Before COVID Delta’s First Class passengers could usually, at boarding, look forward to a Dasani bottle of water at their seats, a smiling flight attendant ready to take coats, and offered a pre-departure beverage.
In fact, Delta flight attendants were so good at this that in the very rare situation that the preceding could not be accomplished I would find the flight attendant coming to my seat and asking my drink request to be presented ASAP once up in the air and apologizing for not getting it done on the ground.
When Delta suits i.e. big wigs mention the “Delta Difference” the above is what I had come to expect.
The surprising part about this is that all this hard work by fine Delta flight attendants was off the clock. I think most folks were shocked to see on the news this week that all the big American airlines follow the practice of only paying flight attendants once the boarding door is closed.
That changes for Delta very soon (link).
There is much discussion if this move was made to try to keep Delta flight attendants from joining a union but others are saying it was going to happen anyway. Regardless, I am very happy these fine Delta folks are being paid for work they already have willingly done for years.
COVID has changed a great many things. Pre-flight beverages have for years now been a thing of the past. I hear reports that they are slowly returning on a number of routes (but not all). Hopefully what was is fully back soon.
But the really big change is moving boarding for domestic flights to between 35 or 40 minutes (depending on route) may have some unintended consequences we need to be fully aware of if we are Delta elite Medallion flyers at any level and looking for an upgrade.
For years Delta gate agents were told not to begin clearing gate medallion upgrades until 30 minutes before a flight. When I had a chance to talk one on one with Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian at the grand opening of the massive Atlanta B Sky Club, I asked him if this could be done sooner as it was a big frustration to have to play what we call #TeamBoardLast as once you board you give up your official shot at an upgrade. He said he would look into it and after a few months Delta made the official change and advised gate agents to begin processing upgrades at the 40 minutes mark.
I think you now see my problem?
With boarding now starting for some flights at 40 minutes that is going to be the priority, not clearing medallion upgrades. The fix? Clearly, we need to move the medallion upgrade clear mark to 50 minutes or more before flight!
Again, I am all for the positive side of the Delta changes but as it often is with aviation when you move one piece of the puzzle it can impact the rest and should be addressed. I think it will take some time to adapt to this change and until then it is time again to be one of the last ones to board if my upgrade has not cleared before I get to the gate. – René
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It’s just a timing issue. Personally, I’ve always thought that if the plane was just parked at the gate (not a connecting aircraft situation) they should just let passengers leisurely board. They are just sitting at the gate waiting anyway. Of course, the downside is that if you don’t get there way ahead of time there won’t be any overhead space. The upside is if you show up with 20 minutes to go you are the last one on the plane so we are good to go. So say they expand the upgrade list out to 50 minutes. You still will be sitting there waiting to clear at 50 minutes out. Also what if the next person on the list isn’t there until 20 minutes before takeoff. Do they give that upgrade away? It’s just a big mess no matter how they do it. It’s like watching a front and back boarding on Southwest at Bob Hope. It’s a free for all 🙂
@DaninMCI – As shown in post, if you board you officially lose your upgrade chance. Thus, the last medallion to board i.e. #TeamBoardLast is the one in the best place to score that last open upgrade slot.
Rene, this is just simply not how it works, you could not be more wrong. I have been upgraded after boarding the plane while sitting in my seat on multiple flights… Just this year alone.
Keep in mind that Delta is known for its shenanigans. That’s not how things are supposed to work — but sometimes, that’s how they happen.
@DDfromATL – Welcome to the blog and your first comment. I can assure you that I have, as a many year Diamond Medallion Million Miler, see this with my own eyes any number of times.
Personally, if I have not cleared before the new boarding time begins I will be playing #TeamBoardLast and get that last upgrade slot (that may have been yours but since you boarded… well…)!
Yes, sometimes the agent will come on an upgrade a passenger on board. This is do to they need your seat in the main cabin or comfort plus to accommodate another passenger to get a seat on board. Another reason is there was a misconnect or a no show and a D1 seat becomes available. The policy is once you get on board you give up your upgrade status. As nice as that agent was to come on and upgrade that isn’t policy and there isn’t usually time to let all agents do this on every flight. I’m one for sticking to policy and procedures and as nice as it was to get that upgrade it makes it confusing and unfair passengers when there isn’t consistently. Lots of times an agent has seconds for an on time departure or they need to get to their next gate and close the door with empty seats open up front.
@Cheri – Thanks for CONFIRMING what we already know that is the last Medallion standing at the door before is closes is #1 on the list for that last seat. Long live #TeamBoardLast!
Agreed! I have been upgraded while sitting on the plane and in the boarding line. I have also been upgraded twice in the last couple weeks days before the flight even without an upgrade cert. You can monitor in the app as folks check in so it seems to me like it’s happening well before boarding.
This is a crappy article and your take is deplorable. Want an upgrade pay for it. Stop trying to exploit workers who aren’t getting paid so you can get an extra drink or snack YOU DIDNT PAY FOR.
If complimentary upgrades bother you so much, why don’t you send Ed Bastian a note and ask him to discontinue them? René didn’t say anything remotely close to “exploiting workers.” It’s unfortunate that’s how you chose to read the post.
Leisurely board with no crew on the plane?
Exactly! FAA requires the crew in place before we board, because evacuation can occur at any time. Not paying crew previously for this time was duplicitous, since legally the crew was on FAA duty during boarding.
Leisurely boarding assumes all passengers follow the rules, but we all know they don’t. There’s been several situations where I had to ask a flight attendant to intervene when boarding. For example, a passenger filled my overhead with a giant knapsack before I boarded a plane. As soon as we sat down, the flight attendant, approaches me and says, “Honey, you can’t put that there.” I told her it wasn’t mine and didn’t see who put it there. She had to find the passenger and move her and her giant knapsack to the back of the plane. I’ve also had passengers sitting in my seat that refused to move even when I showed them my boarding pass. I’m always glad the flight attendants are there to help with those situations. If you don’t think you need any assistance when you’re boarding a plane, try Southwest.
I honestly wonder what goes through the general public’s head when I see [stuff] like this… that’s the dumbest take. And you know, when an aircraft is at the gate, it doesn’t mean that the crew is on it…you know that, right? Or do you think the crew just lives, breathes, eats and [poops] on the plane 24/7?
I understand what you are saying, but what you fail to realize is these flights are not a “one off”. Most planes are coming in with different crews with different legalities due to their duty day. We want nothing more than to help and please or kind passengers, however, we also need to be safe to do so. Therefore, fully rested and within the AFA and/or company regulations. We are not machines and need to be protected by these rules for our benefit and yours. For example, I’m sure a passenger who recently suffered a heart attack was grateful I was well rested and myself and crew were prepared 100% to help them during this critical time. My suggestion is to resort back to the rules of flying where upgrades were earned or purchased with miles or specific/exclusive financially earned status. I’m not being unappreciative of our loyal passengers, I’m being fiscally and demand responsible. Benefits such as upgrades can be seen are only as valuable as their perception. Make them valuable again. Get what you pay for. It’s basic supply and demand.
Just fly AA/UA. You don’t give up your upgrade chances when you board. Problem solved !
@SMR – I find myself flying AA more and more these days (see yesterdays post)!
Delta flight attendants receive a substantial base pay, in addition to flight pay. Saying they were not getting paid for ground duties is absurd – that is what base pay is for.
Flight pay is just what it says – and the flight does not actually begin until push-back.
I was a Delta flight attendant for 35 years and made a LOT of money. It is a difficult job – anyone who deals with the public knows that – but a lot of fun when you have the right attitude.
Please stop saying we did not get paid for ground duties – our base pay paid for that, plus delays and other annoyances associated with flying.
Flight pay is for when the flight is actually taking place.
@Susan – Well Delta will soon pay for boarding time as well as you can see from the linked article.
But the point of the post is not that but the possible impact on upgrades for Delta elites with expanded boarding times.
No, you were NOT paid for it. In ANY other world, let’s say you are trying to board the plane and suddenly the flight CAN NOT push back. You then deplane and get on a new plane (lets say a mechanical issue). Now you have DOUBLED the amount of time you were actually working but your pay remained the same (the flight doesnt get extended). There would also be issues of a full fledged airport closure when they though they could get plane to leave and it did NOT. It may have been built in. BUT you were NOT being paid for it. IF you are ok with that. that is on YOU. Imagine a front desk clerk at a hotel. You do not get to say, they dont get paid until the first guest checks in on their shift.
WRONG! All of that was baked into the in flight pay which was set artificially high to compensate for such scenarios. Why is this such a difficult concept for so many to comprehend??
Why is being paid for work you perform a novel concept for you [removed]? High pay doesn’t mean you should only be paid for part of the hours you are actually performing your duties. When flights are delayed for maintenance or weather they don’t get paid… a 3 hour weather delay on a 90 minute flight means 4 and half hours of work? [removed]?
Gregg didn’t get his upgrade so he just wants to cause trouble….
Getting paid $2 of per diem is not a substantial amount of base pay. Flight attendants were not getting paid for boarding. They were barely getting paid to show up.
There is no base pay for flight attendants. Pay starts when the door closes and stops when the door reopens. Not even for deplanning which could take a long time depending on an emergency or wheel chair passengers or anything.
The company pays perdium which for some starts at 1.95 /hr . That’s mostly to cover meals. That has nothing to do with pay.
Would ypu go to the office if you were not getting paid to go?
Susan, Delta FAs do NOT get a substantial base pay. In fact, we don’t get ANY base pay. That was fine away with a king time ago. We are hourly wage employees. We have not started getting paid for boarding yet. $2.50 an hour per diem while on board with passengers, particularly in delay situations, is not “making a LOT of money.” ML
Sorry about the auto correct changes to my typing.
And then there’s the gate agent that many times is scrambling to get the plane boarded. I have witnessed a single agent doing they entire job alone. It appears that Delta is not inclusive with aid to ALL employees.
*WAS. During your career, you had base pay. But…
There is no base pay. Base pay was removed a few years ago with the intro of the biweekly pay schedule.
Is it possible that Delta is giving boarding pay to.satisfy the masses and keep them from trying to unionize? Just a thought…
@Lucy – I mentioned this possibility in the post. I can promise you Delta does NOT want the flight attendants to join a union!
Susan… I am baffled that you honestly thought you were paid for your ground duties. He needs to continue his rhetoric because WE ARE NOT PAID when were are on the ground before the door closes, yet responsible for everything as if we are, for example medical and customer assistance during boarding or deplaning. @Sean Randel Thank you for explaining it.
There is no longer “base pay”. It has been changed to hourly rate x hours flown formula plus any additional leadership, international or language pay.
Problem Susan is they changed our pay structure several years ago.
WE NO LONGER have a base pay. It simple goes by the hours we fly and changed to a very unpopular bi weekly pay. You don’t work during that period you don.t get paid. So your argument of receiving substantial base pay simply no longer exists. We would love our base pay back. So no we don’t get paid for boarding. Though it is only half of our pay for that time I will take it,
If you were actually a flight attendant for Delta for 35 years, you were the only person in the company receiving FA “base pay”. I have being a pilot at DL for almost 35 years and I can tell you that they are, and aiways have been, paid in a similar fashion to pilots (who also do not get paid for any preflight planning/safety inspections/checklists prior to aircraft movement off the gate. I think you are confusing Reserve pay and “A” days for base pay.
Susan you are wrong. We do NOT get a base pay plus flight hour pay. Please stop spreading false information.
You get guaranteed time, that’s not base pay.
You get paid the same amount to work the minimum guaranteed time equivalent of flights as someone who got to sit reserve and go home, or just sat, all month. You were not getting paid to board the plane. Guaranteed pay is less than flight pay. In no other industry do you report to work and make less in the preparation for said work.
The ONLY people that are possible adversely affected are those sitting hot reserve who are asked to board the flight and the assigned flight attendant makes it in time for the flight – they’re getting paid less for a job they should now be getting paid more for.
The argument of base/guaranteed pay is a dumb take. If you have 75 hours of guaranteed pay for the month and you fly 76 hours that month, not including boarding, and you’re now looking at 35-50 minutes of boarding pay, you’re now getting a massive bump in your pay. It’s much closer to what anyone working a respectable 9-5 is going to be making per month. You made good money after many years of seniority, that pay doesn’t come until you put in the time and get shafted nonstop. That’s not the case for those newer to the industry who are putting in the hours and not making the money to support themselves. It’s actually disgusting how criminally exploited and underpaid flight attendants are for a good period of their time considering they are “at work” much longer than the average person and making significantly less because of how shitty the pay is attributed. This is one step in the right direction.
May I say “alot of money” is relative I was a Delta flight attendant and I was not making a lot of money! Mostly because I was brand new but also because of the unfair pay practices. The hourly rate was good but you were only paid that while in the sky. Not being paid for the hour in the airport prior to boarding, boarding and un-boarding for the several flights during any rotation easily cost me 3 to 6 hours of pay a day. I loved the job but the money was not enough for the amount of time I had to be away from my family and I felt used by the airline for not actually being paid during the most active part of the work day the hourly rate I was promised due to the exemption of preboarding, boarding, and un-boarding. I did the math and base pay did not cover those hours. I met a recently retired flight attendant and she told me proudly how much money she made. I thought wow, not enough $, so glad I made the career change. So you may think you made a lot of money as a Flight Attendants but there are so many other jobs willing to pay more. I know most Flight Attendants I worked with had 4 year degrees and spoke other languages. So very easily if chosen another career they may have been better off . So I am so happy the flight attendants are finally getting paid for all the hard work they endure pre and post flight while dealing the public. Well deserved and long overdue.
Absurd? Sorry but you’re perceived idea of what is substantial is far from mine. Let’s have you work for free then reassess.
What base pay?! D FAs do not get a base pay only flight hours flown. Shameful.
In the past the gate agent has found me in coach and brought me up front.
@Tom – A good GA will do that. Many do not. Getting flight out is way more important that upgrades. I have any number of posts where I saw a 10 deep upgrade list and first class went out with sometimes as many as 3 empty seats.
And anecdotally I can contradict your statement with my personal experience on multiple flights this year alone. I have been upgraded just before the door closes into first class several times in 2022. In my 60+ flights in the last 12 months, I have never seen a domestic Delta flight leave with open first class seats.
Congrats on the upgrades. I’ve been on domestic flights that flew with empty First Class seats.
I’ve seen empty seats in First Class too. I asked the gate agent for an upgrade, but told I’m not high enough on the list for one. After I board the plane, the flight attendants announce the flight is fully booked. If the seats are all sold, why would the gate agents bother to move anyone around?
@Karla – If they do not board 15 minutes before scheduled departure you give up your paid seat i.e. the gate agent can give it away for an upgrade if they want to. Many times they don’t as it takes time and want to get the flight out.
Thanks Rene – I will joining the gate lice! Tom
Hi I have been traveling with Delta quite a long time I love Delta I wouldn’t ride any other plane but Delta
I am a flight attendant for American Airlines. We are compensated 2.20 an hour per diem until we push back from the gate and our flight pay kicks in. There is no base pay. Only an hourly wage. I have been an flight attendant for 35 years. I still live it. But it would be nice to be compensated more than 2.20 an hour for boarding.
@Jennifer – Come work for Delta? 😉
Thanks Rene! Come fly American and we will be sure to get your upgrade processed. I have never seen an aircraft at American go out with empty F/C seats. Often the agent will come down at the last minute and move someone up.
Nice try. Your in-flight pay rate includes that boarding time and you know it. Why else could you earn $72/hour in thevair???
You are mistaken. We do not get flight pay unti) we leave the gate. I have sat in the terminal and changed aircraft and sometimes boarding the same flight on different aircraft. 3 to 4 hours at a little over 2 bucks an hour. Are you a flight attendant for American? Take a look at our contract sometime. I’ve been here for 35 years. I think I may know a little more than you. And BTW. We do not get paid 72 dollars an hour. Know your facts before you insult me.
Not sure you are in the industry, but a FA’s hourly rate is based on “flight pay”.
If you TRULY believe working for free should not be addressed, Karma will change you mind one day.
Gregg (KEN) maybe you should listen what the “real” FA’s posting on here have to say. They’re right, you’re very wrong!! Of course admitting that to yourself is just not possible……
I actually think they need to do away with complimentary upgrades. If you buy and economy ticket and want to upgrade to first… you should have to use your points. What’s the point of having them if you never have to use them.
@Chris – If they did that a massive exit of elites would happen.
To where?
@Gregg – I have been flying AA a ton more than in previous years and I know a number of Delta Diamonds who have departed for AA and UA. If Medallion upgrade were to end there would be a flood of high spenders going to other US airlines.
Delta seems to be chiseling away benefits to all its passengers, but I don’t blame the flight crew for wanting to be paid on the ground. I see everything they do and was surprised to find out they were not paid for it. I am also very disappointed with Delta. The fares have increased more than other airlines. I just received my Companion Certificate and couldn’t use it to fly to San Diego in December. Sold out. Had to use it to fly to SFO which is half the price of a ticket to SAN. Can’t use my Skymiles to fly anywhere domestic. It takes an astronomical amount to fly anywhere these days. This year, I’ve been using Alaska more than Delta. The service may not be as good, but the price of a ticket is a lot more reasonable. Living in the Northwest, I haven’t been able to use American, but if the flight is right, I’ll book it.
To any other airline since there would be no point in loyalty anymore.
Reading this exchange is interesting. Just yesterday I sent an in-flight email to Delta Customer Service in response to his “gracious” deposit of 5000 SkyMiles to compensate for failure of entertainment system. My greater issue was the deceit in offering Platinum Medallion Upgrade Certificates that often have NO VALUE!
I requested to use Certificate weeks ago when 18 of the 36 Delta-ONE seats were yet open and I was told the code “wasn’t available“ but I could “waitlist “. It is no longer a comfort to remain #1 on the Upgrade List (with 50 more below me expecting Medallion Upgrade without Certificate) as the last available seats are allocated to others. Those of us that fell for the “Loyalty” game (I’ve been willing to pay more to fly Delta) will finally question whether Loyalty is reciprocated by Delta in honoring their promised rewards.
@Paul – I have seem 100% empty first class or Delta One and ZERO upgrade cert space due to revenue management refusing to open up any seats. Loyalty to Delta is getting very hard in 2022 and even more so with the insane price of Skymiles awards.
Tbh you dont forfeit your upgrade chances when you board the flight. If someone from first class didn’t show up for the flight at 15 mins before departure and you’re the next one on the list, they simply talk to you onboard and ask you to take the upgrade so you just move to your new upgraded seat. At least thats how it works in LAX. not sure if other stations are doing the same.
@Mark – If I have not boarded as a medallion, and there is a seat open, I am now on the top of the upgrade list when all the other medallion are onboard. Once you board you “officially” have given up your “right” to your upgrade slot.
Wow, what a messy system to upgrade, and few agree on what the system rules are.
Let’s make it clear, the flight attendants AND PILOTS do not receive preflight pay. Pilots do not receive pay for being away from home, sitting in airports for late flights and neither do attendants.
Paying them preflight, when they have to deal with ignorance from flyers should be the standard not the contrary. Bravo to Delta for giving the attendants their due…. every step counts.
Are you kidding me!? If it’s that important to you, just buy the F/C seat [removed].
You actually wrote an article about this? Why don’t you think about the real problems this country is facing and write about that!
@Jon A – This is a frequent flyer blog. We write about topics that impact frequent flyers. A large number of our readers are elites who fly very often and upgrades matter to them. Anything the airline changes that can impact them is worth writing about. As to buying a first class seat, many fly a ton and appreciate the shot at an upgrade when the company they work for only pays for a coach seat.
I just stumbled upon your blog. And as a flight attendant for American, I am.always interested in what is going on in the airline industry. Thanks Rene.
@Jennifer – Thanks! I have been flying AA more and more and I have to say I am very impressed with AA FA’s. I just wish they would not push the card offers as much! 😉
I meant to reply to you. It go misplaced on here some where. Yeah. The credit card pitch. Ughhh. It gets old and some FAs sound like carnival barkers. Embarrassing…
@Jen – Thanks! I mean like this blog has ads but FREEEEE to read. I paid for AA flight (often in 1st) and to then get punished with CC pitch keeps me thinking Delta even with all the negatives with frequent flyer issues. Maybe share that with those you work with? 🙁
Ughhh. I feel the same. Sometimes people go to far. It’s embarrassing….
I flew to west coast from Boston first class on United and back on JetBlue mint first class.
Both tickets around $1000 one way.
The difference was astounding.
I would only go JetBlue Mint from now on.
On jetblue:
I was able to lie down flat and sleep.
Amazing meal selection.
I was offered drinks before take off and during flight.
They gave me headsets.
Personal big screen in front of me to easily watch any movie or tv show.
On United:
Not a great meal.
No entertainment unless you had your own iPad or phone with headphones.
Seat barely reclined.
Just a sad “first class?” Experience.
Wow. Someone from United should take a trip on Jetblue Mint and learn a lot.
It is simply just a timing issue that happens a few times.
@Doug – Yes! The timing of an elite getting an upgrade or not. It should not need to be this way. Moving the upgrade window to say 1 hour would remove this issue!
Thank you for this post!
@Barry – Thank you and readers like you is why we do what we do!
You people are something else. I’ve seen some fits thrown when you don’t get your upgrade – something you haven’t even paid for. And FFS y’all stand right at that gate like you’re waiting to be fed.
Interesting perspective. Are you an airline employee?
I am a flight attendant. Our top tier flyers are our bread and butter. I appreciate them. Many of them fly more than I do. They deserve and are entitled to the perks that they have been promised.
miss Susan,
we are absolutely not paid a base pay.
Have you seen Delta’s new policy about use of skyclubs? Max 3 hours before flight, no use on arrival (except arriving Delta One). This is ridiculous. I wrote a comment to Delta. No reply. I am Diamond Medallion 2 million miler. I am pissed! Considering changing to AA.
Can you write about this in your blog please?
@Willid – We have (see this post). In fact we blogged about it twice this week!
So… your hot take here is, ‘wow, yeah that’s unfair that they were working off the clock… now that this has been fixed it messes with my boarding strategy and the best fix is for me to have the crew start working again before their new start time!’
@RMS – Not even remotely correct. The key part that must change for elites is GATE AGENTS need to be given the authorization by Delta CORP to process all upgrades sooner i.e. as posted maybe at 50 minutes before departure or even at the 1 hour mark. This way, when boarding begins, all upgrades will have cleared.
25 thousand flight attendants versus you? Haha.
@Kelly – Sorry what? We have nothing but respect and appreciation for our fine Delta FAs as elite Medallions. All we are worried about is stressed out gate agents not correctly processing upgrades under the new reality. Sadly we have witness way too many times 1st class seats going empty or SHENA visiting us and a loyal Delta elite passed over for an upgrade they EARNED by spending massive amounts of money and time on Delta jets. That is NOT OK and this new change may not make the situation better.
Rene. You guys hold all of the power. Money talks. The company asks for gate agent and flight attendant input. But in the end, they don’t really implement our ideas about what we KNOW passengers want. Top tierhave the leverage. Go after them!
@Jennifer – Thanks. Right now it seems Delta, for a huge number of reasons, is not very focused on frequent flyers. One of the reasons I find myself booking others airlines more than I ever have in 10 years+.
This could possibly be the singular most tone deaf, first world, entitled article I have read in a year.
You understand this is a blog about travel, right?
May seem like a first world problem to you. As a flight attendant it is a ” I want to eat” prob. If my customers go somewhere else, I don’t have a job. I want to keep them.gappt.
It’s funny that no one has mentioned Oman v Delta. It’s a class action lawsuit filed by the Delta flight attendants based in CA. CA has labor protective laws and crew have benefitted from them. They get extra sick time hours, more than other crew based in other states. The case made it all the way to the SCOTUS and Delta lost. They had to pay CA based crew for boarding. I’m sure that the logistics of paying only that singular group would be a nightmare. So, they get the public acclaim for paying everyone, bonus, and don’t have to worry about the logistics.
https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/2020/s248726.html
I’m at a loss as to why there is even discussion about this?
1) This post was originally about the consequences of someone getting a pay raise.
2) Obviously people can’t see the truth in front of them. There is no consequence from someone getting paid more for a job they already do.
3) If you truly feel you have suffered a consequence of someone else’s pay increase then it’s not the individuals fault that they expect to be treated and compensated fairy. More likely it’s the company’s fault causing your frustrations. Via rules/restrictions or whatever your “consequences” may be.
3) If people feel they are not being paid a fair price for the work they are performing. Why is it in need of any of your comments? You are not them performing that job why do you feel the need to say something about it?
4) Absolutely Delta doesn’t want their employees to join a union! Hands down! Any Company that is for their employees is Pro union, Unions are what made the 8 hour work day and the 60 hour work week. Unions provide care and assistance to their members as well as fight for any injustices. Delta is a Numbers Company not a Company that Prioritizes their employees.
5) A better discussion might be something that makes things better overall! Why not start a discussion of how to make things fair all around? Why can’t the boarding system be more like tickets to the movies? Fair discussion about seating, what is something everyone would be happy with (happy not excessive) if you sat there for the whole flight. would you be happy? What wouldn’t you want most importantl as you can see that Delta isn’t a customer focused Company either otherwise we wouldn’t have to ask these questions.
5) What is the Ideal airline? What is the ideal plane? What is the Ideal flight? Why can’t we have that???
@Broken1 – No. This is a frequent flyer blog. The point of this post, as VERY clearly shown, is the possible impact on upgrades for medallions. Delta CORP needs to address this issue with the new changes.
@René
Again, your post is about “possible” things that “might” happen because of someone else’s need to be paid fairly.
Do you want some cheeses with those whines?
What Delta CORP needs to do is change their system completely. Your a frequent flyer posting a rant over something you know nothing about. Possibilities, maybes somethings, etc., those are not anything you know something about. You, may suffer if an airline pays their employees a fair wage. That is your post. As I mentioned before, on how your discussion would probably do better and probably fix things if instead of taking a route of I don’t knows and complaints. Why not be more constructive? Why not use your frequent flyer eye be your guide to making things better for all instead. You’ve mentioned the disasters of boarding, why not start talking about solutions? Like taking a boarding from the back to front where no one would ever really be in your way. Even a system where you board the plane like going to the movies, have everyone board like they were at the movies and wait on the plane, by buying a few extra planes so everyone can disembark from gates near baggage claim then a cleaning crew can clean it and put it in the storage/hanger area for it to be taxied to a gate that a plane just took off from so no one is waiting around. So those few that normally sit on the plane waiting have to get off too. Make every stop a layover essentially, everyone has to wait anyway, why not stretch your legs and leisurely board your next or same flight? Problems are a plenty @René and complaints are like the hairs on your body, everyone’s got them, some are different than others, etc.. What we are in Short supply of are answers to those problems. Every blogger out there has complaints, a good journalist sheds light on a real problem, as well as a great journalist will convey their thoughts, desires, or hopes on an idea of how to fix it.
My intent is not to upset, discount, insult, or anything along these lines. Your post was top of my Google feed. So since I travel occasionally by airline, as do millions of travelers do every day. I decided to read the post. I stand by my original reply. To which I see you decided to ignore my post and instead addressed the defense of your post. @René you write with interest and intelligence there’s no debating that. But you responded like a middle school student. You say and I quote, “@Broken1 – No”.
I’m at a real loss here @René…
No? What question or questions are you saying no to? Are you addressing any question or concerns? Are you telling me “No” like I’m some kind of dog? My first question was, why were you discussing this. NO, does not answer that question! My last question was, “Why can’t we have that?” No, clearly doesn’t work there either! So we’re back to speaking to me like a dog, which I clearly wouldn’t appreciate. No, that fits but if you were the same individual that wrote this well written post. Then I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt and leaning towards that no being the case.
So that still leaves me as confused about everything as I was from the beginning. And honestly if this is how this place works.
My apologies to everyone. I hope someone takes the time to read my responses and puts at least the idea in their head to start using this or other articles, posts, blogs, etc..
Yeah all of this, was a terrible mistake. Never should have been trolled by clickbait! Best of luck to you all! But I highly doubt that this post will have any impact on who gets the upgrade. Just realize that this post is about something that may or may not happen to a non guaranteed even if there is one upgrade! Sad, truly sad. And on that note, I shall bid you all safe travels. As I shall never visit this, whatever this is again.
@René, there’s no need to respond, you failed to respond to my comments before so there’s no need to try and address everything in both my comments. I don’t need a response that suits you or makes you feel better. Nor do I need one that directly addresses me. Will you won’t you? Well I know how everyone else will know! If René responds we know he not only didn’t read this, but René is also clearly disrespecting me and my wishes if they respond. If there is a reply back from René, my last words will skip right over them and their life will be more miserable. I hope that won’t happen, I never wish ill will upon anyone or anything. A Shakespeare ‘esk tragic ending, Nay, for I shall I ever see it’s ending. Here’syour last chance @René, responding back, well it’s a waste of your time, effort, as well as your words, so keep them save your time, your efforts, your words, and…
I wish all that read the entirety of this a happy wonderful life. We could all use that wish!
Neither René nor I disparage anyone for receiving fair payment for their work. You said, “You, may suffer if an airline pays their employees a fair wage. That is your post.”
Perhaps you missed the line, “I am very happy these fine Delta folks are being paid for work they already have willingly done for years.”
You also tell us, “Your {sic} a frequent flyer posting a rant over something you know nothing about. Possibilities, maybes somethings, etc., those are not anything you know something about.”
We don’t know everything. No one does. But between René and I, we’ve been to several rodeos and learned a few things during our days.
Finally, “Never should have been trolled by clickbait!” Um, no. This post is not clickbait. René addressed the issue in the headline.
This blog primarily focuses on traveling, the travel experience, elite status, and using points. (Perhaps you might be interested in the several thousand other posts on this blog.) Talking about upgrades clearing and pre-departure beverages is something we do. We’re fortunate to discuss first world problems. We’ve never claimed to be a blog about solving the world’s problems. (That’s way above our pay grade.)
Finally, René didn’t simply dismiss you “like some kind of dog.” His post was focused on possible ripple effects the new flight attendant pay structure may present. It’s not about boarding planes like movie theaters or the ideal airline or plane or experience. You’re certainly welcome to mine through the thousands of posts on our blog to read our thoughts (and our readers’ comments) about travel in general.
It’s unfortunate you feel René was whining. That said, an extra sharp cheddar with a good pinot noir or red blend is something we generally don’t turn down.