Military Personnel: Upgrades and Other Benefits on Delta Air Lines
Jan 29, 2009, 12:38 pm
#166
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ATL, BHM, DUB, County Wexford
Programs: DL DM, AA ExPlt, Diamond HH, HY, BW, & Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 4,864
Every since 4 months after the deployment of our military to Afghanistan. Our mission group has been sending care kits to the military. We have asked for various donations from different companies to send to them as well. I will tell you the one that stands out the most is Blistex who sent a large quantity to provide to the soldiers. I have also offered to take them into the crc. They did not ask for it, I just felt gracious.
I do however, have to agree with other posters here that for DL to give a seat to someone other than the ones that have earned it is wrong. A. Paid, B. Upgraded by FF status, C. Employee. And in that order is the way it should be done. Now after all of that if there are still seats left and the a/c door is closed, let the FA move them up if they like. I can't say that it is right but that is the only time it should be done. They did volunteer and have not asked for an upgrade.
When I was in the military, I appreciated the discount that I got on the airline ticket and that was all that I expected. No one ever offered me their seat. I would probably have said thank you and declined back then, can't say for sure, but no one ever did it.
This makes me think of restaurant discounts. Some restaurants give a Police Discount (I agree with this, if they are in uniform, it is a little bit of crime prevention), Senior, student, military, fireman, postal worker, child, etc... What I see is that the only ones paying full price are your average 21 to 55 year olds doing an average job.
If I want to pay for someones meal or provide some benefit of mine (as long as it does not put any one else out) then that is up to me, not DL.
What would be fair is doing away with all discounts and charge everyone fairly. No upgrades unless you either paid for it in advance or got upgraded according to your status. If there were still available seats why not upgrade the companions of the ff status person and then if seats are still available and the a/c is about to leave, move a soldier up to first that is being deployed.
While your at it move the mother with the screaming, kicking child to the back.
I do however, have to agree with other posters here that for DL to give a seat to someone other than the ones that have earned it is wrong. A. Paid, B. Upgraded by FF status, C. Employee. And in that order is the way it should be done. Now after all of that if there are still seats left and the a/c door is closed, let the FA move them up if they like. I can't say that it is right but that is the only time it should be done. They did volunteer and have not asked for an upgrade.
When I was in the military, I appreciated the discount that I got on the airline ticket and that was all that I expected. No one ever offered me their seat. I would probably have said thank you and declined back then, can't say for sure, but no one ever did it.
This makes me think of restaurant discounts. Some restaurants give a Police Discount (I agree with this, if they are in uniform, it is a little bit of crime prevention), Senior, student, military, fireman, postal worker, child, etc... What I see is that the only ones paying full price are your average 21 to 55 year olds doing an average job.
If I want to pay for someones meal or provide some benefit of mine (as long as it does not put any one else out) then that is up to me, not DL.
What would be fair is doing away with all discounts and charge everyone fairly. No upgrades unless you either paid for it in advance or got upgraded according to your status. If there were still available seats why not upgrade the companions of the ff status person and then if seats are still available and the a/c is about to leave, move a soldier up to first that is being deployed.
While your at it move the mother with the screaming, kicking child to the back.
Jan 29, 2009, 12:46 pm
#167
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ATL, BHM, DUB, County Wexford
Programs: DL DM, AA ExPlt, Diamond HH, HY, BW, & Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 4,864
People with entitlement attitudes do put you off though and I understand that. We also provide toys for kids at Christmas. It never fails that you have about 25% complain about what you are giving them for their kids and state "I didn't order that". Some demand more and what really burns is when you are down at Wal-Mart later that night and you see them returning those bicycles and other toys that your organization gave them for their children, and getting cash to obviously go buy drugs. Makes it hard to do it and makes you just want to say "everyone for themself". But then there are the ones that really appreciate the help and have fell on hard times through no fault of their own.
Unfortunately you help about 95% that really should be working in order to help that 5% that really need the help.
With that said, there are probably some that are abusing it, but there are some that are not. If the company does it (DL) then they will encourage more bad behaviour. If it is left up to the individuals our there to do what they will. It will not encourage them to wear a uniform in order to get a benefit.
Unfortunately you help about 95% that really should be working in order to help that 5% that really need the help.
With that said, there are probably some that are abusing it, but there are some that are not. If the company does it (DL) then they will encourage more bad behaviour. If it is left up to the individuals our there to do what they will. It will not encourage them to wear a uniform in order to get a benefit.
Jan 29, 2009, 1:29 pm
#168
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Naples, Florida, USA
Programs: DL Diamond, 2MM; Hilton Diamond; IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 791
Any data points specifically on Marines?
Jan 29, 2009, 4:29 pm
#170
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Southwest CT
Programs: DL Diamond and Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 7,618
Jan 30, 2009, 6:39 am
#171
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta GM, US Silver, Hyatt Diamond, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 412
In many years of flying, I'm not sure I can recall ever seeing a Marine in uniform. If I have, they have been very few. I have seen many Army folks, a few Navy and Air Force personnel in uniform. I myself wore my dress greens when on official business, although that's over 20 years ago now. It never occurred to me that the uniform would get me something, but of course it's wrong to extrapolate my experience to an entire population.
I'm not denying it's possible -- just asking what the evidence is, specifically for Marines.
I'm not denying it's possible -- just asking what the evidence is, specifically for Marines.
What a shame, I wouldn't mind seeing a few Marines in uniform around the airport from time to time
Jan 30, 2009, 7:59 am
#174
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gulf Coast/Ventura County/Somewhere in between
Programs: DL GM, Marriott PP, Avis Something or other
Posts: 4,431
Jan 30, 2009, 10:33 am
#175
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
The funny thing is, he wears the Chief uniform and the midshipmans think he is an officer and they stop and salute to him. Petty and Chief wear the commissioned officer uniform, but they aren't commissioned.
Jan 30, 2009, 1:18 pm
#176
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gulf Coast/Ventura County/Somewhere in between
Programs: DL GM, Marriott PP, Avis Something or other
Posts: 4,431
Jan 30, 2009, 2:45 pm
#177
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MSN/HOU
Programs: DL Silver (0.239 MM), DL SkyClub Life, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,107
Go Army, Beat Navy!
Jan 31, 2009, 1:28 pm
#178
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: ATL, GA
Programs: Delta PM/3MM/FC Marriott Platinum
Posts: 131
Feb 17, 2009, 4:05 pm
#179
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: GNV which is not where we would like to be :)
Programs: ABP, Mr. Mom without the kids, Signor Mucci, DL PM, HH & Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 4,526
Did the OP arrive at the gate within the prescribed time frame (15 - 20 min before departure) or late? If the OP arrived late then the seat is up for grabs as I understand DL's rules.
Feb 17, 2009, 5:20 pm
#180
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,231
Perhaps so - then the next person on the upgrade list should have received the seat, and not someone of the GA's personal choosing.