Bob Collins[This post has been updated]
The gold-medal-winning U.S. curling team got a little lesson in the dangers of Twitter before heading back to Minnesota and a heroes’ welcome in Duluth.
It was all good for the fellas, tweeting to Delta to see if a gold medal could get a guy an upgrade.
@Delta our Olympic #curling champions are flying home on Monday. Upgrades?!? 😃 #GoldMedalists @CoachPhill @TeamShuster
— USA Curling (@usacurl) February 24, 2018
No luck. The planes out of South Korea are full, Delta replied.
Hi, there. Congratulations, gold medal champions! We are honored to be your ride back home! While we don't have any upgrades to offer, we look forward to seeing you on board. Thanks for flying with us! *AJL
— Delta (@Delta) February 24, 2018
That set off the outrage machine as people took aim at Delta.
News sites picked up on the exchanges, which only made things worse.
So, the team stepped in to try to take things back to DEFCON 5.
Hoping to put this to rest…we were never denied anything, simply asked about upgrades, were told very politely the flight was full, and that was that! We hold @Delta in the same high regard we always have. They had a really nice gift presentation for us when we boarded! https://t.co/whsgYJdDdW
— Tyler George (@tgeorge1323) February 26, 2018
When they got to the airport, they got some special treatment.
Thanks to @Delta for recognizing the Gold Medal winning curling team & for a champagne toast in flight for all of the @TeamUSA athletes & coaches! The pilots in flight were all awesome! #TeamUSA #Curling #Delta #PlatinumElite pic.twitter.com/FRgI0dNotV
— Phill Drobnick (@CoachPhill) February 26, 2018
As they made their way back to the Northland this morning, they got a reminder about that whole “flyover country” thing.
So close, yet so far…nearly flew right over the top of home! Well, two more flights it is.😉 #WavedAtYaNorthland pic.twitter.com/G4sYHMjoGq
— John Shuster (@Shoostie2010) February 26, 2018
[Update 10:10 a.m.] John Shuster, of Chisholm, says a person in first class gave up a seat for him.
Some stranger who attended our Gold Medal game heard I was onboard today and offered to trade seats sending me up to First Class. I’m truly humbled by random acts of kindness. Thank you sir, time to double my sleep from the last few days! #NapTime
— John Shuster (@Shoostie2010) February 26, 2018
Stranger who traded me seats was a kind gentleman from Hollywood, FL by the name of Gary Balter. Can you please help me give Gary a big Twitter Thank You? #MondayKindness #PyeongChang2018 https://t.co/frVjrWNVGz
— John Shuster (@Shoostie2010) February 26, 2018
