This story of a horrible Delta Airlines experience, in which Delta actually lies to a passenger so they can look like they’re in the right, comes from a reader (of course, this is assuming the reader’s story is true):
I booked a flight from SFO to Dublin, Ireland by way of Atlanta on Delta. I spoke with the reservations department myself as did the travel agent from Quinn Travel (San Francisco, CA). We were both told that I could bring my small cat as carry-on provided I obtain the proper health certificates. This was noted on my reservation.
I did all that was required and had all paperwork with me but was still refused boarding on the plane. The first “issue” was that the hard-side carrier was too large for carry on with a pet. The size of the carry on was well within the limits of regular carry on but I was made to purchase a soft-side carrier for the trip. After I had done that I was told that Ireland would not accept pets from in the cabin travel and that my cat must travel as cargo. Then I was told that Ireland had an embargo against pets traveling into the country from May to September 15, 2009. I contacted the Irish government and NO SUCH EMBARGO EXISTS. (Padraic Lavin, Animal Health & Welfare http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets)
I am out a great deal of expense due to Deltas misinformation and lack of professionalism.
My current out-of-pocket expenses total: $745.62
I am also severely inconvenienced as I am trying to move to Ireland and am currently stuck here. I have no income as I am relocating and this delay is a financial hardship.
**Documents faxed to Delta: My plane “ticket”, my parking receipt, the UPS receipt and the veterinary receipts as well as the soft-side case receipt from the store.
As of 09/01/2009 Diana M. Keller, Coordinator Customer Care has refused any/all compensation.