15 Oct DCA-ATL DL 1611
About as uneventful as it could be. We both upgraded the day before, but weren't seated together, which is OK once in a while, because Sally always looks nasty at me when I order my vodka.

17 Oct ATL-DCA DL 1418
Another story entirely. Only one of us could upgrade. Sally made me take it. Scheduled departure was 1625, and we boarded pretty much on time. At about 1645, an FA came on to tell us we had a maintenance problem and would have a few more minutes on the ground. About 15 minutes later, someone from the cockpit (said it was the captain, but who knows) came on to say they'd found a "small fuel leak". We could wait until it was fixed (about two hours) or they could switch us to another aircraft that was about to arrive. Decision: switch. Disembark, but stay in the gate area for info. Sally goes to get food.
While she's gone, they announce we'll have a new plane at another gate in an hour and a half. Go to the new gate. Different flight posted. Ask the gate agent if I'm in the right place. Answer: "Yes. They didn't post it because they didn't want people from other cancelled or delayed flights bombarding us." Ask if Sally could upgrade (She had been #1 on the wait list). Answer: "No chance. We only had two people leave, and they were both in coach." (This without checking anything - I have to wonder how she knew).
Finally, at about 1930, three hours late, we took off (two empty seats in first) and had an uneventful trip.
I have to emphasize that I'd much rather sit on the ground for three hours than take off in a potentially unsafe aircraft. I just don't think DL handled this well on the ground. I also doubt that the original problem would have been fixed in the two hours the pilot? estimated; so we were probably just as well off doing it the way we did.

phil...so after telling you there were no FC seats left for Sally, there were in fact 2 empty once it took off?

That stinks...

Shadow.
Yep. And she's Silver in her own right.

[This message has been edited by philforest (edited 10-28-1999).]

Thanks Phil. Sorry to hear of Sallys upgrade problem. But..., did you enjoy a vodka? Just wondered because, as I recall, DL 1611 leaves about 10:00am! Once, in FC on the very EARLY (~6:00am) CO EWR-BOS shuttle a few years ago, the FA and several pax give this guy some real stares when he requested a Bloody Mary.

a bloody mary at 6:00am? I usually wait until at least 6:15...

philforest, great trip report! I flew DL DCA-CDG (cincinnati I think) on Sunday, and it was okay. I am not crazy about DL though this was a nice flight, nice service.

I guess DL beats AirTran, ehhh?

doc:
10:00AM on a non-working day (especially when I'm on the way to visit in-laws) is definitely Bloody Mary time. I've never had sideways glances from anyone but Sally. The 6:00 AM is a bit questionable, even for me, Richard, but 1611 does leave about 10:00. Had it been 6:00, I would probably have had the Bloody Mary (almost abbreviated that to initials until I realized what I was doing) in spite of nasty looks.
While that return trip was a hassle, I still think DL comes up positive MOST (definitely not all) of the time. If they'd just get rid of that silly restriction on upgrading L fares . . .

[This message has been edited by philforest (edited 10-29-1999).]

FOUR PAWS UP for your honest and to the point trip reports, Philforest.

People give me looks when I board a U-A flight and ask for a PEPSI!

And remember that somewhere in the world the time is right for a bloody mary (like 24 hours a day in NAWLINS, right Beckles?)


`

I do seem to remember, from back in my days in uniform, that "the sun is over the yardarm SOMEWHERE!"