topic Re: Another Airline Story in Community Chat

Another Airline Story

pinkskates4 — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:24:23 GMT

A Denver family is angry at an airline they say lost their diabetic and slightly forgetful mother trip International help

Re: Another Airline Story

PAX — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:28:59 GMT

Her daughter didn’t obtain clearance to go to the concourse with her.

Too much trouble to park, obtain clearance and ensure mom got on the plane. Better to hand mom off to a complete stranger and go shopping.

Re: Another Airline Story

brii — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:29:46 GMT

If I had an 85 year old forgetful mother, I would make sure she got on that plane. I wouldn't leave it up to somebody else.

Re: Another Airline Story

Cranberries — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:32:43 GMT

I bet she daughter didn't have a ticket, so she probably could not get past security TO get into the area to see if her mom got on the plane or not. Just assuming here.

Re: Another Airline Story

croemer — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:32:47 GMT

Poor lady...how awful.

Re: Another Airline Story

brii — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:34:48 GMT

If that's somebody's job to make sure a passenger in their care is supposed to get on that plane, then they should make sure that person gets on that plane.

Re: Another Airline Story

pinkskates4 — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:36:04 GMT

On 8/26/2014 Cranberries said:
I bet she daughter didn't have a ticket, so she probably could not get past security TO get into the area to see if her mom got on the plane or not. Just assuming here.

I don't know that you have to have a ticket. The article mentioned "obtaining clearance" to go to the gate with her.

I've seen parents put their minor children on the plane and then leave the boarding area.

Re: Another Airline Story

Cranberries — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:38:15 GMT

They don't let you past the gates, past the TSA without a ticket. They don't just let people come and go that way anymore.

eta, at least not in my experience, but when I flew younger as a child my parents were allowed to watch us board and take off.

Re: Another Airline Story

Mj12 — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:46:49 GMT

They still let you get a special pass to accompany someone to the gate; I've done it for an unaccompanied minor, I did it a few years ago with my MIL in a wheelchair. Once they even gave me a special pass without asking, when I was taking my husband to his flight to AFG.(also at Newark Airport).

Anyway - the woman should have not been lazy and dropped off her mother at the curb. SW didn't 'lose' her mother.

Re: Another Airline Story

Cranberries — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:47:55 GMT

I agree, she shouldn't have just stuck mom in a wheelchair, leave, assuming whoever was going to get her mom to the gate. I just wonder why she could not get clearance to go past the gate? Maybe some more info will come out.

Re: Another Airline Story

sidsmom — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:43:21 GMT

Southwest admitting it could've done more is a class act. They didn't do anything wrong...but they took the high road. Love Southwest....that airline would apologize for not flying straight if someone challenged them.

Re: Another Airline Story

ROMARY — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:25:35 GMT

Maybe the daughter should have visited her mom instead. Otherwise, I would hire a caregiver to accompany my mom, if financially possible. Otherwise, I wouldn't let my elderly mom fly alone, just in case of a medical emergency, someone would be with her to explain any ailments/physical problems, medications, etc. to emergency personnel. But, that's just me.

Re: Another Airline Story

muttmom — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:29:37 GMT

Unless it's an emergency, who would let their elderly, invalid mother fly alone?

Re: Another Airline Story

ROMARY — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:37:03 GMT

Yes, Muttmom. ITA .... I, as a daughter, would be extremely stressed and worried. Hence, no way.

Re: Another Airline Story

brii — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:42:47 GMT

On 8/26/2014 muttmom said:
Unless it's an emergency, who would let their elderly, invalid mother fly alone?

If something would have happened to that woman, the daughter would have sued so fast

Re: Another Airline Story

ROMARY — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:46:31 GMT

Who helps elderly/senior folks who have to use the bathroom during the flight? Hence, a caregiver.

Re: Another Airline Story

ROMARY — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:47:46 GMT

p.s. I must say that I feel sorry for the mom, sitting there all day long. No food, water, bathroom, etc. OMGosh. . . . .

Re: Another Airline Story

ROMARY — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:50:48 GMT

One would think security/security cameras would have noticed the dear mom sitting there all day long. I blame both of the daughters AND the security folks.

Re: Another Airline Story

brii — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:54:59 GMT

American Airlines has a Concierge program for elderly fliers. I don't know what the fee is. But there is somebody who assists the passengers getting on the flight and arrivals. The daughter should have handled this completely differently.

Re: Another Airline Story

scotttie — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 23:09:29 GMT

What a rotten thing for that skycap to do! Whether the daughter should have gotten clearance or not, he accepted the responsibility. If he couldn't get her on the plane he should have made some sort of arrangement for her.

Disgusting!