNA (2434, I think). I kept my eye on that flight before leaving for the airport. It was delayed three times, after which 2260 would show a delay as well. Finally it was canceled and I expected my flight to be canceled as well, but it continued to just show delayed. On flightradar24 I saw that our tail number had changed to another A-319, which also showed as scheduled for CMH, then after a bit the CMH flight was canceled and 2260 did finally go on to SLC , a couple hours late.
I don't know if they offered you any compensation, but I would be asking for reimbursement for the hotel last night and any additional amount you had to pay to fly WN. This wasn't weather. There was an aircraft and a crew ready to go. Someone just made a decision that the SLC flight was more critical.
Apr 8, 2017, 6:25 pm
#474
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, CC Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, DL PM
Posts: 526
My BF finally received his luggage. We tried to file for a refund for the cancelled flight, but it would not verify the Irop. We also asked for the 2,500 miles for the luggage being delayed, but it told us that the flight arrived on time.
We sent a shortly worded complaint to Delta asking for a refund of the flight, payment to cover the cost of the rental car and 2,500 miles for the baggage delay.
I really do not expect much of a reply, especially since he was on a basic economy ticket. However, since he was massively inconvenienced, it was worth asking for compensation.
We sent a shortly worded complaint to Delta asking for a refund of the flight, payment to cover the cost of the rental car and 2,500 miles for the baggage delay.
I really do not expect much of a reply, especially since he was on a basic economy ticket. However, since he was massively inconvenienced, it was worth asking for compensation.
Apr 8, 2017, 6:48 pm
#475
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Twin Cities
Programs: Delta DM MM, IHG Plat, Hilton DM, Marriott SE, Emerald EE, Oakdale Gun Club, NRA & GOA Life Member
Posts: 3,870
I dodged a second IT meltdown by flying on a regional (SkyWest). The last meltdown I was on the same but I don't recall if I had flown in and out of Oklahoma or Texas. Last night I returned from SAT. No issues.
Apr 8, 2017, 6:49 pm
#476
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
Apr 8, 2017, 6:57 pm
#477
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SFO/DTW
Programs: DL PM 0.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,988
If only I could get ORC based on the route my baggage flew 
My routing - MCI-LGA-ATL, GSP-ATL-BOS. Had a meeting in GSP so needed a stop there. After Boston I had to drive north of MHT for work.
Bag routing - MCI-LGA-ATL-CLT-JFK-BOS-LGA-MHT. Still in transit as we speak
My routing - MCI-LGA-ATL, GSP-ATL-BOS. Had a meeting in GSP so needed a stop there. After Boston I had to drive north of MHT for work.
Bag routing - MCI-LGA-ATL-CLT-JFK-BOS-LGA-MHT. Still in transit as we speak
Apr 8, 2017, 7:06 pm
#478
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: 1/2 way between FNT,DTW
Programs: DL Plat, US Gold
Posts: 711
I posted earlier about sending planes to other hubs. It appears Delta did add a special 9000 flight from LAS to DTW today so good for them. Why not more?? From my contacts still in LAS they have 4 planes parked away from gates on tarmac and many many crew willing to go wherever they will send them. Even an entire DTW crew and pilots who would take a plane home with stranded passengers.
Apr 8, 2017, 7:10 pm
#479
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
Whoa thanks for the info! i' m impressed by the breath and depth of the knowledge of the board!
No delta did not offer any reason for cancellation nor any compensation. I heard the agent said "weather" to the passenger in front of me. We were really exhausted by the time (worked 10-hour day, drove 3 hours to Lax amid LA Friday traffic, waited in line for 2.5 hours), and the line was so long behind us, we did't want to argue/question the agent; we just wanted to finish up so that she can help the next passenger.
I will ask Delta for the compensation. What's the best means? Email? Call to the Plt line after things settle down?
No delta did not offer any reason for cancellation nor any compensation. I heard the agent said "weather" to the passenger in front of me. We were really exhausted by the time (worked 10-hour day, drove 3 hours to Lax amid LA Friday traffic, waited in line for 2.5 hours), and the line was so long behind us, we did't want to argue/question the agent; we just wanted to finish up so that she can help the next passenger.
I will ask Delta for the compensation. What's the best means? Email? Call to the Plt line after things settle down?
If they reply back with anything other than "weather" or "air traffic control," boom: you have every right to pursue customer care for compensation until they give you something. If the cause of the delay is coded as an act of God (weather or the FAA, which is God to the airlines), then it'll be a much more uphill battle.
Keep us apprised of the outcome.
Apr 8, 2017, 7:20 pm
#480
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Retired. Amtrak, DL (2MM, Signed up for DL FF program 2nd day offered 8/81), Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 177
Ed is only hurting himself by not addressing this, and staying silent. There has to be some sort of reason he is staying silent, (maybe it is a legal reason...who knows).