[nagdu] Delta Airlines and our Trip

[Sherri]

I agree and usually, Southwest is much more accommodating. I have missed 
some of these messages, but did you talk to officials of Southwest after 
this happened?
Sherri
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 10:02 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Delta Airlines and our Trip


> Good evening everyone,
>
>    Of all of our airlines over the years Delta has done its best to be
> reasonable when it comes to its treatment of passengers with unique needs
> i.e. large passengers and those with disabilities. I check with them this
> evening to get an idea of the fare for our trip in November. I'm amazed at
> the difference between coach and first class fares. Quotes from Delta and
> several other airlines I contacted confirms what I've been saying. For the
> price of two first class tickets, $1500.00 each totaling $3000.00 plus 
> taxes
> and security fees we could possibly charter a plane for the trip. 
> Obviously
> we don't want to spend that money if we don't need to.
>
>    The Delta agent I spoke to was very nice and listened to the account of
> my treatment by Southwest last month. Unlike the other airlines I checked
> with she explained how Delta deals with large passengers. Put simply if
> there are extra seats available on their flight passengers needing the
> additional seat space are given an extra seat without charge. If the 
> flight
> is full large passengers are allowed to fly stand-by on a later flight. 
> This
> to me is a far better and a more humane approach to addressing this issue
> than the practices of airlines like Southwest and some others.
>
>    This woman's explanation is further supported by the fact that one of
> our members from North Dakota is also quite large and needs additional 
> seat
> space. North Dakota federationists flew to Detroit on Delta. Jenelle 
> Bichler
> their state president told me that she discussed the COS issue with Delta
> for this member and received the same response as I did tonight. And delta
> delivered on what they told Jenelle and the member in question. She was
> allowed to travel without needing to purchess and extra seat due to her
> being a customer of size. Should the charter option still be out of the
> question for us guess which airline will get our business.
>
>    Let me also remind folks that Delta has had a good record of dealing
> with passengers using guide dogs including having approved routes of entry
> in to the UK that permit our dogs to travel in the cabin. These routes now
> include those once operated by Northwest Airlines. My only two complaints 
> at
> the moment are that I wish I could have paid for our tickets tonight and
> would appreciate it if one could pay their baggage handling fees prior to
> their trip. Thanks for putting up with me.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
> "Will you come and awake our lost land from its slumber
>      And her fetters we'll break, links that long are encumbered.
>      And the air will resound with hosannas to greet you
>      On the shore will be found gallant Irishmen to greet you."
> Will You Come to the Bower
> Traditional Irish Folk Song
>
>
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