From a TravelNet bulletin posted July 7, 2005, and still bookmarked with a link on the first page of TravelNet:
Pay particular attention to the bolded items, looks like your "friend" let you down big time. It was clearly his responsibility.
Corporate Communications July 7, 2005 Page 1
New embargo dates for Family and Friends pass travel
Overview:
Delta is introducing embargo dates during heavy travel periods for Family and Friends pass riders
as part of a companywide commitment to improve customer service. Reducing the number of
nonrevenue standby travelers will allow employees to focus their efforts on serving customers.
Standby travel will not be permitted for Family and Friends pass riders on Nov. 23, 27 and 28; Dec.
23; or Jan. 2. Additional embargo dates for 2006 will be posted on TravelNet later this year. This
embargo includes all worldwide travel on Delta, Song and Delta Connection Carriers. Embargo
periods begin at 12 midnight Eastern Time on each of the specified dates.
Beginning July 12, TravelNet and Deltamatic will prohibit pricing for a Family and Friends fare if any
segment in an itinerary departs on an embargo date, including connecting flights. There is no
technology in place that will prohibit creating a meal list on an embargo date, so it is very important
that everyone who receives an allotment of Family and Friends passes should be sure to tell their
pass riders about these restricted dates to help prevent operational challenges and inconveniences
for Family and Friends pass riders at the airport. Even if a Family and Friends listing is created or
ticketed, Family and Friends standby travelers will not be permitted to fly on an embargo date.
Those who have already purchased tickets for travel on an embargo date must choose alternate
days. They also may select a new destination and pay the applicable fare difference; or request a
refund. They will not be charged a change fee.
Key Messages:
•
Delta is implementing embargo dates during busy travel periods for all Family and Friends
standby travelers so that employees will have more time to focus on customer service.
•
The 2005 embargo dates are Nov. 23, 27 and 28; Dec. 23; or Jan. 2. Information on other
embargo dates for 2006 will be available on TravelNet later this year.
•
We do not take actions of this kind without serious consideration of the impact on our
employees and travelers who use their Family and Friends passes.
•
Family and Friends pass riders who have purchased a ticket on or before July 7 for travel on
embargo dates must select alternate days. They also may choose a different destination and
pay any difference in fare, or request a refund. They will not be charged a change fee.
•
Beginning July 12, TravelNet and Deltamatic will prohibit Family and Friends fare pricing if any
segment in an itinerary departs on an embargo date.
•
At this time, there is no technology in place that will prohibit creating a standby listing (or meal
list) on an embargo date, so it is very important that everyone who receives an allotment of
Family and Friends passes tell their pass riders about these restricted dates to help prevent
operational challenges and inconveniences for Family and Friends pass riders at the airport.
Even if a nonrevenue listing is created or ticketed, Family and Friends standby travelers will
not be permitted to fly on an embargo date. Employees have to work especially hard during
busy travel periods to provide customers with the high level of service they expect and
demonstrate that we value their support and loyalty.
•
Load factors historically hit their peak during holiday travel periods, and can present a challenge
to the operation, especially when coupled with the possibility of irregular operations.
•
Processing standby travelers dilutes an employee’s ability to focus on serving Delta customers.
Prohibiting Family and Friends standby on key dates will reduce the number of standby travelers
and subsequently help the operation.
Corporate Communications July 7, 2005 Page 2
Questions and Answers
Q1.) What is Delta doing? Why?
A1.) Delta is introducing embargo dates during busy travel periods for Family and Friends pass
riders, as part of a companywide commitment to improving customer service. Reducing the
number of nonrevenue standby travelers will allow employees to focus their efforts on
serving customers.
Q2.) Who is directly impacted by these embargo dates?
A2.) All standby passengers using a Family and Friends pass are prohibited from traveling on
specified embargo travel dates.
Standby and yield fare passengers listed in an active or retired employee’s PPR are not
affected by the embargo dates.
Q3.) What about the difference in time zones? Is the embargo period based on local date
and time at the airport where I’m boarding?
A3.) Original pricing and reissues will be prohibited if any portion of the itinerary originates travel
on a specified embargo day.
Q4.) How does Delta determine which dates will be prohibited?
A4.) Historical data is very reliable and provides the most accurate measure for predicting future
bookings. The dates selected are some of the most heavily-traveled dates of the year.
Q5.) Which days are prohibited in 2005? What about 2006?
A5.) Embargo dates for Family and Friends pass riders are Nov. 23, 27 and 28; Dec. 23; and
Jan. 2. Additional embargo dates for 2006 will be posted on TravelNet later this year.
Q6.) What if I’m traveling to a destination that doesn’t celebrate a particular holiday, such
as Thanksgiving?
A6.) The designated dates prohibit worldwide travel on Delta, Song and Delta Connection
Carriers.
Q7.) How will I know which dates are embargoed?
A7.) Embargo dates will be listed on TravelNet. If you forget to check the dates, pricing will be
prohibited for a Family and Friends ticket on TravelNet or Deltamatic if any segment in an
itinerary departs on an embargo date; and Delta’s nonrevenue voice response unit (VRU)
will not provide flight availability for an embargo date.
Q8.) What happens if the person using my Family and Friends pass lists for a flight and
goes to the airport to standby on a prohibited travel date?
A8.) TravelNet and Deltamatic will prohibit pricing or reissuing a Family and Friends ticket for
travel on these dates, but there is no automation that will prevent an employee from
creating an airport listing. However, even if a nonrevenue listing is created, Family and
Friends standby travelers will not be permitted to fly on an embargo date. That is why it is
especially important for everyone who receives an allotment of Family and Friends passes
to tell the people who use their passes about these restricted dates, just like they do with
dress code guidelines or other established pass-rider rules.
Q9.) What if a flight looks wide open? Will there be any exceptions?
A9.) No. There will be no exceptions
Q10.) Will Delta permit travel on an embargo date in an emergency or bereavement
situation?
A10.) No.
Corporate Communications July 7, 2005 Page 3
Q11.) What if I have already had a ticket issued for travel dates that are now prohibited?
A11.) Family and Friends pass riders must choose a new date to travel, or may change their
destination. Delta will also waive the $25 change fee for destination changes, however, any
applicable difference in fare will be charged. Travel must be completed within one year
from original ticket issuance for tickets issued on/after May 18, 2005.
NOTE: Tickets issued prior to May 18, 2005 must complete all travel by September 15,
2005.
Q12.) What if I try to standby on the day before an embargo date and cannot get on a
flight? Can I try to standby the next day?
A12.) No. Travel will not be permitted until the first permissible date.
