BNAChairman

I wondered the same thing, and I would also add K-12 teachers to the list, but at the end of the day the amount of $ that the feds pay Delta for transport plays a significant role in how they treat uniformed soldiers.

berlinflyer

You are exactly right, you would give up your seat. It is your personal decision, one that I respect. But it shouldn't be a FA that gives away your seat before even asking you.

DeltaFirst

The pay isn't bad and don't forget no taxes when you're in Iraq, Pakistan, Afganistan and quite a few others.

dagowolf

Because terms and conditions are subject to modification at any time without prior notice to the member and at the discretion of the airline providing transportation.

Seriously, a FA/GA gave a first class seat to a member of our fighting forces. Have you considered that maybe that DL employee might have lost a friend or family member and this was their way of remembering that spirit? Perhaps that uniformed soldier was a National Guard soldier who is also a DL employee. In the end the flight took off and landed. People got off the plane and went about their day. In the grand scheme of things... WHO CARES?!

One soldier got to fly first class for her/his flight and some GM/PM/DM had to enjoy coach with the others. Don't like it? Next time buy a first class ticket and your problem is solved.

javabytes

Relevance to the SkyMiles program?

rwoman

Wow, that seems a bit conceited...and I am a DM....if available, I do expect that DL will upgrade me. However, I'm probably not going to have a flamin' DYKWIA moment or "this is the policy" moment if they put a service person in "my" seat instead and I'm relegated to Y.

In the end, regardless of folks' politics or DL's policies on upgrades, the soldier sat up front for that 3 1/2 or so hours to ATL. They were presumably grateful and appreciated having their service recognized.

ADLFO

I am a strong supporter of our military. I have nothing but good things to say about our individual soldiers. I think it is honorable to give up your seat for a member of the armed forces. I have done so in the past as many of you have. However, I want it to be MY decision. I earned the upgrade according to DL's rules so let me offer them MY upgrade. Having DL personnel do this FOR me is tantamount to the government taking part of my tax refund that I am entitled to and giving it to a charity that I may have given to had they not taken the money. Right outcome in this case, wrong process.

andymo99

For all those in support of the decision, would you be ok with amending the published upgrade priority list so that it goes something like this:

• (US?) Military (in uniform?)
• DM Y fare AX reserve
• Etc...

Or do you only support the upgrades in one-off circumstances where DL frontline employees are invited to use their judgment?

It is a serious question, not sarcastic.

berlinflyer

Exactly, well said ^

dagowolf

As I said in that post as well...

Seriously. The GA/FA made a decision. It was one that you and BerlinFlyer don't like. Fine. Move on to the rest of your day. It wasn't fatal.

USAF_Pride

You missed the simple fact that the FA does not have access to the upgrade list, ergo they wouldn't know who the next person would be to get the upgrade. What if the FA said "the first medallion to ring their call button can come to FC"? This place would be screaming mad about that.

As the FA does not have the list, she/he/pilot can move anyone to any seat they want. Had the GA done it, then you might have a little bit to argue about, but you clearly stated the FA did it. If it really bothers you that bad, don't fly DL anymore. Find another carrier that doesn't do this.

AJDelvarno

Haven’t we previously beaten this horse a number of times in previous threads?

Why not cops? Why not members of our allies’ military? Why not Boy Scouts? Members of the Salvation Army?

These threads always turn into an “I’m more patriotic than you are and love my country/military more” argument. They don't resolve anything...

Haven’t we about covered it all here for now?

javabytes

Don't get me wrong, I have and will continue to give up my seat at times I feel like doing so. Same for Have One On Us coupons. But there should be a reasonable expectation that policy is followed. (I realize it is already a gray area due to everyone having been boarded.) In general, the idea that Delta should tell a long list of customers that they promised a chance at an upgrade in return for their continued business that instead, it's going to someone else not on the list at the GA or FA's whim... that's not defensible. Doesn't matter if it's a service member or the GA's roommate's-husband's-nephew's-daughter. If a person so chooses to honor a service member by offering them the seat, then ^ to them. DL must not force this decision.

javabytes

The GA told the FA that seat 21A was next in line, and to choose him/her or the service member.

DiverDave

I guess you missed this part:

David