Does the "Above & Beyond" Program Still Exist?
May 21, 2004 | 1:10 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,238
Thank you
Thanks. Hopefully I might be one of voices of reason (and hope).
He who dies with least miles (and most places been) wins.
Originally Posted by DLfan
Dallas49er, in case no one else has done this yet...welcome to FT and the DL forum. Hope you will continue to share your insights here, as I note you've had your butt in a Delta seat for a mile or two. ^
Last edited by Dallas49er; May 21, 2004 at 1:17 pm Reason: editing
May 21, 2004 | 1:28 pm
#32
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Originally Posted by DeltaPurser
My only point in making the "not reason enough to break my back" comment was to point out that the REWARD for receiving a A&B Card IS NOT going to make someone go out of their way to receive one...
I go out of my way for our customers all the time, if they take the time to send something in writing to my boss I get $25. It rarely happens and I am certainly not in it for the cash, but it's certainly still a good program.
May 21, 2004 | 6:45 pm
#33
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: California
Posts: 309
Originally Posted by indufan
Isn't this saying the same thing as not breaking your back?
I go out of my way for our customers all the time, if they take the time to send something in writing to my boss I get $25. It rarely happens and I am certainly not in it for the cash, but it's certainly still a good program.
I go out of my way for our customers all the time, if they take the time to send something in writing to my boss I get $25. It rarely happens and I am certainly not in it for the cash, but it's certainly still a good program.
My only point in making the comment was that the S2B pass in and of itself is not enough of a motivator to make someone who is not "service minded" start going out of his/her way.
Like your $25 "reward"... It sounds like you'd keep doing your job the way you do it, with or without the money. What about the guy in the cubicle next to you? If he's not "service minded" like you, do you think the $25 is going to make him "try harder"? Probably not...
May 21, 2004 | 6:56 pm
#34
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Originally Posted by DeltaPurser
My only point in making the comment was that the S2B pass in and of itself is not enough of a motivator to make someone who is not "service minded" start going out of his/her way.
...
...
May 21, 2004 | 6:57 pm
#35
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: California
Posts: 309
Originally Posted by Dallas49er
As an aside- I sat next to a senior Delta FA last week, and in conversation, she mentioned that that good old fashioned letter still works-the recipient gets great recognition and a one time top priority pass for standyby (vs other NRSA's, not us) for them and thier companion. Evidently these passes are like gold dust, especially to those who are more junior, more motivated, and less jaded by their seniors.
There are five different boarding priorities for Non-Revs...
S4 - the lowest - "Friends & Family Certificates", or Buddy Passes as they are called. These are the tickets employees can give out to their friends.
S3 - next step up - Every employee has an unlimited supply of these. Can be used to fly anywhere as many times as you wish. No limit!
S2B - next step up from S3 - this is the "reward" for an Above & Beyond card. They expire within a year and can not be used on international flights.
S2 - second higest level - Each employee gets a limited supply of these each year.
S1 - top of the line - These are extremely rare. They come by once in a blue moon, and when they do, they are usually given out system wide or by department.
So, that poor junior flight attendant that got a nice letter is probably still sitting at the airport waiting to get on that flight... Because the grumpy ol' pilot or the nasty senior flight attendant just "upped" the nice girl by using an S2 to get ahead of her anyway.
May 21, 2004 | 9:50 pm
#36
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Originally Posted by Dallas49er
It truly was thing of beauty to see the smile of recognition that showed up on a Delta employee's face when you handed them one of these cards AFTER they went above and beyond. "Positive reinforcement reinforces positively"-Pavlov*
As an aside- I sat next to a senior Delta FA last week, and in conversation, she mentioned that that good old fashioned letter still works-the recipient gets great recognition and a one time top priority pass for standyby (vs other NRSA's, not us) for them and thier companion. Evidently these passes are like gold dust, especially to those who are more junior, more motivated, and less jaded by their seniors. To quote Rod Serling "Imagine if you will...." the last truly unmotivated, least caring (very old, senior) flight attendant you flew with being bumped, yes bumped, by the flight attendant about whom you wrote a great letter. And now this crusty, senior, non-caring, unmotivated, burned out person (or captain) has to wait for the next flight, while your heroine (or hero) leaves them standing at the gate.
Here's to positive re-inforcement.
As an aside- I sat next to a senior Delta FA last week, and in conversation, she mentioned that that good old fashioned letter still works-the recipient gets great recognition and a one time top priority pass for standyby (vs other NRSA's, not us) for them and thier companion. Evidently these passes are like gold dust, especially to those who are more junior, more motivated, and less jaded by their seniors. To quote Rod Serling "Imagine if you will...." the last truly unmotivated, least caring (very old, senior) flight attendant you flew with being bumped, yes bumped, by the flight attendant about whom you wrote a great letter. And now this crusty, senior, non-caring, unmotivated, burned out person (or captain) has to wait for the next flight, while your heroine (or hero) leaves them standing at the gate.
Here's to positive re-inforcement.
May 22, 2004 | 5:30 am
#37
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,238
I stand here humble and more fully informed. Thank you. However, at the end of a long week, I like what happens to that junior FA in my scenario.
Originally Posted by DeltaPurser
Oh, if it were only so!
There are five different boarding priorities for Non-Revs...
S4 - the lowest - "Friends & Family Certificates", or Buddy Passes as they are called. These are the tickets employees can give out to their friends.
S3 - next step up - Every employee has an unlimited supply of these. Can be used to fly anywhere as many times as you wish. No limit!
S2B - next step up from S3 - this is the "reward" for an Above & Beyond card. They expire within a year and can not be used on international flights.
S2 - second higest level - Each employee gets a limited supply of these each year.
S1 - top of the line - These are extremely rare. They come by once in a blue moon, and when they do, they are usually given out system wide or by department.
So, that poor junior flight attendant that got a nice letter is probably still sitting at the airport waiting to get on that flight... Because the grumpy ol' pilot or the nasty senior flight attendant just "upped" the nice girl by using an S2 to get ahead of her anyway.
There are five different boarding priorities for Non-Revs...
S4 - the lowest - "Friends & Family Certificates", or Buddy Passes as they are called. These are the tickets employees can give out to their friends.
S3 - next step up - Every employee has an unlimited supply of these. Can be used to fly anywhere as many times as you wish. No limit!
S2B - next step up from S3 - this is the "reward" for an Above & Beyond card. They expire within a year and can not be used on international flights.
S2 - second higest level - Each employee gets a limited supply of these each year.
S1 - top of the line - These are extremely rare. They come by once in a blue moon, and when they do, they are usually given out system wide or by department.
So, that poor junior flight attendant that got a nice letter is probably still sitting at the airport waiting to get on that flight... Because the grumpy ol' pilot or the nasty senior flight attendant just "upped" the nice girl by using an S2 to get ahead of her anyway.
May 22, 2004 | 10:18 am
#38
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: The Villages, FL, USA
Posts: 649
Originally Posted by Dallas49er
I stand here humble and more fully informed. Thank you. However, at the end of a long week, I like what happens to that junior FA in my scenario.
Dallas49er, why are you equating good service with junior FAs? And poor service with senior FAs?
On one of my last flights, a passenger sought me out in the terminal after the flight, and much to my delight said "you are a throwback to the days when all FAs were nice!" (which, of course, made my day!)
I have also been occasionally horrified by, shall we say, more slipshod methods of service used by the junior FAs of which you are so fond.
And, as DeltaPurser pointed out, that junior FA won't be ahead of me in the non-rev line anyway!
(Welcome to FlyerTalk)
May 24, 2004 | 6:41 am
#39
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,238
No offense intended
No offense intended. I'll still continue to send cards & letters for "Above and Beyond" behavior. And I'll still fly Delta.
Reviewing the last couple of years of letters and the cards out of Sky Magazine that I have sent, the vast majority of the positive have been to less senior people, both flight & ground who went out of thier way. The 4 negative letters (in 7 years) involved very senior people who just didn't care. I realize that this is a broad, gross, sweeping generalization. And as an 18 year old trapped in a 53 year old body, I would love to be proved wrong, over and over.
By the way, I have great respect for anyone who can do something well that I can't. I could never do your job for even a single 3-day trip, much less a career. Have a good next trip. And I look forward to flying with you in the future.
[QUOTE=FoPAA]Well, I don't especially.
Dallas49er, why are you equating good service with junior FAs? And poor service with senior FAs?
On one of my last flights, a passenger sought me out in the terminal after the flight, and much to my delight said "you are a throwback to the days when all FAs were nice!" (which, of course, made my day!)
I have also been occasionally horrified by, shall we say, more slipshod methods of service used by the junior FAs of which you are so fond.
And, as DeltaPurser pointed out, that junior FA won't be ahead of me in the non-rev line anyway!
(Welcome to FlyerTalk
Reviewing the last couple of years of letters and the cards out of Sky Magazine that I have sent, the vast majority of the positive have been to less senior people, both flight & ground who went out of thier way. The 4 negative letters (in 7 years) involved very senior people who just didn't care. I realize that this is a broad, gross, sweeping generalization. And as an 18 year old trapped in a 53 year old body, I would love to be proved wrong, over and over.
By the way, I have great respect for anyone who can do something well that I can't. I could never do your job for even a single 3-day trip, much less a career. Have a good next trip. And I look forward to flying with you in the future.
[QUOTE=FoPAA]Well, I don't especially.
Dallas49er, why are you equating good service with junior FAs? And poor service with senior FAs?
On one of my last flights, a passenger sought me out in the terminal after the flight, and much to my delight said "you are a throwback to the days when all FAs were nice!" (which, of course, made my day!)
I have also been occasionally horrified by, shall we say, more slipshod methods of service used by the junior FAs of which you are so fond.
And, as DeltaPurser pointed out, that junior FA won't be ahead of me in the non-rev line anyway!
(Welcome to FlyerTalk
Last edited by Dallas49er; May 24, 2004 at 11:20 am Reason: speeling