I have a personal rule. About 10 years ago I made a resolution to not make any resolutions. It worked really well for me and has continued to work every year since. It has provided me endless pleasure when the inevitable New Year’s conversation “What is your resolution?” comes up.

Lately, I’m beginning to wonder if I haven’t shorted myself all these years. What better way to gauge your accomplishments than to decide at the beginning what’s going to be your focus in the new year? I don’t mean the “lose 15 lbs” resolution, I mean the kind that makes you take stock of the year past and determine what you can do in the next to make it better. Maybe, just maybe, I need to rethink my resolution rule.

How does this relate to Delta and to you, our valued fliers?

1. Looking Back:We have had a fairly accomplished 2009, with the SkyMiles/WorldPerks integration and Medallion program benefits, launching our new Delta Sky Clubs, WiFi on 300 planes and counting, new uniform roll out across the NW/DL system and airport integration of both pre-merger Northwest and Delta locations to name a few.

2. Looking Ahead: The new year will start with entirely new chapter in Delta history. Today, we received our single operating certificate from the FAA. In the simplest terms, it means the path has been paved for us to fully integrate our operations as one airline in 2010. While this will not immediately present solutions to every challenge, it does mean that there are more than 70,000 employees worldwide focused on making your travel experience better, one day at a time. Quite a lofty goal, or dare I say it, resolution.

Thank you, our customers, for allowing us the privilege to serve you this year. We look forward to starting the new year together. Happy, safe travels and Happy New Year!

What are your New Year’s resolutions? Come on… you know you’ve made them! Share them in the comments below, or tweet them now to @deltablog.

Rachael R.
Manager, Delta Marketing

Every 30 seconds a Delta jet takes to the sky, but only a few of us really know what goes on behind the scenes to make that happen. Tomorrow, Delta and The Speed Channel are allowing you to peek at what it takes to maintain one of Delta’s largest aircraft—a Boeing 777.

As a Delta AMT (aircraft maintenance technician), I’m responsible for ensuring that our aircraft move you safely and on time from one place to another. I love my job. My colleagues and I work really hard to make sure the aircraft is as safe as possible and we’re proud of the work that we do.

When the Speed Channel’s Busted Knuckles came to Atlanta to shoot its pilot episode, the show’s host, Rich Ragains, got his hands (and everything else) dirty, helping my colleague, Richard DiBella, and I change the brakes on a B777. Working with Rich was great—he’s a trip… We all had some fun showing Rich why flying is considered the safest mode of transportation.

Check it out a preview and schedule at www.bustedknucklestv.com and let me know what you think!

Fly Delta Jets!

Garry Caldwell
Delta TechOps

When I was a kid, I was known to disassemble toys (occasionally my own) to get an idea of how they were put together. Once in awhile, I would take great pride in reassembling one to its original condition. If that didn’t happen, then under the bed it would go. The dog was responsible if the subject came up in later conversation. We had a pact. But he was a cute beagle named Popeye. He could get away with way more than me anyday, so it was an easy out.

Fast forward a few decades, and I’m still fascinated by how things work. So you can imagine how excited I was to see this rendition of the birth of a Delta 777–from concept to wheels up–in under 4 minutes. You gotta see this!

For all the loyal customers who keep Delta strong. And for Popeye.

Enjoy!

Rick

delta.com & self-service