Delta to 'pilot' elimination of Sky Club customer service desks
#46
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
There are a bunch of SCs where you enter into a small vestibule downstairs and there's an elevator and stairs leading up to the main level: SFO, SEA, one in ATL (I don't mean Centerpoint where the escalator and elevators are outside of the lounge). I don't think the reception desks to validate admission credentials were ever downstairs in these places. The big new SC at MSP G is similar, but the entry area seems bigger even though the entry desks are upstairs (with a lot of wasted space).
BTW, a big problem I have with the idea of roaming customer service agents is that there's no verifiable way to follow a "first come, first serve" policy. You can never see where you are in any line, even if they would somehow take service requests electronically and have a roaming agent somehow come to find you. You also don't see when there's a long and very slow line so that you can make an informed decision regarding whether to go to the gate or a customer service station outside of the SC.
BTW, a big problem I have with the idea of roaming customer service agents is that there's no verifiable way to follow a "first come, first serve" policy. You can never see where you are in any line, even if they would somehow take service requests electronically and have a roaming agent somehow come to find you. You also don't see when there's a long and very slow line so that you can make an informed decision regarding whether to go to the gate or a customer service station outside of the SC.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Mar 26, 2024 at 9:38 am Reason: Added second paragraph.
#47
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
No more help desks at LAX skyClub
20 employees hanging around who redirected me to either the gate (they had the wrong one on their iPhone/ipad) or the desk in the terminal
I guess DL will start drastically reduce the lounge personnel given they’re just standing there unable to help. They even seemed surprised I asked as if there was never a desk
Lined up in the service desks and the poor sole overwhelmed employee was capable of getting me only the most basic info and redirected me to the Diamond desk for rebooking etc
Amazing enhancement
20 employees hanging around who redirected me to either the gate (they had the wrong one on their iPhone/ipad) or the desk in the terminal
I guess DL will start drastically reduce the lounge personnel given they’re just standing there unable to help. They even seemed surprised I asked as if there was never a desk
Lined up in the service desks and the poor sole overwhelmed employee was capable of getting me only the most basic info and redirected me to the Diamond desk for rebooking etc
Amazing enhancement
David
#48
Join Date: May 2002
Location: STL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, DL SkClub LT, Marr LT Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 2,005
I doubt it's even worth an email these days but if anyone wants to share their thoughts, here's the clown in charge:
Claude Roussel Vice president Sky Club and lounge experience at Delta Air Lines
[email protected]
Claude Roussel Vice president Sky Club and lounge experience at Delta Air Lines
[email protected]
#49
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: IND
Programs: Delta SkyMiles (DM), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium, LTP)
Posts: 535
There are a bunch of SCs where you enter into a small vestibule downstairs and there's an elevator and stairs leading up to the main level: SFO, SEA, one in ATL (I don't mean Centerpoint where the escalator and elevators are outside of the lounge). I don't think the reception desks to validate admission credentials were ever downstairs in these places. The big new SC at MSP G is similar, but the entry area seems bigger even though the entry desks are upstairs (with a lot of wasted space).
BTW, a big problem I have with the idea of roaming customer service agents is that there's no verifiable way to follow a "first come, first serve" policy. You can never see where you are in any line, even if they would somehow take service requests electronically and have a roaming agent somehow come to find you. You also don't see when there's a long and very slow line so that you can make an informed decision regarding whether to go to the gate or a customer service station outside of the SC.
BTW, a big problem I have with the idea of roaming customer service agents is that there's no verifiable way to follow a "first come, first serve" policy. You can never see where you are in any line, even if they would somehow take service requests electronically and have a roaming agent somehow come to find you. You also don't see when there's a long and very slow line so that you can make an informed decision regarding whether to go to the gate or a customer service station outside of the SC.
#50
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 241
I was just getting ready to post the same after visiting the LGA club today. No one really roaming around and signs just say use the app or chat or call. So much for Skyclub service. To be honest I wish things would go back to the old model. The food is nothing really special anymore.. To be honest I think they've cut back on quality at the LGA sky club since it first opened. Probably the idea was to start things off truly premium then drop it down once the buzz had settled down.
#54
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,373
This is sooooooo not about space. This is about eliminating people and cost.
#55
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: Non-Affiliated
Posts: 7,430
Maybe this is Delta's latest attempt to reduce crowding. Keep stripping away services, and then eventually people will stop coming. They can speed it up by going back to cheese cubes and hummus as the only food options, if they wanted.
Anyone remember NWA's shelf-stable cheese debacle? If I looked hard enough, I probably have one laying around here somewhere.
Anyone remember NWA's shelf-stable cheese debacle? If I looked hard enough, I probably have one laying around here somewhere.
#56
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Maybe this is Delta's latest attempt to reduce crowding. Keep stripping away services, and then eventually people will stop coming. They can speed it up by going back to cheese cubes and hummus as the only food options, if they wanted.
Anyone remember NWA's shelf-stable cheese debacle? If I looked hard enough, I probably have one laying around here somewhere.
Anyone remember NWA's shelf-stable cheese debacle? If I looked hard enough, I probably have one laying around here somewhere.
#57
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: Non-Affiliated
Posts: 7,430
I miss those crackers! And you are right, when combined the two worked well. But what I miss most is the Spinzels served on the planes.
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,202
Hey, nothing wrong with the bowl of healthy veggies that used to be in the fridge next to the fake cheese... until I saw somebody stick their bare hand right in, dig around, and grab a fistful of carrots.
#59
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SoCal (ONT), PVD/BOS, JAX, RSW
Programs: AA/US PlatPro & 1.05MM, DL Plat (challenge), UA dirt
Posts: 3,189
TBF, as a AAdmirals Club member, I've been told that "it's quicker to call the elite line" or "go to the gate" as AA has stripped away a lot of what the CS agents can do in the lounge. And this wasn't just in LAX or SNA, but in DFW, ORD and DCA. And half of the time, I'll know about IRROPS quicker than the agents on the ground, so I'll be on the phone, and stand in line, so that my bets are hedged.
#60
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Programs: DL Platinum, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 139
The desks are gone at LGA and replaced with 16 seats. There’s a sign telling people to use the app and a QR code that directs people to Delta chat, which is proof that the idiots who made this decision are absolutely clueless about the value of Skyclub help desks.
Two people asked a Skyclub worker what happened to the help desks while I was there. She told them both to write in and complain. I suggest we all do the same.
Two people asked a Skyclub worker what happened to the help desks while I was there. She told them both to write in and complain. I suggest we all do the same.