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Comedian Michael Ian Black has nearly 2 million followers, and he’s never been one to shy away from engaging with them. Or in this case, Delta Airlines.
Black is scheduled to be appearing at Helium Comedy Club in Buffalo, New York this weekend, but he’s had some difficulty getting there. His flight on Delta Airlines was delayed for over 8 hours at JFK airport due to alleged mechanical problems, with the airline giving little information or help to the customers aside from a yogurt parfait.
With plenty of time on his hands, Michael Ian Black started to message Delta’s Twitter account, @DeltaAssist. What started with just a few messages back and forth quickly escalated, as canned responses didn’t do much to help the star of “The State” & “Wet Hot American Summer”. At one point he booked a ticket on another Delta flight, only to find out it was going to be scheduled on the same delayed plane. Black eventually had to book a ticket to Buffalo on JetBlue, so as not to let down his fans who were expecting him at the show. Delta did finally give him compensation, but he rightfully stood up for his fellow travelers, who might not have 2 million Twitter followers to vent to. He has continued to persist in asking Delta to compensate everyone else as well through the day.
Here’s a selection of Michael Ian Black’s Twitter war with Delta Airlines:
Thrilled to report my flight is delayed and the gate agent just told us he “doesn’t even have an estimate.” I’m glowing, you guys.
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Big shout-out to @delta for giving out bags of mini-pretzels in lieu of actually flying us anywhere. — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Another heartfelt thank you to @delta. After doing nothing to get us to Buffalo, I got to spend $600 for a different flight. I hate money.
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Hi @delta, Didn’t think it was possible for four (4) flights to Buffalo to ALL have “mechanical problems.” You proved me wrong. Congrats! — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
After spending an additional $600 to make sure I get to Buffalo, @delta now says my new flight is also delayed. Joke is on me. Good one!
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Everybody at the gate is having a good laugh about the lack of information and solutions from @delta. It’s like a murder mystery party! — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Guys, this is too generous. After a 4 hour (so far) delay, they just brought out some yogurt parfaits!!! @delta, you are SPOILING us!!!
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Oh, hi. I am having a day. A GREAT day. Free mini-pretzels and now yogurt parfaits? It’s like a JFK staycation! https://t.co/qiNXJrXzqc — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
As for what you can do to help – other than getting me to my destination, I honestly can’t think of a single thing. https://t.co/qiNXJrXzqc
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Fun story: turns out the new flight I booked myself on is the same plane as the one I was booked on before. Nobody at @delta told me this. — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
So I spent $600 to get onto a broke plane that I was already booked on. Too funny! To their credit, @delta DID refund the money.
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Hi @delta. Me again. Kudos to your gate agents. They are very patient. Seems like they have A LOT of experience dealing with unhappy people. — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
I would prefer to conduct this conversation in public, thanks. I’m on 4247 to Buffalo. https://t.co/OaetQThYf9
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Hi @DeltaAssist, another funny story. You just delayed my flight an additional 3 hours so I paid $400 to go on @jetblue. — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
But, @DeltaAssist, the funniest part is that you never assisted me in any way, shape, or form. Buy yourself a yogurt parfait on me.
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Further, the flight, as far as I know, may not even leave. What are you doing for everybody else on that flight? https://t.co/KJOYqQuvIY — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Recap: original flight is now delayed 8 and 1/2 hours. Are you refunding the fares for everybody on that flight? https://t.co/KJOYqQuvIY
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Hi, @DeltaAssist sorry to keep bothering you! 😁 just been told that my manager was able to get me a full refund! But it made me wonder – — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
If I didn’t have 2m followers would that be the case? Because I bet most of the other passengers do not….
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Will you, @DeltaAssist, be giving EVERYBODY on flight 4247 to Buffalo a full refund? (If you like, you can deduct the cost of the parfaits). — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Because, @DeltaAssist, if my poor experience merits a full refund, it seems to me that I had the same experience of everybody on that flight
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Hi @DeltaAssist, it’s been an hour since you last responded to me. What you don’t know is that I have infinite patience. Please write back! — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
No, I don’t want either. My leg was refunded. I want you to refund everybody else’s. Just received this DM. pic.twitter.com/uKbllr90ll
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Please answer the question @DeltaAssist if my experience merits a refund, doesn’t everybody’s? If not, why? — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
It’s not even canceled! Just infinitely delayed! 8+ hours so far. https://t.co/c0hljv0m67
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 25, 2015
Hi @DeltaAssist, landed in Buffalo on @jetblue. Was hoping for a reply but received none. Are you okay? Can I get you a tiny bag of peanuts? — Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 26, 2015
Hi @delta, been trying to get some answers from @DeltaAssist without much luck. 😞 Can you run down the hall and see if they’re ok?
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) June 26, 2015
As of Thursday evening, Delta has gone quiet, while Michael Ian Black has not. If he succeeds in getting everyone on his flight fully compensated, that’s going to be one hell of a pudding party.
