[RMC10]

While I know the new trend is to fly fewer planes, and over pack the express jets by narrowing the space between the rows. But here's the scenario from our Feb.9 trip From Raleigh Durham to Phoenix rerouted from Memphis (due to weather) thru Minneapolis to Phoenix - so basically we flew to Canada to go to Mexico from the S.E. Coast. This added several hours flight time. The very small jet was only 2 seats/aisle/2seats, and Delta as was the norm were gate checking bags that fit their little test box, but not in the small overhead. People who plan on having their carry on items with them have to do without their saline, nose spray, medicines, kleenex, and all the things you need for comfort during light - gone. Also because the space under the seats are so narrow, passengers are lucky if their handbags fit, so the carry on that were allowed inside the plane have to be stowed in the overheads. (Again there goes all the personal items you thought you'd have at your feet). The biggest concern is that people are sitting so close together with their knees literally touching the seat tray ahead of them, that for 4.0 hours people are forced into one almost non-movement position. Two gentlemen close to me had recently had knee surgeries, and they were in such pain and NO WAY to stretch that leg on either side, which could be dangerous for blood clots. And totally forget about getting to the bathroom, the aisles are one person wide, and the attendants block that. The seats are just too close together to allow for any movement, I was seated by the window and I weigh 125 pounds, my seatmate was about 400 pounds, his pockets touched my pockets in the seat, and I was unable to move in either direction - and changing seats - forget about it - the flight was 100% sold out. Medical conditions in heart patients, pregnant women flying, recent surgery patients - all these can be exacerbated by long periods of not being able to barely wriggle your toes, and only being able to shift from right butt cheek to left butt cheek. I believe Delta is putting their passengers to extreme discomfort by using such small planes on such long flights. When I complained to the flight crew on deplaning, he said but hey it's very efficient, we only used 15 gallons per passenger. Also each leg of the flight was delayed by almost an hour - again adding up to a miserable flight in a box less customer friendly than a cattle car. DELTA stop[ using too-small jets for the distance (making a slow trip), and hey at least reposition seats for passenger safety in flight. And for god's sake if someone weights 400+ pounds get him two seats. I will not fly Delta again until they make some in flight improvements, including it being almost 1.5 hours in flight to get even a beverage.

[jimworcs]

Delta don't care.. It is a outrageous, and as they are dominant in their primary markets the operate a virtual monopoly, so they just don't care

[RMC10]

No sadly they don't. And because the nation is somewhat "magically" divided into major markets by airlines, they all have similar problems and lack of concern. Even Southwest which used to be fun to travel, often runs late, and has very few direct flights to anywhere, and their stop overs are in major markets like Baltimore, Chicago, Las Vegas which just adds to the flight time going anywhere, and gives very little options to easily fly from east coast to west coast.

[cortney]

im on board with the whole delta sucks and they dont care stuff hands down. it sounds to me you were on a regional jet which are always small and the overhead bins are extremly small. however these RJ's are no smaller than uniteds, americans (which have smaller ERJ's), or even lufthansa. thats how the way these planes were built. they arent comfortable and were really meant for shorter flights, but more and more airlines are flying these planes on somewhat of longer flights now. im in europe right now and i have a 3 hour flight on a regional jet on lufthansa....fun fun fun