Are you rethinking travel plans?

By JJ

May 8, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

No, I get on an airplane MAYBE once every 10 years……..

We travel locally. I’ve grown up all over this countr and have travelled extensively in years past, so now I prefer to stay local.

By Toopster

May 8, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

No, it will make me continue to snub Delta and fly Airtran.

The service on Delta is horrible, and their costs are outrageous.

I only fly Delta when I am flying for business and I can’t get around it. But we try for Airtran.

By BossLady

May 8, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

I like Delta and believe that $20 will not make or break me. Delta has the dominance of the airports in Atlanta and in other cities. They have the best flight plans and first come to airstrips and load and unload. My husband tried the other airlines and it was deplorable how they had arrived to Atlanta and could not get to the gate. He watched Delta planes pass them and unload many times before they could pull up to hangar. You pay for what you get in this World.

By Ugh Delta

May 8, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

I had to pay 80 bucks for being 8lbs over my luggage limit. REALLY!!! You make enough money. Let’s not blame gas for the problem. Maybe they should get some profit from the CEO and etc who makes about millions a year plus there bonus! F#*k them!!!

By Disappointed Skymiles account holder

May 8, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

I was charged $25 for checking for a second piece of luggage Tuesday, May 6th. Delta implimented a fee for second bags effective Monday that was charged to all customers—even those that were on the return leg of a round trip, as I was. The fact that I had booked the trip three weeks in advance did not matter either. Had I known that I was going to incur this cost I would have simply stuffed everything into one bag. I would not have had a problem with this rule being put into effect if Delta had notified me beforehand, but to charge me when I am standing at the counter on the return leg of a trip was criminal in my mind. I wonder how much money they squandered from other travelers in my same position.

By Disappointed Skymiles account holder

May 8, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

I was charged $25 for checking for a second piece of luggage Tuesday, May 6th. Delta implimented a fee for second bags effective Monday that was charged to all customers—even those that were on the return leg of a round trip, as I was. The fact that I had booked the trip three weeks in advance did not matter either. Had I known that I was going to incur this cost I would have simply stuffed everything into one bag. I would not have had a problem with this rule being put into effect if Delta had notified me beforehand, but to charge me when I am standing at the counter on the return leg of a trip was criminal in my mind. I wonder how much money they squandered from other travelers in my same position.

By GG

May 8, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Any bets on how long it will be before the high cost of fuel and other factors will bankrupt Airtran? Cut throat airlines are dropping like flies. Who will you fly then Airtran loyalists?

By Abe Ra Ham

May 8, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

The last time I flew was on AirTran. IF and when I fly again, they will get my business.

We flew out to Seattle. The plane actually left Hartsfield a/p on time, and arrived in Seattle on time. We had our bags and were out of SeaTac Airport within 30 minutes of landing.

The staff on this particular flight was extremely courteous. The flight attendants were very friendly and we enjoyed chatting with them.

Our return flight back to ATL, again, left on time, and arrived 10 minutes earlier than scheduled.

I will NEVER, EVER, EVER fly Delta again (DELTA - Don’t Expect Luggage To Arrive).

By Oh Good Lord!

May 8, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Re: Disappointed Skymiles account holder- Do you not read the news, or do you expect Delta Airlines to send you a personal memo? The fees were announced weeks ago in many media venues.

By hrw

May 8, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

Delta Airlines has gone from worse to worse! Whatever they are doing has impacted the way consumers travel. They raise air fare; charge for this and that.. add more because they are paying high fuel cost; so are we who drive! I don’t think Delta will ever recover from where they are to where they need to be. Unless Delta change it operating procedures; they will be saying good by.

By Eric

May 8, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

It’s not affecting me one bit. When I do fly it’s Air Tran all the way.

GO…THERE’S NOTHING STOPPING YOU!

By RJ

May 8, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Looks like we have some Delta employees on here!

By Where's Deltalina?

May 8, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

Major - if not irreparable - damage was done to the Delta brand/image in the years leading up to the Chapter 11. Ever since then, most of the flight attendants are just plain rude, especially the older ones left to work the domestic routes. It’s safe to say that Deltalina is never on my Delta flight.

I doubt that the extra $20 or so will make any real difference either way. If you’re not flying in business class, then you might as well be wearing a mail sack.

By Steve

May 8, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

Everyone out there who is complaining about additional fare increases and lack of service is completely out of line. Passengers have been paying the same prices (until recently) for plane tickets that they have been over the past several years. Meanwhile, the cost of fuel (an airline’s second biggest expense) has been skyrocketing. The airlines had been eating that cost for a while, to maintain a competitive landscape, due to the emergence of discount carriers like JetBlue, Southwest, etc. (Many of which will be absorbed or be gone in the coming years).

If you want the service, pay for first class. Otherwise, expect to pay mroe in coach, or deal with it. Would you expect BP or Chevron to continue to dole out gas at $1.50 per gallon, while crude skyrocekts?

By Disappointed Skymiles account holder

May 8, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

To “Good Lord”:

Is it my responsibilty to read the fine print when I purchase a ticket? Perhaps. My point is that it was unfair to put this rule in effect for ticketholders that had already purchased. Being a skymiles member, I do expect an e-mail alerting me to such a change, as Delta e-mails me about once a week about developments within the airline. I was not notified about this change beforehand and I feel slighted as a result. If you do not agree, so be it, but from a customer service standpoint, the $25 that I was charged to help cover costs could have been collected in a much more professional manner.

By New AirTran Customer

May 8, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

I am in the midst of booking a flight to Miami through AirTran. I’ve been a loyal Delta passenger for years but the spike in prices is crazy especially when they have a competitive airline on their heels. I’m only taking ONE trip and AirTran will be the airline to get my money - not Delta - not EVER.

By ORDtoLHR

May 8, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Steve is absolutely correct. Of course it would be nice if we could pay next to nothing and simultaneously enjoy first-class service with ample leg room. The fact is that passengers feel entitled just because they paid for an airline ticket. The airline is to provide a simple service, namely, to get you to your destination in a safely (and hopefully timely) fashion.

Given the extraordinary capital costs, challenges that face the industry (namely, low-cost competition, surging fuel costs, rigid labor unions, and aging infrastructure), and considerable uncertainty, do not complain if you do not enjoy anything more than this basic service.

I wish airlines offered better service at lower costs like everyone, but I also realize the extraordinary challenges an airline has. They have to develop a sechedule, route aircraft, schedule crew, and price tickets accordingly. This schedule is picked from literally tens of billions of possibilities, and is anything but trivial. Be greatful these firms will still transport you in the presence of today’s challenges.

By Biz Elite

May 8, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

Only 20 bucks? Please keep raising fares so the Airtrash flyers will stay on the inferior ATL airline. Those of you commenting on Airtran fly very little and make comments about service that show your stupidity. We’ll see how long Airtrash lasts in the face of rising fuel prices and a small service network.

I say raise fares $100 to 200 bucks and make some money. The lemming public will pay it until they max out their cards and then finally, maybe, I can enjoy flying again without having to put up with masses of second class flyers.

ps. If a 20 buck increase makes you reconsider flying, maybe you should be taking Greyhound!

By Mike

May 8, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Twenty bucks? If you don’t like it, take the bus or train. Oh yea, no bus or train! Too bad

By Wishin'

May 8, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

Disappointed Skymiles account holder: Yes it IS your responsibility to read the fine print on your ticket instead of crying about it when you get to the ticket counter. And “Good Lord” is correct, the increase was widely reported in newspapers, etc. so it shouldn’t have been a surprise. Obviously you’d have thought them very “professional” to make you an exception to the widely reported increase…typical. I wish the gas companies, grocery stores, and all services providers would be fair about increases prices too-after all I’m a “frequent” purchaser of all those services too. They don’t, but I’ve yet to see a venting forum for complaints about everyone else raising prices too—only airlines get bashed. How unfair is that?? The catalyst for higher prices everywhere is GAS/FUEL PRICES people-stop bashing service providers for not going bankrupt so the consumer can save money. (Perhaps you all should take a business course or better yet, use your head for more than a hat rack!) ORDtoLHR is totally correct-Airlines provide a basic service-stop expecting first class service while paying for coach. NewAirTran Customer— You are part of the problem with the airline industry. Can I PLEASE purchase a life insurance policy on you, it’s just a matter of time and I could use a few materialistic things before the soaring fuel costs put Airtran out of business too. BTW…Airtran is/has also raised prices.

//Headed to the grocery store to “wish” that my local supermarket had sent me an email about the rising prices I’ll find there—that would be so much more professional given my inability to read the newspaper and understand the disaster the economy is in…maybe they’ll wave the higher costs for me since I’m a frequent customer in the interest of professionalism…//

—wishful thinkin’

By Larry

May 8, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

I like that part of will you drive instead of fly due to the surcharges. It will probably cost you more to drive than to buy a airline ticket. The airlines need to charge according to fuel prices. If they don’t, they will be out of business. That includes Air Tran as well.

By ORDtoLHR

May 8, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

Well said wishin’.

Maybe our intellectually gifted governor should hold another brilliant prayer vigil? I’m sure most of the folks who have whined about everything above will be present.

By Rich

May 8, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

Why dont you look at the negatives on Airtran for once. They charge up to $20.00 for a preadvance seat assignment ($40.00 rt) - Delta does not. They only offer music - Delta have music and movie. They take up to 30-40 minutes to claim your checked bags in Atlanta - Delta is about 10-15. And last they are hurting for cash, that is why they sold stock to get some cash reserves. They are selling planes and pulling back on expansion. And finally when you want to book a flight within a week, forget the word discount. There fares are high and sometimes higher than Delta’s!!!!!!!!!

By Rich

May 8, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Why dont you look at the negatives on Airtran for once. They charge up to $20.00 for a preadvance seat assignment ($40.00 rt) - Delta does not. They only offer music - Delta have music and movie. They take up to 30-40 minutes to claim your checked bags in Atlanta - Delta is about 10-15. And last they are hurting for cash, that is why they sold stock to get some cash reserves. They are selling planes and pulling back on expansion. And finally when you want to book a flight within a week, forget the word discount. There fares are high and sometimes higher than Delta’s!!!!!!!!!

By Rich

May 8, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Why dont you look at the negatives on Airtran for once. They charge up to $20.00 for a preadvance seat assignment ($40.00 rt) - Delta does not. They only offer music - Delta have music and movie. They take up to 30-40 minutes to claim your checked bags in Atlanta - Delta is about 10-15. And last they are hurting for cash, that is why they sold stock to get some cash reserves. They are selling planes and pulling back on expansion. And finally when you want to book a flight within a week, forget the word discount. There fares are high and sometimes higher than Delta’s!!!!!!!!!

By Rich

May 8, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Why dont you look at the negatives on Airtran for once. They charge up to $20.00 for a preadvance seat assignment ($40.00 rt) - Delta does not. They only offer music - Delta have music and movie. They take up to 30-40 minutes to claim your checked bags in Atlanta - Delta is about 10-15. And last they are hurting for cash, that is why they sold stock to get some cash reserves. They are selling planes and pulling back on expansion. And finally when you want to book a flight within a week, forget the word discount. There fares are high and sometimes higher than Delta’s!!!!!!!!!

By SHHHH!

May 8, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

Shhhh Rich!!!!…don’t tell!, let those idiots keep thinking that Airtran is so wonderful, it leaves more seats for smarter, higher class passengers. Anyone who’s ever flown alot or done any reasearch knows Airtran is struggling and their maintenance is downright scary. High gas prices will shut them down eventually.

By Sherry

May 8, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this

I will still travel. We need to look at the big picture here. It does cost more to fly these days due to high oil prices. But consider the high ticket prices people are willing to pay to attend a professional sporting event; a concert; a Broadway play, college athletics,a theme park,etc., and that ticket does not include food or drinks which are another huge cost while attending those events. As far as I know there are no refunds allowed for any of those tickets if something comes up and we can’t make it. We parents also spend enormous amounts of money on electronics for our children nowadays, along with all of the games and extras that go with them. So I am keeping this in perspective. We all got used to cheap travel and it seems like a shock, but I will find a way to do what I need to do. If and when the cost of oil drops, then fares will drop again.

By jrrotten

May 8, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

To all airtran fliers///valujet enjoy!F***

By Hawker

May 8, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

Airtran+Southwest=cattle flights;toopster please keep flyin airtran so i can keep my exit row seat with Delta. You get what you pay for & airtran seats are not much if any less expebnsive than most delta flights. I’d rather fly big jets than those 737 dustcroppers with airtrain.

By Hawker

May 8, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

Airtran+Southwest=cattle flights;toopster please keep flyin airtran so i can keep my exit row seat with Delta. You get what you pay for & airtran seats are not much if any less expebnsive than most delta flights. I’d rather fly big jets than those 737 dustcroppers with airtrain.

By ticked off

May 8, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this

$20 here, $25 there, 911 fee, taxes, etc… nothing like paying a total of $439 for a $198 ticket!

Here’s an ida — figure out how much it cost to fly from point A to point B, divide it my 1/2 plan load and add a 7.5% profit (just like the oil companies).

Heck - Delta is already the highest prioed airline in the industry - and that’s after they walked away from all their debts!

Hey Airtran —- time to expand!

By dianne

May 9, 2008 3:08 AM | Link to this

I need directions to Wheeler County which yall, AJC, gave as 80 miles EAST of Savannah, Ga. What?!??

By Tee

May 9, 2008 7:02 AM | Link to this

Every Airline will be raising prices. Stop complaining!!!!! I am sure everyone that is complaining about the fare hike had to make adjustments to there own budgets because of fuel prices. The airlines is a business to make money not lose money. So all you air tran flyers just remember their planes use fuel too,I just hope the rest of the low cost carriers are around in 5 years if fuel prices keep going up. Then you will have no choice but to fly Delta. Those low cost carriers business plan was a great idea 10 years ago but times change.

By Jeff

May 9, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this

Simple solution - learn to fly, get your own airplane, set your own schedules. No baggage fees, no airport hassles, no rude flight attendants …

By John

May 9, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Every airline is raising fares, so that is not the point. People are upset with Delta because they never care about the customer. I fly frequently, and the Delta employees always act like it is a privilege for you to be on their flight. I am from Atlanta, and I always pull for the home team, but I have been kicked around like a dog for too long. Even a loyal dog will eventually leave when abused too much.

By mechi

May 9, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

Re:Disappointed Skymiles, I agree with you on the point that since you had already purchased your ticket, you should have received some type of communication from Delta concerning the increase. To me it is not the monetary issue as much as customer service, regardless if they advertised the change on various media outlets, a personal email is the difference between a company just seeing you as a dollar sign vs. valuing your business and making sure you return as a customer. As for the $20 increase, it wouldn’t change my travel plans, but with the increase I would expect slighty better customer service. Like others have said you get what you pay for, but in this case I thing the only thing the customer is getting is a higher fare.

By AmazonRed

May 9, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

A SkyMiles member is a regular passenger. So “being a skymiles member” means nothing. You get no perks or special conderation until you are a Medallion member. Just FYI.

By Larry

May 9, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this