[nagdu] Delta Airlines and our Trip

[Peter Donahue]

Hello Wayne and listers,

    Right now the round-trip coach fare on Delta is $270.00 before baggage 
fees.  As for the $3000.00+ for first class we could possibly sink that 
amount in to hours of charter service so I'm with you on that one. Should 
air charter rates continue to fall to where the average Joe and Joan can 
swing it for us it would mean able to fly directly to out-of-the-way 
destinations like Salina Kansas for example rather than flying in to Wichita 
and needing to find transportation from there to Salina. It would mean 
Mary's folks being able to pick her up from the Scottsdale Arizona or the 
Hayward Wisconsin Airports rather than their having to drive in to 
Minneapolis or Phoenix; something they are no longer able to due to failing 
health. Her dad has cancer and chemo is really taking it out of him. If 
folks wish to discuss air charter in detail let's take it to a more 
appropriate forum. At least I'm relieved to know that we'll be able to fly 
on Delta without having to worry about being charged for a second seat and 
their possibly using such a policy to attempt to mask discrimination against 
a guide dog user. All the best.

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wayne Merritt" <wcmerritt at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 9:47 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Delta Airlines and our Trip


While I can understand the need for more space for the dog, what was
the difference in price on that Delta flight between the coach and
first class seats? It seems that you could save more money by going
coach. Of course, if you happen to have an extra $3,000 laying around,
by all means, go for it. Why pay more if you don't have to?

Wayne

On 8/19/09, Peter Donahue <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> 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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-- 
My blog:
http://wayneism.blogspot.com
My websites:
www.wayneism.com
www.whitecaneday.org

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