Delta Air gouges returning soldiers
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Delta Airlines stings soldiers returning from war
Consumer Reports rated Delta Airlines one of the worst in the nation, and personal experience supports that evaluation. Now, however, even Delta has outdone itself in its never-ending pursuit of the almighty dollar. They are stinging returning soldiers for extra baggage fees. Read this unbelievable story and watch the video:
A unit of soldiers on their way home had to shell out nearly $3000 of their own money in excess baggage fees to Delta Air Lines. The troops, whose orders stated that they could check in up to four bags free of charge, had to pay $200 for every fourth bag after the airline told them that service members not traveling in first class are limited to three bags, CBS News reports. “Anything over three bags you have to pay for,” one soldier says. “Even though there’s a contract between the US Government and Delta Airlines.”
“Not happy, not happy at all,” one soldier says in a video posted on YouTube. “We had a little issue with the bags this morning.” Another soldier explained what he had in his fourth bag: “It was a weapons case holding my grenade launcher and a 9 millimeter, the tools that I used to protect myself and the Afghan citizens while I was deployed in the country.” A military spokeswoman says the troops will be reimbursed for the extra baggage fees.
Delta loves soldiers
What are your thoughts regarding this despicable act by Delta airlines?
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Ah, they are a business and are trying to make money. IF the contract indeed calls for four bags free and they were breaking the contract they should reimburse. I’ve worked for the government and at times they make mistakes. I’ve worked for airlines and I know they make mistakes. I do know that ever since 9-11 the agents at the counters for most airlines have a lot less authority. They used to be able to upgrade off airline employees riding on passes or jumpseats among other things so I am sure that the check-in people try to follow the rules as they are told.
If the government is saying they would reimburse the soldiers for the excess bag fees but so far not saying that they will then go out after Delta (and I would guess other airlines) for not sticking to the contract I wonder if there might be more…or less to the story. But to expect a company in this day and time to “give” away almost anything seems a bit strange. I know I pay for checked bags on most airlines (what little travel I do these days). So a group of GI’s stop into a Taco Bell…should they get some free burritos? Does Lockheed or Boeing “give” things away…
What in the reading I have done is actually see an article actually proving that Delta was not doing what they had agreed to do as far as their contract. I’ve worked for the Air Force and the Navy and I have to say that it wasn’t unusual to lean what we had been told by supervisors (thinking they were giving the straight scoop) wasn’t quite right. Increased weight is increased costs. When I was hauling trash from South America to the US we would find that certain customers flights had a fuel burn that was larger then expected. When the temp, the altitude you cruise at, the mach number and the route of flight all match and you burn more fuel…it is most likely the additional weight causing the increased fuel burn…and increased cost. So if Delta is actually now “giving” them an extra bag for free it will mean that other Delta customers are going to pay for it in the long run.
Thanks for your very reasoned observations Mike. You raise some excellent points and I enjoyed your Taco Bell analogy. Thanks again.
I can’t even fathom how they could ‘possibly’ try to justify or excuse, or diminish this. Principle is enough, even if they did reimburse. Wow.
The soldiers will be reimbursed as they should be, but who will reimburse the Government? If there is a contract, then Delta should return the money, no matter what. Let’s add up how much this comes to with several thousands of troops moving around the country at an extra $200 per head. By my math 50,000 soldiers comes out to $10 million. Another case of corporate greed that the Congress will ignore, while we, again, end up paying the bill.
This matches my personal experience with Delta Airlines. They treated me in an arrogant and despicable manner. I have never had a good experience flying on Delta, but I will never have another bad one. I wouldn’t get on one of their planes at the point of a gun.
We agree with you in England, Mike. Check out our story at The Periscope Post: http://www.periscopepost.com/2011/06/delta-charges-returning-soldiers-2800-for-extra-bags/
If Delta really supported the troops every single ticket agent would know about the rule and it would be posted at each of their counters to avoid causing these men and women so much grief! It’s unbelievable that when they informed them there was a contract between the government and Delta they still insisted on collecting the $200. Did they not check with a supervisor? Did the supervisor not know the rule? Was management told to collect it anyway if possible? This is unbelievable!!!
Despicable money grubbers. Delta is a terrible airline and this is another reason why.