A couple of days ago, I posted a rant regarding an shitty experience I had with US AIR (aren’t they always shitty experiences when it comes to that brand?). In that same post, I mentioned I also had a beef with Delta. Here it goes:
One to One Interactive launched an advanced primary research division earlier this year called Quantemo. This division specializes in Neuromarketing research techniques. One aspect of this research is related to eye tracking. We achieve this through using special monitors that have infrared sensors built around the screen.
Our research facility is mobile. In fact, I had just come off a two city project that we did for a client that wanted the lab in both Detroit and Los Angeles. We place our eye tracking monitors in special cases that are designed to provide the appropriate level of protection. (see pic below for an example of the case).
I had no problems traveling with the equipment during my cross country trip to Michigan and California. So you can imagine my surprise when I tried to check this same luggage on a Delta flight from Boston to Columbus, OH and was refused. The gate agents said it was Delta’s policy to not allow any computers to be checked (something about liability). I opened the case and showed them that indeed it was not a computer….but a monitor.
THEM: "Sir…its still our policy to not allow passengers to check computers"
ME: "It’s clearly not a computer….its a monitor"
THEM: "You can not check computers sir"
Me: "………….?. If I had a television in this case could I check it?"
THEM: "Yes"
ME: "??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" WTF?
They said that I am allowed to take the monitor out of its case and carry it on board with me, but I was not allowed to check it. Where is the logic in that? They claimed they were afraid that it could get damaged a checked baggage and that it would be "safer" if it was taken out of its protective case and carried on board the aircraft. Has Delta lost their collective minds? (Note: I spent time trying to find this supposed policy that bans monitors from being checked and found it no where on there web site).
In the end, I had to call my travel agent to book my on a flight to Ohio via American Airlines (who happily checked the monitor). I also had to eat the cost of the Delta ticket. Arrrghhhh! Delta, this ranks you as second only to US Air as a shitty airline.
P.S. I do dig the fact that you sell Pringles on your flights. CLUTCH! Whoever made that call should quit Delta and go work for jetBlue.
P.S.S. Your flight attendants on the Delta shuttle from Boston to NYC are off the hook! Very "Catch Me if You Can" retro. They were all very attractive and donning outfits that seemed to be from a bygone era of air travel that was more civilized (i.e. where the flight attendants did not look like line backers). You ladies should also go work for jetBlue.
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