[PDXflier]

I fly about 50,000 miles a year and am sick of dealing with Delta agents that can not even understand simple tasks. Delta recently changed my ticket returning from overseas with a 1:20 minute connection to a different airline through LAX, which is an impossible connection. I have spent over two hours on the phone and still not gotten the issue fixed. I have been hung up on by an Indian agent who could not figure out what to do and switched back to the waiting pool by another after 45 minutes. I still have a connection I can't use and will probably need to buy a ticket on another airline. Delta says all the airlines use Indian agents; well they don't! Delta is by far and away the worst airline around in trying to fix an issue; they just don't get it and just don't care.

[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

Air Canada will probably provide a routing (to Portland) that avoids LAX---but---you may encounter another thick Hindi accent.

British Air is a better bet for someone speaking clear English. However, here, you may be routed through LAX, with the last leg, or two, of your trip being on American Air--which can be worse than Delta.

Northwest--Delta's future merger partner--recently opened a call center in Iowa. Whether that center is reachable from overseas, I do not know.

If all else fails---go for Lufthansa to Denver (non-stop from Munich and Frankfurt.) Overnight in Denver (reasonable hotel prices until the Dem convention.) Then, the next day, United to Portland.

[wkharris2001]

All of Delta's reservations call centers are in Canada or the US the only time you would be speaking to someone not in the United States would be if you needed help with Online Support. but that's not to say that Delta discriminates when they hire people to work in thier US call centers. Delta is an equal opportunity employer.

[PDXflier]

This is just so far from the truth; have you even tried calling your own customer care lines? You will sit on hold for at least 15-20 minutes and then you have about a 90% chance of getting someone in India.

Below is a cut and paste received from Delta's Customer Care after this complaint:

"We regret your disappointment with the service you received when you
called us for assistance with your reservation. We have several vendor
partnerships which enable us to become more efficient and as a result,
strengthen our long-term viability. These partnerships help us
effectively handle the millions of calls received each year.
Our partners receive the same training and are equipped with the same
tools as Delta representatives. In addition, we require supplier
personnel to attend ongoing accent neutralization and cultural awareness
classes to minimize barriers and provide you with the excellent service
you deserve. Your comments are appreciated and will be forwarded to the
department responsible for our partner relationships."

Obviously "accent neutralization and cultual awareness" would not be major issues in the USA or Canada, would they?