Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

You can not get on this plane!


Jangler

Recommended Posts

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/orange_news/080510-vet-kept-off-plane

vid in the link.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL, FOX 35) - Three weeks ago 88-year-old World War II Veteran Bob Simon got on a Southwest flight with his son, Jay and off to their "home away from home” Buffalo, New York.

But Tuesday, when they went to get on their return flight, a Southwest employee told them Bob couldn't get on because he didn't have the right kind of doctor's note addressing his medically necessary oxygen tank.

On Wednesday, after a few contacts of theirs made calls to Southwest hinting of media coverage, and after Jay had the doctor fax a second note with all the requisite information, Bob and Jay finally landed at Orlando International Airport just before 7:00 p.m.

As the World War II Veteran, Korean War Veteran, and Vietnam Vet was rolled off his Southwest flight in his wheelchair Wednesday, Bob was attached to the oxygen tank he has been forced to live with for five years. In that time, he and his son have done a lot of flying on Southwest between Buffalo and Orlando.

They’ve never had a problem during that time, until Tuesday.

"I don’t know what happened,” Jay said. “This one lady came up to us, she was extremely rude, and said he couldn't get on the plane."

"The gal said, 'You can't get on this aircraft." Bob added.

A Southwest spokeswoman said via phone that company policy requires a doctor's note which includes a date of issue within the past year; a maximum flow amount of the tank that will work with the plane's air pressure; and an acknowledgement the passenger knows how to operate the oxygen tank.

"Something that his life depends upon,” Jay said. “And he doesn't know how to operate it after five years? I think that's a little lame."

The original letter from the doctor Bob had with him Tuesday had a fax date of July 7th, of this year. It did not have a statement saying Bob knows how to operate the tank, and it did not have air flow amounts.

But, yet, it was the very same letter that got Bob on the Southwest flight to Buffalo to begin with.

Bob and Jay said after being delayed an entire day, Southwest did give them first-class service on their late flight home

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wait Southwest has first class?

It is a Faa requirement to have all that info. The Reservation agent should have told them. Had it happen on a couple of flights I worked. Usually we just have the passenger call there doctor and fax the info. Also there are only certain tanks that are approved to be carried.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


×
×
  • Create New...