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By Douglas | July 7, 2010, 7:01 am | Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain |Direct Views: 94
By Douglas | June 28, 2010, 5:21 pm | Location: Atlanta, GA |Direct Views: 81  Arranging my upcoming trips, I hopped on Delta.com to download the files to my calendar. I would typically download it twice, and then adjust one of them to be for the outbound and inbound. While on Delta.com today, I see the link to a summary of itineraries and when adding to outlook, I can choose which leg. United.bomb had this functionality but they later removed it, not sure if it is back, since I don’t fly them.
Thanks Delta for enhancing Delta.com for the better, makes it easier to manage outlook.
By Douglas | June 27, 2010, 9:05 am | Location: Atlanta, GA |Direct Views: 63 It has been a while since I have updated on Delta and SkyPriority, work has been a bit hectic. On May 26, 2010, Delta communicated that the boarding process for SkyPriority will be augmented based on customer feedback. The change in the boarding process is very positive and takes into account the many challenges I experienced on my trip to Manila. While the Silver Medallion seem beyond angry, recognition for those with 50k or more a year on your airline should occur, and those in First/Business Elite should be priority (though Non-Revs that have confirmed seating are viewed as full fare passengers). Thanks for listening Delta to the customers on this “enhancement”.
Starting June 1st, we will revert back to advance boarding for BusinessElite®, First and Business Class customers. The modified boarding order will be:
- Pre-boarding for customers requiring assistance
- NEW — Boarding of BusinessElite, First and Business Class customers*
- Zone 1 boarding for Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion® members and SkyTeam® Elite Plus customers
- Zone 2 boarding for Silver Medallion members and SkyTeam Elite customers
- Zones 3 and 4 boarding for all other customers
And remember, customers in BusinessElite, First and Business Class, Zone 1 and Zone 2 can board anytime after their zone is called using the Sky Priority boarding lane.
By Douglas | May 8, 2010, 9:52 am | Location: 37,000 feet above the US |Direct Views: 130 Posted from Elmhurst, Illinois, United States.
 in update to my previous thread regarding Delta and Sky Priority, the program has not improved but they won me back. Previous post: Update: Experience Delta Sky Priority – Atlanta to Manila (A Marketing Bust…)
I sent an email to feedback at Delta and received the standard canned response. A bit disappointed, I sent my note on to another contact at Delta Airlines. While I did not here back for a while, a response came on behalf of Richard Anderson, CEO. While you may say ” that’s a person just responding from a customer service group” , the response was exceptional! They addressed my concern and closed with a personal note about my change in job functions. Kudos to Delta Airlines !
Now it gets better! After a frustrating night at Aria in Vegas, TSA with mobile boarding pass readers with dead batteries, I was confident that my trip home from work on this Saturday would be mediocre at best.
the plane boarded on time with a 07:45 departure , 753 service to Atlanta. While the Sky Priority process remains too large when boarding, the flight crew turned my day around.
Sitting in 3D, I overheard the crew mention my seat number in passing. Linda, flight leader today stopped by to introduce herself and express her apologies for my previous Delta experience. she offered any assistance on today’s flight, kudos to Linda and the other F/a in first this morning. The passenger next to me commented on the conversation, and has 5 million miles with Delta. A few minutes later, before departure, Linda passed through the first cabin introducing herself, offering assistance if needed and thank each one of us by name for our business.
The pilots are currently mentioning landmarks as we fly over, in a friendly, non obnoxious way.
Thank you Delta Airlines, Linda and the crew today for exceeding my expectations and winning over the small doubt I may have had about Delta’s goal to be best in class. I look forward to my next flight on Delta.
Writing this on GoGo with the iPad is a breeze. Only one small challenge with word press and blogging in visual mode ( does not work). Early arrival into Atlanta and beautiful day to fly. Delta 1703.
By Douglas | May 7, 2010, 2:32 pm | Location: Las Vegas, NV |Direct Views: 121 Posted from Paradise, Nevada, United States.
Some humor is in this story, since it did not turn out bad, but relates to a sad topic of mental illness. Can you imagine passengers seeing a flight attendant being called satan (that may be priceless). Stanely Sheffield suffers from bi polar disorder, while on a flight he called out to a flight attendant as satan, sprayed others with water from the cart and tried to open the cockpit door. The article – “Ex-wife of Stanely Sheffield: ‘He needs help’” It took eight people to subdue Mr. Sheffield. On a previous flight out west – he was not allowed to reboard after a layover -
But there were other indications Stanley might have had trouble aboard a
plane. On his flight from Tampa out west, he was not allowed to
re-board the plane during a layover in Denver. Police were called to
the United terminal because of an incident between Sheffield and some
employees. Police did not make an arrest, instead helping Sheffield
find a Southwest Airlines flight to Los Angeles.
As a frequent traveler and having someone close to me suffer from mental illness, I can understand many sides. Ultimately, in the air, regardless of mental state, a person can still do harm to a large amount of people. Imagine if he attempted to open doors of the plane or a variety of more extreme tasks. Flying may not be best suited for his future travelers if this is is a reoccurring theme.
By Douglas | May 4, 2010, 5:47 pm | Location: Atlanta, GA |Direct Views: 139 A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a website called Widgetheads.net. It was a website dedicated to Delta, including news, fleet information, among many other components. What impressed me the most about the site was the fleet information, down to the tail and livery of the plane. Sadly, it recently ceased with a note on the site.
Dear Fellow Widgetheads,
I regret to inform you that Widgetheads.net has shut its doors for good. This decision was made due to circumstances that are out of my control. However, the decision has absolutely nothing to do with any legal issues regarding Delta Air Lines. Please do not contact me offering assistance in any way, including financial or informational. There is no way to bring Widgetheads.net back online. I want to thank everyone who has visited the site over the past years, and especially those that contributed. As I’ve said many times before, this site would have not gotten as far as it did if it wasn’t for you. Its status was more than I could have ever imagined. So again, thank you for your support. I am very aware of the impact that this has on the aviation community. Please trust that I would not have done this if there was any possible way to stop it. Don’t let the actions of this website stop you from following the greatest airline on the planet. I trust that all of you widgetheads never lose the Delta Spirit. May the Widget live on forever!
Sincerly,
Justin
A lot of effort went into creating and maintaining the site, we may not know why it really went away since offers of financial support or informational is not warranted.
By Douglas | April 26, 2010, 2:18 pm | Location: Atlanta, GA |Direct Views: 562  In a recent work trip to Manila, I was able to experience the new “Sky Priority’ as discussed in previous posts. Here is my experience with Delta’s new “enhanced benefits” for a trip on 4/19 to MNL (ATL-NRT-MNL) back on 4/24 (MNL-NOG-DTW-ATL). I wrote about the announcements in previous posts – http://astriker.com/blog/threads/sky-priority/
Faster Check-in: Access dedicated check-in areas at the airport to help you move through the process faster.
I arrived at ATL at noon for a 13:55 departure to Narita, with excitement to experience the new Sky Priority since the rumors from Deltalina’s twitter back in April. Having checked in online, I was unsure where to go for web drop off. I hunted down a DL person in front of Sky Priority area (by the stand alone kiosks) and asked where I go. They verified I was in Business Elite and a Platinum, and directed me to the kiosk. Having already checked in, I arrived at the kiosk, went through the check-in process again, and was unsure where to drop off my bag. While checking in, another DL agent stopped me and asked why i was checking in at the Sky Priority area. i explained that the other DL employee checked, and I am flying BE and am Platinum. he asked for my boarding pass and ID. In confusion, the other agent came over and explained she already checked me. Not feeling quite like a priority to Delta at this point. After checking in and told to go to web drop off at Sky Priority, in a puzzled attempt, I look to determine where to deliver my bags. None of the LCD screens note bag check-in or drop off, and not wanting to cutoff others in the line, I returned back looking for an employee asking where to go. I was again advised to go to the web drop off, which none of the screens showed. I was told to wait in line behind another person.
This is my favorite part of my check in experience of my bags, the agent said nothing to me, until I asked “how are you today” while she scanned my information. Her response was ” I cannot wait to go home“. I thanked her for her job, and departed, with that being the only statement she made to me. Business Elite/Plat with Delta, going overseas, and excellent example of customer service…. Best in Class!
Accelerated Security: Walk through expedited security lines at select airports so you can get on your way as soon as possible.
In select airports, which includes Atlanta, and for our passengers departing out of the South Gates, this is the same line that was for 1st, Medallion, but has a new sign that says Sky Priority. No worries on anyone checking, the frequent traveler line had the normal family with kids, and the Sky Priority line had people with no status in economy. Luckily ATL is usually quick to get through, minus the TSA’s resentment for mobile boarding passes. Same product, new branded name…. Best in Class .
Highest Boarding Priority: Board in Zone 1, so you can enter first to secure the best overhead bins or take your seat at your leisure—the choice is yours.
Out of all of the new “enhancements” this one had me most concerned. In a 744, going overseas, the number of Elite Plus will be a great amount. The line was incredibly long, with the Diamond Medallion that flies monthly in Business Elite at $7k a ticket, boarding with the Gold Medallion that received it as a gift from another person, or through a mixture of credit card promos and some flying. Yes they have gold, but which customer truly is higher revenue and worth more to Delta? The gate agent had us line up single file, which one could see the incredible length of the line, boarding Business Elite along with the rest deteriorated the previous product, under the new branded name… Best in Class .
Expedited Baggage Service: Have your bags delivered first to the carousel so you can head home or to your next meeting with no delay.
The keyword with Expedited Baggage Service to the carousel, they don’t mention which carousel. i arrived at DTW, the flight 0630 was listed on the carousel where I waited and many bags came off with the priority tags. Only after 20 minutes of waiting, and asking a few DL employees, I noticed my bag was on the carousel to the left, that had no flight info denoted. It just arrived on top the belt. I would like to think this was a one off, but not quite, I arrived at Atlanta, and yet again, I waited at a carousel with my flight info, bag arrived somewhere else… Best in Class
Exclusive Reservations Line: Access an elite team of personal representatives, available 24/7 when you call the number on the back of your Medallion credentials.1
The exclusive reservation line seems to only apply to revenue tickets, if you are calling regarding mileage award tickets, you will get a person most likely with no understanding of the policy. While delayed in DTW, I called the phone number to cancel out an award ticket ot CDG due to a change of plans. I asked them to reissue the miles, and advised that I have not used 1 of my 2 redeposits this year. I was told the fee remains $50 and how did I want to pay for it. I explained that with my status, that I was given 2 free. She advised that I was incorrect and would need to check with her supervisor. She asked to place me on hold for “4 to 5 minutes”. When she returned, I was told that I was correct and that they would redeposit them. As a 1K with United Airlines, I must say, the 1K line was AMAZING, it was one number to call for everything you could ever need assistance. The best part is that they would connect you to other departments (example Mileage Plus) and wait on the line with you until they were sure things were okay. Often, I found it to be a lifesaver, and they did award tickets through their 1K/GS line. My phone experience with Delta and the Exclusive Reservation line is an example of … Best in Class .
Living in Atlanta, International options are few and far between compared to ORD where fares were much lower. I give Delta kudos to their pilots for great tours of the cockpits while on my flights and for the most part, friendly in flight crew.
Delta has a long way to go to meet their commitment of being … Best in Class .The addition of Diamond, in lieu of raising Platinum to similar levels of competitors, online Award Calendar that does not work for low awards, and now Sky Priority, the distance for them to improve is even further. Not often I give United enough credit, great job on the Red Carpet Lane for 1st/Business/GS/1K.
Hopefully with enough feedback from frequent fliers Delta will further enhance their program taking into account the goal for competitive benchmarking on the above items.
Another article highlighting similar – Delta New Sky Priority is Much Ado about Little
By Douglas | April 24, 2010, 11:46 am | Location: |Direct Views: 66 Posted from Romulus, Michigan, United States.
Weather in the south continues to cause flight delays going to Atlanta. both flights from Nagoya and Manila arrived early.
Our new departure time is 15:30 instead of 14:00. The equipment is 777, seat 3A, one leg left, 500th flight completed.
By Douglas | April 10, 2010, 11:03 am | Location: Atlanta, GA |Direct Views: 446 SkyMilesInsider posted on FlyerTalk the details of the new Sky Priority that is on its way. Delta has launched the official site supporting the new program. This is follow up to previous posts – Update: Sky Priority Signage and Delta Sky Priority Coming in Spring. According to the Delta Website:
Sky Priority is our way of showing our most valued customers that we appreciate your business and want to do all we can to save you time as you travel. It is a suite of improved, more exclusive benefits designed to move you through your journey faster and provide an overall better travel experience.
From booking to baggage claim, you’ll enjoy enhanced benefits like:
Faster Check-in: Access dedicated check-in areas at the airport to help you move through the process faster.
Accelerated Security: Walk through expedited security lines at select airports so you can get on your way as soon as possible.
Highest Boarding Priority: Board in Zone 1, so you can enter first to secure the best overhead bins or take your seat at your leisure—the choice is yours.
Expedited Baggage Service: Have your bags delivered first to the carousel so you can head home or to your next meeting with no delay.
Exclusive Reservation Line: Access an elite team of personal representatives, available 24/7 when you call the number on the back of your Medallion credentials.
Additional Benefits: Earn coupons for checking in online, enjoy earlier access to exit rows and forward cabin seats, and use priority lanes at Baggage Service Offices and Need Help Centers.
From the FT community, the new program is being received with mixed reviews. For those passengers that often fly in paid first/business elite cabin, it would seem to devalue their ticket by boarding all Sky Priority in Group 1. My largest complaint with DL is their boarding process. Zone 2 is incredibly big, and the way the people crowd the gates, even in Zone 1, I can rarely get through to board, unless I camp out. I would have liked to see Delta do something a little different.
- Increase the number of Boarding Zones they Airline uses, allowing Zone 1 to remain First/Business Elite, but expand the Zone 2 Boarding group based on Tiers.
- Adjust the boarding lanes for “Sky Priority” to have the lane be closest to the agent, not farthest
Flying back from Fort Lauderdale, I was reminded how much I don’t care for the boarding, and I miss how United greatly improved upon it. I have to give DL some credit, for making a change in the current economy, hopefully this will allow them to remain competitive with the other carriers that already have similar programs.
Delta’s overall goal: We believe that these changes will provide a more consistent experience and travel path to Sky Priority eligible customers. As we move forward with the complete roll-out of Sky Priority, we will work to include your feedback in the program and encourage you to let us know how we are doing along the way by frequently completing our customer surveys.
By Douglas | April 6, 2010, 10:02 pm | Location: Atlanta, GA |Direct Views: 495 In follow up to previous blog - Delta News: New "Sky Priority" Benefits for High-Revenue Elites to be Announced Spring 2010. While traveling on business to Austin at the end of March, I noticed the new Sky Priority signage at the boarding area. This will be coming to an airport near you. A few of my thoughts...
- No mention of Silver or Elite members to utilize the new boarding process outside of General Boarding
- I am beginning to think that Diamond is the old Platinum.
- The Priority Lane is yet again, away from the agent. This results in the frequent travelers having to cross into the general line, all too often the Gate Agent seems disgruntled. I have to give a Kudos to United, there GS/1k/First - Red Carpet was an incredible addition to their recognition process. Entering the area, agent there to scan and to board without having to cut into the crowd waiting to board.
Will be interesting to see what else comes of this, set to launch later this month.
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