Category Archives: Delays

by rene

Delayed flying Delta today? This will cheer you up!

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Have you ever had a delay induced long term stay in an airport? My wife once got to enjoy the day as an airport guest as a result of her flight being canceled after they damaged the aircraft fuselage by running into the terminal building structure. Ooppppssssieeeee!

So why am I on this track today, you may ask? Did you ever see that movie The Terminal? It was 24 years ago today that the actual guy who evidently inspired the movie began his stay in Terminal 1 at one of my personal favorites, CDG! He was an Iranian refugee at the time trying to get to the UK. It seems the story is that his briefcase with all his paperwork was stolen in Paris so the UK refused to allow him to enter and sent him back to CDG, where he remained until 2006!

There are several references to the story if you’d like to read more details HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE

It just got me thinking about a lot of things. Back in 1988 when this happened the TSA didn’t exist, so getting on a flight without any ID was not out of the question. Cell phones in 1988 were 1G and not very common. The internet was barely in the first stages of development. Obviously, all of those developments in tech and in the airline industry would make it nearly impossible for something like this to happen today, right? So why was the guy stuck in CDG until 2006? It appears to be a very long and tedious political and bureaucratic mess, which isn’t likely to happen to the average person. All the steps we take to ensure smooth travel connections sure seem even more sensible though when you think about the possibility of getting stuck for not just hours or days but months and years! I hope you have a nice flight today and get to where you want to go. – René

 

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by rene

A wake-up call for modern travel

Knowing tech as I do, and using tech as I do, I take steps to try to mitigate the chance of information I want kept private from going public. I am still dumbfounded by the number of times people click on things they get from a “friend” either via facebook or an e-mail that ends up being a virus or malware. But I digress. Today’s blog is about security when you travel. Most of us … Continue reading →

by rene

Delta travel is like comedy – timing is everything!

Ogden’s Hinckley airport from Snowbasin Your “pseudo-expert” Delta Points traveler has just returned from ski trip number two for the year to Salt Lake and did not follow his own advice. But, as my blog post title says, some days your timing can be good and there was a reason for my timing too. I will have a detailed post about my trip and all the fun and saving I had, plus the kool part … Continue reading →

by rene

Some tips for what to do when a flight delay occurs to you – my advice “protect” yourself!

There are some great advantages of being GM or higher in Delta Status and the AMEX Reserve or Platinum (Delta) cards can help you get there. With status, you can call the medallion line and most of the time they will answer on the first ring or your hold time will be less than 1 minute even in the middle of a snow storm or any other crisis. But what if you’re Silver or just … Continue reading →

by rene

My interview with a DELTA flight attendant

Winter is once again upon us and we all know what that means — delays! I took advantage of just such an occasion to chat with a Delta FA about some of her major concerns when it comes to our airline. So have you always been with Delta or were you formerly with NWA? I am a former NWA and must tell you, I was happier then in many ways! Really? How so? Northwest really … Continue reading →

by rene

You may not play this game if you do not know the rules

It was fun to see how everyone did last week with the  pop quiz  about how well we know Delta Airlines rules. It is an unfortunate fact that, like the change to the  ETV rule,  many of the updates are being sneaked in by our beloved Delta. I am under no illusion here. I clearly understand Delta is NOT a charity. They do not fly as an altruistic endeavor so you and I can see … Continue reading →

by rene

KNOW Delta? How about a pop quiz? Are you smarter than a phone rep + win free coupons!

So Diamond’s, Platinum’s and Gold’s ( OK everyone else too ) – you think you know Delta right? You know all about your airline right? Since the rules have been changing this year and more changes start on the 15th of this month, let’s just see how good “you” are with a pop quiz. Don’t cheat and look down but see how you do on these! Q1 – If you are issued a ETV ( … Continue reading →

by rene

The answers to all your Delta questions ☺ well most of them anyway!

Q1) FT’er – When and where should one flash that Delta Skymiles membership card including SM, GM, PM & DM? I have my card clipped to my computer bag when I travel. Do I ever need it? Not really. Today there will be few times you must show it but there are exceptions. Most of the time your status is printed on your boarding pass. A DM can use their card to enter the SKYCLUBS. … Continue reading →

by rene

Wheelchair assistance when flying DELTA AIR LINES and schedule change rules

Before anyone blasts me about this, know that my mom is well over 80 years old, has a metal pin in her leg, and can only walk “so far”. Clear? OK, now that that is out of way I can get on with today’s post. Knowledge is power when it comes to travel. With DELTA rules are always changing and that can drive you kinda nuts! Also, all the rules can be over ridden by … Continue reading →

by rene

Guide for BUMPING on DELTA airlines+ FREE SKYCLUB 1 day pass giveaway!

I have been told by those who fly UNITED that you can ask at check-in to be put on the list and all the way along your route if they need you on any of your segments they will have you on the BUMP list. With DELTA it is not that E-Z. In fact, boarding organization is not one of DELTA’s strong suits. But paying you for bumps is very nice most of the time. … Continue reading →

by rene

What will DELTA do for you when… + PGA TOUR pin drawing

In the summer it storms. In the fall it’s fog and wind. In the winter it is snow. In the spring it rains. Lions and Tigers and bears Oh my! Why fly! We all know things will go wrong when we fly so what can we expect our beloved DELTA to do for us. The stock answer is if it is weather – nothing, nada, zip & zilch. But this is not really true. So … Continue reading →

by rene

My seat! DELTA what happened to my seat?

One sad thing about the current state of affairs with DELTA.com is the lack of info when an aircraft swap happens or slight time change or flight number change occurs on your itinerary. Now you will not see this when you simply look at your flight LIST in your upcoming itinerary page: DELTA website My Trips But you must rather click on each one to expand it and see what it really looks like (this … Continue reading →

by rene

Now the “art” of complaining for free Delta SkyMiles

Delta is a big airline. I mean really big!  Thus, if they can simply give us some miles or DELTA money to “go away”,  they often will. So what exactly am I talking about? Well, what if something went wrong with your “travel experience” on DELTA? Guess what, you can expect to “enjoy” either miles or delta $$$. What do you mean something went wrong? Like what? Lets say you taxi for 30 min in … Continue reading →

by rene

Learn how to book DELTA LOW LEVEL seats to Europe and beyond even summer!

 Today we look at award booking. One of the reasons I love DELTA is how simple it is to collect a ton of miles. The reason most dislike DELTA is their hopelessly broken DELTA.com web site to search for free tickets. Many in the frequent flyer community call it DELTA.dumb. Why? Let’s say I want to visit my mom in Sweden. I would like to fly from Kalamazoo MI (AZO) to Gothenburg Sweden (GOT). Let’s … Continue reading →