Letter to Delta..

General Discussion
1

Hey All.

If you haven’t heard already, Delta has raised International board fees to $300 per board each way.

Please take a moment to send them a friendly email

Here —> http://www.delta.com/…rvlet/EmailUs?cmd=go

Feel free to copy/paste the letter below into their ‘comment/suggestion’ section.

…

I’m shocked to discover that you have increased the baggage fee for surfboards to $300 each way per board. With respect, I’m writing to ask you to reconsider this decision. Surfers are generally frequent flyers, taking trips to destinations all over the world. We usually travel in groups, and we always choose Delta when our destination permits because, until recently, your airline was recognized in the surfing community for having a reasonable and affordable baggage fee for boards. Word is spreading fast that this is no longer the case, and frequent flyers like myself are turning to other airlines for future trips. Shipping boards by cargo is not an option–it is also too costly, in addition to time-consuming. I could understand a slight increase in fees, but $300 each way seems excessive. In some instances, that’s more than the cost of the flight. Plus, surfboards are relatively light-weight (certainly less than golf bags, for instance, which are currently free to transport on your airline). I’d like to continue traveling with Delta Airlines, but I’m afraid that I will be forced to take my business elsewhere unless this fee is reconsidered. I will only support airlines that do not implement excessive baggage fees, even when I fly without my surfboard. Furthermore, I will be sure to spread the word not only to my fellow travel companions, but to surfers and travelers worldwide, urging them to do the same. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to your reply.

2

done

3

Their website says $175 for domestic and $300 for international.

4

Hi Rick -

The cost may have something to do with damage claims. So many boards get thrashed that the resulting claims get expensive. Of course, training the baggage handlers to be more careful doesn’t seem to be an option.

Did you mean to say that boards weigh less than golf clubs?

5

Yeah something like that.

6 
Howzit John, Every time I fly with a board the airlines makes me sign a waiver which makes the airlines not liable for any damages. They have dinged boards many times and would never pay to fix them. So I can't see how they can charge for something they won't pay for. Aloha,Kokua
7

Hi Kokua -

YMMV depending on airline.

http://forum.surfersofdubai.com/viewtopic.php?t=13

8

its odd that they charge extra for a board and make you sign a waver but the regular lugage is insured

I had it out with a lady at the ticket counter for this exact reason

I was very loud and told her I would sign it just to get my board to my destination but if it was damaged

they will be in court and that the airlines are responsible for my lugage once it is in their possesion

and if I pay an extra handleing fee for oversized that doesnt waver the insurance

“you charge extra and then dont care?”

she just stood there embarassed

The guy moving my boardbag was standing behind her smiling at me and gave me the thumbs up

he said “Got ya covered bro”

The board got to Hawaii the way I put it in the bag , Brand New

9
Quote:

its odd that they charge extra for a board

Air New Zealand - No Charge from L.A. Tell Roy.

10

…that’s about $100 per pound, round trip…

11
Quote:
Quote:

its odd that they charge extra for a board

Air New Zealand - No Chage from L.A. Tell Roy.

Yes you’ll need one of these tho.

12

Done. Be sure to include your Delta frequent flier number if you have one! Jim

13

Just heard back from Delta…they must be a bit concerned as it is less than 24 hours:

Quote:
Dear Mr. Levens,

Thank you for your e-mail to Delta Air Lines.

We have announced increases to some of our domestic and international

baggage fees to help offset the 70-80 percent increase in jet fuel

prices in the last year. These changes will apply to customers who

purchase a ticket on or after July 31, 2008, for travel on or after

August 5, 2008.

As fuel costs remain at record levels, Delta believes revising the fee

structure for excess bags and specialty items is essential to generate

the necessary revenues to offset record fuel costs while continuing to

offer these services to customers. Delta continues to offer all

customers a complimentary first checked bag for domestic travel and two

checked bags for international flights.

Fee changes effective in August include an increase to the service fee

to check a second bag for domestic travel from $25 to $50; and fees for

specialty items that require special handling such as surfboards or ski

equipment will increase on domestic and international flights. First

Class, BusinessElite and Medallion customers will continue to be able to

check up to three bags at no charge. Customers checking bags on

international flights may continue checking a first and second bag at no

charge.

More details on these changes and others are available in Delta’s

checked bag policy at www.delta.com.

These increases are all in accordance with general industry practices

and we feel they are unavoidable at this time.

We appreciate you taking the time to share with us your thoughts on

Delta’s products and services and hope for your understanding as we do

our best to remain a strong carrier so that we may continue serving our

customers all over the globe.

The airline industry is very competitive, and the goodwill of our

customers is important to the lasting success of our company. Your

feedback is important to us and we incorporate customers’ views and

opinions as we make decisions.

I realize this is a disappointment, and trust you will understand our

position. We hope you will continue to make Delta your airline of

choice.

Sincerely,

Nancy Bill

Online Customer Support Desk

http://www.delta.com

14
Quote:

… realize this is a disappointment, and trust you will understand our

position. We hope you will continue to make Delta your airline of

choice.

I believe what Delta was saying is “B.O.H.I.C.A.”…Bend Over Here It Comes

She could have saved herself a lot of time by just replying “Eat me!”.

On the other hand, first class air travel for surfers will no doubt increase…it’s really going to be all about the money now.

15

The slow collapse of the industrial empire is causing the world to get larger. It got smaller and smaller due to technology and now since increasingly people can’t afford the technology bigger and bigger again.

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17

She could have saved herself a lot of time by just replying “Eat me!”.

BAHAHA!!! (she’d proly like that…what do you say there Mr.Nels, you volunteering?)

Yeah I reckon that’s what that long winded corporate letter is saying.

I guess she thinks that by using the term “pricing structure” that makes us feel so much better while we fork out $300 for a stick.

I never fly Delta and not about to start.

I don’t think I can trust someone with two first names like “Nancy Bill”…she sounds like a good corporate trooper.

BOHICA all the way.

I play golf, but the free golf club thing really frosts my arse!

18

I posted this before…

http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/special_baggage/fragile_bulky/christmas_trees/index.jsp

madness.

19
Quote:

The slow collapse of the industrial empire is causing the world to get larger. It got smaller and smaller due to technology and now since increasingly people can’t afford the technology bigger and bigger again.

"Always look on the bright

side of life

di do, di do di do di do"

20

delta is the airline that lost my board aon my trip two years ago. it was in the bag with my flyfishing gear, dirty stuff and diving gear—when i arrived at us customs—no board! all the other stuff was there —including the 300$ flyrod … took over 14 months to get the money out of their hands for this

yep, i’ll fly delta again, right!