Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Delta Airlines charges returning GIs $2,800 in baggage fees

Call it YouTube payback.

Delta Airlines cooked up a special "welcome home" for some of America's bravest troops on their recent return from combat in Afghanistan.

The airline slapped U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Fred Hilliker and 33 of his fellow GI's with $2,800 in baggage fees.

But, Sgt. Hilliker didn't get mad. Instead, he whipped out his video camera and posted a letter of complaint to Delta on YouTube for all to see.

So far, the video has been viewed over 200,000 times.

Hey, Sarge! Thanks for your service...and as a journalist, I gotta tell you, your interviewing skills are top notch and you are definitely ready for prime time.

From CBS News
In a video posted on YouTube, one solider says, "Not happy, not happy at all. We had a little issue with the bags this morning."

Most of the GIs, it seems, had four bags.

Another soldier said in the video, "Delta only allows three for free in coach, "and anything over three bags, you have to pay for, even though there's a contract between the U.S. government and Delta Airlines."

The soldiers say their orders allow them to bring four bags on board -- for free.

[...]

Delta later issued a statement saying, "We would like to publicly apologize for any miscommunication ... as well as any inconvenience we may have caused." The carrier promises to "reach out" to the soldiers involved to "address their concerns."

Delta's statement also said active duty military personnel are allowed to check three bags for free in coach and four in first or business class, but the posted policy on the Delta website clearly states they are allowed to check four free bags in coach and five in first or business.
Got a problem with a big company? Looks like YouTube is the way to get satisfaction fast.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Feel free to comment on anything you read here.

All comments must first be approved. Spam and spam links will not be tolerated or approved.