[sjs5572]

Trip 1, Jan. 30, 2008:

I booked frequent flyer trip to fly from Mobile-Atlanta-Atlantic City to attend a funeral. I paid an expedite fee for the ticket, since death gives no advance notice.

The flight out of Mobile was cancelled due to "mechanical problems." As such, I was going to miss the last connection out of Atlanta, as well as the funeral. As such, I cancelled the trip.

Delta refused to refund the expedite fee due to "policy." I didn't cancel the flight; Delta did! I disputed the charge with my Matercard. Mastercard, being no better than Delta, refused the refund on the basis that a "service was procided." What service may I ask?

Trip 2, March 31, 2008:

This time the trip was Mobile-Atlanta-Atlantic City to visit my relatives.
Plane's deicer did not function. As such, we could not land in Atlanta where it was 38 degrees and dry. We were diverted to Montgomery.
One gate agent was working (with a guard to protect him) to process 65 passengers. After waiting 90 minutes to meet with him, I proceeded to ask a ticketing agent for help. She said, "I don't know nothing," and that by asking to be rebooked I was "interfering with her productivity!

BTW, no meal or hotel vouchers were issued to the marooned passengers because the Montgomery ticketing agents said it was "Mobile's" problem and that it was "weather related." I'm sorry, but how do you fly a plane in March without a functioning deicer, and how is such negligence construed to be "weather related?"

Atlantic Southeast (Delta's Connection Carrier) is a disgrace and their agents in Montgomery are illequipped to handle any challenging situation.
It's no wonder that ASA was recently voted highest in customer complaints!

[Corbel]

on your first trip, you said that you cancelled your trip after delta cancelled your first flight, then you said you wanted a refund, because delta cancelled the first flight and not you....which way was it? you cancelled or delta cancelled?

[sjs5572]

I believe I was clear. Delta canceled the first leg, making it impossible to get to my destination that day. Rather that getting rebooked to leave the next day (and miss the funeral), I canceled the entire trip.

P.S. I assume you're an airline employee?

[sjs5572]

Corbel,

I checked your posts, and you defend the airlines every time. Either you're an airline employee or a ******. Either way, the administrator should remove you from this site!!

[Corbel]

why? for speaking my mind like you did, i just dont know why you didn't take a later flight that day. was the funeral the same day the day you were flying? and no i dont work for an airline, i use to, but not anymore

[Leatherboy2006]

I want to know what sjs5572 means by "******"

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

A “flam-ER” is one who’s posts can be characterized by language which a reasonable person would consider as explicitly vulgar, to the extreme. Thus, a “flame” would be a single post of this nature.

Not to be confused with a “flaming Queen,” unless, of course, she’s angry, and drunk!

Also, making ****** posts, usually, do not count as “flames.” To me, bitchyness is telling someone they’re wearing the same open-toed shoes for the third time this week. A “flame” would be a statement which, clearly, indicates those open-toed shoes find companionship with a great dane! Accordingly, Corbel’s post at 8:50, on 04-25-08, probably, comes more under the heading of “bitchy,” rather than a flame.

Finally, as to the original point of this thread: The failed “funeral trip,” DOES sound like this individual booked a flight on the same day, or no less than 24 hours before, the funeral. I know some religions, such as the Jewish faith, require burial of the deceased within a very short time following death. However, even in the case of the Jewish religion, I believe there may be, at least, 48 hours that can pass prior to burial. My point is that, with very few exceptions, it’s near-insanity, nowdays, to expect that one can travel, domestically, by air, from point A to point B, within the amount of time indicated by an airline timetable.

As to this individual’s frequent flyer miles: I would suggest you stop trying to use them to travel. If you fly enough, use them to buy a membership to the Delta Crown Club. Or, better yet, join a “frequent stay” program of a hotel chain that will allow you to transfer your Delta points into their program.

If I were traveling from Mobile to Atlantic City, I would opt for the trip to the New Orleans Amtrak station. The Southern Crescent has one-train, overnight, service to Philadelphia. At the arrival station in Philly, you can transfer to a New Jersey Transit commuter train for one-train service to Absecon and Atlantic City. Sleeping accommodations are available as far as Philadelphia.

I’ve indicated, in previous posts, Amtrak has its delays too. Also, if you want sleeping accommodations, you may pay something equal to first class air fare. However, weather-related delays are no where as frequent as the airlines. If there is any other kind of delay, and you just sit on the tracks, and not move, you can sit in the lounge car, have a snack, use the toilet, and if you have a bed—sleep.

[Corbel]

whoa, all i said in my post was that it was unclear whether or not you cancelled. you stated Delta cancelled your flight due to mechanical problems, then you stated that you cancelled your trip, Delta may have thought that you cancelled, why should they refund you, however they should have tried to get you on a different flight. sorry if i came off "******". no i dont work for the airlines, although it sounds like you think people who do shouldn't be on here. you think i defend the airlines all the time..fine...heres a time im not....Aer lingus, 1 beverage service for a 7 hour flight, hows that?! i got 1 glass of Orange juice the enitre flight, they did a coffee and tea service but i dont drink coffee or tea. but your right ASA does suck

[sjs5572]

I am Jewish, and the funeral was early the next morning. The flights out of Mobile are not plentiful, and a later flight would miss the last connection out of Atlanta. The first flight the next morning would not get me to Atlantic City until 4 PM the next afternoon. So, by cancelling the first flight, Delta actually would've delayed my arrival to my final destination by almost 19 hours. I believe that does warranta refund of all fees.

As to Airline employees posting on this site, that is fine, as long as they identify themselves as such.

P.S. It seems that 90% of your posts are pro airline. Don't you have anyting better to do than criticize people with legitimate complaints.

[sjs5572]

I see you have now properly identified yourself as a former airline employee. Thank you for adhering to the rules of the site.

[Leatherboy2006]

Thank you for the clarification on flame I hated to think that flame was an anti-gay remark on the board

[Corbel]

im sorry if i criticized you, i didn't think i did, and i dont think i criticized any others on here, i very rarely post on this site, i just say whats on my mind, like others on here. once again, im sorry that delta screwed up and sorry if i criticized you

[sjs5572]

Thanks Corbel for apology.

As for you Leatherboy, I laughed when I saw your post. I'm gay, and I myself was amused by my use of the word ****** in this context.

[ChrisH]

sjs,

Both of the incidences are due to maintenance, which would be considered Delta's fault. You should contact the customer care line, and explain your situation, if you have not already done so. They should be able to at least offer a voucher over all of this.

[flygrl]

why should someone have to identify themselves as an airline employee? lol. silly.