Delta's $98 response: detained by the DHS/FBI on a DL MR
#16
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,960
Cojones? More like a complete lack of cojones and a spine. There was nothing suspicious about the OP's actions and the Delta agent who sicced the feds on him should be terminated with prejudice.
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: NW Plat, UA 2P, DL FO, HH Silver, Starwood Gold
Posts: 866
The agent did what they felt was right at the time. Had the flight gone down in flames as a result of some sort of malicious activity, and the OP was determined to have caused it...I have no doubt you'd be the first person in line to sue Delta and seek firing of the agent for not noticing something suspicious.
In other words, in your view, there is no right DL can do here...on either side of the coin.
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,094
The wild imagination of someone at DL had someone fantasizing about the "big catch" -- call it so-called "suspicious activity" -- where there was no criminal behavior. Applauding poor judgment -- a bad call -- is not my cup of tea.
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,094
Speaking of wild imagination .... that will continue to bore us with a continuous diatribe that imagines all sorts of excuses for people who dream they have the "big catch" where and when there is no "big catch" to be had:
Well, at least there's agreement that it was DL , per the first sentence above as well.
Delta should pay more than $98; and DL employees with a wild imagination should dream on their off hours, not while at work.
The agent did what they felt was right at the time. Had the flight gone down in flames as a result of some sort of malicious activity, and the OP was determined to have caused it...I have no doubt you'd be the first person in line to sue Delta and seek firing of the agent for not noticing something suspicious.
Delta should pay more than $98; and DL employees with a wild imagination should dream on their off hours, not while at work.
Last edited by GUWonder; Aug 16, 2007 at 6:17 pm
#20
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,960
The agent did what they felt was right at the time. Had the flight gone down in flames as a result of some sort of malicious activity, and the OP was determined to have caused it...I have no doubt you'd be the first person in line to sue Delta and seek firing of the agent for not noticing something suspicious.
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still PAL Premier Elite & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 25,419
Maybe, maybe not. However, having fingered him, DL has an obligation to transport him to his destination after he is cleared to fly. DL refused to do that, even to the extent of pocketing his fare and forcing him to buy a one-way ticket home.
Delta could have transported him to his destination. They refused to do that.
Delta also could have refunded his fare and returned him home at no expense. They also refused to do that.
His entire fare for the itinerary in question remains in Delta's coffers.
They did eventually refund the additional $98 he spent to get home. When you think about it, that's a pretty good deal for Delta -- abscond with several hundred dollars and only give back $98.
Delta also could have refunded his fare and returned him home at no expense. They also refused to do that.
His entire fare for the itinerary in question remains in Delta's coffers.
They did eventually refund the additional $98 he spent to get home. When you think about it, that's a pretty good deal for Delta -- abscond with several hundred dollars and only give back $98.
#22
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Orange Park, FL, United States
Programs: Delta Skymiles PM
Posts: 504
Delta at fault
If Delta notified the feds as he was boarding then you can be sure he will miss the flight. So it was there fault. After all he only asked for the miles he should have gotten for the itinerary and to get home. Gosh, he bought a legal ticket, violated no rules. He should be allowed to continue his travels with no impact to him financially.
#23
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,247
- You're assuming that "Delta ... sicced the feds on him". That has not been substantiated.
- You're asserting that an airline has no legal obligation to report certain classes of passengers or certain passenger behaviors to the government. While I am definitely not a lawyer, I'm pretty sure that's wrong. For example, I'm almost 100% positive that airlines are required to report certain name matches to authorities if people traveling with those names attempt to travel.
- In saying "Delta did it out of spite", you're asserting that Delta had a deliberate, malicious intent for their actions. What do you base that assertion on?
#24
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,247
You might want to look at his argument and see if there are facts (or what have been presented as "facts") that might be in dispute or are conflicted, and point those out.
Keep in mind that, based on what I've seen, I really don't think Delta did anything "wrong". Now, the US Government on the other hand, was very wrong, and definitely owes the guy significant damages from a moral perspective. Also, I wonder if there's a case for "False Arrest" or "Imprisonment" here? Not to mention, unfair restraint of commerce.
If I were the OP, instead of going after Delta, I'd hire some real lawyers, and maybe even get the ACLU involved, and publicize how the government is really trampling peoples rights.
#25
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,247
Maybe, maybe not. However, having fingered him, DL has an obligation to transport him to his destination after he is cleared to fly. DL refused to do that, even to the extent of pocketing his fare and forcing him to buy a one-way ticket home.
Delta could have transported him to his destination. They refused to do that.
Delta also could have refunded his fare and returned him home at no expense. They also refused to do that.
His entire fare for the itinerary in question remains in Delta's coffers.
They did eventually refund the additional $98 he spent to get home. When you think about it, that's a pretty good deal for Delta -- abscond with several hundred dollars and only give back $98.
Delta could have transported him to his destination. They refused to do that.
Delta also could have refunded his fare and returned him home at no expense. They also refused to do that.
His entire fare for the itinerary in question remains in Delta's coffers.
They did eventually refund the additional $98 he spent to get home. When you think about it, that's a pretty good deal for Delta -- abscond with several hundred dollars and only give back $98.
Wake up and take a look around - we're back in they heydays of the USSR, circa 1965, where neighbors are legally obligated to report "subversive" behavior of their friends and neighbors, and children are expected to report their parents "anti-social" activities.
#26
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 361
There is something missing in this story the OP is telling.
First of all, the "Feds" would have been more likely the
DHS TSA supervison and the U.S. Marshal Service.
FBI would NOT have been involved in this unless there was
sufficient reason(s) OTHER THAN the highly UNUSUAL
and VERY ODD MCO-JFA-FRA-JFK-BWI-BOS
(Orlando FL - New York - Frankfort Germany - New York -
Baltimore - Boston) routing.
DL as well as ALL airlines WILL VOID TICKETS and CANCEL
RESERVATIONS if you attempt to take segments out of sequence.
Also they WILL VOID mileage and tickets bought & sold via eBay....
EITHER of these scenarios added with the OP possibly creating a "fuss"
(as in being very abusive in behavior to the GA -- could POSSIBLY be WHY "Feds" were summoned....
At any rate, very very "fishy" story .....
#27
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Los Angeles, CA - Nearly 4 Million Actual Miles Flown
Posts: 5,522
Ah, the joys of Flyertalk.
#28
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,447
I don't think he ever asserted that airlines have NO legal obligation to report certain classes of passengers. He said there wasn't an obligation IN THIS CASE.
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,169
Speaking of wild imagination .... that will continue to bore us with a continuous diatribe that imagines all sorts of excuses for people who dream they have the "big catch" where and when there is no "big catch" to be had:
Well, at least there's agreement that it was DL , per the first sentence above as well.
Delta should pay more than $98; and DL employees with a wild imagination should dream on their off hours, not while at work.
Well, at least there's agreement that it was DL , per the first sentence above as well.
Delta should pay more than $98; and DL employees with a wild imagination should dream on their off hours, not while at work.
Its funny how people think that an "unusual" itinerary is a sign of a problem. Do they really think that if someone was planning any kind of criminal activity they would necessarily fly all over the place like that? Is there any thought process at all that leads a sentient being to the conclusion that many segments= possible terrorist? Its amazing how people can just say and do things without trying to think if they really make any sense at all
#30
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,960