I got an e-mail recently from a (now former) Delta flyer, angry that his flight from Atlanta to Boston cost him double when he got to the check-in counter. He discovered he had more than the allowable 1bag per passenger (he had 2), and, as if that wasn’t enough of a problem, both were over the weight limit. Despite having purchased his ticket months in advance, he had to come up with an additional $335.00 in order to board the plane. The writer was furious, because of the added expense of course, but, also because no one told him before he got to the airport. As the irate (former) Delta Airlines fan complained to me, “Couldn’t they have contacted me BEFORE the day of my flight?”. Yes sir, I believe they could have.
I admit, I do like to think that everyone who is able reads newspapers and watches television, but, alas, I have constant reminders: that is not the case. So, it is understandable a few people may have missed the recent reports that in these weak economic times of high gas prices and decreased business, the airlines are doing everything possible to boost revenues without increasing fares.
I am not suggesting Delta (or the others) bother ticket holders with daily updates on industry activity in the days leading up to their trips, but, I do think they could give us a heads-up when a new rule and/or fee has been implemented that could cost us a bundle.
There is no doubt Delta (and every other airline for that matter) knows who is, and who is about to be, on all of its flights at any given moment. They make sure they get all of our contact information when selling us a ticket (and do who-knows-what-with-it). They’re suppose to call us with cancelations or other information that would affect our experience in the friendly skies, so, I don’t think it’s a stretch to expect a friendly reminder about new, costly luggage rules.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that a $300.00 flight home from Chicago cost double … and the airlines shouldn’t assume everyone knows their business.
P.S. To all my pals at Delta (and the other airlines): I hope this doesn’t affect my always delightful flying experience or abilty to buy a beer.
As a former Delta Air Lines employee, I felt that I had to respond to this. With every ticket that is issued, passengers are provided with information regarding baggage restrictions. Also, this information is posted on the airline’s website, as well as several other travel-related sites. And while many people no longer read newspapers or watch television news reports, they do surf news sites on the Web. And the changes to all of the airlines’ baggage rules and fee increases has figured prominently for months. So, unless these travellers have spent the past several months living in outer space or under a rock, I cannot sympathize with them or accept a plea of ignorance. And anyone with the tiniest bit of common sense would thoroughly check into all rules, restrictions, fees, etc. prior to traveling. Oh, sorry, my bad. I forgot for a moment that too few people in this day and age have common sense. They just have lawyers on speed dial to sue everyone for not providing goods or services that they are “entitled” to just because they are who they are. Silly me!