First off, I would like to say hello to all on the Forum. I have read this site for quite a while to be honest but have never joined until I felt I had something to add. Unfortunately what I have to add is something that I am looking to get an answer or suggestion to. I hope I don't upset/annoy/agitate any tenured members with this question(s) and I apologize in advance if I have I do large amounts of traveling, but in spurts, and it is almost all international travel and primarily on chartered military/government flights. Do to the random times that I purchase civilian flights, I don't have any current status on any airline.
This is probably going to be a long post, and I apologize because I am just not sure what needs to be said exactly.
Long story short, I am completing my second tour overseas (one in Iraq, one in Afghanistan) and will be returning home in a few months. I will be flying CivAir home and purchased my own ticket through DL.
I booked my return flight for 10 July (Christ that won't come soon enough!) and the route I was assigned was DXB-CDG-JFK-MCO. That comes after two charter flights to get me out of Afghanistan. DXB-CDG and CDG-JFK are both operated by AF.
My problem(s) stems from my class of seat and the seats available (I am told they are non upgradable U or T I believe. To be blunt, I have a pretty badly beat up leg, have had 16 surgeries to make me combat functional. I can handle pretty good pain levels but sitting is brutal for me, especially on long haul flights. I don't make a ton of money so I can't afford to upgrade my ticket through money (not that I could anyways because the class of my ticket) and wouldn't have enough miles to do it either. I contacted Delta 4x via phone and was given the run around, either continually passed off or eventually left on hold for long periods of time at the medical help desk or something rather. My phone time was limited so I couldn't sit on it all day. I have sent two email and gotten no response.
I'm not looking to try and pawn a sob story on someone or any of that crap. I'm not that kind of guy. I was simply trying to get a hold of at least ONE DL Rep who could help me find a way to get into a bulkhead seat or on a standby for a bulkhead seat (if that's possible) or placed in an exit row where there is some extra leg room.
Given that meandering story (which I apologize for) can any of you flying vet's offer some advice here? Maybe a specific department to call or something along those lines? I know this time is pretty far off in advance, but I don't get access to internet/phone for weeks at a time and don't want this to come down to the last minute and me have no options.
At the same time, If I have to just suck it up and sit crammed back in 44G or whatever it is, then so be it.
Again, if this is an "out of bounds" type of post for a new member, I apologize. That being said, any advice you guys/gals could offer would be tremendously appreciated.
This is probably going to be a long post, and I apologize because I am just not sure what needs to be said exactly.
Long story short, I am completing my second tour overseas (one in Iraq, one in Afghanistan) and will be returning home in a few months. I will be flying CivAir home and purchased my own ticket through DL.
I booked my return flight for 10 July (Christ that won't come soon enough!) and the route I was assigned was DXB-CDG-JFK-MCO. That comes after two charter flights to get me out of Afghanistan. DXB-CDG and CDG-JFK are both operated by AF.
My problem(s) stems from my class of seat and the seats available (I am told they are non upgradable U or T I believe. To be blunt, I have a pretty badly beat up leg, have had 16 surgeries to make me combat functional. I can handle pretty good pain levels but sitting is brutal for me, especially on long haul flights. I don't make a ton of money so I can't afford to upgrade my ticket through money (not that I could anyways because the class of my ticket) and wouldn't have enough miles to do it either. I contacted Delta 4x via phone and was given the run around, either continually passed off or eventually left on hold for long periods of time at the medical help desk or something rather. My phone time was limited so I couldn't sit on it all day. I have sent two email and gotten no response.
I'm not looking to try and pawn a sob story on someone or any of that crap. I'm not that kind of guy. I was simply trying to get a hold of at least ONE DL Rep who could help me find a way to get into a bulkhead seat or on a standby for a bulkhead seat (if that's possible) or placed in an exit row where there is some extra leg room.
Given that meandering story (which I apologize for) can any of you flying vet's offer some advice here? Maybe a specific department to call or something along those lines? I know this time is pretty far off in advance, but I don't get access to internet/phone for weeks at a time and don't want this to come down to the last minute and me have no options.
At the same time, If I have to just suck it up and sit crammed back in 44G or whatever it is, then so be it.
Again, if this is an "out of bounds" type of post for a new member, I apologize. That being said, any advice you guys/gals could offer would be tremendously appreciated.