I knew somehow this would get around to being DL's fault. Maybe the employees were laid-off from DL and got picked up by AA.
Weather days are never much fun to be flying in or working at the airport. Not making excuses at all for the rudeness or behaviour of the employees but shedding a little light on the other issues.
The deicing truck breakdown at the first airport (and even the second) is a mechanical issue and happens to equipment. Yes, is should be upkept better. Yes, it shouldn't happen but it does. They way it was handled though sounds pathetic. Move the trucks by pushing them out of the way, de-ice with another vehicle and get you on your way. Not rocket science.
The parts about having to refuel and de-ice are safety issues and you should be happy they take such care in monitoring these. On weather days, a pilot (in his mind) can never have enough gas. He will always push for more. During his briefing with the dispatcher, he may have requested it and been denied. Later, during the delay for de-icing, he may have gone below minimum fuel or the weather may have changed enroute prompting more fuel to be added. De-icing also takes time to be done properly. Sometimes, it has to be done more than once depending on how much snow is falling. Once to be de-iced, once to be anti-iced. I'm just guessing but don't be upset because of these 2 issues.
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