Originally Posted by
SailorJerry
First off - people shouldn't fly sick. Employees or otherwise. This guy was clearly toxic and the safety net to keep health hazards off the airplane failed for whatever reason (or because its honestly non-existent).
For a company that "loves its veterans" so dearly, whether he was identified as one or not, a bit of compassion, or sympathy goes a long way. We're given full latitude as flight crew to stop the operation whenever we see fit. At least 5 people failed to fully assess the situation and get this passenger into a suitable seat. While I understand that almost everyone who flies from ATL-DCA is a sky priority passenger, and we couldn't possibly stick out necks on the line to inconvenience one of them, at some point it would have been prudent to stop, and think, and consider the situation at hand.
So really, the answer to your question, is that someone should have stopped the blankity blanking operation and given this guy the care and compassion that Delta thinks he deserves.
Or is D-0 that important to you? Is it that important to Delta?
If there was enough of a stink of the airplane that a first class passenger offered up his seat, if that really happened, someone should have STOPPED THE OPERATION.
Guys,
Bar is right here. The above story was written to be sensationalistic. DAL takes very good of military passengers. Was this situation ideal - no. Could it have been better - yes. We really don't know what went on here, but if the aircraft is taxiing the FAs do not have the ability to waive a FAR.
Fact is, he was on a coach ticket.
If it is so important for him to have flown in FC why didn't the Veterans group that organized the trip by him a First Class ticket?
DAL is not perfect in taking care of passengers and I would love to see DAL empower its front line employees to be more pro-active in helping our passengers but I would be willing to bet that no malice was intended and the FA crew felt that they did not have a choice.
I have been in the military 26 years and counting, and hate these stories. I have participated in 500+ mile "Ride to Recovery" charity bike rides with numerous wounded veterans including double amputees on hand cycles and for the most part they want to be treated like everyone else.
DAL cannot win in these situations. Like the guys "getting charged" to check bags. I must have missed the part in that story that explains it is a DOD requirement to use your goverment issued credit card to pay for all commercial air travel. Even if these guys were "violating policy" and not using their government credit card they woould still put it on their travel claim and not pay 1 red cent out of pocket. But do you read that - nope DAL just fleecing our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen.
Could we have done better - Yes, in hindsight, but no reason to be embarrassed.
Scoop