The plane did arrive in BOS at 1230AM, about 5 hours late. I actually got more of the story. The defective part was an engine oil cap... they tried to borrow parts from both CO and AS, and actually left the gate and taxied out before being called back to the gate as there were issues, at least on paper, as to whether the borrowed part was legal or not. Many attempts made to get through to GE for an OK on the substituted part, but they could not get approval.

When the plane left LAX 5 hours after scheduled departure, the FAs were still the same BOS-based crew from the beginning. A long day for them.

We will see if s couple of travel vouchers can be had from this. I certainly did not relish having to drive home until 2AM... thankfully, a large Dunkin Donuts coffee kept me alert.

4.5 hour mechanical delay-compensation?
 

Yesterday we were on DL 931 from SLC to LAX. The takeoff was aborted because there was not enough engine power to achieve lift off. The plane pulled off to the side of the runway, a mechanic came on the plane and tried to fix it, but no joy.

The passengers were off-loaded and they got another plane that left 4.5 hours after the scheduled departure. The gate agent gave all the passengers a $7 meal voucher.

I called the rebooking line when the agents were still trying to figure out what to do. I asked about compensation and the lady said she could give me $100 over the phone, but that I would get more from the desk agent in Salt Lake. I hung up and went to the agent, but she said no compensation.

Is anyone able to shed some light on this?

Thanks!

$100.00 for a 4.5hr delay....Take it and run....It's my opinion that you will not get any more than that, other agents may even offer you less.

Kind of ironic that you get next to nothing for a long mechanical delay; but, you can receive $200 for DBC arriving at your final destination minutes later than scheduled.

I think a miles for mechanical delay option would be a fair compensation approach and a good way to tout the SkyMiles program to people who may be unaware. If we figure an hour of flight is about 500 miles, how about 500 miles and MQMs for every hour of mechanical delay? :) (Of course the elite and class of service bonus would apply to this figure :cool:)

grab the $100 each AND also ask nice-nice for a ONE-DAY CRC pass
to "refresh" yourselves; GA might grant it :)

Perhaps you would have preferred to fly on faulty equipment? :rolleyes:

I don't get this culture of compensation entitlement.

Actually, a 4 hours delay on a bump (VDB) is $400 not $200.
SR

I think the pilot should have tried harder to get the plane in the air.:)

Looks like you were on a Mechanical Daily-90. My uncle was on a SEA-SLC MD-90 fight a few weeks ago that had a 7 hour mechanical, and no compensation was offered apart from meal vouchers. Personally, I would have taken the $100 the phone agent offered.

Actually any compensation offered is really a gesture of goodwill, except of course in the case of DBC's and exit EU compensation.

I'm with vasantn on this one. Sometimes, stuff just happens.

True; but, if your car broke down and you showed up at the airport 4.5 hours late, I am not sure how accommodating Delta would be. I guess there is the "flat tire rule."

Guess the guys in coach weren't peddling fast enough ....

Me too! I guess we just are in the times of everyone expects freebies. I don't consider 4.5 hours for a mechanical delay compensible, but would expect for my connections to be taken care of and if I missed the last connection to where ever I was going I would expect a room.

Then you must not get the culture of change fees and rebooking at higher fares either.