So I'm on a transcon SFO-JFK 5h flight (DL30), and before we left the gate, there was a lot of discussion b/w the FAs and ground crew regarding the credit card machines used on board ("M2"s). All three machines on board were broken. The ground crew told the FAs they therefore would not be able to sell anything on board the flight. They are fully stocked with carts of food for purchase, but would not be allowed to offer any of it to the pax.
Let's put aside that I'm a Diamond and have been for years, sitting in EC this leg due to sold out BE cabin, no avail upgrades. There are older people and kids on board and plenty of other DM, PMs, etc. Delta heavily advertises their food for purchase program, so Delta flyers have every reason to expect they'll be able to buy food on board and don't need to buy or bring anything - which is especially challenging for a 615am departure, considering we were all up by 430am and scrambling through the airport. How can they decide that due to their OWN MALFUNCTION, they will not offer any food on a 5+ hour transcon flight, when people are more than happy to buy (pay cash)? In my mind, they have the food and should be giving it to people who request it for purchase, since its their machines that are broken. That has to be a better decision than simply deciding that they will keep it all locked up and tell people they can't have anything. Yes, they may run out when folks realize it free, but that's still better than starving everyone.
I have to say, I can tolerate delays and equipment changes, cancellations and sick calls, whatever -- through it all, I have always remained SO LOYAL to Delta, directing all my business to them and spending my money on Y B and M fare for long hauls even when it requires connections and less than ideal scheduling, but THIS is ludicrous to me. The FAs tell me they were very upset w/ ground personnel decision, they are embarrassed to tell people they can't have the food that is onboard, because of MONEY. Especially on such a long flight. They begged me to write a complaint letter so that "something will change", which I submitted on delta.com for whatever (little) it's worth. I'm just shocked -- it shouldn't have to require a complaint letter, but I agree that someone should be held accountable, and I'm furious. And so, so hungry!!!!
Let's put aside that I'm a Diamond and have been for years, sitting in EC this leg due to sold out BE cabin, no avail upgrades. There are older people and kids on board and plenty of other DM, PMs, etc. Delta heavily advertises their food for purchase program, so Delta flyers have every reason to expect they'll be able to buy food on board and don't need to buy or bring anything - which is especially challenging for a 615am departure, considering we were all up by 430am and scrambling through the airport. How can they decide that due to their OWN MALFUNCTION, they will not offer any food on a 5+ hour transcon flight, when people are more than happy to buy (pay cash)? In my mind, they have the food and should be giving it to people who request it for purchase, since its their machines that are broken. That has to be a better decision than simply deciding that they will keep it all locked up and tell people they can't have anything. Yes, they may run out when folks realize it free, but that's still better than starving everyone.
I have to say, I can tolerate delays and equipment changes, cancellations and sick calls, whatever -- through it all, I have always remained SO LOYAL to Delta, directing all my business to them and spending my money on Y B and M fare for long hauls even when it requires connections and less than ideal scheduling, but THIS is ludicrous to me. The FAs tell me they were very upset w/ ground personnel decision, they are embarrassed to tell people they can't have the food that is onboard, because of MONEY. Especially on such a long flight. They begged me to write a complaint letter so that "something will change", which I submitted on delta.com for whatever (little) it's worth. I'm just shocked -- it shouldn't have to require a complaint letter, but I agree that someone should be held accountable, and I'm furious. And so, so hungry!!!!