DL has enough money for huge ATL makover!!

[On Your Six]

There are so many contradictions and mixed messages with this Delta situation it is hard to keep track. First, there is no money and death could be imminent. Next, let's redo the concourses in crappy ATL despite the fact that we could be liquidated very soon due to the pilots' unwillingness to accept wages we impose on them... Somebody should fire that management team. Would Herb Kelleher handle this situation the same way? Doubt it.

 

[~~~^~~~]

On your Six - The City of the Atlanta ponies up the cash and then increases the lease rates to cover expenses. Every Mayor needs a construction project at the airport to fund their re-election campaign through kick backs from contractors. Our current Mayor is a pretty conservative and honest Mayor - but you should have seen what they did for the airport when good old Billy Campbell was running the show. Besides, Delta will not pay back the money they are obligated to pay any way. Delta does however have the money to fund a book tour for the author of "Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star" and Youth Pride, so folks livin alternative lifestyles can solicit the gay life, I mean "talk about diversity" to your middle schooler while attending public school.

General - Skywest, ne' ASA, is paying for the work on C councourse and Skywest will pay its bills - although I understand the budget has been cut a whole bunch and they are trying to redesign the project to cost less (goodbye glass that they couldn't keep clean anyway, hello concrete blocks) The blocks will also reduce customer anxiety as they can not see the Delta bag handlers driving up late to departing ASA flights holding up 4 fingers, making the "bag" sign and pointing at the cargo door(s). The people who are already on the airplanes can't really do anything at that point because there are Federal Laws to prevent passengers from screaming and running from the exits once the seat belt sign is on.

 

[tuna pimp]

The Atlanta terminal, especially on the International side, is an abomination and completely incapable of handling current demand. Last time I flew Int'l on DL the line to check in was wrapped around the back side of the check-in counters and all the way down to the baggage claim area. Customers were yelling and cursing at the poor hapless Peach Corps volunteers. Unacceptable. It sorely needs to be updated and upgraded to handle all the additional growth being added out of ATL.

I'd rather improve the customer experience by adding check-in capacity, add new flights in profitable new markets, and strengthen Delta that way. To do so requires some modest capital investment, what's the problem with that? I don't see the benefit of allowing DL to atrophy from within and not spend a dime on needed capital improvements at it's biggest hub simply to spare the feelings of it's pilot group.

 

[sandman2122]

With oil trading at $67 a barrel, DAL should consider using any extra $$ for jet fuel, not new lounges and kiosks.

 

[1stCivDiv]

I don't see the benefit of allowing DL to atrophy from within and not spend a dime on needed capital improvements at it's biggest hub simply to spare the feelings of it's pilot group.

I smell an ass whoopin' 'bout to happen... :uzi:

 

[Russ]

I spiffed up the old house just before I sold it. New carpet and flooring brought in a much higher selling price for the house.

 

[bravodude]

However they are able to find the cash to change the concorses I think its a good step. As somebody who flys at least 4 times a month the place sucks. But then again its not like i can go somewhere else.