There aren’t many, and it’s also for literally any job with DL including all of the ones that don’t require travel.

And again, the other airlines don’t require it. It’s clearly not an issue for them.

I've been trying to fly from GEG to SLC for the last two days and am now on my second cancellation with the only rebooking availability two days from now on the 27th. I understand the issues with the weather over the last couple days but todays cancellation certainly seems like a staffing issue similar to what Southwest is going through in Denver today. I tried calling the DM desk and regular reservations desk and both lines had a recorded message stating "Thank you for calling Delta. The department you are calling is currently closed. Please call again during business hours". If DL isn't planning on operating their call centers or flights during the holidays then they probably should save everyone the frustration and not sell flights for those "non business" days

Are you sure you're calling the correct number? Sounds like you're calling a specialist department accidentally.

I have run into this on a few rare occasions. I think their phone system just gets overwhelmed. Usually one or two more attemps and the call will go through.

I was unable to get into PM phone line after 1 hour wait at 11pm. I just simply booked all of us on a direct UA flight TPA-EWR out of my own pocket. Yes, UA seems much more reliable on this route. There are lots of empty seats on my UA flight, compared with the orphan seats I got on DL for TPA-ATL-LGA reroute (I have child and infant so orphan seats are not good). DL used to rebook me on F in the system. Now they put me on the back of plane for rebook. Good luck with today's trip

I’ve been experiencing this message since yesterday night- I get it on the main number, medallion line, and also the Singapore number (which I tried out of desperation). Delta screwed up my travel late last night due I suspect to pilot shortage, and I spent 4 hours waiting for a chat agent who couldn’t help me and said he’d transfer me to a ticketing agent, at which point I received a message that the wait time is 1300 minutes. Really poor form to shut down the call centers when they are also dealing with weather and staffing issues and had to know they’d run into problems.

I did some checking. The message is an incorrect message. It has nothing to with being closed. Rather, the lines are so backed up they can't handle anymore callers. Instead of being told this, the we're closed message plays.

Are 443 Delta flight cancellations, and growing just short of being considered a Christmas meltdown?

I'm sympathetic of your and everyone's travel disruptions, but this serves as a reminder that airlines can't win.

If they cancel two days in advance, the action is met with cries of "How can they possibly know they need to cancel yet? They're not even going to try!?!?!"

If they cancel 3-24 hours in advance, the response is "Why are they deciding so late? I need more time to make alternate plans!"

If they cancel less than 3 hours in advance, the headlines will be "Airline strands dozens/hundreds/thousands in airport meltdowns!"

Unfortunately, it's just not as easy as saying "weather looks bad in Buffalo, send that plane and crew to Atlanta so they can knock out a few Orlando runs."

Friendly message from a moderator
 

Seasons Greetings,
I have recently had to delete several off-topic posts. A reminder that this thread is about CANCELLED FLIGHTS and not about issues related to Covid,e.g.Vaccines.
Obscure2k
Delta Moderator

All I was suggesting was Delta didn't seem to be able to manage as well as other airlines on Christmas Day between two cities that did not have inclement weather other than cold. I would have preferred more notice vs having to scramble at 11pm+ on Christmas Eve. In the end it was fine for me because I was able to reach Delta within an hour and move to United. Others weren't as lucky.

That said I'm now stuck at Newark waiting for a gate.

DL has hubs in different cities. The planes and crews flying your route, don't only fly that route. I know a lot of crews/planes in past came from MSP/DTW/ATL into FL airports and then go onto NYC.

Apples to oranges comparison. ( DL vs UA/AA)

My sea-phx 7am flight was cancelled tomorrow, asked delta to put me on the next standby flight. Is there any way to check in for the standby and get a boarding pass plus see my ranking for a seat?

You're current BP will work if have it. Till you clear, you won't get a BP for the other flight. You may be able to get a standby BP at airport.

pull up reservation in app to see rank. However note the way DL lists mean you won't really know your rank. (They combine standby for flight passengers and confirmed but standing by for seat assignment passengers on one public list)

My teenage kids' initial leg out of Bozeman to visit me for my half of Christmas has been canceled tomorrow.
DL2686 (BZN to SLC, 0600-0729). It was canceled about an hour and change ago. All other DL flights out of BZN appear to be operating normally, as are other airlines' flights around the same time. My guess is not weather, but probably not enough crew.

Delta says there are no alternatives available in the SMS, but I'm on hold (phone and web messenger) to see if there are other alternatives.

This is a good way to stress a single Dad out on Christmas who just wants to be with his kids :) Sigh. Merry Christmas, everyone.