Air Canada faces Twitter rage over PR nightmare
Aug 5, 2010, 1:34 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Surprise, surprise there is more then one side to the story.
Update on G&M site:
Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick has replied to an e-mail query asking for comment on the incident. Here’s his full reply
“Regrettably Tanner's electric chair arrived in damaged condition at La Guardia airport, we are sorry about this and are investigating. Our manager at the airport immediately sent the broken chair, which is custom made, out for repairs. We also supplied a manual wheelchair and later in the evening an electric wheelchair for his use in the interim. Once we learned the replacement chair was inadequate we got in contact with the family to see what we could do for them. Because the chair is custom-made it is difficult to get it repaired or replaced quickly but we are doing all we can.”
Update on G&M site:
Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick has replied to an e-mail query asking for comment on the incident. Here’s his full reply
“Regrettably Tanner's electric chair arrived in damaged condition at La Guardia airport, we are sorry about this and are investigating. Our manager at the airport immediately sent the broken chair, which is custom made, out for repairs. We also supplied a manual wheelchair and later in the evening an electric wheelchair for his use in the interim. Once we learned the replacement chair was inadequate we got in contact with the family to see what we could do for them. Because the chair is custom-made it is difficult to get it repaired or replaced quickly but we are doing all we can.”
How about "Regrettably WE damaged Tanner's electric chair enroute to La Guardia airport."
Aug 5, 2010, 1:48 pm
#17
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sounds like an amicable ending. AC screws up, takes a short time to fix, kid gets another dream fulfilled. Wonder if AC would have done that last step if media hasn't done their "job"
Aug 5, 2010, 2:06 pm
#19
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Air Canada Aeroplan
Posts: 1,748
If AC had done the right thing from the get go, there would have been no reason for the aunt to go public with the story.
Aug 5, 2010, 2:09 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2001
Location: YVR
Posts: 3,918
Why is no one questioning why a young child with a life-threatening disease is allowed to be on board even if there's a companion with them. Just because this unfortunate child is close to death so we all should be less critical to the family?
It's like letting a woman who is due to have a baby at anytime on board the plane.
It's like letting a woman who is due to have a baby at anytime on board the plane.
Aug 5, 2010, 2:11 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: YVR
Posts: 9,999
1- a young child with a life-threatening disease;
2- an irate aunt with no objectivity;
3- Twitter;
4- sloppy, biased Canadian media outlets in the middle of summer;
5- AC;
6- an unfortunate checked item issue;
AC's goose was cooked before the doors on the cargo hold were closed and the airbridge pulled back for the flight to LGA.
No way to win this one. None.
BS.
2- an irate aunt with no objectivity;
3- Twitter;
4- sloppy, biased Canadian media outlets in the middle of summer;
5- AC;
6- an unfortunate checked item issue;
AC's goose was cooked before the doors on the cargo hold were closed and the airbridge pulled back for the flight to LGA.
No way to win this one. None.
BS.
Aug 5, 2010, 2:16 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2001
Location: YVR
Posts: 3,918
No. The very simple thing is don't even bother to organize this selfish tweet-a-thon to send a child to another country so his selfish wish can be fulfilled.
Aug 5, 2010, 2:20 pm
#23
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Aug 5, 2010, 2:23 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2001
Location: YVR
Posts: 3,918
yes, because I dare to call out people are bringing selfishness, sympathy to a whole new level that is no longer acceptable. And if people dare to question the motive of sympathy will always be shot, because "this is for a good cause, who cares about the motive, who cares about if it's legitimate".
Aug 5, 2010, 2:28 pm
#25
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Guess nobody noticed AA killed a half-dozen dogs yesterday, putting them in the hold in 90-degree weather then the plane sat on the ground for longer than anticipated.
Aug 5, 2010, 2:29 pm
#26
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Find that foxhole Fast because you stepped on a landmine.
Aug 5, 2010, 2:37 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2001
Location: YVR
Posts: 3,918
wow, to both of your posts. MD is a debilitating and often life-shortening disease. BUT that doesn't mean he is going to die tomorrow. He could be weakening and expected to pass within a short time (months-years) which is typical of people who are doing the Make A Wish programs. He may be strong enough to survive the short flight to LGA and even to Orlando. This is a kid who will quite obviously not live a full life and shouldn't be belittled about that. As someone who almost died twice before the age of 18 I find it offensive to use that against him.
Find that foxhole Fast because you stepped on a landmine.
Find that foxhole Fast because you stepped on a landmine.
Yes, like you said, this unfortunate boy could pass away within a short time, regardless days, months, years.
This boy's health condition is being compromised for flying to another country under the name of unfortunate, good deeds, sympathy, wish, selfishness. There are other wishes that us the general public can help this boy and other kid's wish and not compromising his condition.
What if he died suddenly inflight? What if he died suddenly on the trip?
Aug 5, 2010, 2:41 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
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Do I care I stepped on a landmine? no.
Yes, like you said, this unfortunate boy could pass away within a short time, regardless days, months, years.
This boy's health condition is being compromised for flying to another country under the name of unfortunate, good deeds, sympathy, wish, selfishness. There are other wishes that us the general public can help this boy and other kid's wish and not compromising his condition.
What if he died suddenly inflight? What if he died suddenly on the trip?
Yes, like you said, this unfortunate boy could pass away within a short time, regardless days, months, years.
This boy's health condition is being compromised for flying to another country under the name of unfortunate, good deeds, sympathy, wish, selfishness. There are other wishes that us the general public can help this boy and other kid's wish and not compromising his condition.
What if he died suddenly inflight? What if he died suddenly on the trip?
as to Ken hAAmer....
but i do agree, this is no win for everyone.
Aug 5, 2010, 3:28 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2003
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No, AC's goose got cooked the moment someone gave the family a boilerplate corporate response ("sorry, it's broken, here's a crap chair, we'll be sending your $100 compensation check in three months") instead of recognizing that this was a special situation. At least the damage control department was on the ball this time.
If AC had done the right thing from the get go, there would have been no reason for the aunt to go public with the story.
If AC had done the right thing from the get go, there would have been no reason for the aunt to go public with the story.
My reading is that the damage occurred and that steps were taken on the spot at LGA. Where is the "boilerplate" in that ?
The corporate response, if any, surely came after what was surely an honest good-faith attempt by the LGA station staff to fix a problem that in the particular circumstances was going to blow up any way they played it (except, as KH suggests, if they didn't break the w-chair to begin with).
Like I said, put those 6 ingredients in the bowl and there is NO way that AC will get any kind of break from the press or the general public, no matter what the actual facts of the matter turn out to be.
Aug 5, 2010, 3:33 pm
#30
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Cynical perhaps, but based on the usual tone of this board, not an unlikely spin.
AC is evil and always acts in bad faith. That's the message. Many seem to believe and repeat it. <shrug>