[HOWARD M]

My brother and I was full of praise for Delta flight DL04 out to USA JFK. on the 15th DEC. 2009 But regretably the return flight DL03 on the 19th. was canceled before the snow started.
We spent the next 3 days trying to get on a stand by flight back to the UK. Not so much as a a offer of a glass of water for the inconvenience caused to about 500 pasengers they had stranded with all the added expences we all incurred for our extended stay in the USA.
Not to mention loss of earnings for those who were due back at work on the 20th. NEVER AGAIN DELTA Not till you learn customer service.

[cortney]

i dont remember when the snow started on the east coast. but if this was the time frame, i think no matter what airline you were with things were cancelled. American cancelled all flights. I believe they were offering waivers for travellers to get out early before the storm and allowing passengers to travel earlier at no fee

[The_Judge]

If indeed it was a weather issue, which the OP mentioned themselves, why oh why would you blame the airline for being "inconvenienced" and "added expense" and "loss of earnings"? I can agree if they never offered water initially while waiting in line to be re-booked, that could have been handled better but why would one expect the airline to compensate "500" travelers for an issue that was not within their control?

Jim.........over to you.

[PHXFlyer]

You're not going to throw to me, Troy?

While I agree that providing water would have been a nice gesture, it would also have been a costly one for delta or any other airline during such a major weather event. We're talking about JFK here, not Westchester County or even BDL. There were literally hundreds of flights affected so the passenger numbers were undoubtedly in the several thousands. Even one small bottled water per passenger adds up!

And let's just take a reality check here. Have you been to JFK? There are water fountains everywhere. NYC tap water has been rated among the best in the nation. There are plenty of places to buy water if tap "isn't your thing."

This is a perfect example of when travel insurance would have helped. Most policies will pay for lodging and a daily stipend for food and other necessities if you're stranded away from home even when weather is the reason. The OP should call his credit card issuer to see if there was even limited travel insurance just for purchasing the tickets. (That is, of course, if the tickets were charged to a credit card.)

[jimworcs]

Troy,
I am not sure what you expect me to say! In exceptional weather, such as a massive storm, at peak travel times such as Christmas, I think the only remedy is to rely on travel insurance. Any airline at any time would be overwhelmed. To expect any airline in these circumstances to do anything about "loss of earnings" or find alternative flights for everyone immediately is too much. As the journey originated in the UK and returned to the UK, I am assuming the traveller is may not be a US citizen. If he travelled to the US without travel insurance, he must be bonkers. The cost of medical care in the US alone could potentially bankrupt a person, so to travel to the US without the benefit of insurance is crazy. Most travel insurance policies would have covered this eventuality.

As it is Delta, I am sure they handled it badly.. Delta does what Delta does... but I think in this case, the poster is aiming fire at the wrong target.