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 Improve treatment of our soldiers, Delta
Posted Thu November 19, 2009 12:00 pm, by Bill R. written to Delta Air Lines
Write a Letter to this Company | Rate this Company
November 19, 2009
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Att: Mr. Richard H. Anderson, CEO
P.O. Box 20706
Atlanta, Georgia 30320-6001
Dear Mr. Anderson,
Tuesday October 13, 2009 my wife and I traveled from Austin, Texas to Orlando, Florida through Atlanta, Georgia on Flights 1458 and 1309. We returned on the 19th on Flights 1304 and 1697.
For the most part we found your staff accomodating for our one full fare and the other a Sky Miles trip. The equipment was clean, in good working order and on time departures and arrivals were the case.
Upon our arrival at MCO for our return to Austin, Texas we were “expedited” by one of your associates shortly before 4AM on the 19th after your automated systen would not accept our confirmation numbers. Once processed through Security we noted that we were on different flights and one we learned was overbooked. I located an associate who in turn corrected the issues and got us on another flight. In retrospect it was obvious that the first asscociate was just expediting people away from her position so someone else would have to address issues further down the line.
On the flight to Atlanta I sat next to an Air Force Technical Sergeant on his way to his third overseas deployment, this time Kabul, Afghanistan. Never meeting a stranger we got to talking and I found that our soldiers traveling on orders are charged the same amount regular travelers are charged for baggage handling. I find this unacceptable and hard to believe that your company would do this knowing that they are shipping out to do a very important job and most likely will be in harms way in less than 24 hours. I strongly suggest that you reconsider this practice and figure out a more acceptable method of “growing” your bottom line.
I fully appreciate that nothing will come of my request. However, if enough people read this letter on such sites as planetfeedback.com and others and share with you that charging Active U.S. Military Personnel for baggage handling is unacceptable just maybe this poilcy will be changed.
Sincerely,
 Reply
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by starboxer7 Posted Thu November 26, 2009 @ 1:38 AM
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It is a nice thought, but what about nurses, doctors, police officers,
teachers, etc? See where I'm going?
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by b d. Posted Fri November 20, 2009 @ 11:54 PM
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i completely agree that it's up to the military to pay the fees, not
delta.
the military would be wise to have a contract with an airline so that
they would pay the bill, but get a discounted price since the airline
is getting all their business.
if the airlines should foot the bill, shouldn't hotels, restaurants,
etc?
let's not make them pay for their house while we're at it! everyone
would be in the military if that were the case...no bills...decent
salary...sign me up.
military's employees...military's responsibility...
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ALL of the airlines do this, and I don't agree that they should absorb
the cost. I think the military/government should pay for their
flights. And yes, I realize that it means we taxpayers would pick up
that tab, but I have no problem contributing.
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by Venice Posted Fri November 20, 2009 @ 8:14 PM
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that deployed soldiers flew for free. I thought the
military/government paid. I don't think the airlines should absorb
the cost either. Employees don't usually pay their own airfare when
traveling on company business. Do they?
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by Jared C. Posted Fri November 20, 2009 @ 12:27 PM
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IMO, all armed forces personnel should be given completely, 100% free
travel - billed to either the military (since the soldier was going to
a conflict zone) or the charges should be eaten by the air carrier.
Not only that....they deserve free healthcare...and free collegiate
education during the time they serve...as well as for some time period
afterwards (and permamently free healthcare if its related to an
injury suffered while serving)
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by PepperElf Posted Fri November 20, 2009 @ 12:12 PM
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I use to be Navy so I'm very experienced in this...
1) Traveling on orders the service member isn't paying for his/her own
ticket.
He/She only has to pay (extra) for the ticket if "rerouting".
For example, when I left my second ship, I had a school and then
follow-on orders to Japan, but I could take 30 days of leave between
commands.
My ticket from Norfolk to Japan was for $X (i forget which). I think
I paid for my own ticket to home, but asked for the ticket to Japan to
be routed from the city I would be in ...
Since it was cheaper to leave from that other city instead of Norfolk,
the ticket was cut. If it had been more expensive I would have had to
pay the difference.
2) Baggage
Traveling on orders we were given one extra checked bag for free.
So if civilians received 1 free bag and had to pay for anything else,
we would get 2 free bags, and then would have to pay for anything
else.
As far as I know this hasn't changed.
3) PCS - permanent change of station
if the service-member is moving his/her entire household that's
already covered by the military. The man or woman would only need to
travel with what he/she might need right away, and the rest of the
household items would follow via shipment.
but he/she still gets the +1 on bags in an airport
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by Just Jeffrey Posted Fri November 20, 2009 @ 11:00 AM
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Delta's policy:
"Will the first or second bag policy apply to active U.S. Military
personnel checking bags?
No. U.S. Military personnel on active duty with travel orders may
check in 10 bags on Delta aircraft or 4 bags on Delta Connection®
carriers at no additional charge. Each bag has a maximum weight of 100
lbs (45 kg) and size of 80 linear inches (203 cm)."
This seems to differ from the claim that "soldiers traveling on orders
are charged the same amount regular travelers are charged for baggage
handling."
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10 bags? 4?
by PepperElf Fri November 20, 2009 @ 12:14 PM
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by pat n. Posted Fri November 20, 2009 @ 10:24 AM
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As an Army Major, and twice deployed soldier, I can safely say that
the AF Sergeant will be reimbursed fully for any baggage fees the
airline charged. Usually, a service member (SM) can show a copy of his
orders, and their bags will be checked without a fee. I've done this
in the past month with Delta, AirTran, and Northwest. Additionally, if
they do charge a fee. the SM gets that back when they send in their
travel voucher. Not only is baggage covered, but tips to porters if
needed, and mileage to and from his home/unit. In addition every
soldier gets $3.00 "incidental" per diem. ($3.50 when he gets
overseas)
Yes, it might be an inconvenience to have to pay upfront, but the AF
will take care of it, eventually.
HoooAah
MajorPat
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should be letter of the week!
Best. Letter. EVER!
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by Jo23 Posted Thu November 19, 2009 @ 10:48 PM
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Wow, nice letter and nice follow up on Bill's part with the serviceman
that he met. I'm sure that it means a lot to him to have a friendship
while he's out there.
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by Just Jeffrey Posted Thu November 19, 2009 @ 1:46 PM
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Bill,
I assume you pulled out your wallet and handed him what he paid in
baggage fees, in order to thank him for his important work.
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