[James23321]

22SEP10 – Late Arrival

The original itinerary (Flight DL 3807) listed wheels up from Norfolk international at 9:30 AM with a connecting flight (DL 6009) at Detroit Metro and wheels down at 1:00 PM on Buffalo international. At approx 8AM gate change just next door - no problem. Then there was a mechanical failure that resulted in a delay of 20 min from Norfolk with no delays in Detroit where there was a 35 min lay over now reduced to 15 min; this was not sat. Delta did issue a revised itinerary to get another flight out of Detroit at 3PM and an arrival at Buffalo at 5PM. The revised 9:50 AM departure was delayed due to the mechanical failure that Delta seemed determined to put us on without any consideration to place any one on another carrier like they did on the LaGuardia flight. When Delta was confronted, it was described to be “a different situation”. A few hours later Delta realized they could not put us on the broke plane (that I got the impression they tried there best to do) that would later have to be sent to Detroit with no occupants. I was given a flight out of Norfolk at 2PM (one hour after the original arrival at Buffalo at 1PM!) with a connection at JFK. The Delta crew at Norfolk International acted like a three ring circus; there was a complete lack of professionalism. While at JFK, we were waiting for another hour for the Delta mechanical crew to help with another Delta plane before they could get us wheels up at JFK. I arrived at Buffalo about 8PM. The drive in a new place at night presented a new challenge that I was able to meet. I ended up getting in my Hotel room at 1:30AM 23SEP10. This was a rough day; however, it did not taint my love of travel. Delta did issue me $6 vouchers for two meals and those who have traveled before know that in an airport that's more like snack vouchers. They also issued me a $100 voucher on future Delta flights wich would bring the pricetag to just a little over another carrier that gets the job done a lot better and with no luggage fees. I know mechanical failures happen; I just believe the Delta crew at Norfolk International handled this totally wrong.