Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

A team of returning soldiers from Afghanistan was hit with an unpleasant surprise upon their arrival into the United States this morning. The squadron, bringing a full load of gear with them back from the Central Asia was sacked with the baggage fees in place at Delta Air Lines, which, despite the agreement that they have with the armed forces charged the soldiers extra baggage fees.

In sum, the group spent nearly $2800 in baggage fees for their gear, money that had to come straight out of their pockets.


Obviously a policy is in place between the airline and the armed services that permits soldiers returning from war to bring back all of their gear without cost. What's likely is that an uninformed agent at the connecting airport didn't know about the rule and charged the group. Either way, Delta should fix the error and refund the fees.

UPDATE: Delta's policy states that for military members, THREE checked bags are allowed in coach and FOUR checked bags are allowed in first, so the baggage fees may actually be correct. Whether Delta's policy is palatable or not is another question, but it appears that the agents were charging the servicemen properly.

UPDATE 2, 11:34PM EST: Delta just posted a blog article discussing today's situation in which they discuss their policy. Specifically they state:

In the case of today's situation, we would like to publicly apologize to those service men and women for any miscommunication regarding our current policies as well as any inconvenience we may have caused. We are currently looking further into the situation, and will be reaching out to each of them personally to address their concerns and work to correct any issues they have faced.

Any thoughts??

 

[JB]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

Delta's policy seems quite generous on the surface. It remains to be seen how it will be applied.

It would be a mistake to start a bash party, which would close this thread in a nanosecond.

 

[nlain]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

I feel this has to be an error on the part of a ticket agent and I feel sure that Delta will take care of the issue for a number of reasons that I will not go into.

 

[piperdriver]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

First off THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE SERVING IN THE U.S.A MILITARY, BOTH HERE AND ABROAD. THANK YOU!!!!
A question. Is there any difference In Delta Airlines charging a returning soldier a bag fee or the local Shell station charging them for the gas that they pump in their tank to get from the airport to their home? Is one expected and one accepted?

 

[emoney]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

My son is a Delta fan. He's Navy and says they treat him like a king every time he flies home. Most flights, they bump him to 1st Class, when there's room, and almost always acknowledge his service with a "thanks". Most times he flies in civies because he doesn't like all the "attention" his uniform brings. (he's such a good kid...ahem....man!) They never charge him for his baggage, and that counts two duty station moves. I'm sure this was a case of the policy being written without everything being considered and the agents just doing what they're supposed to do. I bet it safe to assume that Delta will re-imburse these soldiers and probably comp the next flight for them.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

I thought the extra baggage fees were in the $20 to $40 range? $200 seems steep.

Being an ole Navy guy, we had to fit everything into 1 seabag. Now understanding that ya got 1 bag for clothing, 1 for the weapon, and maybe another for bullet-proof stuff, what would be in the 4th bag? Just wunderin'.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

In the case of today's situation, we would like to publicly apologize to those service men and women for any miscommunication regarding our current policies as well as any inconvenience we may have caused. We are currently looking further into the situation, and will be reaching out to each of them personally to address their concerns and work to correct any issues they have faced.

Any thoughts??

PR mumbojumbo make to sound like they will refund the cash.

Have heard it too many times.

They are more likely to offer discounts on future flights.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

Our youngest boy is in the Navy and has done two tours in Iraq, one in Afghanistan, and is currently some where in the Northern Iraq region. He is has always been aware of the weight restrictions when in route, usually 180 pounds so we sometimes end up shipping him stuff by US Mail when he is someplace that can get mail. Much cheaper than airline baggage fees. He is coming home in July and we are already getting large trunks of stuff his buddies don't want to pay to bring back. Just got a box a few days ago that cost him $24 bucks to ship that had at least ten brand new pairs of boots plus other assorted gear. I appreciate his planning ahead since we both wear the same size shoes.

I think this was not the fault of the airline but the fault of their unit in not telling them in advance of the weight restrictions.

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

The Service members will get reimbursed for the fees, by Uncle Sam. Any refunds Delta does will go to Uncle Sam.
That does not mean I disagree with Delta charging them. When I deployed, we had several bags that we had to carry. Chem Gear, Our clothes, Etc. $200 seems excessive though. It isn't like they are taking space away from anyone else. There is more than enough space in the cargo hold. You also can't make me believe that one bag is going to cost the airline $200 to handle/fuel to carry.
Basically, the Servicemen/women will have to wait a couple of extra weeks to get their $200 back. It is us taxpayers that should be complaining, because Uncle Sam makes them carry the extra bags and has to pay Delta through the nose to do that.
dwco5051, you are very right that USPS is MUCH cheaper to ship items. The best part of that is, if you are close on your weight allowance you will get reimbursed for the shipping cost but it doesn't count against your weight allowed.

AK Chappy

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

$2800? No problem, I'm sure SOMEONE will make sure they catch enough delay to burn 2800 in additional fuel this week.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

UPDATE 3, 12:47pm EST, 6/8: Delta has updated their baggage policy:


ATLANTA, June 8, 2011 ? Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today increased its free checked baggage allotment for U.S. Military traveling on orders in Economy Class to four checked bags.

Delta's revised baggage policy also allows U.S.military personnel traveling on orders in First and Business Class to check up to five bags at no charge. This change also adds dependents traveling with active military on orders. Each bag may weigh up to 70 lbs. (32 kg) and measure up to 80 linear inches (203 cm), which offers added flexibility over the standard 50 lbs. and 62 linear inches (157 cm) allotment. Because of weight, balance and space constraints, Delta Connection carriers will accept up to four bags at no charge.

For personal travel, active military presenting military identification may now check up to two bags weighing 50 pounds (23 kg) or less and measuring 62 inches (158 linear cm) or less in combined length, width and height without charge.

Previously, Delta's policy allotted three free checked bags in Economy Class and four in First and Business Class for military members traveling on orders.

Details of Delta's baggage policy are available on delta.com.

The Video clip seems to have been pulled also-
Eric

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

Cripes when I flew home from Iraq 1, I had to fly in a hospital transport, of course it took months for my baggage to catch up with me, I made a quick didi and didn't have time to pack, they finally caught up with me in Portland, OR, then the hospital would not let them deliver my baggage! I had to call my Dad to come and collect my gear! It took so long for it to catch up with me, I forgot what I had to bring home!

Glad Delta change their policy, I do think it is a bit crass to charge the guys to come home from a war zone, even though it stings, I know after spending so much time in the middle east, I would have given a left part of my anatomy to get back home! Opps, I almost did!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good job guys, glad you made it home.

Retired O-6, US Army!

 

[rdhutch4]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

When I was in the Army we had 1 duffle bag (sea bag). My son just deployed to Afghanstan, had 2 duffel bags, 1 USAF kit bag, and a large ruck sack. All this with strictly required equipment. Times and missions have changed.

 

[DJ]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

I hope Delta figures this out and makes it right. I'm sure they will.

Personally, I avoid them because of their "can't" as opposed to "can" attitude (old Northwest).

Yes, we should not "bash" but dang it, those people drive me nuts. That's from a guy that fly's a LOT.

Sorry JB, personal experience. Over 150K miles last year.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

If the troops are required to carry a certain amount of equipment, then the command should make appropriate arrangements. Does anyone think it's a little weird that they're carrying that many weapons on a stateside commercial carrier? I'm not knocking the soldiers since they shouldn't have to worry about it. Just wondering about the military equipment shipping policy.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

I would be interested in knowing, how many that are commenting on this thread are past military?

Not trying to start anything, just curious.

 

[DJ]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

I would be interested in knowing, how many that are commenting on this thread are past military?

Not trying to start anything, just curious.

I am not. Just personal experience, as a civilian.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

I am not. Just personal experience, as a civilian.

Thank you,

You know, I spent 26 years in the Military, I gave an actual part of my body to the military, I always see outrage when something like this happens, but really, this is nothing new, I saw it when I served, I see it now with men and women that I served with, I have a friend that served in Vietnam, and on his commercial flight home, he was spit on by an attendant..

I am going to be political here, and I really hope it does not cause a problem, but until such time as people living in the US demand, that their represenatives institute rules and regulations to show these service people what they are due, we are going to at time continue to hear stories like this!

I don't want your charity, but I think I deserve a small bit of respect, and every single person that served deserves that little bit of respect, I can tell you from experience, it does make a difference, when a young child walks up to me and says thank you, it does make a difference when I talk about my experiences to high school students and they ask questions, and it does make a difference when a middle aged man, says I am sorry for protesting those that served in Vietnam..

There are a lot of men and women in this country, that have served, and it does not matter peacetime or war time, it is a difficult time to serve your country, they do it willingly now a days.

As far as this incident, with our current state of media in this country, we are going to continue to listen to the peanut gallery, but this is not new, it has happened before and I can 100% say it will happen again, it has been happening for a long time now, my uncle who served in WWII and was POW for 19 months, had to pay for his ride home from Germany.

Military personal in this country...well what can I say, but next time you talk to a military person, just say thanks, buy them a beer, or just sit down and talk to them, don't condemn the commercial companies, those people behind the counter, have no idea what they have been through. They did their job as their company told them to.

Give them a break, let them off the hook and go after the high houncho CEOS that have no idea, don't care, and only change for a moment when people say this is not right.

$2800 is a lot of money, but I would have paid 10 times that to get home, no matter what, as I am sure many that contribute here would have as well.

Sorry for my rant, but I just get tired of seeing both sides of this.

Retired, O-6, US Army and DAMNED PROUD OF IT!

Thank you guys and gals, welcome home! I guess, the biggest thing that gets under my skin, is we don't hear mad people every single day, just when someone messes up as did the employee's at Delta, the way service people are treated in this country is pathetic, and it needs to change, EVERYDAY, not just when the media says it should, because by tomorrow, it will be yesterdays news...

I talked to a young man, who served and lost 3 limbs a few weeks ago, when he came home for a day, and he was thrilled, people where showering praise on him, in a small community not fare from me, I received a call just this evening, from him, I met him at his plane in full dress, he was wondering why no one would take his calls any longer and he felt lonely, he was wondering if he had done something wrong!

If you know a vet, make that call after all of the fanfare is over, please!

 

[DJ]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

Thank you,

You know, I spent 26 years in the Military, I gave an actual part of my body to the military, I always see outrage when something like this happens, but really, this is nothing new, I saw it when I served, I see it now with men and women that I served with, I have a friend that served in Vietnam, and on his commercial flight home, he was spit on by an attendant..

I am going to be political here, and I really hope it does not cause a problem, but until such time as people living in the US demand, that their represenatives institute rules and regulations to show these service people what they are due, we are going to at time continue to hear stories like this!

I don't want your charity, but I think I deserve a small bit of respect, and every single person that served deserves that little bit of respect, I can tell you from experience, it does make a difference, when a young child walks up to me and says thank you, it does make a difference when I talk about my experiences to high school students and they ask questions, and it does make a difference when a middle aged man, says I am sorry for protesting those that served in Vietnam..

There are a lot of men and women in this country, that have served, and it does not matter peacetime or war time, it is a difficult time to serve your country, they do it willingly now a days.

As far as this incident, with our current state of media in this country, we are going to continue to listen to the peanut gallery, but this is not new, it has happened before and I can 100% say it will happen again, it has been happening for a long time now, my uncle who served in WWII and was POW for 19 months, had to pay for his ride home from Germany.

Military personal in this country...well what can I say, but next time you talk to a military person, just say thanks, buy them a beer, or just sit down and talk to them, don't condemn the commercial companies, those people behind the counter, have no idea what they have been through. They did their job as their company told them to.

Give them a break, let them off the hook and go after the high houncho CEOS that have no idea, don't care, and only change for a moment when people say this is not right.

$2800 is a lot of money, but I would have paid 10 times that to get home, no matter what, as I am sure many that contribute here would have as well.

Sorry for my rant, but I just get tired of seeing both sides of this.

Retired, O-6, US Army and DAMNED PROUD OF IT!

Thank you guys and gals, welcome home!

MT,

You have no idea of how proud I am of you and your compatriots.

I do, every chance I get, in an airport, etc. to buy the lunch, etc. (secretly) for the Soldiers that I see. Personally, I get a kick of them trying to figure out who did it.

Small but I think they get a kick too. They/you ARE appreciated.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Delta Air Lines charges returning soldiers for checked bags

I think this was not the fault of the airline but the fault of their unit in not telling them in advance of the weight restrictions.

I was wrong. This was the second leg of their trip. There travel orders stated that they were allowed 4 bags. It was when they transferred to Delta that the three bag thing came up.