Delta charged returning GIs $2,800 in bags fees
Delta Airlines is apologizing to 34 U.S. Army troops who just returned from Afghanistan.
The reason? They had to pay some $2,800 in baggage fees, reports Steve Higgins of CBS affiliate WGCL in Atlanta.
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.
A military spokeswoman told WGCL any extra baggage fees assessed by an airline will be reimbursed by the government, depending on the troops' orders.
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:
In the YouTube video, one of the soldiers says his fourth bag had "a weapons case holding my grenade launcher and a 9 millimeter, the tools that I used to protect myself and the Afghan citizens while I was deployed in the country."
Another solider adds, "Good business model, Delta. We're actually happy to be back in America."
Some troops told CBS WGCL the military personnel in the video will be in lots of hot water when their superiors find out about the YouTube clip.
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forrestersr.billy@yahoo.com
To:
Service members and there famely's
WE honor the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed so much for our country by supporting our military families and veterans. The majority of Them have been Re deployed as much as 5 an 6 times and that causes there family's to have hardship's.
Our military families are true American heroes: they are parents who raise their kids alone while their spouse is deployed overseas, they are the grandparents who provide much needed support, and they are military kids who work hard in school while bravely awaiting their mom or dad's return from deployment. They serve our country bravely and without asking for recognition for their sacrifices.
I know that a simple act of kindness can make a difference in the lives of our military families and veterans. Whether you offer to babysit or carpool, or just take a moment to say thank you, everyone can do something to support our service members and their families.
You can send a message of support to military families, by copying this and reposting it on your wall so your friends can do the same and together we will reach millions of face book members.
To all our veterans and our military families: thank you, we are so grateful for your commitment and sacrifice.
forrestersr.billy@yahoo.com
To:
Service members and there famely's
WE honor the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed so much for our country by supporting our military families and veterans. The majority of Them have been Re deployed as much as 5 an 6 times and that causes there family's to have hardship's.
Our military families are true American heroes: they are parents who raise their kids alone while their spouse is deployed overseas, they are the grandparents who provide much needed support, and they are military kids who work hard in school while bravely awaiting their mom or dad's return from deployment. They serve our country bravely and without asking for recognition for their sacrifices.
I know that a simple act of kindness can make a difference in the lives of our military families and veterans. Whether you offer to babysit or carpool, or just take a moment to say thank you, everyone can do something to support our service members and their families.
You can send a message of support to military families, by copying this and reposting it on your wall so your friends can do the same and together we will reach millions of face book members.
To all our veterans and our military families: thank you, we are so grateful for your commitment and sacrifice.
they charged soldiers only $50 each whereas the army probably gets billed $100 each
....they got ripped the other $2,800
There is a simple rule to keep in mind that could have avoided such a public black-eye for Delta. In the moment of the conflict, ask yourself, "if this should become a story (as anything can in these days of viral video), who will be the bad guy?" Here,the answer was: "Delta Airlines." Delta needs to empower and insist that their front line employees make decisions to use their best judgement to set aside policy in favor of people. Policies are handy, but rigid tools. The best policy is simply: People first.
Welcome home soldiers.
Delta needs a huge wakeup call.
Delta should refund any additional charges for having extra bags WITH INTEREST.
The Army allows returning heroes four (4) bags without having to pay any additional fees.
The Army has a heart as big as a gnats ass.!!
It shouldn't matter if they have 4 or 50 bags; there should be no additional charges.!!
If it's true that our troops are charged for lost gear; this is OUTRAGEOUS.
And if any of the soldiers get in "hot water" for posting this online; their commanders should be busted to PVT and dishonorably discharged.
The gall of the government and the military commanders never ceases to amaze me.