6 empty FC seats!
Dec 14, 2017, 7:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 355
6 empty FC seats!
DL1350 ATL-CHS departing now just left gate with 6 empty seats in FC. I was the first loser (#1 on UG list). After the door closed I asked the FA and he said they asked the GA to process the upgrades but he declined because the door was about to close. He did have time to walk thru the plane and note all of the empty seats. I said to the FA "well if you wait until the last minute to check the list, of course there isn't time!" He said "I agree." Calling DL when we land.
1st world problems.....
1st world problems.....
Dec 14, 2017, 8:43 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta DM, 2MM
Posts: 1,254
Were you number 1 for 0 and six people confirmed in F no showed?
I will never have this problem because I usually exit the skyclub 16 minutes before departure and show up at the gate with them paging my name. So at that point, we can establish if first has boarded full.
I will never have this problem because I usually exit the skyclub 16 minutes before departure and show up at the gate with them paging my name. So at that point, we can establish if first has boarded full.
Dec 14, 2017, 8:49 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: Marriott Titanium, DL DM
Posts: 298
Must be some wonkiness going on at ATL the last few days. Yesterday I had a confirmed upgrade ATL->PHL. I scan my boarding pass and get a new ticket into Comfort+... I asked the agent why I was downgraded and he placed me into one of the still open seats in FC...
So I was downgraded from first class for a flight where there were open first class seats after the upgrade list has cleared...
So I was downgraded from first class for a flight where there were open first class seats after the upgrade list has cleared...
Dec 14, 2017, 8:51 am
#4
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Flew yesterday with 2 C+ seats empty (which never happens anymore) and 8 people on the C+ upgrade list.
Was very interesting that folks were not upgraded and they were 1 aisle and 1 window so it wasnt people choosing to not upgrade if it was middle.
It was a MD-90 and both were on the 3 seat side so some folks on that flight got a surprise upgrade (no middle person as the 2 middle people slid over once we were in the air)
Was very interesting that folks were not upgraded and they were 1 aisle and 1 window so it wasnt people choosing to not upgrade if it was middle.
It was a MD-90 and both were on the 3 seat side so some folks on that flight got a surprise upgrade (no middle person as the 2 middle people slid over once we were in the air)
Dec 14, 2017, 9:03 am
#5
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
Must be some wonkiness going on at ATL the last few days. Yesterday I had a confirmed upgrade ATL->PHL. I scan my boarding pass and get a new ticket into Comfort+... I asked the agent why I was downgraded and he placed me into one of the still open seats in FC...
So I was downgraded from first class for a flight where there were open first class seats after the upgrade list has cleared...
So I was downgraded from first class for a flight where there were open first class seats after the upgrade list has cleared...
Dec 14, 2017, 9:22 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Formerly at PIT, now planted near MSP.
Programs: No flights since April 2019 (Medical Issues). Lost all my status.
Posts: 1,483
Dec 14, 2017, 9:34 am
#7
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DL1350 ATL-CHS departing now just left gate with 6 empty seats in FC. I was the first loser (#1 on UG list). After the door closed I asked the FA and he said they asked the GA to process the upgrades but he declined because the door was about to close. He did have time to walk thru the plane and note all of the empty seats. I said to the FA "well if you wait until the last minute to check the list, of course there isn't time!" He said "I agree." Calling DL when we land.
1st world problems.....
1st world problems.....
It is entirely the GA's discretion and the GA's primary duty is to close the flight and assure an ontime push. If the GA told you he would fetch you, that is a valid beef. Otherwise, not.
The FA has no say in this process and it's poor form for one employee to dump on another, especially as to something with which the employee has no role.
Dec 14, 2017, 9:44 am
#8
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
What were the GA's instructions when you asked, before boarding, whether he would come fish you upstream if you did board?
It is entirely the GA's discretion and the GA's primary duty is to close the flight and assure an ontime push. If the GA told you he would fetch you, that is a valid beef. Otherwise, not.
The FA has no say in this process and it's poor form for one employee to dump on another, especially as to something with which the employee has no role.
It is entirely the GA's discretion and the GA's primary duty is to close the flight and assure an ontime push. If the GA told you he would fetch you, that is a valid beef. Otherwise, not.
The FA has no say in this process and it's poor form for one employee to dump on another, especially as to something with which the employee has no role.
Dec 14, 2017, 10:06 am
#9
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What were the GA's instructions when you asked, before boarding, whether he would come fish you upstream if you did board?
It is entirely the GA's discretion and the GA's primary duty is to close the flight and assure an ontime push. If the GA told you he would fetch you, that is a valid beef. Otherwise, not.
The FA has no say in this process and it's poor form for one employee to dump on another, especially as to something with which the employee has no role.
It is entirely the GA's discretion and the GA's primary duty is to close the flight and assure an ontime push. If the GA told you he would fetch you, that is a valid beef. Otherwise, not.
The FA has no say in this process and it's poor form for one employee to dump on another, especially as to something with which the employee has no role.
I think many folks here might understand if 1 or 2 seats were still empty if GA expects a last minute arrival. But - 6 of them?
Dec 14, 2017, 10:43 am
#10
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If DL wants to continue touting FC UGs as a valuable benefit of elite status, then it must do more to protect the integrity of the benefit.
Until management enforces the expectation that no FC seat will go out empty when elites are in coach, offenses like this will continue. Clearly, this is not a priority for management.
Another manifestation of the apparent corporate belief that, if they can advertise benefits, and enough gullible people believe them, then they need not be too careful in actually providing the benefits.
As inflated as the elite ranks are, I am justifiably skeptical anytime I see a plane go out with an empty seat in FC.
Until management enforces the expectation that no FC seat will go out empty when elites are in coach, offenses like this will continue. Clearly, this is not a priority for management.
Another manifestation of the apparent corporate belief that, if they can advertise benefits, and enough gullible people believe them, then they need not be too careful in actually providing the benefits.
As inflated as the elite ranks are, I am justifiably skeptical anytime I see a plane go out with an empty seat in FC.
Dec 14, 2017, 11:47 am
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
If DL wants to continue touting FC UGs as a valuable benefit of elite status, then it must do more to protect the integrity of the benefit.
Until management enforces the expectation that no FC seat will go out empty when elites are in coach, offenses like this will continue. Clearly, this is not a priority for management.
Another manifestation of the apparent corporate belief that, if they can advertise benefits, and enough gullible people believe them, then they need not be too careful in actually providing the benefits.
As inflated as the elite ranks are, I am justifiably skeptical anytime I see a plane go out with an empty seat in FC.
Until management enforces the expectation that no FC seat will go out empty when elites are in coach, offenses like this will continue. Clearly, this is not a priority for management.
Another manifestation of the apparent corporate belief that, if they can advertise benefits, and enough gullible people believe them, then they need not be too careful in actually providing the benefits.
As inflated as the elite ranks are, I am justifiably skeptical anytime I see a plane go out with an empty seat in FC.
While it was well-meaning to give GA's the option of allowing pax to board and then fetching them later, that is a bad practice. Better to deal with the last minute UG's at T-14, when any unclaimed F seat is up for grabs (earlier if there are seats not sold) and boarding those who are waiting at the gate.
At a minimum, if you are in line for an UG, ask before boarding.
Dec 14, 2017, 12:24 pm
#12
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You are jumping over the simple fact that OP boarded and thus gave up any claim to an upgrade. The same on AA and UA.
While it was well-meaning to give GA's the option of allowing pax to board and then fetching them later, that is a bad practice. Better to deal with the last minute UG's at T-14, when any unclaimed F seat is up for grabs (earlier if there are seats not sold) and boarding those who are waiting at the gate.
At a minimum, if you are in line for an UG, ask before boarding.
While it was well-meaning to give GA's the option of allowing pax to board and then fetching them later, that is a bad practice. Better to deal with the last minute UG's at T-14, when any unclaimed F seat is up for grabs (earlier if there are seats not sold) and boarding those who are waiting at the gate.
At a minimum, if you are in line for an UG, ask before boarding.
Continuing the situation where those with credible potential for the UG have to hang back and distract the GA at the last moments before the door closes cannot be helpful in attaining the on-time departure goal.
Giving the GA the latitude to come onto the plane and bring folks forward, but leaving it discretionary, is not a solution to the problem.
If DL management were serious about buttressing the integrity of this benefit, they could solve this problem. But, clearly, they are not.
Whatever UA or AA do, or do not do, is not relevant. Folks have chosen to fly DL, and DL seeks to assert that it provides better service and benefits.
The rationale that "We are no worse than our competitors" rings hollow.
Accessing a hard-earned benefit, when it is indeed available, should not have to be a crap shoot.
Dec 14, 2017, 1:25 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
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Posts: 1,117
Contests have consequences
Wonder if this is all the result of the UA v DL on time departure percentage war being waged! Something’s gotta give and it looks like we know what that is! DL wins, elites lose.
Dec 14, 2017, 1:29 pm
#14
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No, wrong. UA will snag you from the back (the coveted battlefield upgrade). They are very good at not letting any FC seats go out empty if there are Elites in coach.
Dec 14, 2017, 2:31 pm
#15
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PMNW GAs had no problem bringing elites up to FC (following the priority ordering on the upgrade list) just before departure if there were open FC seats.