I mentioned this in the podcast but I think it deserves a post. Kelly Yamanouchi, who covers Delta for their hometown paper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is all over the Delta NRA story. Here’s the gist:
Delta offered a “discount” for the NRA. Anyone who travels regularly knows that these discounts are hot garbage. Delta’s NRA discount was only used for 13 tickets.
When the fact that the NRA isn’t simply a hobbyist organization but an extremist cult was brought to Delta’s attention, they axed the discount. The Georgia legislature retaliated by rushing through a bill to take away a tax break from Delta. The governor signed it today.
Delta’s response was essentially a “fuck you” to Georgia. They’re not backing down, and in addition to eliminating the NRA discount, they’re going to get rid of discounts for any other group that is controversial.
As Yamanouchi pointed out in another article, Delta broke a commitment to keep Northwest’s headquarters in Minneapolis after acquiring them. Delta has a long history of being in Atlanta but they could move.
What a shitshow over 13 tickets.