Disability discrimination
 

We had the most awful thing happen to us with Copa airlines. My mother in law(wheelchair bound) and brother in law(high functioning down syndrome) came down to Panama with us. They were supposed to fly back today. They had the morning flight with Copa and then an afternoon flight with Delta back to the US. When I made the reservations I requested wheelchair service. I talked to the man on the phone to confirm special services and told him the situation. No problem at all he said, happy to offer our services. We get to the counter to check in for the first flight (domestic David to PTY). They give us a hard time about her flying solo with my brother in law. First they tell me they only have females working the flight, i said.... Ok that's nice. I have requested and confirmed wheelchair service. They tell me my husband or I need to fly with her. We go back and forth and get a supervisor. The supervisor calls PTY. PTY says we will make an exception and she can fly solo (remember she isn't actually solo she has my brother in law to help). They say we can't touch her. How on earth do you offer wheelchair service and not touch the customer or help them. They agreed to let her fly and my husband and I left the airport. I get a phone call maybe 40 mins later. The pilot won't let her on the flight because he doesn't want to be held responsible. Why on earth doesn't Copa not disclaim this?!? Also they fly together all over the US. How do you discriminate against handicapped people. So my mother in law and brother-in-law missed their second flight with Delta and Copa doesn't want to take responsibility or give us any compensation for the trouble or problem.

Did you in the wheelchair request indicate she could stand/walk or instead that she was immobile? And did you put in the request with Delta or with Copa? Also, how did you resolve it?