How does one go about getting compensation from an airline?
I was traveling from Indianapolis to Gainsville, Florida. One stop over in Atlanta. I am disabled and they provided a wheeel chair. (I can walk some just not great distances) First in Indy they delayed us an hour and 20 minutes because supposeingly a wheel came off a plane in Atlanta) It made me late for my next flight by the time we got off the plane. They had another plane for me at 4:14. My father confirmed it from his end but the girl said I missed that one yet they were still boarding (by the way I was not on standy by) and dropped me off at one that left at 9:45 in the evening,no wheel chair or way to get around. I opened my cell when she dropped me off and it read 4:10. I could not get around unless I asked another stranger to watch my luggage which is wrong. The two gate girls refused to. I was lucky to find two for bathroom and another for a nearby food place, I also hurt so bad from sitting in one spot and walking my back hurt so bad I was crying. I also developed a bad blister on my foot from trying to get around those short distances. and had to go to Doctor during my stay. I also spent high price food money in Atlanta due to not counting on being there so late. I also had the same problems with delays on the way back but the hours were a little better but still late. Both ways my families had a hard time trying to get me. I feel they should refund my money, food and doctor bills and time and gas for my families. Do I get a lawyer or do I call the airline. I am new to this,... travelma I did request assitance a week before my flight and they knew my condition. also to Frequent flyer...it really doesnt matter that much to me what I get...I want something for the hardship I went through,...I really hurt,... I don't plan to sue, been that route when my daughter died in a car accident and the bar had no insurance and the bartender had no liscense... what a laugh our legal systems.!!! Neil could not get on,, the girl rolled me away right away to the next one and said I missed it. I did not if they were still boarding.
Air Travel - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Definitely put everything in writing and go to the airline's website and see where you can contact them and express your dissatisfaction with the service. No guarantee you will get your money back as the airline may only say their job is to get you to your destination which they did, but just not in the way you wanted them to.
2 :
well that was a bad thing happened to you, it was sure a airline fault, first you should contact the airline and tell them the whole situation , if they do not agree to pay your bills, then you should get a lawyer. All the Best..
3 :
but when you made your reservation did you tell the reservation you needed a wheelchair if you didn't tell them that when making a reservation (they will place a notice in your reservation) they don't have anyway of knowing did you expect to have ESP and know that you needed wheelchair? when you checked at the Indianapolis airport did you tell the agent you needed a wheelchair? when you got to the gate did you tell them? airlines donut hav esp a while ago I helped my g/f (who need wheelchair when we first arrived at Lax we notified the airline agent was already waiting for us with a wheelchair, then we went go to our destination in the jetway an wheelchair was waiting this is because we notified the airlines in advance' but since you never told the airline you needed a wheelchair IN ADAVNE thats why it took so long,,,
4 :
You say they were still boarding. Then why did you not get on? Normal airline practice is to close the door ten minutes before stated departure time. If they didn't do that, it wuldn't be posssible to depart on time. Delays are a fact of life in travel. There are two different ways to approach this. One is legal, and you'll get nowhere that way. The other is as a customer relations matter, and that is where you may get some satisfaction. I can pretty much guarantee that you will not get the cost of your trip refunded (since they did, after all, get you there.) Nor are they likely to pay out cash for your food at ATL or your doctor bills. But a clear, no nonsense complaint will likely yield a voucher for $50 or $100 off a future trip. Time and gas for your families? Best not to mention it if you want to be taken seriously.
5 :
Write a letter or email to Delta. They are required to respond by law to all complaints. You probably won't get a refund for the food and doctor, but most likely will receive a refund for the flight. Good luck!
