r/delta • u/WordWordNvmber • 11h ago
Discussion Exit Strategy
I'm curious what I should have done differently.
I flew XXX-ATL-YYY. The first leg was delayed indefinitely due to a mechanical issue, so I got a standby seat on the next flight to Atlanta.
After boarding, I saw Delta had rebooked me on a much later ATL-YYY connection. But I found an earlier ATL-YYY flight I could make, with about 45 minutes in Atlanta.
The app was not offering changes, so I messaged Delta inflight. The reservations agent apologized but said she couldn't put me on the ATL-YYY flight because I was currently in the air, and she could only make changes once I landed. She suggested I run to the ATL-YYY gate and ask the agent to rebook me.
Because I was in the back of the XXX-ATL flight, I asked the flight attendant to make an announcement asking people with long connections to let those with tight connections (me) deplane first. I explained I'd been on the earlier delayed flight and was trying to make a much earlier connection than what Delta had given me.
He checked his app and said no. Because I was currently scheduled for a long connection, I didn't count as a potential misconnect, and he "had to go by the app."
I did the "'scuse me, so sorry" thing but still deplaned about 10 minutes after the door opened. By the time I got to the connecting flight, they'd run the standby list and all seats were taken.
I was surprised that Delta had a formal (and rigid) policy on when to make the "tight connections" announcement. I'm sure a non-zero share of people lie about trying to make earlier flights, but I bet it's close to zero.
1
u/TTKnumberONE 4h ago
The tight connection announcement works maybe 5% of the time. It’s not some sort of magic want that prevents people from getting up and clogging the aisle.
I think my favorite ones are like the ones you describe where it’s certain that 90% of the plane is connecting in Atlanta. We all got places to be.
1
u/MilzLives 0m ago
The tight connection thing works in MSP, does not work in ATL. Dont know DTW or SLC.
3
u/notthatbadingeneral 10h ago
Lol. You think nearly 0 people lie about having short connections?
For what it's worth, I would have let you get off before me. Mostly because you must be an adorable cartoon bunny with nothing but innocence & love in your heart.