[jennyra]

Here is the crazy correspondence between me and Delta.
Dear Mrs. R

RE: Case Number 2515022

This will acknowledge receipt of your correspondence addressed to the
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Norman Strickman, Director,
Aviation Consumer Protection Division - Office of Aviation Enforcement
and Proceedings, has asked Delta Air Lines to respond to you directly.

Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the cancellation of Chautaugua
Flight 6008. On behalf of everyone at Delta Air Lines, I sincerely
apologize for any inconvenience caused when you did not travel as
planned.

I am truly sorry for the frustration you experienced when your travel
was negatively impacted due to the cancellation of our flight for
weather-related conditions. I am sure this was especially frustrating
knowing there was a lack of timely updates regarding the departure time
and ultimate cancellation of the flight. For this, I am truly sorry.

Further, please understand that weather can disrupt hundreds of flights
at the same time in and around an affected city or even en route to a
destination. This problem can exist not only during the weather
conditions but for hours afterward. Takeoffs and landings depend on the


fuel load, type of aircraft, number and length of open runways, and
other related air traffic conditions. During weather conditions, an
airport can inevitably open for one takeoff and close again. As weather


clears there can also be far too many aircraft landing or departing at
the affected city. This “traffic jam” can sometimes only be alleviated
by canceling, diverting, or significantly delaying some flights.

Additionally, be assured that Delta does not cancel flights due to light


loads. Each of our aircraft, as well as our flight crew members, is
assigned to a complex rotation pattern. If the many factors affecting
flight operations prevent one of our aircraft from adhering to its
schedule, our operations personnel must make the difficult decision as
to how to serve the majority of our passengers in the best possible way
while keeping inconvenience to a minimum. I hope this explanation sheds


some light on your concerns.

With that said, as a gesture of apology for any lack of timely updates
and caring assistance provided during the cancellation of Flight 6008, I


have issued an Electronic Transportation Credit Voucher (eTCV) in the
amount of $50.00. Please note the voucher number and associated Terms
and Conditions will be arriving in a separate email. I encourage you to


add Delta Air Lines to your receiver list so the voucher document is
not
misdirected to your spam folder. Please keep the voucher number and the


Terms and Conditions since the number is required for redemption. It
is
also important to remind you that there is no Direct Ticketing fee for
reservations confirmed online at delta.com.

I hope I have been able to successfully address the concerns you have
about our weather-related cancellation of Flight 6008. Your business is


important to us and given the opportunity of serving you in the future,

I am confident Delta will not only meet but exceed your expectations.


Sincerely,

HERE IS MY FIRST REPLY:

Thank you for your response, but what I would really like to know is
what "exactly" happened with my husband's flight. I asked where the
flight originated and I was told it originated in Columbus. We are from

Columbus. The weather was not bad that day and Delta flights flew in and
out all day from Columbus. In fact, my husband left at about 5:30 on a
different Delta flight through Atlanta. (And his original flight was due
to leave at 6:00). Not only that, but one of your attendants at the
gate told my husband that the flight had been canceled when she came in
to work at 12:30 and didn't know if it had been canceled earlier. Plus
Air Tran did not cancel their flight from Columbus to Memphis. It was
leaving about 1/2 hour later than my husband's canceled flight. I
looked at flights that went in and out of Memphis and Delta flights were
flying in and out all day long with no problems. In fact, I printed
out The information to save as evidence. The flight my husband was supposedto be on even flew out of Memphis to Phoenix. And you ask me to believe that it was weather related. When I talked to a supervisor out
of Cincinnati and presented this information to her she suggested that I
call or write the FAA and complain which I have done. So if you want a
satisfied customer, we need to know the "exact" circumstances
surrounding why my husband's flight was canceled. I am referring you
to a recent article that states that airlines cancel flights all of the
time due to not enough passeNgers. Here is the link. http://current.newsweek.com/budgettr...ground_ec.html

Here is just one small excerpt from this article:

"When Dr Jing Xiong factored in each plane's average ticket price, she
found that airlines may discriminate against flights with lots of
passengers who bought discounted tickets. She showed that flights on one
airline with full business class sections were rarely canceled, while
flights stuffed mostly with economy class passengers were often
grounded. "

I really would like an "honest" answer to what happened. I know it
wasn't the weather because I checked on it in both cities and it
originated right here in Columbus where we live. Flights went in and
out of both cities all day. I printed out all of the information and
have kept it in a file. It would be nice if companies would go back to
good customer service. It is so rare these days. Companies seem to
think we will just take it and don't have any knowledge of what really
goes on.

Sincerely,

HERE IS DELTA'S RESPONSE:

Dear Ms. R

RE: Case Number 2515022

I am in receipt of your email and I regret your disappointment.

My previous response to you was an honest answer. I regret you feel it
was not.

As I have stated, weather can be anywhere in the flight pattern.
Looking outside and seeing the sunshine can often be misunderstood, as
this may not be where the weather issue is located. Flight 6008 was
cancelled due to weather.

Further, I have also addressed, very specifically, your assertion that
flights are not cancelled due to light loads. Please understand, this is

not what occurred.

With that said, again, I am sorry you are not satisfied with my response

or my explanation, however, the information I have provided is true and

correct.

I do hope we will have the opportunity to provide you with a more
positive experience.

Thank you, again, for writing, and allowing me the opportunity to
further address your concerns.


Sincerely,

HERE IS MY REPLY:

Thank you for your prompt response. I would like to know more than just
a general "weather" answer. Belief to me is based on evidence. The
evidence I have states that the flight originated in Columbus. It was
canceled as early as 12:30. Delta flights flew in and out of Columbus
and Memphis all day and at the specific times my husband's flight was to
leave. I need you to be more specific. What was it? Was it the flight
pattern? What weather was it "exactly" that caused the flight to be
canceled? If you give me the evidence, I might be more inclined to
believe you.

Sincerely,

HERE IS DELTA'S FINAL UNSATISFACTORY REPLY THAT GIVES NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE REASON THAR THE FLIGHT WAS CAANCELED WAS DUE TO WEATHER. THEY DO NO CARE THAT THEY INCONVENIENCED US AND THAT IF WE CHANGED OUR FLIGHT, WE WOULD BE FINED A HEFTY FEE. THY THINK THY CAN SHUT US UP BY OFFERING US A 50 DOLLAR VOUCHER! READ ON:

Dear Ms. R

RE: Case Number 2515022

Thank you for your email.

Flight pattern information is not something we offer. While I do regret
your continued dissatisfaction with my responses, this fight was
cancelled due to weather. I have thoroughly investigated this issue and
while I understand you do not agree with my findings, I have nothing
further to add.

Again, I am sorry for your disappointment in the handling of your
concerns.

With that said, this matter is considered to be closed and we will not
be responding further to this issue.

Thank you.

[jimworcs]

The 'flight pattern information is not something we offer' tells it all. If we say it is weather, then is is weather, but we will not provide any evidence whatsoever. That makes a mockery of the law and illustrates why re-regulation of the airlines and more competition is the only way forward.

[jennyra]

Thank You For Your Response. I Did Correct My Typing Errors, But I Must Not Have Clicked On The Right Spot To Edit Them. (i Broke My Hand Yesterday And Am Typing One-handed. At Least I See You Got The Point. Your Comments Much Appreciated.

[Gromit801]

And the broken record drones on and on and on...........

[A320FAN]

That was nice of DL to give you a credit voucher when you should have not received anything at all. Have you not seen the coverage from Xmas through the end of January? Between the Midwest, the Northeast, Mid Atlantic and Southern regions of the United States, there have been no less then 7 significant snow storms which distrupted travel plans all over the country. At one point this winter 49 of 50 states had snow onthe ground or falling.

[jennyra]

Evidently You Did Not Read My Information Correctly. On The Day My Husband Flew There Was No Bad Weather. It Was Not During Those Snow Storms. Delta Flights Flew In And Out Of Memphis And Columbus All Day. They Could Give Me No Evidence That There Was Any Bad Weather. Other Airlines Flying From Columbus To Memphis At About The Same Time As My Husband's Flight Did Not Cancel Their Flights.

[stevicus]

Originally Posted by jennyra

Evidently You Did Not Read My Information Correctly. On The Day My Husband Flew There Was No Bad Weather. It Was Not During Those Snow Storms. Delta Flights Flew In And Out Of Memphis And Columbus All Day. They Could Give Me No Evidence That There Was Any Bad Weather. Other Airlines Flying From Columbus To Memphis At About The Same Time As My Husband's Flight Did Not Cancel Their Flights.

I think you're right. If it really was the weather, then they would have been upfront about it.

"Flight pattern information is not something we offer." I broke out into laughter upon reading that. What they really mean is: "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."