No More VIP Treatment: Delta Sends Message to Congress (#KeepClimbing!)

Hit ’em where it hurts! That seems to be the tactic Delta Air Lines is using to tell the United States Congress that it needs to solve the partial government shutdown.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via The New York-California Post), Delta issued a statement saying, “Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta…Next to safety, Delta’s No. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment.”

The Post writes that “Delta’s perks to members of Congress included benefits such as airport escorts and red coat services. Its Capitol Desk reservation line is still open.” But Congressional flyers will be treated the same as us SkyMiles members. (Take advantage now of those Delta Amex limited time offers, Congress!)

You might have heard that airport security lines are insanely long because Republicans and Democrats are warring over Department of Homeland Security funding. (I understand arguments from both sides.)

Good for Delta for sticking it to Congress. You know, some of whom were caught skipping lines just last week. Because this “punishment” directly affects them, maybe this will get them in gear to finally figure out something.

Delta is pretty good at number-crunching, so I doubt this will majorly affect their direct business from Congress. But it is still a bold-ish move, considering they do a fair amount of government business.

Good for them. This is a very #KeepClimbing move.

If you’re flying now, two things:

• Good luck and Godspeed.
• Check out Zach Griff’s free TSA wait tracker.

Final Approach

Delta is suspending Congressional travel perks for our elected officials. Congress might finally be reminded of what it feels like to be one of the little people. (I won’t hold my breath too long.)