Airline Boots Elderly Woman From Flight Over Oxygen Concentrator
Jeff Edwards May 05, 2015
A couple returning from their daughter’s funeral was kicked off an Allegiant flight recently because they were unable to provide a doctor’s note for an oxygen concentrator device.
Allegiant Air’s policy on oxygen concentrators and respirators is clearly spelled out on the airline’s website, plainly stating: “Allegiant requires the user to have a written statement from a licensed physician to verify the customer can complete the flight safely and without the use of medical oxygen.”
This policy is not unique among airlines; in fact, most U.S. airlines have similar rules in place for medical devices. Such policies are designed to ensure that passengers are healthy enough to fly, and airlines often require the passenger to take complete responsibility for the operation of their medical devices and that their devices have adequate power supply.
Despite the clear policies in place, WFTV reports that Mary Walker never dreamed carrying a rented oxygen concentrator would get her and her husband booted from their flight home following their daughter’s funeral. Walker claims she brought the medical device with her on the Allegiant flight from Orlando Sanford International Airport (SEB) to Port Columbus International Airport (CMH) as a “precaution” because she suffers from a heart condition.
Despite Walker’s explanation that the device was only a precaution, the cabin crew insisted that without proper paperwork and extra batteries, the Ohio couple would be removed from the flight. “It’s like you’re a criminal or something like that,” said Walker.
The budget carrier is standing by the crew’s decision, however, noting in a statement that “oxygen concentrators are highly flammable.”
To make matters worse for the Walkers, Allegiant only operates flights from SEB to CMH twice a week, forcing them to wait several days before they could return home. “It’s an inconvenience and it’s costing me more money because of their stupidity,” husband James Walker told WFTV.
[Photos: WFTV]
Its very sad that this happened. The lady needs the equipment for her health and the cabin crew is bounded by rules. So who is to blame? Regards, Hiranjgarbh K K Missier
The article indicates she was returning home so she must have been startled to not be welcomed aboard the flight. What next for that poor soul?
Flyers know that media will publicize such complaints, sometimes without investigating the facts, existing regulations, etc.
“It’s an inconvenience and it’s costing me more money because of their stupidity,” husband James Walker told WFTV. Have to love the accountability of the husband... it's their stupidity they have a clear policy that you were either ignorant to the fact or completely disregarded...
She deserved what she got, It does not matter if you want to use it or not you need to paperwork to travel with it just like any other restricted item “It’s like you’re a criminal or something like that” If you want to be treated like a criminal then they will hand cuff you and then take you off the plane and as SFO777 has seen before you just need to contact the port authority