Don't Fly Delta
Oct 15, 2022, 2:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 6
Don't Fly Delta
When I was young and growing up in the South, there was a certain pride in Delta, which had its origins in Atlanta. We figured we could show all those big boys from New York City how it’s done down in the South.
Flash forward to 2022. My humble, no-status economy transcontinental seat came with no power in the overhead panel! So that we couldn’t turn on overhead lights and sat in darkness for most of the entirety of a 5-hour journey to New York. That was not the only thing that didn’t work on my IFE controls. Conveniently we couldn’t call for a flight attendant to inform them of numerous problems, like a useless USB port that was just a hole in plastic casing. The IFE itself had to be rebooted three times and, even then, the flight tracker was the only comedy worth watching as the moving map would randomly jump to Africa or Saipan.
When we finally managed to flag down a steward his reaction was basically he couldn’t care less. When you are running a business, employee ennui is a fatal sign. Delta’s air and ground crews seemed very dispirited, as if life hadn’t turned out as hoped and, hey, this is a job I need. Though I grew up in the South, let me say there is nothing that sounds stupider than stupidity done with an Atlanta drawl.
I have yet to describe the most egregious features of this Trip. For this transcontinental route, Delta mostly flies aged 767-300s. (For one thing it means this airline does not have funds to invest in capital stock.) The thing you must remember about the 767 is that even though the interior cabin had been updated, for structural reasons the middle overhead bins could not, the updating there consisting of the equivalent of a new coat of paint. Delta’s economy cabin in a 767 is configured as a 2-3-2, meaning for 43% of the economy seats it sells, those passengers will NOT be able to fit a normal-size carry on above their seats. No wonder on the morning of the flight we suddenly receive an “offer” from Delta to check in our carry on for “free.” Beware airlines suddenly foregoing a $30 fee.
We take partial responsibility for not having planned this trip well. We were heading to our freshwoman daughter’s Parents Weekend and made the mistakes of: i/ Flying Delta; ii/ transiting through JFK; and, iii/ not building in enough of a time lag before our connection. Our juvenile jokes in youth included saying when you fail your driving test three times, they allow you to become a taxi driver. Four times? A bus driver. Now we wonder if you fail five times whether they allow you to design Air Traffic Control around JFK? Our flight was delayed due to, you guessed It, ATC. We actually made up all the time en route because we had a demon tailwind, but the approach to land at JFK was delayed because of, you guessed it, ATC. Originally my connecting flight was supposed to be close to my landing gate. By the time we arrived, it was in another concourse. We missed our connection.
Experienced travelers will know what happened next, as we queued up for Delta’s “service” desk. Because it was ATC, Delta took no responsibility but to book me on the next morning’s flight. I always wonder about the massive reparation claims that must be coming in to ATC and to that other major culprit, Weather. For ATC alone it must be enough to build another new JFK. The clubby regulatory environment the US airlines have set up must be the envy of other industries, eg pharmaceuticals. To be able to invent bogeymen like ATC (ie, your regulator) amd Weather (God) to palm off responsibility (and get federal pandemic relief to boot) must see airline CEOs chuckling themselves to sleep every night.
So $460 poorer for a hotel stay I didn’t need and 1/3 of my daughter’s college weekend wrecked later, what else do I have to complain about?
Don’t Fly Delta.
Flash forward to 2022. My humble, no-status economy transcontinental seat came with no power in the overhead panel! So that we couldn’t turn on overhead lights and sat in darkness for most of the entirety of a 5-hour journey to New York. That was not the only thing that didn’t work on my IFE controls. Conveniently we couldn’t call for a flight attendant to inform them of numerous problems, like a useless USB port that was just a hole in plastic casing. The IFE itself had to be rebooted three times and, even then, the flight tracker was the only comedy worth watching as the moving map would randomly jump to Africa or Saipan.
When we finally managed to flag down a steward his reaction was basically he couldn’t care less. When you are running a business, employee ennui is a fatal sign. Delta’s air and ground crews seemed very dispirited, as if life hadn’t turned out as hoped and, hey, this is a job I need. Though I grew up in the South, let me say there is nothing that sounds stupider than stupidity done with an Atlanta drawl.
I have yet to describe the most egregious features of this Trip. For this transcontinental route, Delta mostly flies aged 767-300s. (For one thing it means this airline does not have funds to invest in capital stock.) The thing you must remember about the 767 is that even though the interior cabin had been updated, for structural reasons the middle overhead bins could not, the updating there consisting of the equivalent of a new coat of paint. Delta’s economy cabin in a 767 is configured as a 2-3-2, meaning for 43% of the economy seats it sells, those passengers will NOT be able to fit a normal-size carry on above their seats. No wonder on the morning of the flight we suddenly receive an “offer” from Delta to check in our carry on for “free.” Beware airlines suddenly foregoing a $30 fee.
We take partial responsibility for not having planned this trip well. We were heading to our freshwoman daughter’s Parents Weekend and made the mistakes of: i/ Flying Delta; ii/ transiting through JFK; and, iii/ not building in enough of a time lag before our connection. Our juvenile jokes in youth included saying when you fail your driving test three times, they allow you to become a taxi driver. Four times? A bus driver. Now we wonder if you fail five times whether they allow you to design Air Traffic Control around JFK? Our flight was delayed due to, you guessed It, ATC. We actually made up all the time en route because we had a demon tailwind, but the approach to land at JFK was delayed because of, you guessed it, ATC. Originally my connecting flight was supposed to be close to my landing gate. By the time we arrived, it was in another concourse. We missed our connection.
Experienced travelers will know what happened next, as we queued up for Delta’s “service” desk. Because it was ATC, Delta took no responsibility but to book me on the next morning’s flight. I always wonder about the massive reparation claims that must be coming in to ATC and to that other major culprit, Weather. For ATC alone it must be enough to build another new JFK. The clubby regulatory environment the US airlines have set up must be the envy of other industries, eg pharmaceuticals. To be able to invent bogeymen like ATC (ie, your regulator) amd Weather (God) to palm off responsibility (and get federal pandemic relief to boot) must see airline CEOs chuckling themselves to sleep every night.
So $460 poorer for a hotel stay I didn’t need and 1/3 of my daughter’s college weekend wrecked later, what else do I have to complain about?
Don’t Fly Delta.
Oct 15, 2022, 3:13 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
Well, I hate to break the news to you but nothing in your post would make me quit flying an airline. It looks to me like you’re landing and takeoffs are equal which is the goal
There’s nothing you posted out here that couldn’t havr happened on another airline. Oh and by the way in 2022 they are flight attendants
There’s nothing you posted out here that couldn’t havr happened on another airline. Oh and by the way in 2022 they are flight attendants
Oct 15, 2022, 3:31 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
Programs: Delta SkySponge ExtraAbsorbent, SPG Gold
Posts: 29,988
I'm not sure where you got the idea that the center overhead bins on the 767-300 weren't changed. The entire cabin from nose to tail was outfitted with a new interior with BSI style pivot bins a few years ago.
Oct 15, 2022, 3:42 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
Well, when you book, make sure not to choose airports that are known trouble spots. I wouldn't book JFK without a very long connection, if at all.
I book travel for all my family, and even my ex-wife. I wouldn’t even book her through JFK unless I was really mad at her.
If I’m flying domestic coach, I prefer Southwest these days. First class usually American, Alaska or United, usually award flights. I try to bring my own entertainment, and have my devices fully charged.
I book travel for all my family, and even my ex-wife. I wouldn’t even book her through JFK unless I was really mad at her.
If I’m flying domestic coach, I prefer Southwest these days. First class usually American, Alaska or United, usually award flights. I try to bring my own entertainment, and have my devices fully charged.
Oct 15, 2022, 3:46 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,677
IBTL. Nice rant. Freshwoman, lol.
Oct 15, 2022, 3:49 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,889
Oct 15, 2022, 4:21 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Programs: A3*G, LH FTL, VS Red, Avis Preferred, Hertz President's Circle, (RIP Diamond Club)
Posts: 2,364
Deleted: duplicate post
Oct 15, 2022, 4:23 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Programs: A3*G, LH FTL, VS Red, Avis Preferred, Hertz President's Circle, (RIP Diamond Club)
Posts: 2,364
This week’s “I had a rubbish flight and now everyone in the known universe should boycott that airline” thread. The sooner this is locked the better.
Better yet, looks like OP joined FT just to post this rant.
Better yet, looks like OP joined FT just to post this rant.
Oct 15, 2022, 4:27 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: USA
Programs: DL PM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,367
Oct 15, 2022, 4:28 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: BOS
Programs: Delta Platinum Medallion, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 51
When I was young and growing up in the South, there was a certain pride in Delta, which had its origins in Atlanta. We figured we could show all those big boys from New York City how it’s done down in the South.
Flash forward to 2022. My humble, no-status economy transcontinental seat came with no power in the overhead panel! So that we couldn’t turn on overhead lights and sat in darkness for most of the entirety of a 5-hour journey to New York. That was not the only thing that didn’t work on my IFE controls. Conveniently we couldn’t call for a flight attendant to inform them of numerous problems, like a useless USB port that was just a hole in plastic casing. The IFE itself had to be rebooted three times and, even then, the flight tracker was the only comedy worth watching as the moving map would randomly jump to Africa or Saipan.
When we finally managed to flag down a steward his reaction was basically he couldn’t care less. When you are running a business, employee ennui is a fatal sign. Delta’s air and ground crews seemed very dispirited, as if life hadn’t turned out as hoped and, hey, this is a job I need. Though I grew up in the South, let me say there is nothing that sounds stupider than stupidity done with an Atlanta drawl.
I have yet to describe the most egregious features of this Trip. For this transcontinental route, Delta mostly flies aged 767-300s. (For one thing it means this airline does not have funds to invest in capital stock.) The thing you must remember about the 767 is that even though the interior cabin had been updated, for structural reasons the middle overhead bins could not, the updating there consisting of the equivalent of a new coat of paint. Delta’s economy cabin in a 767 is configured as a 2-3-2, meaning for 43% of the economy seats it sells, those passengers will NOT be able to fit a normal-size carry on above their seats. No wonder on the morning of the flight we suddenly receive an “offer” from Delta to check in our carry on for “free.” Beware airlines suddenly foregoing a $30 fee.
We take partial responsibility for not having planned this trip well. We were heading to our freshwoman daughter’s Parents Weekend and made the mistakes of: i/ Flying Delta; ii/ transiting through JFK; and, iii/ not building in enough of a time lag before our connection. Our juvenile jokes in youth included saying when you fail your driving test three times, they allow you to become a taxi driver. Four times? A bus driver. Now we wonder if you fail five times whether they allow you to design Air Traffic Control around JFK? Our flight was delayed due to, you guessed It, ATC. We actually made up all the time en route because we had a demon tailwind, but the approach to land at JFK was delayed because of, you guessed it, ATC. Originally my connecting flight was supposed to be close to my landing gate. By the time we arrived, it was in another concourse. We missed our connection.
Experienced travelers will know what happened next, as we queued up for Delta’s “service” desk. Because it was ATC, Delta took no responsibility but to book me on the next morning’s flight. I always wonder about the massive reparation claims that must be coming in to ATC and to that other major culprit, Weather. For ATC alone it must be enough to build another new JFK. The clubby regulatory environment the US airlines have set up must be the envy of other industries, eg pharmaceuticals. To be able to invent bogeymen like ATC (ie, your regulator) amd Weather (God) to palm off responsibility (and get federal pandemic relief to boot) must see airline CEOs chuckling themselves to sleep every night.
So $460 poorer for a hotel stay I didn’t need and 1/3 of my daughter’s college weekend wrecked later, what else do I have to complain about?
Don’t Fly Delta.
Flash forward to 2022. My humble, no-status economy transcontinental seat came with no power in the overhead panel! So that we couldn’t turn on overhead lights and sat in darkness for most of the entirety of a 5-hour journey to New York. That was not the only thing that didn’t work on my IFE controls. Conveniently we couldn’t call for a flight attendant to inform them of numerous problems, like a useless USB port that was just a hole in plastic casing. The IFE itself had to be rebooted three times and, even then, the flight tracker was the only comedy worth watching as the moving map would randomly jump to Africa or Saipan.
When we finally managed to flag down a steward his reaction was basically he couldn’t care less. When you are running a business, employee ennui is a fatal sign. Delta’s air and ground crews seemed very dispirited, as if life hadn’t turned out as hoped and, hey, this is a job I need. Though I grew up in the South, let me say there is nothing that sounds stupider than stupidity done with an Atlanta drawl.
I have yet to describe the most egregious features of this Trip. For this transcontinental route, Delta mostly flies aged 767-300s. (For one thing it means this airline does not have funds to invest in capital stock.) The thing you must remember about the 767 is that even though the interior cabin had been updated, for structural reasons the middle overhead bins could not, the updating there consisting of the equivalent of a new coat of paint. Delta’s economy cabin in a 767 is configured as a 2-3-2, meaning for 43% of the economy seats it sells, those passengers will NOT be able to fit a normal-size carry on above their seats. No wonder on the morning of the flight we suddenly receive an “offer” from Delta to check in our carry on for “free.” Beware airlines suddenly foregoing a $30 fee.
We take partial responsibility for not having planned this trip well. We were heading to our freshwoman daughter’s Parents Weekend and made the mistakes of: i/ Flying Delta; ii/ transiting through JFK; and, iii/ not building in enough of a time lag before our connection. Our juvenile jokes in youth included saying when you fail your driving test three times, they allow you to become a taxi driver. Four times? A bus driver. Now we wonder if you fail five times whether they allow you to design Air Traffic Control around JFK? Our flight was delayed due to, you guessed It, ATC. We actually made up all the time en route because we had a demon tailwind, but the approach to land at JFK was delayed because of, you guessed it, ATC. Originally my connecting flight was supposed to be close to my landing gate. By the time we arrived, it was in another concourse. We missed our connection.
Experienced travelers will know what happened next, as we queued up for Delta’s “service” desk. Because it was ATC, Delta took no responsibility but to book me on the next morning’s flight. I always wonder about the massive reparation claims that must be coming in to ATC and to that other major culprit, Weather. For ATC alone it must be enough to build another new JFK. The clubby regulatory environment the US airlines have set up must be the envy of other industries, eg pharmaceuticals. To be able to invent bogeymen like ATC (ie, your regulator) amd Weather (God) to palm off responsibility (and get federal pandemic relief to boot) must see airline CEOs chuckling themselves to sleep every night.
So $460 poorer for a hotel stay I didn’t need and 1/3 of my daughter’s college weekend wrecked later, what else do I have to complain about?
Don’t Fly Delta.
Last edited by SH115; Oct 15, 2022 at 5:24 pm Reason: Punctuation
Oct 15, 2022, 4:37 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Bham, AL
Programs: Marriott Gold, AmEx Plat, Agnostic on Airline Programs
Posts: 394
Dude, the world doesn't revolve around you. Take your rage elsewhere.
Oct 15, 2022, 4:58 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BUR
Programs: AA, DL Platinum, AS, AF/KL, UA, VS, HA, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 1,788
Agree with most others. While you have had issues and some that are arguably valid, going as far to say you won't use this business any more is a bit over the top. I've had crap experiences with DL before but even so, and after reading your post, I'm still going to be flying DL.
Oct 15, 2022, 5:16 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 1,357
Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
And, the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence, unless it is from the septic tank! (to paraphrase Erma Bombeck)
And, the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence, unless it is from the septic tank! (to paraphrase Erma Bombeck)
Oct 15, 2022, 5:28 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,355
