I don't think I'll fly Delta again...(photos)

15 years ago

Here's a photo of wing of yesterday's Delta airplane: Note large metal patch on wing.

It may be hard to see in this photo (snapped with my cell phone), but this appears to be a PATCH of sheet metal on the wing of a very, very aged MD-80, which I flew on from Atlanta to Norfolk yesterday. And the patch had been painted with some gray spray paint which was bubbling and flaking off. I wish I'd had my digital camera but if you look close at this low-resolution photo, you can see a row of rivets along the leading edge of the scabbed-on patch. Notice that the rivets stop and start on the front edge of this patch. The photo doesn't do it justice, but in real life, you could see this wasn't part of the original wing. (This was the last of four planes I was on for my journey to the West Coast.)

The interior of the plane wasn't much better. The pre-molded plastic sections that form the interior walls were warped and bent and twisted, and sitting in my window seat, I could look down the wall line and see how damaged each panel was. In one spot, I could see the wiring harnesses up above, due to an opening in the molding.

When we took off, the plane shuddered and shimmied and another passenger commented that she'd never been on such a "creaky, noisy old plane" in her whole life.

I too felt like I was flying on some world war two movie prop.

On the first leg of this journey (on a nice, new CRJ-700) we had to make an emergency stop to take on more fuel, so that was pretty thrilling. And this was only a 600-mile flight!!! Apparently, these airlines are cutting things a LITTLE too close.

This was my first Delta flight and probably my last. I flew from Norfolk, VA to Oregon and back (quickie trip) and man oh man, am I glad to be back home.

When I first saw this patched-up wing, I almost got off the plane because I was so concerned but then decided I wanted to go home more than anything. So, tell me I'm not the only one who'd be freaked out by this creaky old patched up aircraft???

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Comments (24)

FlamingO in AR
15 years ago
Well, I guess that's the difference between someone who is uncomfortable flying and someone who likes flying. It wouldn't bother me a bit to see a repair on a wing or any other part. And bubbling paint wouldn't give me pause at all. Typically, the MD-80 is a very safe aircraft.

Delta has a great safety record and I would choose them over any others. I love to fly and getting where I'm going in a few short hours is so much nicer than a long road trip, IMO.
monica_pa Grieves
15 years ago
Yup, as someone who used to fly a minimum 50,000 miles a year ...I wouldn't be afraid .... aircraft lasts decades.
I agree with Flamey, patches are normal and the MD-80 is one of the better commercial aircraft.
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grammahony
15 years ago
Rosemary, I'm with you. But I hate to fly on any plane. I prefer to drive, and see the country, if I have the time. I'll fly only when I must. I hate all the hassel of the airports anymore just as much as the flight.
Leslie
wanda_va
15 years ago
I hate flying, so that would be a little scary for me. But our KT sister, Liz, has been flying on Delta planes for many years*, and she doesn't worry about the planes.

*She hasn't been flying for too many years, since she just turned 39 yesterday. Hope your birthday was great, Liz!
western_pa_luann
15 years ago
Instead of the patch, would you rather have the hole?
Would you rather they waste money (and charge higher fares) by replacing the entire wing?

And paint is mainly cosmetic.

That wouldn't (and doesn't) bother me at all.
nicole_ont
15 years ago
As much as I'm sure it's safe and they wouldn't fly it if it weren't, it would still freak me out for sure. I hate flying and it doesn't take much to make me nervous. Every time I feel a bump, I'm convinced the plane is going down. And when I see a wing shaking, I'm just SURE it's going to fall off at any second. :) And if I was on a plane that had to make an emergency stop to refuel, I'd probably think it was leaking.

Am I paranoid? Definitely. But I'm with you - I like my planes to look shiny and new and reliable. LOL
wildchild
15 years ago
The patch just proves maintenance is on the ball. I'd rather fly on an old plane that has been worked on rather then a brand new one that is still being broken in. The interior stuff is just cosmetic anyway. A lot of it is just velcroed in.
Jamie_MS
15 years ago
Delta is my airline of choice. I check first to see if I can get a flight with them and if I can't, then I will fly another airline.

I think any airline you fly is going to have those patches and repairs.
kathy_
15 years ago
I understand your fears - but I absolutely love flying after being afraid for 50 years. Lots of time the plane trip is better than the destination for me. I encourage my 75 yo mom to fly but she won't and she is missing a lot of wonderful places. Kathy (next trip California in November)
angela_nor_calif
15 years ago
I'm another who is scared to fly but I'm so glad to hear that so many of you are happy with Delta because I'm flying Delta in September. I'm flying Delta ExpressJet. When I heard ExpressJet, I was a little concerned. I don't want to fly on some two-seater. lol Has any flown a Delta ExpressJet?
Nita__AZ
15 years ago
Most of the carriers use some kind of Express Jet service to handle areas were fewer passengers go. The jets are not 2 seaters I am sure they hold at least 100 passengers. I have flown on quite a few of them and never had a problem or a fear.

While searching information about Delta Express Jet I came across this information that Delta Express Jet will sever their contract with Delta the end of August.

Here is a link that might be useful: Delta Express Jet
sueque67
15 years ago
After numerous plane trips, I still have a fear of flying but it doesn't stop me from flying.
Now if I looked out my window and saw a hole not patched up, I would be jumping outta that airplane fast! LOL
Have flown with Delta many times and to me is better than most Airlines.
The end of this month I will be driving from NC to MO. and would much rather be flying but my oldest will NOT step foot on a plane patched or brand new. :)
Susan
monica_pa Grieves
15 years ago
Y'all do realize, don't you, that you're in far more danger on the road while driving to the airport...than in a commercial airplane. ??
irishdancersgram
15 years ago
I love to fly. I've never flown Delta but have been on just about every other airline and it sure wouldn't bother me...Just shows maintenance is on the ball....I also like to drive if I have the time to really, really check out things, but would rather fly....
maryanntx
15 years ago
I've never flown Delta, but would have no problems with it. I LOVE to fly and would get on just about any plane.

Monica, you are right on target about the dangers on the highway as opposed to the air.
sjerin
15 years ago
There was a news story a couple of weeks ago that Delta (I'm pretty sure it was Delta,) planes were flying with a minimum of fuel now. The pilots were livid. Does anyone know whether they backed off on this practice?
monica_pa Grieves
15 years ago
Unless there's been a big change...the union contract that the pilots fly under allows the Captain to refuse to fly an aircraft that they consider unsafe.
After all...if it goes down, they go with it.

I was on an aircraft a few years ago...flight had been held up for mechanical problems, and when we boarded, I caught some words of an argument, in the cockpit, between a pilot and a mechanic. The mechanic said everything was okay, and the pilot disagreed.

A few minutes later...the passengers were all told that we were deplaneing and going to another aircraft.

The Captain rules....and he/she has no intention of flying an unsafe aircraft...whether it be due to mechanical doubt or insufficient fuel.
gardenspice
15 years ago
Sueque - not to hijack (ugh).
But, if your child is unable to fly due to phobia, you may consider getting him or her some help now. While I do believe we will all be flying less in the future (I fly 2-4 times a month), an inability to fly will limit him or her in the future.
janemarie5
15 years ago
Hate to fly and over analyze anything to do w/ flying.... so yes, that would freak me out... but really, anything about flying bothers me.. But I remember years ago, before I had a flight, I found a website that was written by a pilot and was for people who had fears. It described alot of the noises you hear... it did help.
intherain
15 years ago
I envy all of you who love to fly. Since I have a fear of flying (due to a bad experience over 20 years ago!!!), any little thing sets me off.
joyfulguy
15 years ago
The aircraft, whether new or aged (I prefer not to use the word "decrepit") must have detailed, rigorous testing rather frequently.

Ditto the pilots.

If either doesn't pass - they don't fly!

As Monica said - you're in greater danger per passenger-mile on the road to the airport than on the aircraft ... not to mention travelling by bus/train - certainly by car - across half a dozen states!

It's mainly that travel by car is a routine activity, but travel by air is not. But who ever suggested that we humans operate most of our lives in a rational fashion?!

Also, I hope that the young one who refuses to fly will get some treatment to alleviate the fears enough to allow him/her to agree to use that means of travel ... to not tolerate it will have negative consequences in later life. And the longer treatment is delayed, the more difficult it becomes, as we get more set in our ways (imagine how tough it becomes as one approaches post-retirement!).

Plane crashes are more "glamorous" - "spectacular" ...

... than dying in bed. But a much higher proportion of the total population dies in bed ... which doesn't get pictured on TV.

But which one of us refuses to lie on a bed?

Enjoy whichever adventure of living is part of your life today - this is still God's world, and it's great (if you live in N. America - not so great if you live in Myanmar/Burma, parts of the Middle East including Iraq, Africa, India/Pakistan or Afghanistan).

Being close to 80, I think - I'm sure - that I'd much prefer flying on an aircraft at whatever level of decrepitude to dealing with the examination to be offered by the Admissions Council to the Great Beyond that I expect to be my lot, as a heedless North American/European, after the portion of my life that's been lived on earth is completed.

ole joyful
joyfulguy
15 years ago
Once more - thread chopper-offer, it appears!

ole joyful
clubm
15 years ago
OMG!!!!!
sjerin
15 years ago
I'm so sorry, I got the airline wrong; it was Continental. I'm not good with the computer so all I can do is cut and paste.

http://blogs.spectrum.ieee.org/tech_talk/2008/06/airlines_are_running_out_of_ga.html

I saw this on the Today Show a couple of weeks ago. Just one more thing to worry about! (Yes, I'm a Fear-of-Flying-ite)

I don't think I'll fly Delta again...(photos)

Comments (24)

FlamingO in AR

monica_pa Grieves

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