Delta Air Lines ripoff Airplane Droped 100 feet twice causing injuries. No explanation from Captain Atlanta Georgia

I am not an airline employee, but I have been on quite a few flights, so I have had my share of drops, dips and really hard landings. My question for you is this:

Would you have filed a complaint here had your flight been delayed or cancelled due to bad weather?

All I have to say.

Andre, It has been some time since your initial report was filed. What are the updates?

First of all, the USDOT says nothing of the sort, especially about PA announcements.

The captain is, considered to the First Officer and Federal Government as the "Pilot in Command" or "PIC".

The FAA in the 2006 edition of the Airman Information Manual and Federal Aviation Regulation Part 1-1 pg 6.

Pilot In Command:
(1) Has the final authority and responsibilty for the operation and safety of the flight;
(2) Has been designated as pilot in command before or during the flight; and
(3) Holds the appropriate category, class, and type rating, if appropriate, for the conduct of the flight.

I am a captain for a 121 Carrier. Steve is completely correct with his referral to your aircraft hitting 2 consecutive wind shear pockets. This is not uncommon. It is however extremely dangerous especially close to the ground. It is undectable and there is absolutely nothing the captain for first officer could do about it. Now because you were in the decent/landing phase of flight, even more work and stress is put upon the flight crew.

Lets list them off:

1- Making sure everything on the airplane is functioning normally.
2- Talking with air traffic controllers, not always the easiest thing.
3- Getting the airplane configured for landing.
4- Making sure the cabin is secured for landing.

Now...those are the things that are put opon the flight crew on a clear sunny, no wind day.

Lets take a look at what happened on your flight.
1- Making sure everything ont he airplane is functioning normally.
2- Talking with air traffic controllers.
3- Configuring the airplane for landing.
4- Getting the airplane configured for an instrument approach, which is stressfull and requires the utmost concentration.
5- Considering you were in a HOLD over a FIX/NAVAID this takes the time of both pilots, requiring the utmost attention.
6- Now they run into wind shear, which believe us is no joke and a very serious issue. Now they have to deal with unexpected losses in altitude. Not a fun time if your a pilot already dealing with the 5 issues above.
7- A phone call from the cabin crew that there was an injury. And they now have to (during an already hectic time) talk to controllers and get an ambulance at the gate.

Sound like too much to do already? And you're asking us to give you a PA that it's ok and we're sorry?

You're probably asking yourself what is windshear?

Well let's say you have a two story house. The win upstairs is blowing 100MPH and you walk down the stairs and it's completely calm. However it's still blowing upstairs. That is what it is like when an airplane encounters windshear. The wind that is flowing over the airfoil (wing(s)) is producing lift. When you decended through that pocket of air to a "0 wind" or "Significantly reduced wind" the wings will lose lift resulting in a sudden loss of altitude, sometimes of amazing amounts. There have been over 1000 aviation deaths from windshear alone.

Step back. You had a previous condition. I don't doubt that the windshear further exumated your pain/swelling. Fibromyalgia?

Plain and simple the pilot in command (Capt.) just didn't have time to give you your PA you so wishfully had wanted. Would I have? If time and the situation permitted, yes.

People need to know that when they fly, there is a certain amount of risk involved. Unfourtunately, you were on the aircraft that happened to hit the windshear first.

I hope you're feeling better and I hope this has cleared up a little speculation that you might have had as well as given you a few answers.

Andre, It has been some time since your initial report was filed. What are the updates?

First of all, the USDOT says nothing of the sort, especially about PA announcements.

The captain is, considered to the First Officer and Federal Government as the "Pilot in Command" or "PIC".

The FAA in the 2006 edition of the Airman Information Manual and Federal Aviation Regulation Part 1-1 pg 6.

Pilot In Command:
(1) Has the final authority and responsibilty for the operation and safety of the flight;
(2) Has been designated as pilot in command before or during the flight; and
(3) Holds the appropriate category, class, and type rating, if appropriate, for the conduct of the flight.

I am a captain for a 121 Carrier. Steve is completely correct with his referral to your aircraft hitting 2 consecutive wind shear pockets. This is not uncommon. It is however extremely dangerous especially close to the ground. It is undectable and there is absolutely nothing the captain for first officer could do about it. Now because you were in the decent/landing phase of flight, even more work and stress is put upon the flight crew.

Lets list them off:

1- Making sure everything on the airplane is functioning normally.
2- Talking with air traffic controllers, not always the easiest thing.
3- Getting the airplane configured for landing.
4- Making sure the cabin is secured for landing.

Now...those are the things that are put opon the flight crew on a clear sunny, no wind day.

Lets take a look at what happened on your flight.
1- Making sure everything ont he airplane is functioning normally.
2- Talking with air traffic controllers.
3- Configuring the airplane for landing.
4- Getting the airplane configured for an instrument approach, which is stressfull and requires the utmost concentration.
5- Considering you were in a HOLD over a FIX/NAVAID this takes the time of both pilots, requiring the utmost attention.
6- Now they run into wind shear, which believe us is no joke and a very serious issue. Now they have to deal with unexpected losses in altitude. Not a fun time if your a pilot already dealing with the 5 issues above.
7- A phone call from the cabin crew that there was an injury. And they now have to (during an already hectic time) talk to controllers and get an ambulance at the gate.

Sound like too much to do already? And you're asking us to give you a PA that it's ok and we're sorry?

You're probably asking yourself what is windshear?

Well let's say you have a two story house. The win upstairs is blowing 100MPH and you walk down the stairs and it's completely calm. However it's still blowing upstairs. That is what it is like when an airplane encounters windshear. The wind that is flowing over the airfoil (wing(s)) is producing lift. When you decended through that pocket of air to a "0 wind" or "Significantly reduced wind" the wings will lose lift resulting in a sudden loss of altitude, sometimes of amazing amounts. There have been over 1000 aviation deaths from windshear alone.

Step back. You had a previous condition. I don't doubt that the windshear further exumated your pain/swelling. Fibromyalgia?

Plain and simple the pilot in command (Capt.) just didn't have time to give you your PA you so wishfully had wanted. Would I have? If time and the situation permitted, yes.

People need to know that when they fly, there is a certain amount of risk involved. Unfourtunately, you were on the aircraft that happened to hit the windshear first.

I hope you're feeling better and I hope this has cleared up a little speculation that you might have had as well as given you a few answers.

Andre, It has been some time since your initial report was filed. What are the updates?

First of all, the USDOT says nothing of the sort, especially about PA announcements.

The captain is, considered to the First Officer and Federal Government as the "Pilot in Command" or "PIC".

The FAA in the 2006 edition of the Airman Information Manual and Federal Aviation Regulation Part 1-1 pg 6.

Pilot In Command:
(1) Has the final authority and responsibilty for the operation and safety of the flight;
(2) Has been designated as pilot in command before or during the flight; and
(3) Holds the appropriate category, class, and type rating, if appropriate, for the conduct of the flight.

I am a captain for a 121 Carrier. Steve is completely correct with his referral to your aircraft hitting 2 consecutive wind shear pockets. This is not uncommon. It is however extremely dangerous especially close to the ground. It is undectable and there is absolutely nothing the captain for first officer could do about it. Now because you were in the decent/landing phase of flight, even more work and stress is put upon the flight crew.

Lets list them off:

1- Making sure everything on the airplane is functioning normally.
2- Talking with air traffic controllers, not always the easiest thing.
3- Getting the airplane configured for landing.
4- Making sure the cabin is secured for landing.

Now...those are the things that are put opon the flight crew on a clear sunny, no wind day.

Lets take a look at what happened on your flight.
1- Making sure everything ont he airplane is functioning normally.
2- Talking with air traffic controllers.
3- Configuring the airplane for landing.
4- Getting the airplane configured for an instrument approach, which is stressfull and requires the utmost concentration.
5- Considering you were in a HOLD over a FIX/NAVAID this takes the time of both pilots, requiring the utmost attention.
6- Now they run into wind shear, which believe us is no joke and a very serious issue. Now they have to deal with unexpected losses in altitude. Not a fun time if your a pilot already dealing with the 5 issues above.
7- A phone call from the cabin crew that there was an injury. And they now have to (during an already hectic time) talk to controllers and get an ambulance at the gate.

Sound like too much to do already? And you're asking us to give you a PA that it's ok and we're sorry?

You're probably asking yourself what is windshear?

Well let's say you have a two story house. The win upstairs is blowing 100MPH and you walk down the stairs and it's completely calm. However it's still blowing upstairs. That is what it is like when an airplane encounters windshear. The wind that is flowing over the airfoil (wing(s)) is producing lift. When you decended through that pocket of air to a "0 wind" or "Significantly reduced wind" the wings will lose lift resulting in a sudden loss of altitude, sometimes of amazing amounts. There have been over 1000 aviation deaths from windshear alone.

Step back. You had a previous condition. I don't doubt that the windshear further exumated your pain/swelling. Fibromyalgia?

Plain and simple the pilot in command (Capt.) just didn't have time to give you your PA you so wishfully had wanted. Would I have? If time and the situation permitted, yes.

People need to know that when they fly, there is a certain amount of risk involved. Unfourtunately, you were on the aircraft that happened to hit the windshear first.

I hope you're feeling better and I hope this has cleared up a little speculation that you might have had as well as given you a few answers.

Andre, It has been some time since your initial report was filed. What are the updates?

First of all, the USDOT says nothing of the sort, especially about PA announcements.

The captain is, considered to the First Officer and Federal Government as the "Pilot in Command" or "PIC".

The FAA in the 2006 edition of the Airman Information Manual and Federal Aviation Regulation Part 1-1 pg 6.

Pilot In Command:
(1) Has the final authority and responsibilty for the operation and safety of the flight;
(2) Has been designated as pilot in command before or during the flight; and
(3) Holds the appropriate category, class, and type rating, if appropriate, for the conduct of the flight.

I am a captain for a 121 Carrier. Steve is completely correct with his referral to your aircraft hitting 2 consecutive wind shear pockets. This is not uncommon. It is however extremely dangerous especially close to the ground. It is undectable and there is absolutely nothing the captain for first officer could do about it. Now because you were in the decent/landing phase of flight, even more work and stress is put upon the flight crew.

Lets list them off:

1- Making sure everything on the airplane is functioning normally.
2- Talking with air traffic controllers, not always the easiest thing.
3- Getting the airplane configured for landing.
4- Making sure the cabin is secured for landing.

Now...those are the things that are put opon the flight crew on a clear sunny, no wind day.

Lets take a look at what happened on your flight.
1- Making sure everything ont he airplane is functioning normally.
2- Talking with air traffic controllers.
3- Configuring the airplane for landing.
4- Getting the airplane configured for an instrument approach, which is stressfull and requires the utmost concentration.
5- Considering you were in a HOLD over a FIX/NAVAID this takes the time of both pilots, requiring the utmost attention.
6- Now they run into wind shear, which believe us is no joke and a very serious issue. Now they have to deal with unexpected losses in altitude. Not a fun time if your a pilot already dealing with the 5 issues above.
7- A phone call from the cabin crew that there was an injury. And they now have to (during an already hectic time) talk to controllers and get an ambulance at the gate.

Sound like too much to do already? And you're asking us to give you a PA that it's ok and we're sorry?

You're probably asking yourself what is windshear?

Well let's say you have a two story house. The win upstairs is blowing 100MPH and you walk down the stairs and it's completely calm. However it's still blowing upstairs. That is what it is like when an airplane encounters windshear. The wind that is flowing over the airfoil (wing(s)) is producing lift. When you decended through that pocket of air to a "0 wind" or "Significantly reduced wind" the wings will lose lift resulting in a sudden loss of altitude, sometimes of amazing amounts. There have been over 1000 aviation deaths from windshear alone.

Step back. You had a previous condition. I don't doubt that the windshear further exumated your pain/swelling. Fibromyalgia?

Plain and simple the pilot in command (Capt.) just didn't have time to give you your PA you so wishfully had wanted. Would I have? If time and the situation permitted, yes.

People need to know that when they fly, there is a certain amount of risk involved. Unfourtunately, you were on the aircraft that happened to hit the windshear first.

I hope you're feeling better and I hope this has cleared up a little speculation that you might have had as well as given you a few answers.

I think you are over reacting here. The primary responsibility of the pilot is to safely operate the aircraft, which he obviously did because you are still alive to complain.

As a prior flight engineer, it sounds to me like you hit 2 consecutive wind shears, which are totally undetectable and completely out of the control of the pilot or the airline.

Wind shears are very dangerous. Depending on your altitude and rate of descent you are lucky to be alive.

I think that less whining should be done here, and maybe think about what the pilot had going on in the flight deck. Hus first concern was not that of coddling whiners like you.

I'm very sorry to hear this unfortunate event for some and accident for others, both on the flight and on the ground, has caused so much turbulance. Traveling at 500 miles an hour does have some inherant risk (duh).

Andre, with the pre-exsisting condition you mentioned in your inital complaint "I went to my Chiropracter the next day to get an adjusment. That was after taking a mUscle relaxer, pain pill and Motrin the night before". Do you believe extensive travel or extensive law-suits are appropriate?

Does anyone know if the flight attendent will be OK?.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas, etc.

I was reading through some of these "my God I hate airlines" reports and came across this one...

To Andre.... I can hear the Captain now..

"Excuse me ladies and gentlemen... just thought I would update you.. the bump you just hear was the engines falling off the plane.. Our current heading is nose down and our current speed is beyond the capability of the aircraft. In approximately 2 minutes we will be on the ground.. Im sure there will be no survivors. I would like to thank you all for flying Delta..."

In all truth, I want the captain to SHUT THE HELL UP AND FLY THE d**n PLANE!!

Enjoy your life Andre.. Im sure someone will kiss your a*s sometime..

I was reading through some of these "my God I hate airlines" reports and came across this one...

To Andre.... I can hear the Captain now..

"Excuse me ladies and gentlemen... just thought I would update you.. the bump you just hear was the engines falling off the plane.. Our current heading is nose down and our current speed is beyond the capability of the aircraft. In approximately 2 minutes we will be on the ground.. Im sure there will be no survivors. I would like to thank you all for flying Delta..."

In all truth, I want the captain to SHUT THE HELL UP AND FLY THE d**n PLANE!!

Enjoy your life Andre.. Im sure someone will kiss your a*s sometime..

I was reading through some of these "my God I hate airlines" reports and came across this one...

To Andre.... I can hear the Captain now..

"Excuse me ladies and gentlemen... just thought I would update you.. the bump you just hear was the engines falling off the plane.. Our current heading is nose down and our current speed is beyond the capability of the aircraft. In approximately 2 minutes we will be on the ground.. Im sure there will be no survivors. I would like to thank you all for flying Delta..."

In all truth, I want the captain to SHUT THE HELL UP AND FLY THE d**n PLANE!!

Enjoy your life Andre.. Im sure someone will kiss your a*s sometime..

I was reading through some of these "my God I hate airlines" reports and came across this one...

To Andre.... I can hear the Captain now..

"Excuse me ladies and gentlemen... just thought I would update you.. the bump you just hear was the engines falling off the plane.. Our current heading is nose down and our current speed is beyond the capability of the aircraft. In approximately 2 minutes we will be on the ground.. Im sure there will be no survivors. I would like to thank you all for flying Delta..."

In all truth, I want the captain to SHUT THE HELL UP AND FLY THE d**n PLANE!!

Enjoy your life Andre.. Im sure someone will kiss your a*s sometime..

Severe turbulence is beyond the control of the flight crew. Turbulence is invisible, that is unless the pilot is flying into billowing clouds which would indicate moving air. I personally have flown an airplane into up and down drafts exceeding 2,000 feet per minute. It scared me because I was wondering if the wings were going to remain attached to the fuselage. At cruise power setting, the altitude varied by 6,000 feet! I had my hands full keeping the airframe from exceeding maximum redline speed....that speed at which the wings aren't guaranteed to stay on the airframe! Putting myself into the mind of the Airline Pilot's situation, the last thing I'd be worried about is a passenger who demands that the pilot make announcements to sooth their nerves. Hell, if you're that afraid of flying, DON'T FLY! Wilber Wright once said, For those of you who want perfect safety, you would do better to just sit on a fence and watch.

Severe turbulence is beyond the control of the flight crew. Turbulence is invisible, that is unless the pilot is flying into billowing clouds which would indicate moving air. I personally have flown an airplane into up and down drafts exceeding 2,000 feet per minute. It scared me because I was wondering if the wings were going to remain attached to the fuselage. At cruise power setting, the altitude varied by 6,000 feet! I had my hands full keeping the airframe from exceeding maximum redline speed....that speed at which the wings aren't guaranteed to stay on the airframe! Putting myself into the mind of the Airline Pilot's situation, the last thing I'd be worried about is a passenger who demands that the pilot make announcements to sooth their nerves. Hell, if you're that afraid of flying, DON'T FLY! Wilber Wright once said, For those of you who want perfect safety, you would do better to just sit on a fence and watch.

Severe turbulence is beyond the control of the flight crew. Turbulence is invisible, that is unless the pilot is flying into billowing clouds which would indicate moving air. I personally have flown an airplane into up and down drafts exceeding 2,000 feet per minute. It scared me because I was wondering if the wings were going to remain attached to the fuselage. At cruise power setting, the altitude varied by 6,000 feet! I had my hands full keeping the airframe from exceeding maximum redline speed....that speed at which the wings aren't guaranteed to stay on the airframe! Putting myself into the mind of the Airline Pilot's situation, the last thing I'd be worried about is a passenger who demands that the pilot make announcements to sooth their nerves. Hell, if you're that afraid of flying, DON'T FLY! Wilber Wright once said, For those of you who want perfect safety, you would do better to just sit on a fence and watch.

Severe turbulence is beyond the control of the flight crew. Turbulence is invisible, that is unless the pilot is flying into billowing clouds which would indicate moving air. I personally have flown an airplane into up and down drafts exceeding 2,000 feet per minute. It scared me because I was wondering if the wings were going to remain attached to the fuselage. At cruise power setting, the altitude varied by 6,000 feet! I had my hands full keeping the airframe from exceeding maximum redline speed....that speed at which the wings aren't guaranteed to stay on the airframe! Putting myself into the mind of the Airline Pilot's situation, the last thing I'd be worried about is a passenger who demands that the pilot make announcements to sooth their nerves. Hell, if you're that afraid of flying, DON'T FLY! Wilber Wright once said, For those of you who want perfect safety, you would do better to just sit on a fence and watch.

Andre,

First, let me say that I am not, nor have ever been an employee of Delta or any other airline. I did however spend 6 years in the Air Force as a flight crew member, have personally piloted private aircraft, and fly on commercial airlines frequently. I won't bore you with the details of some of the incidents I have encountered while airborne.

I am also not an advocate of the airline industry, and if you search this and all the other sites regarding airlines, you will not find any posts from me.

Speaking in regards to your original post, I will make this observation. The pilot of your plane did exactly what he was supposed to do. He got the plane safely on the ground. During final approach, pilots are very busy people, even when there is not an emergency situation. Most of his or her time is spent communicating with both the aircraft crew and the air traffic controllers. Once on the ground, the pilot is occupied with controlling the aircraft (making sure not to collide with other planes on the ground) and speaking with the ground controllers. In this case, he was also probably busy getting EMT personnel to meet the aircraft at the gate due to the fact that one of the crew members was confirmed injured.

Now I put it to you to look at it from his point of view. If you were the pilot of this aircraft, what would be your priority during this situation? Making sure that you and the other 140 people aboard your aircraft made it on the ground safely, or announcing over the PA that you were experiencing some bad weather? You stated in the first line of your original post that you were in a holding pattern because of bad weather, which I'm sure was announced over the PA.

As for the email you got from Delta, do you really expect them to admit wrongdoing in writing? That would be disasterous for them as I'm sure any attorney in their right mind would jump all over the ability to pursue in court.

As for your comments about pilot error. It is true that most incidents are cause by pilot error. There are also lots of incidents that are caused by things out of the pilots control, such as mechanical failure, improper maintenance, and, oh yeah, INCLEMENT WEATHER. Just because 2 America West pilots were arrested in Miami for being drunk on the job does not mean it happens all the time. In fact, inclement weather is the second greatest cause of aircraft accidents.

I realize you suffered injuries because of this incident, and for that you deserve some sort of compensation, if nothing more than an apology. But don't go bashing the pilot and crew for trying to look out for YOUR safety, and the safety of everyone else on the plane.

My 2 cents.

Tom,
Now it all makes sense the respone on the other post concerning Wal-Mart. Was that because of the previous post here? Hahaha. Good to see you again. I guess either you didn't get on medication or it isn't helping.

Because of your love of focusing on the inane to completely discredit everything a person has to say... I got some questions...

1) "49 percent were crying and praying and 1 percent was drunk." Where did you come up with the percentages?

2) "This was one bad flight of going down a 1000 plus feet and up thrust of 1000 feet." How did you know that it was going up and down that far? Did the pilot maybe come on the speaker and announce it? Or did he just mention it through the open door since it was a small craft?

3) Traveloges are BORING. Was there a reason behind yours?

I am the original letter writer. I decided I would put my final twist on this ordeal. It seems like there are many people on this site that has a relationship with Ms Cleo. There are may on this site that has nothing to do but defend Airlines. Of course they are Airline employees. Every one has a right to there opinion but there is a better was to say it. So let me respond to those who convict without asking questions.

First, here is Delta's response.

Your email addressed to Mr. Gerald Grinstein, Delta's Chief Executive Officer, has been forwarded to my attention since I am handling your claim.

Flight 786 was on final approach into Atlanta when they encountered severe turbulence due to increment weather conditions. Delta certainly understands your concerns; however, safety is the overriding consideration in the operation of our flights. As I am sure you can understand, the pilots were focused on operating the aircraft at that time. Based on the information received, it appears that pilots exemplified their ability to manage the aircraft during these extreme conditions and safely landed the aircraft. Their actions were both appropriate and commendable under the circumstances.

Claire Pelletier
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Senior Claims Analyst
claire.pelletier@delta.com
(404) 715-5450
(404) 715-6918 FAX.

Now for those who said the pilot was to busy to respond to my whinning etc. This is Delat customer service. I was injured on there plane, weather intentional or unintentional. There was not a simple, I am sorry that you were injured on our flight. Most normal business would be concerned about my injuries and thoughts. Her response was out a cookie cutter. To me this is insulting. Common Courtesy is at issue. When someone dies in your family people come up and say oh how sorry I am. When people fall or they spill something on you on the plane or even when luggage falls out and hit you, they say sorry.

Now for those of you that think pilots are GOD. If they will print these you need to check out a web site call airline safety. They have actual date and reports on pilots error. I dont mean to scare you , but out of all incidents, pilot errors are number one.

For those of you who don't think pilots should let you know anything. Do you think the people on Northwest flight a few years back desearved to know anything while they were sitting on the tarmac for 8 hours with no water or food or announcements. Thats why the airlines came up with the commitment rules. By the way, the airlines state in there policy they will answer any and all complaints within 30 days. This complaint took over 45 days. A violation from there own policy. I didn't make there policy.

There are a few of you that I see your name on any complaint where there is an airline mentioned. You are always defending them. I guess thats called job security. It seems like you are employed by the airlines or just don't have anythign else to do. My friends sit and laugh how you want to tell everybody off(or think you can). Also you are always telling me what I am thinking and what the pilots are thinking. Wel because you work for an airline doesn't make it gospel. You are not a pilot. You were not on that flight and you are not me.

Some of you sadi I was sellfish. Well I think I was speaking for allot of people who don't know what to do. One person even told me I was dumb and should have known what to do. Well do you think the unaccompanied minors knew what to do?? How about the lady that was grabbing on me pulling on the side of me. How about the lady behind me I was trying to comfort? What about some of the people I grabbed and huged as I left. It called kindness. Soem of you said It was TURBULENCE. Does everyone know what TURBULENCE means? No they don't.

Now let me put this in perspective. I asked on my rebuttalto walk a mile in my shoes before you criticise me. So let me let you look at this from another point and see how you would respond.

Your 80 year old mother or grandmother is on this flight. She comes off the flight with her nerves rattled, wig shifted and maybe cracked false teeth. Of course she hasn't flown in 20 years and is terrified because of 911. She cries in your arms and you ask her what happened? She said I don't know. The only thing they said is the flight attendant was hurt. Nothing else. How would you feel?

Your 8-10 year old son comes off the plane and rushed into your arms crying. You ask whats wrong, he said I thought I was going to die. He tells you what happened. Do you say it was only turbulence or do you go back and ask the flight attendants what happened?? think about it. What if you seen half the people get off the plane crying.

For those of you that said, you should be happy to be alive. Well I am happy, everyday. Let's say your son or daughter get's accidentally shot by the little kid down the street. They live. Do you say just be happy to be alive. Everybody gets sick on a cruise ship. Nobodys says anything. Do you tell them, just be happy to be alive. I hope you get my point.

Well I agree with all of you that sais seatbelts should be used etc. I was wearing mine. I agree that maybe the pilot could not say anything as the plane went up and down. But what was the problem when we were on the groung?? He is not fling on the ground. It would have took 10 seconds to probably calm many nerves. Like I said, I was a gold medallion member with Delta. I fly quite a bit. I talk to other people that was on that plane who are Platinum members who said they have never witness a drop like this.

This is for the last gentleman who said he would never defend Delta. You told us about your stories. They were very interesting. You left out one point. Did the captain or flight attendants make any announcement about your situation?? Also you stated I said if I knew if the pilot was drunk. Well you need to read the web site called airline safety. Just a reminder, a few years back to America West piots were caught drunk.

Weather or not I will file a lawsuit still is open. Since you are a mind reader, I am sure you do. I waited for a response from Delta. From the response they don't care. I have allot of medical bills and I will of course ask them to pay them and for my pain and suffering. Weather intentional or unintentional. My lawsuit depends on weather Delat wants to compensate me first for me bills. By the way, I am still having problems. But since Delta is having financial problems they probably dont want to talk.

Those of you defending Delta. If you are employees I have 3 words. Bankruptcy, soupline and Airtran.

Delta thinks they are too big to give customer service. Some times the big dogs need to crumble.

My final thought.

Never thought I would see the day I was defending Delta.

I work overseas and have to fly international flights every 28 days. I have had the fun of participating in Emergency Landings, attempted landings in Russia where the landing lights went out as we were landing and they did not have a beacon; on flying to Nigeria we had a guy stuff a live goat into the baggage compartment (BA not Delta), as well as other adventures. Heck I was on a flight from Lagos to Amsterdam that was so bad that the Flight attendants came running past me and got into their jump seats. Since I was sitting in 1A I was able to see them behind the partition and noticed the one in the middle was crying like a baby.

Well I automatically started crying (well I would have if they would not have served me so much dang alcohol) and grabbed my TV and flipped to the Navigation channel. Only then did I realize that we were not crashing. She was probably crying because the pilot dumped her.

A few months ago I flew from Atlanta to Zurich and the weather was so bad that half the passengers were in line for the bathroom so they could throw up, 49 percent were crying and praying and 1 percent was drunk. (I was part of the 1 percent because that is the key to safe flights. Plus you do not realize you are in trouble until it is over.)

This was one bad flight of going down a 1000 plus feet and up thrust of 1000 feet. The Gulf stream was so bad that the plane was trying to tip over upside down, we were not served food on the whole trip because of the turbulence, (Maybe I should contact Fox to do my story and see if I can sue about missing my meal because the lord knows that I only fly so I can get the airline meals) and we were required to wear our seat belt the whole trip other than standing in line for the bathroom.

And yes I have been injured more than once either by luggage falling on me, a cart getting away from the attendant and almost breaking my arm or a goat trying to eat my brief case. (Actually that was not the airlines fault. It was my big mouth threatening to eat the goat and his owner wanting to kill me. Hey it was my first trip to Nigeria and I did not know that Nigerians speak English.) In all my problems I have never sued the airlines or have they given me anything for the accidents. They did give me 10,000 miles one time when I was flying to Budapest via Rome from Atlanta and I missed my flight due to their mistake. They sent me to London and my bags to Paris. My luggage and I finally were reunited in Budapest but Delta felt so bad they gave me the miles to shut me up.

As to your second reply stating you did not know if he (the pilot) was drunk or what. Well you answered that question in your first complaint stating you were in a 30 minute holding pattern due to weather. As to the groups you are contacting. Hmmm you better forget about Fox because they could be conservative but CBS would be good.

ABC and NBC are pretty liberal too. Do not forget to contact the ACLU, BBB and X-files. (Never know on the last entry, they may make your horrendous experience into an episode. They didn't mine but you seem to have had it rougher than me.)

As to flying another airline I cannot agree more. I had switched to Northwest but they are worse than Delta. Now I fly KLM and Air France. KLM has good looking attendants and I feel safer on Air France. (What group is going to hijack AF. Heck they would lose all their support from the French Government.) As to the pilot not relieving your fears. Well if you had someone that worked for you and was a friend of yours that had just been injured bad enough to have Paramedics on the way, what would you do? I know, I know he should have had more compassion for the passengers. Well you could have been like the 80 year old lady that asked the pilot after a particularly bad landing Tell me young man, did we land or were we shot down?
Best of luck on your lawsuit. I realize that you did not state you were filing a lawsuit but anyone reading your letter can tell this is where it is headed.

I will leave you with this joke.
A plane was taking off from Kennedy Airport. After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, Ladies & Gentleman, this is your Captain speaking. Welcome to Flight #293, nonstop from New York to Los Angeles. The weather ahead is good and therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight. Now sit back and relax.OH MY GOD!! Silence followed, after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants! A passenger in Coach yelled, That's nothing. You should see the back of mine!

Russia at the time of this letter.

Pardon me, John, but I believe that a plane dropping 100 feet is not "just a bump". Sure, I fly quite a bit, and I know that alittle turbulence is common, and nothing to worry about, but if I saw a flight attendent injured badly enough to need paramedics, I would be freaking out, as anybody would if they were caught in a similiar situation.

I believe that the people have a right to know what was going on. Sure, it may not be a requirement, but it is courteous. How hard is it to say "Everything is ok. Don't panic"? He may not have to do it during the incident, but what about an explanation when the plane lands?

I don't think she was expecting anybody to "hold her hand", but after 9/11, if something goes unusually wrong, people are going to have questions. I think she deserved to have them answered, being that she was a paying costumer.

If I were in the same situation I would feel the same way Andre did. Flight attendants are injured, and other passangers are freaking out, try to imagine yourself in that situation. I think her request was reasonable.

Although it is unfortunate what happenened. Would have rather the pilot try not to control the aicraft an crashed it instead? A sudden drop of 50-100 ft tells me the flight crew is doing whatever it can to get the plane on the ground saftly not making PA anouncements. As far as the flight attendats are concerned there priority wastaking care of their injured co-worker. I am certain that if anyone else that was injured advised the crew they too would have had there very own medic to assist them.

Although it is unfortunate what happenened. Would have rather the pilot try not to control the aicraft an crashed it instead? A sudden drop of 50-100 ft tells me the flight crew is doing whatever it can to get the plane on the ground saftly not making PA anouncements. As far as the flight attendats are concerned there priority wastaking care of their injured co-worker. I am certain that if anyone else that was injured advised the crew they too would have had there very own medic to assist them.

Although it is unfortunate what happenened. Would have rather the pilot try not to control the aicraft an crashed it instead? A sudden drop of 50-100 ft tells me the flight crew is doing whatever it can to get the plane on the ground saftly not making PA anouncements. As far as the flight attendats are concerned there priority wastaking care of their injured co-worker. I am certain that if anyone else that was injured advised the crew they too would have had there very own medic to assist them.

Although it is unfortunate what happenened. Would have rather the pilot try not to control the aicraft an crashed it instead? A sudden drop of 50-100 ft tells me the flight crew is doing whatever it can to get the plane on the ground saftly not making PA anouncements. As far as the flight attendats are concerned there priority wastaking care of their injured co-worker. I am certain that if anyone else that was injured advised the crew they too would have had there very own medic to assist them.

I think that many have lost their senses in all the teeth-gnashing and wailing about this incident. The Pilot (Captain) has the duty to fly the aircraft, and to manage the entire flight crew (including the flight attendants). The second officer, flight engineer, etc., have similar duties.

The flight attendants are not there simply to hand out meals and drinks. They are *not* waitresses. They are highly trained professionals, present to help insure your safety in case of emergency. It is the primary duty of the flight attendants to inform passengers of procedures, safety issues, and the like.

In the case of clear-air turbulence, or storm turbulence (which is *not* uncommon), the flight crew has their hands full keeping the passengers physically safe, the aircraft physically safe, and, when on final approach, as you were, landing the aircraft. The mental or emotional status of the passengers is probably about the lowest priority on the list, particularly when one of the crew or passengers are injured.

Since I believe it to be simple common sense that airplanes sometimes go _bump_, and since there are seatbelts provided to keep everyone in their seats, and since at the begining of each and every flight, there are announcements to 'keep your setbelts fastened at all times, just in case of turbulence', I don't understand your insistence that the pilot reassure you that you weren't crashing, etc.

I do not mean to minimize any injuries you may have suffered. I am certain that these are very serious to you. I do *NOT*, however, understand how an announcement from the captain would have minimized these injuries in any way. I think you are more insulted than injured, and that the issue, for you, is one of expectations you had that were not meet. I believe your expectations were unreasonable, and *that* is why they were not meet-- not due to any lack of concern of the flight crew.

Doo-Doo happens! It's not the job of everyone else around us to act all touchy-feely and make nice-nice when bad things happen. You need to comfort yourself, act like an adult, and seek your own comfort in famly, friends, and community. I am constantly amazed at the number of individuals who seem to believe that when bad things happen, the world should cater to their personal anguish and 'kiss it away' like Mommy used to. Your mental health and emotions are your responsiblility. Do not assume you know the motives of others-- that's the height of arrogance.

Just one more thing--
You said:
" some of you may know that a flight attendant was injured"(Duh)

DUH Yourself! I am sure that those of you near enough to see the flight attendant could tell she was injured. Perhaps others farther forward could not!

Buddy, you have to grow up dude! If you need the captain to tell you to ask for help because you are hurt, then you are DUMB!

If you're hurt, ask for help, DUH!

I have been flying Delta for over 24 years, and yes sometimes the plane will SHAKE and SHIMMY!

I bet dimes to dollars in front of your house, you a sign that says "The rare North American Whine O"

Grow up dude... And understand, the capatain of any aircraft does not have to tell you crap. He has to fly the plane and make sure you all are alive when you land.

I think i would be upset as well. he should of told you all what was going on. what if he was crashing???? he cant give you all a warning???? Someone could of died from a heartattack all cause he didnt have time or want to explain. I am so sorry you had to go threw this

Well Andre,
I have worked for a MAJOR AIRLINE in the past. Both Pre-9/11 and Post-9/11 and have also worked in Flight Operations. Keeping Passengers informed is a very vague requirement. It is like at the bottom of the list. Maintaining Safety & Control is at the top. Making PA Announcements is at the bottom. I know of Captains who wont make anymore announcements than they have to cause they dislike doing them. ALL VERY LEGAL & FINE.

I also know Captains who make announcements every 10 minutes like a TOUR GUIDE. You see it is the CAPTAINS CHOICE. From your post, you once again sound like someone who wants to be PAMPERED and has a A-Type personality that demands to be in the know. Well guess what, YOU AINT GOING TO GET IT !!!!

I am sure the Captain had a lot more pressing issues that day like a MAJOR INCIDENT REPORT, Who knows there could have been DAMAGE to the Aircraft that he needed to write up & everything else. All of which I think is a lot more important than MAKING A STUPID PA ANNOUNCEMENT.

I am not what I would classify as a MAJOR CUSTOMER SERVICE KIND OF PERSON. (Face It, I used to work as a GATE AGENT doing OVERSOLD FLIGHTS, Weather Cancellations and everything else & I was good at saying NO to people)

Airlines have RULES & REGULATIONS that come first. They involve SAFETY & other things that are very critical. You seem to think that them keeping you happy should be first. Well it isnt, SAFETY is first & always will be. If you dont like it that way, I suggest you go fly some AL-QAIEDA Airline then. They probably dont care about SAFETY & might just keep you better informed when they are going to crash the plane.

Overall, I believe DELTA did what they needed to do to ensure the OVERALL SAFETY & COMPLIANCE with FAA RULES & REGULATIONS. This is a just a WHINING PASSENGER that likes to have his a*s KISSED !!!!

Well Andre,
I have worked for a MAJOR AIRLINE in the past. Both Pre-9/11 and Post-9/11 and have also worked in Flight Operations. Keeping Passengers informed is a very vague requirement. It is like at the bottom of the list. Maintaining Safety & Control is at the top. Making PA Announcements is at the bottom. I know of Captains who wont make anymore announcements than they have to cause they dislike doing them. ALL VERY LEGAL & FINE.

I also know Captains who make announcements every 10 minutes like a TOUR GUIDE. You see it is the CAPTAINS CHOICE. From your post, you once again sound like someone who wants to be PAMPERED and has a A-Type personality that demands to be in the know. Well guess what, YOU AINT GOING TO GET IT !!!!

I am sure the Captain had a lot more pressing issues that day like a MAJOR INCIDENT REPORT, Who knows there could have been DAMAGE to the Aircraft that he needed to write up & everything else. All of which I think is a lot more important than MAKING A STUPID PA ANNOUNCEMENT.

I am not what I would classify as a MAJOR CUSTOMER SERVICE KIND OF PERSON. (Face It, I used to work as a GATE AGENT doing OVERSOLD FLIGHTS, Weather Cancellations and everything else & I was good at saying NO to people)

Airlines have RULES & REGULATIONS that come first. They involve SAFETY & other things that are very critical. You seem to think that them keeping you happy should be first. Well it isnt, SAFETY is first & always will be. If you dont like it that way, I suggest you go fly some AL-QAIEDA Airline then. They probably dont care about SAFETY & might just keep you better informed when they are going to crash the plane.

Overall, I believe DELTA did what they needed to do to ensure the OVERALL SAFETY & COMPLIANCE with FAA RULES & REGULATIONS. This is a just a WHINING PASSENGER that likes to have his a*s KISSED !!!!

Well Andre,
I have worked for a MAJOR AIRLINE in the past. Both Pre-9/11 and Post-9/11 and have also worked in Flight Operations. Keeping Passengers informed is a very vague requirement. It is like at the bottom of the list. Maintaining Safety & Control is at the top. Making PA Announcements is at the bottom. I know of Captains who wont make anymore announcements than they have to cause they dislike doing them. ALL VERY LEGAL & FINE.

I also know Captains who make announcements every 10 minutes like a TOUR GUIDE. You see it is the CAPTAINS CHOICE. From your post, you once again sound like someone who wants to be PAMPERED and has a A-Type personality that demands to be in the know. Well guess what, YOU AINT GOING TO GET IT !!!!

I am sure the Captain had a lot more pressing issues that day like a MAJOR INCIDENT REPORT, Who knows there could have been DAMAGE to the Aircraft that he needed to write up & everything else. All of which I think is a lot more important than MAKING A STUPID PA ANNOUNCEMENT.

I am not what I would classify as a MAJOR CUSTOMER SERVICE KIND OF PERSON. (Face It, I used to work as a GATE AGENT doing OVERSOLD FLIGHTS, Weather Cancellations and everything else & I was good at saying NO to people)

Airlines have RULES & REGULATIONS that come first. They involve SAFETY & other things that are very critical. You seem to think that them keeping you happy should be first. Well it isnt, SAFETY is first & always will be. If you dont like it that way, I suggest you go fly some AL-QAIEDA Airline then. They probably dont care about SAFETY & might just keep you better informed when they are going to crash the plane.

Overall, I believe DELTA did what they needed to do to ensure the OVERALL SAFETY & COMPLIANCE with FAA RULES & REGULATIONS. This is a just a WHINING PASSENGER that likes to have his a*s KISSED !!!!

Well Andre,
I have worked for a MAJOR AIRLINE in the past. Both Pre-9/11 and Post-9/11 and have also worked in Flight Operations. Keeping Passengers informed is a very vague requirement. It is like at the bottom of the list. Maintaining Safety & Control is at the top. Making PA Announcements is at the bottom. I know of Captains who wont make anymore announcements than they have to cause they dislike doing them. ALL VERY LEGAL & FINE.

I also know Captains who make announcements every 10 minutes like a TOUR GUIDE. You see it is the CAPTAINS CHOICE. From your post, you once again sound like someone who wants to be PAMPERED and has a A-Type personality that demands to be in the know. Well guess what, YOU AINT GOING TO GET IT !!!!

I am sure the Captain had a lot more pressing issues that day like a MAJOR INCIDENT REPORT, Who knows there could have been DAMAGE to the Aircraft that he needed to write up & everything else. All of which I think is a lot more important than MAKING A STUPID PA ANNOUNCEMENT.

I am not what I would classify as a MAJOR CUSTOMER SERVICE KIND OF PERSON. (Face It, I used to work as a GATE AGENT doing OVERSOLD FLIGHTS, Weather Cancellations and everything else & I was good at saying NO to people)

Airlines have RULES & REGULATIONS that come first. They involve SAFETY & other things that are very critical. You seem to think that them keeping you happy should be first. Well it isnt, SAFETY is first & always will be. If you dont like it that way, I suggest you go fly some AL-QAIEDA Airline then. They probably dont care about SAFETY & might just keep you better informed when they are going to crash the plane.

Overall, I believe DELTA did what they needed to do to ensure the OVERALL SAFETY & COMPLIANCE with FAA RULES & REGULATIONS. This is a just a WHINING PASSENGER that likes to have his a*s KISSED !!!!

Tom, It was very childish to call someone an a*****e. You probably never took a flight in your life. Well maybe you didnt know that the Captain is responsible for everyone on the plane. Maybe you don't know it is mandated by the DOT that the pilot keep everyone appraised of whats going on.

Maybe you dont know that the plane was a 767-400 that had 3 unaccompanied minors. Maybe you dont knwo there were people screaming and hollering throut the plane. Maybe you dont know ther are going to be many people with a psycological effect from the trauma. Maybe you dont knwo it is the captain and the crew that is suppose to calm nerves. I own a business.

I have been flying for years. My children age 23 twins, 16 and 11 also fly. My 11 year old will be flying next week on Delta. It sickens me to know that there would be no one to comfort him. So mr Tom, until you can walk a mile in my shoes then your statement is Moot.

This site is for individuals trying to get answers. While everyone does not have to agree with someone, this site makes it available to do so. So by your comment od calling someone an a*****e you are either young, uneducated, don't have children, never been on a plane,never experienced a car accident or earthquake(as I have) or just an person who has nothing else to do. So I am man enough to tell you this things without insulting you.

So before you go name calling again,maybe you can explain the burning in my leg,arms,neck etc. My business makes millions so I am not making my statement for just $$ and I am not motivated by greed. How do you know the Pilot wasnt drinking?? How do you know it wasnt just a pilot error. Nobody said it doesn't take skills to fly a plane. It takes skills for many things.

As far as shaking his hand, well my hand was shaking enough. And I guess you are saying while he got on the PA to announce the paramedics were here he didnt have time enough to say "folks, I apologize for the bumbyness and if anyone else is injured to please seek help yopur are in the best hands etc. Again read what the DOT says. So as I stated until you can "walk a Mile in my shoes" your staements are mute.

Tom,
You sound seriously dangerous. I do hope that you get some serious help before you go over the edge. I have to really wonder about someone like you who can work yourself into such a rage over something so simple as an internet complaint.
I pray that you are single with no children. To force someone to live with you while you have these types of feelings would be a bad thing.
I also hope that you don't carry a gun in your car because you seem like the perfect person for road rage.

Take a pill.

Just some advice and now you can rant at me as much as you wish. Unfortunately, you don't have anything I want to hear so I shall make sure to ignore updates to this report. Rage on!!!

Poor little baby. You feel so neglected cause the Captain was too busy worrying about flying the plane in what you have described as being a DANGEROUS CONDITION than to blow smoke up your butt. GET REAL !!!!

Airline Pilots arent there to make a whole bunch of silly & stupid PA Announcements. They are there to fly the airplane & keep you safe while riding in it. Also they were probably worried about thier fellow crew member and also were probably writing up a incident report for the Airline, FAA & NTSB while it was all fresh in their minds.

See they want to do the right thing while you want your butt kissed. Next time, why dont you just fly GreyHound !!!! You are the kind of person Airlines dont need.

A WHINING a*****e !!!!

While I am not making excuses for the pilots in this incident, many people do not know how dangerous it can be flying through inclement weather. It would have been appropriate for the pilot or crew to make a statement after the flight landed, however that did not happen.

What many people don't realize is that flying the aircraft and monitoring a ton of information during and incident requires complete concentration. Another thing is that pilot just may have saved your life. You may not know that, from all you know you could have passed through a microburst and lived to tell about it thanks to them.

I am not saying you didn't deserve any kind of explanation, or don't deserve treatment, but I guarantee you that the pilot and the fight crew did not do it on purpose. One more thing, after the fact, the pilot had to deal with a known injury of the aircraft at the time too, further complicating things.

Remember, next time, they may be to busy at the time to tell you they are saving your life. As you leave shake the pilots hand and thank him..I don't disagree with you seeking treatment, and possible compensation for the issue, just be easy on the flight crew.