This is so mind bogglingly insidious to actually roll out because Delta is a regional hub monopoly and major common carrier nationwide, they very well could be the market setters for this kind of AI-price scalping. Like, we’re just going to throw out the concept of serving ‘a market segment’ and trying to land on a certain price:offering ratio to capture market share via demand curve plotting, inherently leaving space both at the fringes and center for competition.

Now there is no competition. How does American or United price compare on routes or seat category, when there is no public price, but a personalized formula to maximize value extraction from each person? It’d be like trying to price compare at a close-envelope auction - you can’t.

There already is a lot of opacity in the buying process like phased seat releases creating artificial scarcity, but this is next level. I can absolutely see Delta holding back seats instead of selling them to ‘low value’ individuals who have very elastic demand, and releasing seats early/only for those who’ll pay the fees. Want peace of mind knowing you locked in your flight 6-9mo ahead? Pay up 🔫

I’ve heard this “if we expose them whatta-buh-bout collapse?” a few times now. And if you’re trying to tell me that the global system is predicated upon the ultra rich and powerful being able to traffick and serially abuse children and get away with it, that’s not a system worth saving.

Burn it down, to the water line, and start anew. Release the whole thing, not a redacted or doctored list to quell the MAGA revolt. Everyone who was ever on that island - from the wait staff to Bill Gates - needs to be investigated properly, cleared as appropriate, and punished as deserved.

And not just as a refresher/competency test! It should also be a chance to educate on updates like legislation that get passed, safety information and tips as research improves, and new traffic controls like double diamonds or roundabouts that weren’t in use when people learned to drive in their youth.

But at a minimum you should have to re-validate that you are a competent and safe driver every decade or so, agreed.

If you’re a business that’s serious about a supporting an actual charity like childhood cancer or homelessness, I’m expecting at or near 100% of profits to be donated.

Virtue signaling while pocketing essentially all of the proceeds is a super scumbag move. And that’s before the badge worship angle…