Sheryl Lee Ralph has been an award-winning TV, Broadway and movie star for decades. Like many celebrities, she’s had to travel quite a bit and claims to be a 3 Million Miler with Delta Air Lines. However she’s apparently giving up that status, at least for the moment, and recently switched to American Airlines.
Why? Because she was late to her flight and the Delta employee wouldn’t accommodate her.
On Sunday October 30th, Ralph posted a video to Twitter with the details of the less-than-pleasant experience she had with Delta. She apparently missed her flight because an airline employee wouldn’t allow her to check her bags four minutes past the check-in time.
“Remember Divas, be as kind as you can for as long as you can! @Delta @AmericanAir,” she wrote in her tweeted.
“I went to the airline – you know, the one I’m a three million miler on – to check my bags and I was four minutes late because they need 45 minutes to check you in,” the actress/singer explained, oozing sweetness. “And the woman said there is absolutely nothing we can do for you.”
Ralph’s response: “Um, it’s only four minutes; I’ve checked in on flights later than this.”
She then threw shade at the airline and said she’s flying on American.
Remember Divas, be as kind as you can for as long as you can! @Delta @AmericanAir pic.twitter.com/DXRv6RKxnR
— sheryl lee ralph (@thesherylralph) October 30, 2022
I guess she learned that rules are rules. Apparently even if you’re an Emmy award winner, Tony and Drama Desk nominee, AND a 3 Million Miler.
The Twitterverse, of course, all had something to say. American Airlines, not surprisingly, quickly chimed in:
Some agreed with the Abbott Elementary star:
But there were plenty who said the airline was in the right:
Those last two, though – talk about throwing shade…
Who do you think was in the right?
Feature Photo (cropped): John Mathew Smith, King Kong Photos / flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
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15 comments
If you are pulling “DYKWIA” then YTA.
UA wouldn’t let me check bags one time for a flight from IAD-SFO. We were 30 second ls late, no joke. I’ve never missed a single flight (because of me) until that point. The agent even tried to charge us cash (a few thousand total) to rebook to the next flight. I was able to call UA and they sorted it putting us on the next flight at most cost.
I am a UA 1MM and was a 1k at the time. Status means nothing when you have an employee who isn’t willing to break the rules for you and that’s fine.
No idea who this DL 3 Million Mile flyer is. I do know that if I miss a luggage check-in cut-off, it’s not the check-in cut-off rules that are the problem.
Why do people not practice what they preach? Take responsibility for being late & still have class. Does miss 3MM not understand there’s a LOT that goes into making the whole process run accordingly. Why not be kind to someone doing their job, it isn’t their fault you were LATE. If you can’t practice it, don’t preach it..
Delta’s win. Entitled and self-absorbed. Let her go to AA. Perhaps they’ll even hire her.
Best comment ever
American would have done the same thing … and has … to me.
Who does she think she is!?
I work for an international airline and deal with this on a constant basis. If it’s a couple of minutes late, I will go ahead and put it through because 1) we are small enough (not Delta and the thousands upon thousands of bags they have to deal with) and I have direct contact with the bag room and the ramp and can give them a heads up to be aware that I sent a late bag down, and 2) I make it very clear to the passenger that even though I sent it down, it may not make it to the plane (additional TSA screening) and if it doesn’t, the passenger can’t board. Bags always travel with the passenger and vice versa. That’s international law. I am sure if this young lady had accepted the bag and it didn’t make the flight, this diva would be posting a video about the airline losing her bag so this was a no win situation for this ticket agent and the airline.
Late is late – but I’m curious why she didn’t just take it to the gate and gate check?
Liquids? Weapons?
I’m curious if 45 minutes is policy for the sake of policy and zero critical analysis of the situation is allowed to be used? Are employees empowered that much
?
This is a bit hubris in my opinion and the Delta employee was in the right. Most airlines will not let this slide, regardless of how many millions of miles you have flown with them They have these rules for a reason especially these days with things so operationalized. Arrive 5 minutes earlier, just like everyone else…I would expect a 3M-miler to know this stuff.
Excuse me, I’ve worked for American, United and Southwest and rules are rules, I’m very compassionate, and always help everyone as far as I can, but just because you are late and have an EMMY, doesn’t qive you the right to have an employee break the rules, doesn’t matter if you are a 3 mil miler. What about the rest of the passengers on the plane that were on time? I experienced an issue at United in which a very well known frequent flyer gave 2 United employees a hard time and observed a United VP, kick the person off the plane. Next time be on time, you think American is going to let you do the same when you are late.
People just don’t realize, that they can end up later to the check in counter as they have to wait in line… Those length of line are you never know. One or two person can potentially hog the check in counter for a long time even for elites line. Elites line usually has slower pace than regular check in counter per person, that is out of question. And this employee should have known there is leeway time. Smaller airport has closer check in time than larger airport. United i can’t say more… As their customer service are not the most stellar amongst major carrier
I was denied checking in for original flight a couple months ago on American for being a couple minutes late. AA & UA has a 45 min policy. Delta has 30 mins for that airport. The agents were friendly helped me with different options including keeping my first class booking.
You know there are three sides to every story and I would love to hear. Delta’s.
Delta was right. If she really is a 3 million miler, she would know about check-in times.