FA's Hate New DL Preflight Safety Talk
Apr 13, 2009, 8:44 am
#46
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
Flying today I heard another set of FA's lamenting how difficult and challenging the new pre-flight safety talk is. I've heard this from 3-4 crews by now, and it's not just "we memorized the old and don't know the new", but they all have complained about how difficult it is to say.
One FA went so far as to say the script was written by "Jane Fonda on something high..."
So then on my last flight I paid attention to the script, and listened as the FA had difficulty saying it. I agree, the words don't seem to run well together.
I asked the FA about it, she said it was so hard and "terrible." She also commented, "you should see how much I skipped."
Sure Deltalina can say this in a video, but anyone else noticing this?
One FA went so far as to say the script was written by "Jane Fonda on something high..."
So then on my last flight I paid attention to the script, and listened as the FA had difficulty saying it. I agree, the words don't seem to run well together.
I asked the FA about it, she said it was so hard and "terrible." She also commented, "you should see how much I skipped."
Sure Deltalina can say this in a video, but anyone else noticing this?
I've flown on enough DL flights I have it practically memorized - it's really not that difficult. Show a little encouragement about your job is all! (not you, but the FAs)
Apr 13, 2009, 8:45 am
#47
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
Apr 13, 2009, 8:47 am
#48
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
I don't know what airline you guys flew, but the DL frontline staff are far superior to the disgruntled NW frontline staff I've encountered.
Apr 13, 2009, 8:53 am
#49
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
I've had plenty of "unencouraged" Delta flight attendants, and they're not unionized. So, there goes that theory.
Apr 13, 2009, 8:56 am
#50
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
Apr 13, 2009, 8:58 am
#51
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
Their comments are just so typical union workers. In my line of work I get to encounter a whole variety of union workers and their complaints. They are petty at best and they mostly complain when they might actually have to do WORK.
Apr 13, 2009, 9:00 am
#52
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Southwest CT
Programs: DL Diamond and Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 7,618
Interestingly enough, on a recent DL flight, while sitting in FC next to a DL FA who was headed home, I commented that I loved the new DL safety video with Deltalina and the other FAs. He commented that most DL FAs hated the video, but not because of the wording, but because of Deltalina herself! He said that they resented the fact that she had her lips blown up for the video, as well as having had other work done on her for the video. 
I thought it was rather interesting that he shared that with me, but then again we were all headed to NY so as a fellow NYer, I had no problem with his candor! 
I thought it was rather interesting that he shared that with me, but then again we were all headed to NY so as a fellow NYer, I had no problem with his candor!
Apr 13, 2009, 9:11 am
#53
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Way to paint with a broad brush. I think you're just digging your credibility hole deeper an' deeper...
Apr 13, 2009, 9:59 am
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,426
Not sure if you've been on a NW flight lately, but these kind of discussions are going on everywhere. If it's not FA's, pilots, gate staff, WC staff, it's pax. In the flights I've been on lately I hear it everywhere. No one seems happy about any of the changes DL has brought to us, and DL has done nothing to make us optimistic about their way. It has been especially loud since our gates, clubs, and planes have started to be re-branded.
I'm trying to be positive about the new Delta. The inflight, especially IFE & Power are improvements over NW. Gate agents are a little better too.
However the FF program is why most of us are here on FlyerTalk. And clearly the program, for WorldPerks members, is inferior and significant cuts have been made.
But my biggest problem is the attitude. Maybe it's a Midwest thing, but Beth, Bob and most of the team always played fair: they listened, they were truthful & generous with promotions, corrected mistakes when brought to their attention and always reminded us that our loyalty was appreciated.
Delta/SkyMiles seem to be a 180 of that. Mr. Robertson's arrogance is palpable. Loyalty to him seems fleeting. A different DL exec I had an exchange with seemed to almost imply "aren't you glad we rescued you from NW? we have better inflight!" (He was mum when I mentioned inferior website and loyalty program.)
Inflight is nice, so are the uniforms and so is updated signage everywhere, but they don't make up for loyalty. It's too early to pass judgement, but I have a strong feeling Delta won't be so quick or easy, if ever, to right wrongs and fix problems.
However the FF program is why most of us are here on FlyerTalk. And clearly the program, for WorldPerks members, is inferior and significant cuts have been made.
But my biggest problem is the attitude. Maybe it's a Midwest thing, but Beth, Bob and most of the team always played fair: they listened, they were truthful & generous with promotions, corrected mistakes when brought to their attention and always reminded us that our loyalty was appreciated.
Delta/SkyMiles seem to be a 180 of that. Mr. Robertson's arrogance is palpable. Loyalty to him seems fleeting. A different DL exec I had an exchange with seemed to almost imply "aren't you glad we rescued you from NW? we have better inflight!" (He was mum when I mentioned inferior website and loyalty program.)
Inflight is nice, so are the uniforms and so is updated signage everywhere, but they don't make up for loyalty. It's too early to pass judgement, but I have a strong feeling Delta won't be so quick or easy, if ever, to right wrongs and fix problems.
Yes, the original topic. My original post was to talk about many FA's think it's not well written and difficult to read. To be honest, I tried to follow along and repeat what they said and I'd have to agree, it's not the most smoothly written.
Apr 13, 2009, 11:38 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag DYKWIA: SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night: Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,509
Apr 13, 2009, 12:01 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,895
Exits on the MD-88 are 3 doors, two forward and one rear, four window exits over the wings and an additional exist at the back of the aircraft. It's a script. It's in English. See if they were complaining about something like work schedules or pay, I might have some sympathy but it's a series of words for crying out loud.
Last edited by indufan; Apr 13, 2009 at 2:52 pm Reason: typo
Apr 13, 2009, 12:43 pm
#57
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NC, USA
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AA Exec Plat, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,014
Interestingly enough, on a recent DL flight, while sitting in FC next to a DL FA who was headed home, I commented that I loved the new DL safety video with Deltalina and the other FAs. He commented that most DL FAs hated the video, but not because of the wording, but because of Deltalina herself! He said that they resented the fact that she had her lips blown up for the video, as well as having had other work done on her for the video. I thought it was rather interesting that he shared that with me, but then again we were all headed to NY so as a fellow NYer, I had no problem with his candor!
I thought it was rather interesting that he shared that with me, but then again we were all headed to NY so as a fellow NYer, I had no problem with his candor!
Apr 13, 2009, 12:55 pm
#58
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
I see that you caught yourself there.
I see no evidence that NW was any more susceptible to going under pre-merger than DL was pre-merger. They both needed each other. This was not an HP/US merger or AA/TWA merger. One party -- regardless of your beliefs about unions or IFE -- was not treading water and needing the other to "save it".
I see no evidence that NW was any more susceptible to going under pre-merger than DL was pre-merger. They both needed each other. This was not an HP/US merger or AA/TWA merger. One party -- regardless of your beliefs about unions or IFE -- was not treading water and needing the other to "save it".
Apr 13, 2009, 1:00 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
Programs: DL PM & 2MM™, Lifetime HHonors Diamond
Posts: 20,895
I see that you caught yourself there.
I see no evidence that NW was any more susceptible to going under pre-merger than DL was pre-merger. They both needed each other. This was not an HP/US merger or AA/TWA merger. One party -- regardless of your beliefs about unions or IFE -- was not treading water and needing the other to "save it".
I see no evidence that NW was any more susceptible to going under pre-merger than DL was pre-merger. They both needed each other. This was not an HP/US merger or AA/TWA merger. One party -- regardless of your beliefs about unions or IFE -- was not treading water and needing the other to "save it".
Apr 13, 2009, 1:31 pm
#60
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Inland Empire!
Programs: NW Plat (formerly), UA 1K, Hilton Silver, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,917
Also:
Automatic reticketing of upgraded reservations, with instant confirmation of your upgrade and seat selections
Ability to OLCI for upgraded domestic flights
Automatic reticketing of upgraded reservations, with instant confirmation of your upgrade and seat selections
Ability to OLCI for upgraded domestic flights