I read today that a lawyer is suing Delta Airlines for one million dollars, due to missing his connecting flight destined to Argentina from Atlanta’s International airport.
This week, I too missed my Delta connecting flight to Los Angeles, from Atlanta.This in part because it was delayed in taking off from Lima for about twenty minutes, and also because I was carrying foot long tamales.
Flights originating from Colombia or Peru are always heavily revised. Yet, these tamales, unique due to their flavoring and coloring, always seem suspect as they are wrapped tightly in smoked banana leaves, and are generous in proportion.
The customs official looked menacingly at my disheveled appearance after my all-night flight from Lima, before she cut deeply with her sharp knife into the bulky, dark-green packaged bundles.
After passing the minuscule inspection of all my belongings, I walked as fast as possible to the assigned gate on my boarding pass.
Since I was saddled with too many gifts, those mostly food items, were placed in the luggage. On my person I was then carrying the bulk of my books which was pretty hefty. Not only the hard cover books I had checked out from the L.A Public Library, but an additional ten books I had acquired during my travels. I walked for what seemed miles in this gargantuan airport carrying close to forty pounds in books and on my back pack.
When I arrived to my gate, I found the gate had been changed. I then had to take another shuttle train, to another section of this humongous airport. By the time I arrived to that designated gate, I was breathless after dodging herds of people and telling some, “out of my way!” I found the plane had closed its doors.
It’s true the attitude of some of the counter crew was nonchalant, claiming it said on the ticket, the gate was subject to change. It was useless to try to reason with them, I waited to see a tall man who looked to be management, and ambushed him to let me get on that plane.
At least my complaint got me a meal voucher after I requested it, and a seat in the next plane an hour away. Yes, losing a flight is a pain, yet one must be aware that times have changed.
It is smart to consolidate flights in one point, so as to avoid empty seats, which would mean loss of revenue, or higher air fares. Add to that the imminent potential for job losses in the airline industry due to further expected surge in gasoline prices, which is about a third of the airlines' expenses. To seek compensation for damages amounting to a million dollars is simply ridiculous.
In the end, frivolous suits like this, or the Mc Donald’s compensation over a hot cup of coffee spilled, ultimately are transferred to the consumers in higher prices. At least I got a free lunch.
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