Posted on January 5th, 2012 by Douglas and viewed by 237 people
Posted from Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
The Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM) sweep has happened for Delta, a bit quicker then last year. I concluded 2010 with about 19k MQM rollover. With the additional work trips this year to launch our new application, a bit more then last year! I am not complaining! I have mixed thoughts on the Roll over program in general – I can understand the marketing behind it, after you hit the tier, why keep flying an airline, but it aims to continue to build business after thresholds have been met.
After being a 1K with United for a few years, I am still learning Delta benefits, UA maintained a 1K website, 1K email address, and a 1K phone line where the person stayed on the line until full resolution. It’s the small things I remember, though even UA pushed Global Services a bit more before I departed Chicago.
Posted on July 31st, 2011 by Douglas and viewed by 1,111 people
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
Greetings again from JFK airport in New York City! Safely back from London, with a day that I have found to be one of the best travel experiences. I’d like to think that it all was by chance but I do believe in Pay It Forward . The past 24 hours have been a day where things aligned in a way that have made me feel even more appreciative for the life I have been able to live.
Departing my London Family at the Indigo Paddington for the Heathrow Express out of Paddington. I left slightly later then I anticipated which I was confident, knowing LHR, this would result in additional frustration towards myself for being 15 minutes behind.
The Heathrow Express departed at 08:25, which is remains still the best way to get to London Heathrow. The manager covering rotations today was assisting in ticket scanning. After a short introduction, we spent the remainder of the trip talking about trains, London etc. Philip escorted me from the train to the connector, and waited till I was on my way. I have his card to keep in touch.
Arriving in London, I had done the e-boarding pass but was afraid that it was not going to be recognized. After a failed attempt to reprint my boarding pass, I was down to an hour before departure. I was delighted to hear that they do accept the mobile and no challenges with it. Quickly went through the premium security lane, and was at the gate just as they began boarding. My connecting flight to ATL from JFK was already delayed from an update, unfortunately the non stops to ATL were both oversold in both classes in the cabin.
Simone and Florette on DL004 were friendly and efficient. They seemed to genuinely care about people and also provided for some great laughs. I slept most of the flight, still was not acquaninted with the shorter flight time to JFK. After 4 of sleep, enjoyed the lunch just before our early arrival into JFK. I shared Damn You Auto Correct with Florette who was laughing at many of them, and Simone made me laugh as she passed through the cabin looking for a person who ordered water, but could not remember who.
Delta Airlines Keep Climbing
Arriving into JFK, I expected similar to ATL, customs, security a few times…. lather rinse repeat. To my surprise, Delta implemented a greeter program for Diamond Medallion members arriving internationally. I am not sure if it is just Business Elite, but I would hope that it is across all aspects. I was met by Jacqueline before customs, just as I departed the jetway. She had a sign with my name on it, and a Delta Logo. Now that I think about it, I wish I had kept it for my office. She took me and one other passenger over to Customs, used GOES (which is excellent), and then directed me to my connecting flight. While we walked, she interacted, explained our flight was delayed to ATL, and she was very apologetic. She knew if we had luggage or not, connecting flight info, arrival, departure. Not sure how to navigate through JFK, this was a very welcomed surprise. Unfortunately she did not have a card on her, but I must commend Delta on a job well done. How about we bring this to the airport where you are the Home Town Airline?
TSA – same old, same old— Amusing was the 35 year old in A&F shorts having to do the full body scanner. His selection of sizes should have been reconsidered, as he had to stand bow legged to keep the shorts from falling down below his hips.
Sky Club at JFK at Terminal 3 by gate 2 is much better then the other one I was at when I flew out on Tuesday. The colors are bright and it feels like I am in a Delta commercial/ad campaign. The windows looking out over the active departing runway, a 767 (N171DN) parked just outside. Watching the 744 depart, to either Tel Aviv for Tokyo was an added bonus. Craig who was working the Sky Club exemplified what interaction should be. Welcoming and genuinely humble, available to ask random questions about the flights from JFK. He apologized for my flight delay and any inconvenience it may have caused and appreciated my loyalty as a Diamond Medallion. Best part is… he, like many others today, cared.
Slideshow:
Fullscreen:
Today’s plane was N844MH, the 767-400 painted in the Sky Team color scheme.
Posted on July 26th, 2011 by Douglas and viewed by 1,018 people
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
Greetings from JFK, Sky Club by Gate 12. Upon arrival I realized something about JFK, it has not changed since I flew through here on the way to Munich in 1996. I flew on a 767 and L1011 that trip, 767-400 tonight.
Wanting to sleep tonight on the flight over, slightly shorter from JFK. I am typing and listening to the “Dueling Banjos”, two people traveling together to Brazil, both on their cellulars, both growing louder over the other. Focus Douglas, Focus!
Focus back, I crashed around 04:30 and was up at 07:00. I accomplished everything I had on my list today and made it out to the airport 30 minutes late. Luckily a car pool, combined with Henry (and his aggressive driver) we made it at the time I had hoped, 16:40. My flight departed ATL at 17:45.
Delta Flight 122, ATL-JFK (MD-88) had meal service. I have to ponder where Delta is getting their food selections. The increased amount of sandwiches continues to bewilder me. On a flight to LA I had an option of a hamburger. Surprisingly it was not bad. Today’s option was a cold pasta with chicken on it, or a roast beef sandwich. Row 4 had the option of roast beef OR roast beef. After a long and serious debate, I selected…. ROAST BEEF. The sandwich was ice cold, covered in onions and bell peppers, found it to be disgusting. TIP: Scrape off the top, fold the bottom over, and it’s a mini sandwich without the two giant pieces of bread. Can someone help me understand, why does Delta serve Twix this time of year? It is pointless, they are melted every time. Maybe season is better? How I miss the Garden Salsa Sunchips. Minus the screaming child the entire flight directly behind my seat, somewhat quiet.
I had high hopes for JFK, knowing they have some serious renovations going on from the old TWA days. Luckily, arriving in Terminal 3, departing here, nothing has been done here. Exit the plane, look up for your connecting flight info, don’t worry, it’s across the gate area, makes complete sense? It was nostalgic to see the old airplane chairs with the blue leather and Delta logo. I believe I sat in the same one in 1996, thanks for bringing back the memories of a great trip! The Sky Club has been renovated for the most part, I can see N832MH (767-400) awaiting to depart. (The Dueling Banjos are packing up and leaving!)
In saying ADIOS to my friends now, I look around, what an empty terminal, maybe this is the OLD terminal and I am missing out on a beautiful, new one hiding. SkyClub – When I entered, the person in front of me was complaining about passport control… I heard my favorite statement that I hear often -
I wish more people could be like you….
I am pretty mellow when I travel, go with the flow, and not much is within my control. (Looking out window and an old 757 with TW in the tail number is passing by, Nostalgic indeed). I headed to the restroom, only to notice the signs were reversed, luckily the woman’s restroom looks NOTHING like the men’s. Both are somewhat shabby, but men’s toilet did not flush, reminded me of Karen and the trough in China. Awakening my senses with an aroma this time around.
After the small mishap, I ordered a Bailey’s in coffee. A woman comes out and asks “why do you get drunk” . This left me baffled, I thought “Who are you? Are you the ATC? “, then I realized she was a Delta employee with a different opinion on drinking. I ordered a decaf coffee and a Bailey’s, far from pounding back shots, or double fisting a few beers.
Thanks Brie for teaching me southern terminology, which is applicable in NYC. Strangely, I felt compelled to answer her, that I was not drinking to get drunk, she then asked if I was doing shots. I thought, can she be serious? She was, I took my Bailey’s and Decaf, with my head held high and walked away.
“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray I have a flat bed to sleep”
Atlanta to Shanghai on Delta, 777-200LR, my seat did not recline. Not to worry, not reclining or having a lie flat on a 15.5 hour flight, electrical outlet on the 14 hour flight on the 744 Shanghai to Detroit, lost bag for 24 hours, has a value to Delta of 19,000 miles. Though you should not equate that to “Pay with Miles” according to Delta — It’s worth $190.00 on a several thousand dollar ticket. The offer is to “make amends” for the many failures I experienced. While I roll with the hiccups, I have to ponder, where is the disconnect. No lie flat, no electricity, lost bag…I look at the ad, this is what lie flat should have looked like on the plane -
Anywho, is what it is - Time to order another Bailey’s and get dirty looks for doing it, I will do it with pride and a smile on my face. Departing in 1 hour at 23:00 – glad to get some humor out of my system before my slumber. Here is tonight’s plane to London.
I just googled JFK Delta – Congrats, they are building a new terminal, I better enjoy the moment.
Posted on July 2nd, 2011 by Douglas and viewed by 332 people
Posted from Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
It has been sometime since I have written in my blog, I believe almost a good three months. Recently I’ve been pondering things provoked by a friend, but thought I would share a story where I made a difference in someone’s life.
Yesterday I returned back from Shanghai, with my final destination being Columbus GA. Long story on why Columbus, it was over $3k cheaper and offered the routing I wanted through Atlanta (ATL).
I had a sinking feeling that my one checked luggage would not arrive due to the delayed arrival into ATL (yes, I connected in ATL), and short connection. For those that have not been to Columbus GA airport, it has two airlines, American Eagle and Delta. The primary travel out is military.
After the realization that my bag was in transit, I searched for a Delta employee. The only employee told me to wait for an employee at the counter. I noticed a young, 20 year old Army Ranger in training pleading with the TSA person checking luggage. He was trying to make the flight that the lone employee was boarding, but no one was at the counter to help. The TSA looked for the Delta person but came back and said that the person was busy loading the plane (one he was hoping to be on, and still 25 minutes before departure) and that he was screwed. He began to lecture him on why did he show up 35 minutes before and he should have at least 90 minutes. He had no checked luggage, a laptop bag and a military backpack. Again, visit Columbus GA and you will understand why a person can arrive before departure, it’s the kind of airport where TSA opens up the gate area for a specific flight. It was the last flight out for the day, around 5pm.
Randy arrived up in Columbus to fly me back to Dekalb Peachtree Airport (PDK). After some conversation, we offered to fly him back with us to North Atlanta and drive him down to the airport to make a 10pm flight to Houston. We made it back to PDK in fairly good time and learned that he was flying home for the holiday weekend to do the final touches on planning his wedding with his fiance. His name is Manny, twenty years old, from Texas and engaged.
From PDK we zipped down to ATL, stopped and bought him a bite at Quizno’s and delivered him to Delta. With my younger brother serving for years in the military, helping out a person serving our country is the least we could do, a flight, a car ride and a meal.
Had anyone at Columbus airport, whether it be TSA or a Delta person shown compassion for this person, a lot of headache would have been avoided for this guy. Delta charged him a fee to drop the first flight and only pick up the Houston portion. On my flight to CSG, the flight attendant asked everyone to give a clap to each service member that deplaned before the rest of the passengers. The inverse, a kid trying to get home to see his family, attend a bon fire in his honor and plan his wedding over a short 4 days home. We thanked him for his service to our country and wished him luck.
I was a bit disheartened how everyone brushed him off, but I look back, a person who all I know as Manny, made it home to Houston. I looked back on my 24 hours awake yesterday, the exhaustion bouncing around Atlanta, but it really is about going above and beyond each day.
My goal in life – “Each day when I awake I know I have one more day to make a difference in someone’s life.” James Mann (born 1946);
Posted on February 14th, 2011 by Douglas and viewed by 304 people
Posted from Dunwoody, Georgia, United States.
I walked into my office today to find Randy awaiting my return with an amazing vintage carry on luggage. The luggage is brown with Eiffel Tower’s in the fabric and leather stitching. Inside was 7 rows of flowers and one of plants. Within the rows, 3 were Intuition Roses (24 roses) Yellow and Blood Red, one combination I have never seen before. Atop the flowers is a Delta 757 with winglets and a Delta L1011.
Mixed above the planes and the lid of the luggage are 10 Delta postcards highlighting the various equipment type and color schemes. Last was a 757 pin, this is the start of my Delta collection of planes,
my UA fleet complete. Next to the arrangement were two boxes of airplane (3 planes and the Eiffel Tower) shaped chocolate, along with a one month membership to The Ravinia Club. What an amazing surprise, Thank you Randy!!!
Posted on January 6th, 2011 by Douglas and viewed by 104 people
We all know them. We see them in the airport donning that famous red blazer. They are Delta Red Coats and it’s their pleasure to serve you.
With the busy holiday travel season behind us, we wanted to build on the travel tips we’ve shared via social media the past few months and give you some insight on what you can expect from Delta in 2011. To that end, I sat down with one of our very own Red Coats for some insight into their world.
Delta: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Michelle. Shall we start off by sharing a little background on our Red Coat program?
Michelle: Sure! The program was revitalized in 2007 at our New York-JFK hub. Today there are about 800 of us in many large airports across the U.S.
Delta: What does a typical day look like for you?
Michelle: Every day I assist customers from all walks of life and from all over the world. I work at Delta’s Detroit hub, where we see customers from all over the U.S. and Canada as well as Asia, Europe and South America. I walk around the airport and see customers arriving from Brazil, returning to Paris or on their way to Japan.
Delta: Yes, our Red Coats are certainly famous for your ability to provide one-on-one help from anywhere in the airport. So how exactly do you assist customers without being behind a counter?
Michelle: We’ve got new technology and the know-how to get what you need. We use hand-held devices to resolve problems on the spot and issue printed boarding passes, meal vouchers, Sky Club passes, travel passes and other coupons.
Delta: That’s great. And lastly, can you share any advice with our customers traveling in 2011?
Michelle: Of course. While we’re here in the airports to serve you, there are some tools customers can use to help themselves if they wish. We have kiosks that can help with flights and information as well as scan-and-go stations where a simple scan of your boarding pass can give you a new one in most situations if you need to be rebooked.
Posted on December 21st, 2010 by Douglas and viewed by 146 people
Today is my 555th flight, with Delta quickly coming up to United in terms of mileage flown life time to date. United Airlines is at 270k and Delta Airlines is at 210k miles. While the segments are much less on Delta Airlines due to longer haul flights on Uncle D(elta). Mama United has not missed my departure.
Posted on November 18th, 2010 by Douglas and viewed by 155 people
I favorited a YouTube video: http://www.nma.tv/ Full body scanners and enhanced pat downs in private rooms are fueling anger among air travelers in the US. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is coming in for severe criticism while passengers are planning a boyco…
I managed to depart on time yesterday and complete all my tasks. Atlanta Hartsfield was busy, but made it to Concourse E quickie with 2 hours to spare. My father ( Papa) was waiting for us, and Randy joined us while we waited.
Pushed back on time, watched Date Night which was a bit boring. The flight crew seemed snarky. Took aerobus to the apartment where we met up with Juan Carlos, a Cuban native with very unique blue eyes.
The apartment has two bedrooms, fridge, washer, and is in a quiet area only 200m from las ramblas. The free wi fi is just an added bonus. Papa and Daniel are sleeping and Marsha arrives tomorrow. More to come from Barcelona! Beautiful weather in forecast.
Posted on June 29th, 2010 by Douglas and viewed by 415 people
United Airlines refreshed the mileageplus landing page for its members of its frequent flyer program. The colors are vivid, and it’s very easy to navigate. Great to see how they highlight the promotions, upgrades, and current activity toward EQS / EQM thresholds. The page is very fluid, great job United! A mouseover the icon next to key words gives clear definitions of the context UA is referring to. I will still miss the iconic Tulip when it departs…
Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for – in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it. — Ellen Goodman
The Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM) sweep has happened for Delta, a bit quicker then last year. I concluded 2010 with about 19k MQM rollover. With the additional work trips this year to launch our new application, a bit more then last year! I am not complaining! I have mixed thoughts on the Roll over program in general – I can understand the marketing behind it, after you hit the tier, why keep flying an airline, but it aims to continue to build business after thresholds have been met.
Greetings again from JFK airport in New York City! Safely back from London, with a day that I have found to be one of the best travel experiences. I’d like to think that it all was by chance but I do believe in Pay It Forward . The past 24 hours have been a day where things aligned in a way that have made me feel even more appreciative for the life I have been able to live.
DL 764 SkyTeam Livery
Greetings from JFK, Sky Club by Gate 12. Upon arrival I realized something about JFK, it has not changed since I flew through here on the way to Munich in 1996. I flew on a 767 and L1011 that trip, 767-400 tonight.
United Airlines refreshed the mileageplus landing page for its members of its frequent flyer program. The colors are vivid, and it’s very easy to navigate. Great to see how they highlight the promotions, upgrades, and current activity toward EQS / EQM thresholds. The page is very fluid, great job United! A mouseover the icon next to key words gives clear definitions of the context UA is referring to. I will still miss the iconic Tulip when it departs…