Originally Posted by
RemoveB4Flight
The only reason Delta keeps their cancelations so low is they perpetually delay a flight that should be classified as cancelled (delayed 14+ hours to the next day). They will bend over backwards to keep it from being tallied as a cancellation, even if it means inconvenience to the passengers by continuously stringing them along.
When I worked for the regionals, American and United would (typically) cancel appropriately when needed. I had a better chance of getting struck by lightning than Delta canceling a hopeless flight.
I feel like that's more an indictment on the FAA valuing completion factor so heavily. If the flight is already late then it's in the companies best interest to delay it however long they need to. That way they only get a strike for on time, and keep that sweet completion factor intact.