[rkettle]

My son spent a weeks salary to come home on leave from Ft. Bragg over veterans day.

Us Airways from Fayetteville to Denver was GREAT. They waived the bag charge for his one bag and thanked him for his service.

Delta , on the return trip was rude, and disrespectful. When asked if she would waive the bag fee for the flight, agent Laura Houston in Denver said soldiers were taking advantage of that so no. Only troops on orders can have bag fees waived, not soldiers on leave. Another agent said they can use their discretion, if they feel sorry for the soldier they can waive the fee. I told her that was not discretionary, it was in fact DISCRIMINATORY. So, business class and first class don't pay bag fees but the kids that are serving our country must pay.

Now for the rest of the story. When my son got back to Ft. Bragg his bag was not on the flight. The tracking info said it did not leave Denver. I believe agent Laura Houston intentionally lost the bag.

His bag was never found. Now he has had to spend over $1000 to replace uniforms, running shoes, medication, etc... Delta says it will pay for the loss but till they do that I have had to transfer money into his account so he can eat.

C'Mon Delta. You can support our troops better than that!

[Gromit801]

This is something that bugs the heck out of me. I'm an eight year military vet, and I never got a break from an airline unless I was traveling under orders. And this was when there was a draft and you had no choice to speak of. Now, the kids who volunteered (and I guess their parents) expect perks in the name of patriotism.

Delta screwed up by losing the luggage, and I seriously doubt the agent would commit a felony by "intentionally" losing his luggage. That's theft, and loss of her job. One customer isn't worth that to any airline employee. Delta has said they will replace the loss, which is the best anyone can get.

To all those currently serving, I thank you for picking up the torch. But, if you think you are more deserving of perks, than say a doctor who saves lives, a fireman who risks their life, or anyone else who makes an honest living, you joined the military for the wrong reasons.

[jimworcs]

Gromit, we rarely agree..but today is the day. It was brave of you to say that... and you are correct.

Before everyone comes down on me like a ton of bricks, I have am also a veteren and served in combat.

Who decides what is the correct level of support? Should the airline offer free bags... free flights.. free drinks? Are they unpatriotic if they charge? Is McDonalds unpatriotic if they don't discount their hamburgers? Should Target discount their underpants?

Finally, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can people stop describing every instance of discretion as discrimination. It is stupid and it diminishes the impact of complaints about real discrimination.

[rkettle]

Interesting that you select Doctors, Firemen others that make an honest living over soldiers. Really? Aren't soldiers saving lives, risking lives and most would say trying to make an honest living too?

Anyway, my point was that Delta's customer service representative was rude, disrespectful and did lose my son's luggage.

Originally Posted by Gromit801

To all those currently serving, I thank you for picking up the torch. But, if you think you are more deserving of perks, than say a doctor who saves lives, a fireman who risks their life, or anyone else who makes an honest living, you joined the military for the wrong reasons.

[azstar]

Frontier doesn't charge active duty military personnel for any checked baggage, overweight, or otherwise. You simply show your ID card. That's their policy.

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by rkettle

Interesting that you select Doctors, Firemen others that make an honest living over soldiers. Really? Aren't soldiers saving lives, risking lives and most would say trying to make an honest living too?

Anyway, my point was that Delta's customer service representative was rude, disrespectful and did lose my son's luggage.

I don't think he chose doctors, firemans and others over soldiers. I think his point was why should soldiers receive perks, but not doctors, fireman and others who either save lives or also put their lives on the line for their jobs. At the same time, anyone earning an honest living, whether they put their lives on the line, or not, could also say they deserve perks. Afterall, most jobs have a purpose and meaning behind them and are important. I agree. I don't think anybody's job or choice of career should be viewed as more important than another. We all have callings.

I think a valid complaint exists for the bag being lost, but not for being charged for the bad. A company isn't obligated to provide perks, whether free bags or otherwise to someone, just because of their chosen job/profession. I support our troops and am very thankful for what they do. If companies want to offer perks to them, great! But, I also don't feel sympathy just because one company or another doesn't offer a perk. I have to agree with Jim and Gromit on that.

[Researcher]

Dear user: I am developing a Doctoral research on Mishandled baggage (see General Discussion- Mishandled Baggage Research ) Could you please, provide the airline complaint form (minus personal information) you filled with the airline or send me an email to mishandledbaggageresearch@yahoo.com and I will send a survey. The survey is very similar to the one you must file with the airline and does not contain personal information.
Thanks before hand

[Researcher]

Dear user: I am developing a Doctoral research on Mishandled baggage (see General Discussion- Mishandled Baggage Research ) Could you please, provide the airline complaint form (minus personal information) you filled with the airline or send me an email to mishandledbaggageresearch@yahoo.com and I will send a survey. The survey is very similar to the one you must file with the airline and does not contain personal information.
Thanks before hand