The Threat of a Delta Strike (all threads merged here)

[greatam]

Called Delta re our flights on 5/6, and the agent said since we are flying with skymiles, we would be at the bottom of the list...that is, for rebooking on another airline. Have checked into refundable tickets, and they are over $1000 - UGH is right! We may have to drive from Florida to Seattle!

 

Try to rebook your tickets using one of Delta's partner airlines. Sure, it may cost you a change or redeposit fee, but sure is better than missing your cruise. Since you do not state where you are flying to, I cannot offer specific airline advice.

[BlueHerons]

YES, BUT. You were NOT in a strike or shutdown situation. E tickets (and the rules that govern paper tickets) have NOT kept up with the times. You can all do what you want, but paper tickets are the ONLY way to prove to another airline that you actually HAVE a ticket (and the revenue that goes with it) on a shutdown/striking carrier.

 

Do you really think AA, US Air, etc. has access to Delta's reservation system, where the E ticket info is kept?

 

.

 

No, they have no access to each others reservations systems unless they codeshare. You can print out a boarding pass/receipt either from a kiosk at the airport or your home computer that will be accepted by the other airlines.

 

While it is probably a good idea to have a paper ticket in case of emergency, it is no longer absolutely necessary.

 

 

 

I have used these several times being bounced from flights on US Air to American Airlines and Atalia which was an international flight.

[greatam]

No, they have no access to each others reservations systems unless they codeshare. You can print out a boarding pass/receipt either from a kiosk at the airport or your home computer that will be accepted by the other airlines.

 

While it is probably a good idea to have a paper ticket in case of emergency, it is no longer absolutely necessary.

 

 

 

I have used these several times being bounced from flights on US Air to American Airlines and Atalia which was an international flight.

 

There are still a lot of "UNENDORSABLE" tickets sold. Priceline sells them, SOME APEX fares for the most part are unendorsable. Third party vendors sometimes sell them under contract conditions. BestFares has a quite a few unendorsable tickets. So do some of the consolidators. http://tickets.priceline.com/InformationCenterASP/html/FAQ.htm (see rule 11)

 

So with all the details on a paper ticket and no access to the failed carrier's system, I think you would be very foolish, in a strike or shutdown, to not have paper tickets.

 

IF all the carriers are up and running and you get bumped to another carrier (your example), sure you can use e tickets. In a strike or shutdown situation, an e ticket may NOT get you on a plane.

 

In this situation, where it may mean missing a cruise or important business meeting, family event, etc. I think the smart thing to do is advise everyone to get paper tickets. Worst case scenario-you spent a few extra bucks for paper tickets that you didn't need. Best case scenario-your paper tickets are accepted on another airline for the first available seats-no phone calls to third party vendors, no waiting on hold for hours, not nearly as much hassle.

 

If I flew Delta (which I don't) and was in this situation, I would be trading in my e tickets very fast. But then again, I am a logistics specialist and manage the fine transportation details every day of my life.

[teedee]

I'm another that's worried. I'm scheduled to fly out April 26 & return May 8. Both flights are on Delta. I have a question. We splurged and bought first class tickets for our flights. If the worst thing happens and the pilots strike is there a chance we would be in first class on another airline? (assumming we got a flight on another airline) These tickets were a big splurge for us and I would hate not to get to take advantage of them. Our trip insurance will cover the cost of the tickets if we don't get another flight, but I'm not sure if it will cover the difference if we get on another flight but not in first class. It's been a tough year for us. I've recently finished chemo and surgery and have been looking forward to being pampered.

 

Terri

[teedee]

Living in Atlanta I've always been loyal to Delta & have never had any problems with them, but I've got to admit I'm very worried right now. I'm booked with them for my next cruise towards the end of this month. I also hope both sides will give some & come to an agreement so they can keep flying.

 

Terri

[greatam]

I'm another that's worried. I'm scheduled to fly out April 26 & return May 8. Both flights are on Delta. I have a question. We splurged and bought first class tickets for our flights. If the worst thing happens and the pilots strike is there a chance we would be in first class on another airline? (assumming we got a flight on another airline) These tickets were a big splurge for us and I would hate not to get to take advantage of them. Our trip insurance will cover the cost of the tickets if we don't get another flight, but I'm not sure if it will cover the difference if we get on another flight but not in first class. It's been a tough year for us. I've recently finished chemo and surgery and have been looking forward to being pampered.

 

Terri

 

It sure sounds like you need first class much more than most of us. Hopefully, you are on the road to full recovery.

 

Not to put a damper on your trip, but first class, as well as coach, and heck, the cargo hold, too, (I'm not kidding) will be on a space available basis. First class during the summer time is particularly hard to get. Lots of upgrades and award tickets are booked in those first class seats.

 

Let's all keep our fingers crossed that the worst case scenario-strike/shutdown-does not happen.

[teedee]

I feel guilty whining about first class, we will be grateful to be on a flight at all. It's just that I've been so focused on this trip for the last few months, it's what's kept me going sometimes. The good news is all my test results look good & my doctors have ok'd me to go on the trip.

 

Terri

[Brneyznfl]

I called Delta yesterday and asked what would happen if the pilots are striking and I have a reservation with them. I was told they would try to get their passengers on their partners flights. I was told Continental and Northwest are partners. Though I think the seating capacity is going to be an issue if they do strike and I'm supposed to fly them on 5/10/06 using skymiles. UGH!

 

I feel your stress. I'm flying 5/12 on Delta using my Skymiles too to get to Seattle for a cruise. . I knew FF miles are totally worthless in this kind of situation so I booked on Northwest just to be safe. There were no coach seats left. ($$$ :mad: )

 

I'm going to call Delta about this but was just wondering if anyone knew. If Delta is still in limbo about a strike by the time I leave..I really think I'm going to use my NW ticket.. and not take any chances that they go on strike during my cruise and I don't have a flight back. Now if Delta by chance doesn't strike, will Delta refund skymiles back to your account?

[cruzn buckeye]

I think it is highly unlikely that Pres. Bush would not seek a court order restraining a strike, should it come to that. In any case, the parties to contracts covered by the Railway Labor Act (which includes airlines) require a 90 day "cooling off" period after one of the parties declares that bargaining is at an impasse. The declaration of impasse has not yet occurred. So while I concur that getting paper tickets might be advisable, I don't anticipate that April 17 would result in the head of the Pilots' Union doing anything but announcing that a strike will commence 90 days following that date.

 

Our return flight is on 5/6. Does this "cooling off " period mean that we will be safe and don't need alternative plans?

[Frequent Cruiser MA]

I am looking into Southwest to Orlando out of TFGreen in Providence Rhode Island. I am soooo mad at Delta. I booked our flights last summer, got a great deal only $165 RT from BOS to MCO! There are 7 of us, but my parents don't want me to get non refundables for them...pain in the neck. We got the travel insurance, so we would be reimbursed if the is a strike, and if not...they are refundable...it is just really hard to put up the $2200 :eek: AirTran is another somewhat affordable option...they just charge so much for the non refundable part!

[lauren0309]

Just changed my date to leave from April 17 to April 15 even though they are not supposed to strike till After April 17. It cost me another $285 extra to change my flights. It was $50 each ticket (3 tickets) plus an extra 45$ fare difference. At least I'll get to have 2 more vacation days away. The problem will be going home.

[greatam]

. Now if Delta by chance doesn't strike, will Delta refund skymiles back to your account?

 

Most FF programs have a redeposit provision. Usually a fee-AA's is $50.00 per ticket for elite status flyers. Each program has a different fee-it should be on NW website under their FF program.

 

If you are going to use your NW tickets, why not just cancel your Delta flight and redeposit the miles before your cruise. One less thing to worry about.

 

MAKE SURE you cancel your Delta tickets BEFORE the flight time.

[greatam]

Our return flight is on 5/6. Does this "cooling off " period mean that we will be safe and don't need alternative plans?

 

NO-a "wildcat" or unauthorized strike could create havoc. Why be unprepared? No one knows what may happen.

[mojo4trav]

I hesitated creating a new thread but was worried some might not see this if I picked just one of the myriad of other threads already going. The Associated Press is reporting that Delta pilots have been asked to clean our their lockers in anticipation of the 17th.

 

Follow the link to read the whole story;

http://money.cnn.com/2006/04/07/news/companies/delta_pilots/

[lauren0309]

That is why i switched my flights to April 15. I don't want any problems!

[greatam]

This was posted yesterday in this thread. Post # 8 http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=327027

 

I am going to ask the moderator to merge all the threads, EXCEPT the original Delta thread. It is getting too confusing for average leisure flyers.

 

People look at the title of this thread and think Delta has already gone on strike.

[48is24is1]

mojo4trav, thank you for all of the information you have provided, I printed the link you provided in another thread. I had no idea what to expect if the Delta pilots strike but you have given me a wealth of information. Thanks again.

[sametu]

Try to rebook your tickets using one of Delta's partner airlines. Sure, it may cost you a change or redeposit fee, but sure is better than missing your cruise. Since you do not state where you are flying to, I cannot offer specific airline advice.

 

We're trying to get from Florida to Seattle. Called Delta and tried to rebook on a partner airline but there is nothing at all over a 3 day window from 3 different airports that are within a 100 mile radius. Isn't that a bummer! Guess people have already snapped up what seats were available. Not much to do now but wait to see what happens and grab a pricey ticket at the last minute from somewhere...anywhere!

[Kerrid]

We're flying from FL to Aruba on 5/10 on Delta using skymiles and I looked into their partner flights. Northwest we'd have to fly to Michigan, then Amsterdam, then to Aruba - that flight is a total of 24hrs and Continental was flying to NY then to Aruba (staying overnight in NY) in both cases we miss a day of vacation. So, we're waiting to see what happens and if I can get a flight on another carrier to Aruba last minute, I will. The refundable tix on other carriers were insanely high so I can't go that route.. It's just sit and wait now and if I can't go on vacation, I'm going to be one unhappy person.

[cmvan25]

The pilots have said they may strike anytime 'after April 17th'. How do you all interpret that statement?? Does that mean they would not strike until the 18th or actually ON the 17th??

 

I have Delta tickets for the 17th - yikes! Phx to Rome. My tickets were booked by Oceania. This was booked as 'free air' deal Oceania was offering. I've talked to my TA and Oceania is unwilling to make any changes in my travel plans (I tried to get them to fly me in on the 16th) but they will make NO changes until an actual strike is called. Obviously that may happen while I'm in the boarding line at the airport on the 17th.

 

Anyway, any suggestions??

[lauren0309]

I had tickets for the 17th and it was too close for comfort for me so I changed them to the 15th.

[stlrboo]

I have three tickets on Delta from BUF to FLL on April 21, one day prior to the cruise. Have found I can get a one-way USAir ticket for around $220., but if I went to codeshare Continental or Northwest, my tickets would almost double from my original cost + $50. for 3 changes through Delta would really 'put me over the edge'! :eek:

If I book the 'refundable-coach' with USAir, does anyone know their policies concerning refunds? I talked to a USAir rep, but she said no $$$ refunds... Does that make sense?? I'd be real happy with that back-up flight... :)

Side note: I will probably be flying USAir within 365 days, so I could use a credit on the cancelled tickets as well.

However, if Delta DOES strike, I'd be "sitting pretty", have a flight 2 hours after my originally scheduled flight on Delta, and my insurance should make up the difference.

Your comments/advice will be appreciated...

[Lois R]

Reading everyone's current situations, mine is not for awhile.

I booked Delta for Oct 11th, also Florida to Seattle.

I guess I just need to sit tight for a bit.

I feel so stupid:confused: ....I was going to wait for SW to come out with

their schedules but Delta had a round trip..open jaw for 312.00 total.

So I booked it:eek: Now I keep asking myself, why didnt I wait?:rolleyes:

 

Leaving from Jax...to Seattle....departing from San Diego back

to Jax.

Who knows what is going to happen over the summer.

 

Good luck to all of you who sail...(fly) soon.

[mojo4trav]

One important thing for everyone here to remember is that NO MATTER WHAT happens, domestic airlines MUST honor tickets (FF or paid) on a standby basis and can charge up to $50 each way in processing fees. (Should Delta cease operations.) While it might mean long waits in the airport, the bottom line is that no one will be stranded permanently.

 

I'm off to Hawaii on my birthday (4/15) and I'll be well on my way on the non-stop ATL-OGG leg before anything would happen. I might have to wait standby on the way back, but a few extra days vacation never hurt anyone! :D

[greatam]

I have three tickets on Delta from BUF to FLL on April 21, one day prior to the cruise. Have found I can get a one-way USAir ticket for around $220., but if I went to codeshare Continental or Northwest, my tickets would almost double from my original cost + $50. for 3 changes through Delta would really 'put me over the edge'! :eek:

If I book the 'refundable-coach' with USAir, does anyone know their policies concerning refunds? I talked to a USAir rep, but she said no $$$ refunds... Does that make sense?? I'd be real happy with that back-up flight... :)

Side note: I will probably be flying USAir within 365 days, so I could use a credit on the cancelled tickets as well.

However, if Delta DOES strike, I'd be "sitting pretty", have a flight 2 hours after my originally scheduled flight on Delta, and my insurance should make up the difference.

Your comments/advice will be appreciated...

 

 

Two things from US Airways website. See below. I believe the CSR was correct. Q booking class-no refunds, no using credit from this flight for another US Airways ticket. You may only change the date without penalty. The fully refundable fare on US is over $700.00 one way. IMHO, NOT a good idea.

 

But there are options-As much as I hate Southwest, there are seats availabe on your route on April 21 for $210.00pp ++ and fully refundable.

 

The value of tickets previously purchased through US Airways Reservations offices may not be used as credit towards another ticket purchased on usairways.com.

 

REFUNDS

SEE PENALTY

 

PENALTY

CHANGES CHANGES PERMITTED. NOTE - EARLIER/LATER SAME DAY STANDBY IS PERMITTED - ALL FARE RULES MUST BE MET.