Originally Posted by Yoshi212

I do agree it was a bit harsh but also not entirely unrealistic.

Travel of the infirmed and elderly gets complicated and when routing through another country or on an airline with less than stellar reviews for irrops handling the risk gets too high for comfort. The OP even stated that landing in IST can be a nightmare so it seems the OP should have and could have given a bit more thought to this part of the process. TK did drop the ball too but unless the parent is so infirmed that they cannot place a call themselves, send a message or ask someone to make a call/send a message for them the traveler bares some of the responsibility. The airline is responsible to the traveler first not their family even if they paid for the ticket. If they are that infirmed they should travel with an escort or other arrangements should be made ahead of time which I think the OP should think about if there is a return trip or any future travels. Arranging travel with airlines or via airports that offer services for travelers that need more than just a wheelchair to the plane would be a wise idea for the future. It was money well spent when it came to my grandmother and I am sure I'll have to do the same for my parents at some time in the nearish future as they like to travel.

OP, hope your father gets to ATL safely.