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Subscribe to RSSA disabled Army veteran claims she was forced to sit in urine-soaked clothing because American Airlines personnel delayed getting her off an airplane at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Wheelchair user Dawn Wilcox told msnbc.com that she was flying from New York to Dallas on Saturday morning on her way home to Killeen, Texas, after attending a friend’s funeral. She said she informed the flight attendants shortly before landing that she needed to be taken off the plane first so that she could go to the bathroom.
“They landed and started letting people off,” said Wilcox. “I said, ‘Ma’am, I’m really about to go in my pants.’ I was almost in tears. They’d already let three quarters of the people off and it was too late, I’d already wet my pants.”
Wilcox said when she did get into a wheelchair and off the plane, she was told by an airline supervisor that there was an aisle chair onboard and that she could have used the lavatory on the plane. “But no one told me about that,” said Wilcox. “It was never offered to me.”
In a statement about the incident, American Airlines said it reached out to Wilcox and apologized to her for her “discomfort and overall experience with us.” But American Airlines spokesperson Tim Smith said the airline is continuing to look into this event because flight attendants reported a different version of the story.
“Our flight attendant offered an onboard wheelchair to Ms. Wilcox to use to access the lavatory,” said Smith, “but she declined in favor of her own wheelchair.”
Wilcox said once inside the airport, an airline supervisor offered to let her use a club room shower to clean up. “But I didn’t have any clothing to change into and they would not give me anything. Instead they wanted to give me a food voucher or a $100 credit to fly another time.”
Eric Lipp, executive director of the Chicago-based Open Doors Organization, an advocacy organization for travelers with disabilities, said onboard aisle chairs are commonly used by travelers with disabilities.
On its website, the Department of Transportation clearly defines the responsibilities of travelers, airlines and airports to meet the needs of disabled fliers.
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Find more by Harriet Baskas on Stuck at The Airport.com and follow her on Twitter.
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Every time I hear that a plane load of passengers were forced to sit in an airplane for hours on end, I want to throw-up. Ten years ago I sat in a plane, on the tarmac at DFW for three hours and we felt like prisoners in a hot & sticky tube! IT IS TIME TO END THESE OUTRAGEOUS AND COMPLETELY AVOIDABLE SITUATIONS. For passenger safety, people should be removed from any aircraft that is not in the air or taxiing to take-off or after landing. There is NO EXCUSE worthy that would justify holding passengers against their will in an aircraft that is on the ground. Taxi the plane to an open area of the airport and roll the steps to the door and get the people in the terminal for their safety. Not to mention their comfort and access to facilities and food. I have yet to hear a legitimate reason why passengers are held on the plane for hours on end. In my case ten years ago, it was near Christmas and the pilot said there was no available gate to park and that the ground crews were behind and swamped with baggage. NOT GOOD ENOUGH AMERICAN AIRLINES!!
Passenger safety is not a priority when a plane load of people are sitting on the tarmac any longer than necessary...for any reason. Airlines and airport management MUST believe that every minute a passenger is a sealed airplane on the tarmac it is another minute a serious and deadly accident can happen. Believe me, if I am stranded on an airplane again like these victims, I would not allow the airline nor the airport off the hook easily for their decision to leave me in harms way when it is entirely avoidable. We should ask the question "WHY WERE THESE PEOPLE LOCKED IN THEIR PLANE FOR HOURS AND, WHY COULDN'T THESE PASSENGERS BE DISEMBARKED AND ALLOWED TO ENTER THE TERMINAL?" Unless the terminal was on fire, there is simply no excuse for these events to occur - EVER!
Hey msnbc ... this is national news?
Another anti-business article ..... i suppose you want the airlines to poll passengers to see if they need to take a pee?
I call BS on American Airlines. Nobody, especially a woman is going to refuse the aisle wheel chair to get to the john.
Where are the stories about how passengers treated our Vets with the respect they deserve? How about the one where the returning Vets were allowed to deplane 1st to the sound of applause? I would HOPE that if a steward told the passengers on that plane that they had a Veteran in distress and would they mind if she deplaned 1st everyone of those passengers would have stayed seated. How about the Captain asking for people to remain seated? Although this time it was not AA, but Jet Blue, they don't mind keeping people sitting on a plane for 7 or more hours on the tarmac during a snowstorm until passengers call the police and the fire department to report they are being held against their will.
Sorry American Airlines, you blew it. Sad because it could have been a time for you to shine.
Everyone should join Kate Hanni's organization that deals with Flyer's Rights.
It's called FlyersRights.org
Kate Hanni has been intrumental in looking into and getting legislation passed that do give passengers on a plane rights. One is how long you can be ''held'' on a plane on a tarmac. She and her organization are looking into the current Jet Blue incident.
To keep any individual on an aircraft or anywhere against their will is "KIDNAP"!!!!
Provide passengers with a way to get off of the plane instead of holding them hostage on a plane for god knows how many hours.
It is not the passengers fault that the airlines don't have their proccesses effectively set.
They need to have portable steps at all airports in order to prevent this from happening again.
You see people the airlines work with our government in order to implement policies that stomp on your personal freedoms.
If someone would have forced their way off of the plane that was on the tar for 8 hours they would have gone to jail.
Why do our government protect these businesses like this and allow them to take advantage of individual freedoms? The lobbyest must have paid them well!!!
I did not sigtn up for this so if ever on a plane that is on the tar for an extended amount of time I expect to be let off because this is simialr to okaying kidnapping.
Or pay the passengers the fine not the government!!!!
This government always reap the benefits from it's citizens being taken advantage of and they still protect the corporations because most regular folks are too broke to sue!!!!
Hey everybody, the airline didn't keep ALL the passengers on the plane for an extended period. They just didn't take this person off first. I think if I was in a wheelchair and knew there may be a chance for an extended period of waiting that I'd probably wear Depends as a precaution. I'm sure they didn't make this Veteran wait just because she was a Veteran, but it makes for good headlines. Try having people spit on you and call you baby killer.
This kind of "journalistic candy" is the stuff that gets people to read blogs and sells stories for someone with an agenda to promote. Such is the case for the above story penned by Harriet Baskas, whose website mines for stories about airline foibles with little or no attention attention to the real story behind the story. I am chairman of a national organization that serves the families of deployed troops, veterans and children who have lost a parent in the war on terror since 9-11. I can tell you from personal experience American Airlines goes above and beyond for every member of the military, their families and our military veterans. To suggest in any way that American Airlines flight attendants or flight crews ignored the dire needs of this one disabled vet flies in the face of the dedication of American's management and employees to attend literally to their every needs and more. I have witnessed hundreds of cases that demonstrate American ground and flight crews treat members of the military and veterans with incredible care, are given First Class seats, special baggage handling and compassion for their every need. Over 1-thousand American Airlines employees volunteered their time October 21st to help host Sky Ball in the American Airlines hangar hosting a free Clint Black concert for 6-thousand troop. The next night they hosted 4-thousand patrons in the same AA hangar for Sky Ball which raised over $1-million to help military families, wounded warriors, veterans and scholarships for children who have lost a parent in the war. On 11/11/11, American will again take an entire plane load of wounded warriors, amputees and burn victims on a 4 day trip to Las Vegas as they begin their transition from military hospitals to private life. American arranges travel and care for hundreds upon hundreds of wounded warriors and their families, and American also provided planes and volunteers to take hundreds of tons of humanitarian aide to the children of Afghanistan and Iraq with the help of actor Gary Sinise. I tell you all of this because American does not want to toot its own horn, its management and employees try their level best to do the right thing for our great patriots who wear the cloth of this country in defense of our freedom. I do not know the full or exact story behind the Wilcox story above, but to soil the efforts of thousands of American Airlines flight crews, ground crews and management who quietly dedicate themselves to serve every need of our military and their families is repugnant. Human's make mistakes, I know I do. I am certain, even without knowing the facts of the Wilcox story, that American Airlines employees not only tried to help her but they were sick when the incident turned out the way it did with Wilcox not making it to the toilet in time. I could offer you literally thousands of members of the military who would tell a much different story about American Airlines and its dedication to serving them. I have no dog in this hunt except the truth about an Airline that has answered my call every time to help our members of the military.
It's a travel blog, George Richard Jensen. If you're not interested, read something else - perhaps the business section. Not restoring.
when we fly , we and the airline employees hope for the best. That last issue with JetBlue had generated from re-routing due to bad weather. These situations occur..no spaces to disembark, no extra spaces to park the plane, simply a safe place on the ground to have the plane. In terms of the people on board, as miserable as it was, it was not intentional nor feasible to get out of the plane. I have studied that situation. When we fly perhaps we should accommodate for possible events such as that one...take extra depends if you are incontinent, extra water and protein bars. The problem is...we are now so limited in terms of what we take with us that we end up....sitting ducks. Thanks to 9/11, we have lost our perks....but we are alive !
If in deed this is true, I find it heart breaking and disgusting that a disabled person, a veteran at that, was treated in this manner. I thought disabled people were allowed on and off the plane first. I think the person who allowed this should be fired. "In a statement about the incident, American Airlines said it reached out to Wilcox and apologized to her for her “discomfort and overall experience with us." Please, the Army vet isn't complaining about not having a pillow. For shame on the person(s) that allowed this.
Actually, while disabled people do normally board first, it is fairly common for them to be taken off the plane last. This is because it is easier to get them off when there are not a lot of people standing up in the aisle and getting bags out of the overhead to get off themselves. I would wait to hear the flight crew's side of this before passing judgment. If she was, in fact offered the aisle chair to use the onboard facilities and declined as the article says, then this may be nothing more than a misjudgement on her part as to how quickly she would be able to get off when they landed. She may have expected to get off first, which is not the typical airline procedure, and unfortunately for her that did not happen. While this is an unfortunate incident, I would not be so quick to blame the airline. Many times people make poor judgements and want to blame others for the consequences, even disabled vets.
Damn, just when I read the headline and wanted to berate the airlines, the facts don't support it. If the airline offered an alternative to get you into some facilities, and you declined the offer, then I am afraid the problem is yours. Blast you American Airlines, I will be watching, you and I both know you have some more bad behavior in you.
This may become a she said she said issue without anyone knowing for sure just where the fault lies. The American Airlines stewardess could have known she screwed up and made up the story to cover her back but on the other hand the disabled vet could have been offered the alternate facilities and declined until it was too late. Unless one of them admit they were in error we may never know the truth.
After logging over 3M miles over the past 5 years I can say NEVER have disabled people been made to exit last on any flight I was on.
JS in SD I call BS
I have been made to wait 30+ minutes waiting for the elderly and disabled to exit first. This is across Domestic and International airlines. Give the Vet an appology and a round trip ticket and stop playing games.
Donna::: Have YOU ever tried to get out of an airplane when there are fifteen people standing in the aisle getting luggage out of the overhead bins? Wait till you are up in years-- say 77 years old-- and try to fight through a crowd like that. That is why disabled and elderly are FIRST ON and LAST OFF. Let the jokers get their luggage down and get out of the way before you try snaking down the aisle.
BTW-- I speak from experience about that.
Susie, I am a little confused at your attack on my earlier comment. I didn't say anything against the disabled getting off of the plane first. I did not include the elderly, because this article is in reference to a disabled vet. I have traveled many times and it is a zoo getting off of a plane. I wait until the end as I feel I'am a courteous passenger. It is common courtesy/sense that whenever there is a disabled person, elderly or parents with young children, they disembark the plane first.
Please read my comment again.
Mark--I call BS on you. Never once was I told to leave first and never once has anyone been asked to wait for me while I de-planed. I was always told to wait until others had de-planed and the assistant would then come in and help me. You can look up all the articles you want on handicapped people with wheelchairs--they are left sitting on the plane until the attendant shows up (after everyone else has left). It's not nice to make things up.
Mark-1219747 - Do you enjoy making things up. I have flown a lot of miles and not once have I ever seen passengers asked to wait while elderly and handicapped are taken off first. The airlines would never hold up an entire plane full of people for one or two handicapped to get off first. Aside from the fact that getting the cooperation from a plane load of people to do this would be difficult, it just would not make sense. It would be far too difficult to do otherwise with all of the other passengers getting up to get their bags down to get off the plane. It is standard practice for wheelchair passengers to be taken off last. I think you are making up the story about your experiences just to be a troll.
On what basis do you uncritically accept the flight attendants' version of the story? Someone -- whose job may be on the line -- denies wrongdoing any you accept it without even a trace of skepticism?
/facepalm
Donna::: You said that you thought disabled people were allowed on and off the plane first. Then you say " I didn't say anything against the disabled getting off of the plane first". Which is it? Are they or are they not?
Post #2 vs post #2.6
disabled veterans should take a number. No one forced them to enlist so they can simply wait for their turn and suffer like the rest of the people. It is unfortunate when they get hurt but they made a choice and have to accept the consequences.
@Susie: Let me draw a picture. I didn't say anything "negative" about the disabled getting off of the plane first.
@alumette: It is called RESPECT letting anyone that is disabled go first. Obviously, you have no self respect or respect for others. My son and all those that have and will volunteer for the armed forces help to protect those that don't want to get drafted. Thank God for volunteers! Should we bring back the draft? Next time you see one of our brave defenders of the USA, thank them for your right to talk bs.
God Bless the men and woman in the Armed Forces and to include the DOD Merchant Marines. Please keep them safe.
Okay, now this may seem insensitive, and it doesn't excuse the jerks at the airline, but if someone has problems "holding and waiting" for whatever reason travels, why wouldn't s/he use adult diapers/bladder pads for the trip? Every adult of normal intelligence realizes that there are often delays in any sort of travel, particularly air travel.
No, you're not insensitive, I was thinking the exact same thing.
The author of this article is the one who is insensitive. Talk about too much information; this is one story that should have been swept under the rug.
The fact is not a delay. It is an ignored request for help. Two completely different things. If a person has an emergency at any time there should be a timely response mechanism in place. There was and one says it was offered and the other says it was not. If it was not then that is a safety breach. If it was then a disabled vet is making up lies just to make the airline look bad. Either way the steward should have recognized the situation and addressed it in a more aggressive manner.
Hello I am about to piss myself I need a wheelchair
Yes here is a wheel chair
No I will only use MY wheelchair
Fine piss yourself
Having this conversation and not documenting it......FISHY
absolutely.
Something is not right with this story.
Every flight I have ever been on, seen, or heard of they let people with disabilities on and off of the plane first.
It also sounds like she never asked for assistance to the plane's lavatory during the flight.
I think my opinion may be leaning towards the flight crew on this one.
To LTKiwi - I agree. Something not right about this story. Why didn't she use plane lavatory before it became an un-avoidable problem.
People with disabilities get on the plane first. They get off the plane last because it is too hard to assist them while others are standing in the aisle. Trust me--I've done it myself.
I have NEVER seen people with disabilities - or even families with children - allowed to deplane first. Board first, yes, but I've never been on a flight where ANYONE had control over folks deplaning. As soon as that plane hits the runway - and before it gets to the gate - people are standing up, blocking the aisle, getting down luggage. I always wait to get off the plane last, as I can't see the point in standing in the center and pushing and shoving like everyone else does - I stay in my seat until I can actually walk down the aisle. That's when I often see families and people with disabilities also waiting until the cattle clear out - in fact I've helped folks off myself in the past. I want to see these wonderful flights where departing passengers clear the aisles to let off the disabled.... I bet there's hot meals on those flights as well! And lemon water napkins....
Actually I think the woman's account of the story is far more likely to be right.
1. The flight attendants' jobs may be on the line. What did you think they would do? Say, "Yep, I was a complete a**hat and I'm proud of it"? OF COURSE they're going to give a version of the story that makes it look like they did nothing wrong.
2. I highly doubt that any adult is just going to sit there thinking "You know....I need to use the restroom but I think I'll just sit here and do nothing about it until I can't hold it any more. I really want the whole United States to read about me wetting my pants."
3. People with disabilities normally get *ON* the plane first and *OFF* the plane last.
This may sound insesitive....but she had access to a bathroom and chose not to use what was available....every flight I have been on...which is a LOT lately...they let disabled on first...but they are the last to get off! As soon as the seatbelt sign goes off people are jumping to their feet and in the aisles...cant stop that. I agree that she should have had protection on...you never know with flights what is going to happen. Sorry....but this lady sounded very rude even in the article. I DO thank her for her service...but there are some things you just cant control. I am with the airline on this one.
She was offered a solution and she chose not to use it.
My thoughts exactly.
Not true. They tell people to wait so that they can allow the disabled person to exit first.
I don't have a problem with that. If this person ahs not traveled since becoming disabled, she might not have know about the bathroom availability. As far as the crew, I had an individual that I was going to complain about (Verizon) hang up on me and make no notes of our conversaton. When I asked to speak to the supervisor she put me on hold for over 10 minutes!
Verizon? Off topic....
Did you not read the article closely? The flight attendant offered the woman an "on-board" wheelchair, there is one on-board for people like her, with disabilities. She declined, so who's fault that she peed all over the seat, HER! She wanted VIP service, sorry that's it in a nutshell.
I dont know what airline you have been on...but they dont let disabled off first...its too difficult...and verison? HUH?
Thanks jet
You're telling me a veteran couldn't ask for or ultimately demand to use the bathroom in-flight? I'm a veteran of three deployments. I know how to get what I want from the people who support me and the people who want to put me down. No is going to stop me from using the restroom. And if I did wet myself, the last thing that I would ever do is to let anyone know about it. For my pants wetting to go national would be incredibly embarrassing to me and all other veterans.
Mac, you don't know..she might have asked and was told not until they land. You cannot use the lavatory now 30 minutes before landing. That is a long time to some people.
Jet, again what airline do you fly? Delta, United, AA, NW and any other I can think of have wheelchairs at the door waiting for passengers and are the first to deplane. This is the same with every international airline I know of. What airline do you fly?
Mark--what airline do you fly? Never once I have had the wheelchair first. Of course, if you are talking about first class--or if you are talking about major hubs where the attendants have to keep their schedules--maybe you have been asked to wait. But, no, I've never had that privilege. I've flown Delta, United, AA, NW. Never have I been let off first--the attendant leans over and tells me that she'll be right with me as soon as the aisle is clear. But, then, I fly coach.
Mark you are NUTS! I have been on everyone of those airlines...a LOT in the past few years and NEVER has disabled been let off first
Agree!! I've also flown all of these planes with my disabled mother-in-law; first to get on, last to get off. GET OVER IT!!
Mark, what business is it of yours what I do..hm?
Look, the truth is coming out, she lied, I could tell by the interview she was up to no good. She called American Airlines, used the false story that her mother died and needed a "bereavement" ticket so she could go to the funeral home in NY. Bombshell!! She went to a Green Day concert, made up the whole story! Then, she wanted VIP treatment from American, wanted first class..that didn't happen, so she wanted off first, well we all know what happen next...
So the story goes...she probably fell to collect $$ from the military on yes, our dime. More to follow...
This happens on ALL airlines! She's not the first to urinate on a seat. First off, anyone with a disability should know their limits, she had a two hr. and 40 min flight.
Could have simply asked to get help to a bathroom or wear a Depends. Frankly, she wants something out of this...sorry...but it's the truth.
For $100, I'll pee my pants on purpose!
ahmmm huh heh huh.... uhhhh
Beavis...
WHAT? Oh yeah huh heh huh... I'd pee for FREE, just to wind up on YourTube...
wind up? that is poo..we are talking pee here. Do you get confused with good touch and bad touch too :P
What?
As a disabled vet myself, I feel for her, but if the airline is telling the truth, she had the opportunity to use the bathroom with an onboard wheelchair and refused because she wanted her personal wheelchair, which was most likely waiting for her at the gate. That was a mistake on her part. What if she'd been one of those passengers stranded for seven hours on the tarmac in Connecticut? Would she have waited for her own chair then? Probably not. If you know you won't be able to hold it if it comes to that, then go before it becomes a problem. ESPECIALLY when an airline is involved, because we all know how wonderfully punctual they are. (Not.)
Every airline is different with disabled passengers, but just about all of them let disabled passengers on the plane first, and de-plane them last, so they don't get run over by impatient people trying to run off the plane. Maybe she thought they were going to de-plane her first, and that's why she refused the onboard chair. This sounds less like cruelty or uncaring flight attendants, and more like honest confusion.
It is hard to second guess from this article. As written, it seems that there was misunderstanding and lack of communication. It seems the traveler likely is relatively recently disabled. That means she likely does not know how amenities are provided by airlines to disabled people. The airlines personnel appear to have offered her certain amenities without explaining, or offering to explain, what their consequences were (or were not). At the same time, there is a lot of tension around trying not to be too much of a bother (most people don't want to embarrass people by dwelling on issues around disabilities, and that's true on both sides). Result was a very uncomfortable failure. It didn't have to happen. People have to talk, and talk sooner.
Another disturbing trend is to refuse people the privilege of flight if their difficulties might be "disruptive." People who have diabetes, or who take diuretics for hypertension, may be prone to having to go frequently. They don't mean to be a pain. Due to perceived disruption, travelers have been threatened with removal, or actually removed, if they were perceived by the flight crew to be disruptive. Besides smaller seats, issues with overweight travelers (of which we have more of in this nation), it seems that there is room for less and less people due to the various issues revolving around health conditions that more Americans bring with them when they travel. Once these conditions cross the line in terms of significantly affecting a major life activity, the ADA provides protections regarding providers of public services to accommodate disabled people. The trend to try to save $'s may tend to be pushing airlines towards more overt violations of this law.
Don't wheel chairs have that hookup at base of seat for problems like this? Be hard for someone in a wheel chair to even fit into a planes restroom. I can't fit into the rest rooms on a plane..I'm 6ft 3 inches and prefer to stand all flight if possible.
All ground operation are controled by the Ground controler in the tower. They tell the plane were to go, were to stop, were to hold on the airport. Any airline or airplane that move with out there orders can be fined and loss there rights to any airport controled by FAA. In a storm like that I am surprised that there was not anything worst that happen. This was a complete fault of the tower and the FAA.
Not true. A lot of the gate areas are not controlled by FAA ground controllers. They are too busy with the taxiways and runway intersections to know the status of individual gates. A lot of ramp areas are controlled by the airlines via radio with a hold line to contact the FAA controllers entering the controlled area outbound. Most people do not know that but it's a fact.
Dan P
I agree on communication. Stewards are mandated to control situations and not "let them transpire". The fat that no other steward was notified (It would be in the article if they were) says to me that more than likely the steward was not asked or the steward blew her off. If she did ask, and the steward did not inform the chief steward of the possible issue..airline fault period. no documentation.
We had a similar experience with Southwest a few years back when they went off and left a terminally ill, wheelchair ridden cancer patient stranded in Pittsburgh. They boarded and left because she and her travelling companion couldn't get on board fast enough.
She got no apologies and no refund.
I'm a disabled vet, wheelchair user, and have been flying regularly for over 35 years. I've never posted a comment on anything before, but I couldn't let this pass without saying something. People in wheelchairs are the first on and the last off every flight. Period. Even though I always make sure to use the airport restroom and strictly limit beverages during the flight, 4 to 5 hours is a long time between potty breaks. I've done it, and by the time I land, I'm in pain and have to race to the restroom. In-plane aisle chairs are a great improvement; many planes have them, but not all. Many of the airplane "bathrooms" aren't set up to accomodate an aisle chair and many attendants don't know how to use them. The aisle chair can only be used mid-flight due to the time the ordeal takes and I won't even go into the "in-flight entertainment" aspect of the whole affair. As for the quip about "use a Depends", how about YOU wear a diaper on your next cross-country flight!
Disabled Texas Vet 55::: What "quip" about Depends? You are a spring chicken, and maybe some day YOU will have to depend on Depends. Thank the good Lord I'm not there yet-- at age 77 I'm still volunteering four evenings a week, three hours an evening. Volunteering at a vet center!
Why don't you ask that female former astronaut about going across country in Depends-- and she drove. She had opportunity to take a nature break, but she wore protection just in case.
BTW-- I have been around military all my life (even before I was born). I know a little about it, and I know a little about veterans.
Susie, are you having a bad evening. You seem to be on the attack with everyone.
Donna::: I'm on the attack with everyone who thinks that they know about the airlines and their procedures for deplaining-- and also make remarks about having to wear Depends onboard a flight. Some day they might have to do it-- and someday you might have to deplane last.
@Susie: Once again you have misinterpreted my comment. I have nothing wrong with deplaning last.
You might be able to read, but you surely cannot comprehend.
Say what you will, because I won't continue this conversation. I am beginning to sound just as idiotic as you.
BTW... having the choice of believing a disabled veteran of the US armed service and an airline spokesperson? I'll take the word of the vet each and every time.
Maybe the spokesperson is a Vet too ,did you think of that . The odds are the pilots are vets too .
Coming from American Airlines, I believe it. I have consistently received deplorable service from them for well over 5 years. I never fly them unless absolutely necessary. And things wont change until management is replaced. You can even tell their style by their response, questioning the elderly lady's honesty by casting doubt based on the flight attendant's statement. Of course theflight attendant wouldnt admit to being rude to the poor old woman because that wouldonly guarantee that she'd be fired.
I'm with the elderly lady on this one. American Airlines participates in disgusting habits like giving poor customer service, "nickel-and-diming" the customer every chance they get, and putting profits before customer satisfaction or safety. All the while the executives of AMR walk home with yearly salaries of close to a million dollars or more.
NEVER FLY AMERICAN AIRLINES
I can feel for this lady and the people from American Airlines are rude to there passengers. My daughter who is blind as well as disabled just returned to S.D. and was completely ignored when it came time for her to exit the plane, she was left sitting in her seat by the attendents no one asked her anything until a young lady told her "you need to exit now" my daughter explained I need a wheel-chair and was told "we don't have one available". Now she uses a white cane as well as a regular cane and all the other airlines that she flew on did this, she flew Frontier to Denver, that was fine included a wheelchair and assistance from Denver to Seattle (as her flight to Spokane was canceled and we had to find other accodmations from Seattle to Spokane). The best was Alaskan Airlines and any time we fly again it will be Alaskan or Southwest, these others can go peddle their flights elsewhere.
A seven hour delay sitting on the tarmac without water and accomodations? Get real. This is not just customer abuse by any standard, its kidnapping. I don't care what the @!$%#ing lawyer says about it.
Its criminal negligence by the airlines. I hope they pay millions in compensation to the passengers.
Unfortunately this wheelchair disabled vet is learning what many have know for years. In a chair, you get on first, and leave last. Oh yes, and connecting flights at DFW?? Put on your thinking caps people! you're the last to leave, and you have to make the connecting flight in order to pre-board, the flights are always late, so guess what? you don't have time to use the bathroom in the terminal, which is just as well since your stall will likely be covered in baby feces from all those wonderful able-bodied American mothers who use that stall to change dirty diapers. Oh, and that chair they supposedly offer? The "aisle chair"??? A seat on a stick, with a seat belt. You get strapped to this thing, and they don't think to secure your legs, so you'll probably wrench a knee or ankle, which if you're a paraplegic, means you won't know it until an hour later. It is also quite humiliating, but Airlines no longer allow disabled dignity on board, because that's just such pre-9/11 thinking. The idea of a wheelchair user actually getting into the plane's restroom is just laughable. If you're in a chair, basically, don't fly. Ten years ago you could pull it off, because there was a good chance that one of the crew was over 40, and could take charge of the situation. Nowadays, forget it. You may not like reading about this stuff, which is exactly why it happens. Disability awareness isn't a favored topic in our society, so the ignorance continues into the 21st century.
Something just doesn't sound right with this one. Could have used the restroom, but chose not to? Since she is disabled she will have to follow the 6 "P" principal which is "Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance". This vet will have to plan for these delays and expect them, not react to them as they are going to happen.
Airlines consider each paying customer as cattle, nothing more.
She was offered help and it was Declined. End of story.
Perhaps disabled people should realize this before flying, huh? You do get on first but so sorry you leave last, deal with it or don't fly. I don't remember there being a requirement that says disabled people MUST fly. There are other forms of transpertation. Also what happens in an emergency with you on the plane? Ever stop to consider that??
what a tool. Get a life and stop bitching because you can't get on a plane first.
Hope you or a loved one is never disabled, and if you should be, I hope the general public has a great deal more compassion that you exhibit.
While I sympathize with Ms Wilcox, I feel she should accept much of the responsibility for her unfortunate circumstances. Proper planning for all travelers (with and without a disability) is required to avoid situations such as this.
1. If a passenger is unable to care for herself regarding personal bathroom needs, she should travel with someone to assist.
2. As a precaution travelers with disabilities should make every effort to use the facilities before the seatbelt sign is turned on prior to landing.
3. A change of clothes (at least undergarment and shorts) can easily be packed in a carry-on or travel bag for use should an accident occur.
With proper planning Ms Wilcox could have completely avoided this embarrassing traveling experience.
@ Martha Stewardess: With proper training and common sense the stewardess could have completely avoided this embarrassing incident for the passenger and the airlines. Why do stewardess and stewards think they are above anyone. They are glorified waitresses/waiters in the sky...nothing more.
totally agree Martha!
They are not above everybody else but they have to apply the FAA mandated rules on the flight .They are the same rules on every flight they dont change . Use the bathroom before the landing sequence begins .
As for her own wheelchair it does not magically appear at the door ,it has to be found in the hold and brought up to the door .This takes time , try telling that to the people that are clamouring in the aisles waiting to get off .See if they care enough to wait for the disabled person to get off first !
As for being wait staff in the sky ,fly crew are there to help save your ass when things go wrong like that wheels up landing in Poland earlier today . They are there to get you off that plane in 90secs .
Wow, so many corporate butt kissers on line. There was a time when service was the most important thing to a company but NO longer. However when the people start looking at this bad service as normal, America and all it stands for is lost. Keep that lip balm close, you are going to need it.
This reminds me of the Story when J.P. Morgan Chase got caught Red-handed overcharging on our Troops overseas on their Mortgages.
Go get em Girl!