Absolutely massive credit goes to Delta for this power move…
In this post:
Delta gives middle finger to members of Congress
It’s chaos at many airports in the United States at the moment, due to the partial government shutdown, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) not being funded. We’re seeing an increasing number of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees calling in sick, given that they haven’t been paid for their last three paycheck periods.
This is causing huge issues at many airports, which airlines obviously aren’t happy about. While airlines have broadly campaigned for a resolution to this issue, this might be the most compelling argument we’ve seen yet.
Delta has just cut off the special services that it offers to members of Congress, including at airports. This temporary suspension will remain in place until the government is again funded, and Delta claims that this is “due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown.”
Members of Congress receive special privileges at airports, like expedited security screening, escorts through the terminal, a dedicated reservations line, more ticket flexibility, etc. In a statement, Delta explained that “next to safety, Delta’s No. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment.”
This is a bold move that benefits the public
It goes without saying that airlines are very politically involved, in terms of trying to lobby for their own best interests, both on a national and local level. The narrative always changes based on who is in office — just look at how United CEO Scott Kirby has gone from being rather liberal, to constantly praising Trump for his leadership, to the point that he might as well be wearing a red hat.
On the surface, angering members of Congress is risky, since that’s something they may remember in the future. However, this is certainly in the best interest of the public, as this is the kind of pressure that might actually lead to change.
Perhaps if members of Congress are more directly impacted by what’s going on at airports, then they will be more likely to push for the government to be fully funded. I suspect United won’t follow Delta’s lead here, since all signs point toward United looking for some “favors” from the government. 😉
Bottom line
Delta is suspending all special privileges for members of Congress until the government is funded, and that’s a courageous but good move. It’s obviously incredibly important to airlines that the government is fully funded, since hours-long wait times aren’t good for anyone. Clearly the airline hopes that if politicians experience what the rest of the public has to deal with, they’ll be more likely to come to an agreement.
What do you make of Delta pulling perks from members of Congress?
While I get the urge to “punish” members of Congress and make them suffer the same indignities as the rest of us, I do believe that this could lead to additional chaos. While the perks that members of Congress receive from airlines are primarily so that those airlines remain on their good side, there’s also a safety/security component to them as well. There are several members of both the House and Senate who are relatively...
While I get the urge to “punish” members of Congress and make them suffer the same indignities as the rest of us, I do believe that this could lead to additional chaos. While the perks that members of Congress receive from airlines are primarily so that those airlines remain on their good side, there’s also a safety/security component to them as well. There are several members of both the House and Senate who are relatively below the radar and thus mostly anonymous. However, there are also several who are more high profile that have been relentlessly attacked by the Clown-in-Chief for one reason or another. I don’t necessarily think it’s a great idea to have some of those people stuck in hour-long lines with already stressed and aggravated passengers, many of whom take their cues from said Clown-in-Chief (who truly is to blame here and will never face these airport issues). This could get ugly. I hope I’m wrong but there are a few in particular who represent districts in and around Delta hubs that immediately come to mind.
Love this even almost as much as deporting illegals. Our country has been run by a bunch of bozos on both sides of the aisle.
This is simply Unamerican, and penalises the wrong people. Remove it for members of democrats and only allow registered republicans to fly. That's the only way to stop this madness.
@jplat: You are either willfully stupid or a troll. Either way, not a good look you have going there.
They should permanently revoke the special treatment for Congress. Not just DL but all airlines.
Great move and I assume DL is really taking it up the wazoo given the size of it's ATL operations. There's no reason there cannot be a carve out for TSA, setting aside do we really need what TSA has become.
Keep in mind that there is actually a current bill to do this but the House is apparently not taking it up because they are going to run out of town for break.
Every other airline should match this action by DL but also cancel their tickets until they fund DHS and remove all essential workers from having their paychecks held in political disputes.
If you want to shut down the IRS, go for...
Keep in mind that there is actually a current bill to do this but the House is apparently not taking it up because they are going to run out of town for break.
Every other airline should match this action by DL but also cancel their tickets until they fund DHS and remove all essential workers from having their paychecks held in political disputes.
If you want to shut down the IRS, go for it, but don't tell essential workers whether it is the military or transportation workers they have to come to work and then not pay them.
now put SSSS on every one of their boarding passes
Hell hath frozen over. I agree with Tim.
Put SSSS on all their boarding passes -- though I don't think airlines are able to unilaterally do that ;)
Indeed, hell has frozen! I support this too.
a 50 degree F night is not exactly 'freezing over" but Max has made a number of very reasonable posts across several platforms.
Hey Lucky
I've seen this article the last 24 hours. What is Delta specifically doing?
I guess it's saying if Delta is gifting D360 or DL DM status to a member of congress, they're suspending that but only if it's a gift rather than earned status? Or is it a gift of SkyClub access that wasn't purchased so DL suspends that? I assume Delta isn't unilaterally suspending gained status or purchased sky club membership?
...Hey Lucky
I've seen this article the last 24 hours. What is Delta specifically doing?
I guess it's saying if Delta is gifting D360 or DL DM status to a member of congress, they're suspending that but only if it's a gift rather than earned status? Or is it a gift of SkyClub access that wasn't purchased so DL suspends that? I assume Delta isn't unilaterally suspending gained status or purchased sky club membership?
The ability of a member of Congress to bypass airport security at DCA or another airport isn't a gift from an airline, it's something Congress has given themselves -- hence the current legislation by a small group to suspend that. Congresswoman Mace or Wasserman-Schulz weren't walking to the "priority" lanes at DCA in those tiktoks, they were walking to their special access lane entrance.
AKA. what current nonsense at airport screening is a member of congress now exposed to with Delta's move?
I agree it's great marketing for Delta, but I'm a little confused what they're actually doing or suspending that is now really going to force Congress to endure what the rest of us are with their inability to fund DHS.
It’s funny to me that American are performing so poorly that they become too irrelevant to appear in a post like this.
I joke of course, but it’s still a funny coincidence.
Is Jetblue now United, Lucky? (cfr. your picture ;) )
@ GroeneMichel -- Not yet, but that's the point. ;-)