Southwest Airlines refused to help disabled Oregon passenger to restroom for hours...
May 25, 2019, 7:01 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards. Tha... that's about it.
Posts: 4,331
I feel great sympathy for this poor woman, suffering from a debilitating condition and not being able to care for herself.
But it's not WN's fault that she failed to make adequate advance preparation for her flight, or that her family didn't bother to travel with her. She obviously needed a greater level of care than is provided by the airport and the airline, and instead of arranging for that care in advance, she assumed that others would, of course, take care of her.
That ain't the way the world works, and it never has been.
Now, I won't put all of the blame on the traveler. I have to put at least some of it on her family. Knowing her condition, either the woman herself or her family should have insisted that someone travel with her to assist her, or at minimum someone should have insisted that she wear an adult diaper to allow her to go without a bathroom visit for the duration of her travel.
But, Southwest will settle the lawsuit to avoid looking like a Big Evil Faceless Corporation, even though, IMHO, they bear no real liability.
But it's not WN's fault that she failed to make adequate advance preparation for her flight, or that her family didn't bother to travel with her. She obviously needed a greater level of care than is provided by the airport and the airline, and instead of arranging for that care in advance, she assumed that others would, of course, take care of her.
That ain't the way the world works, and it never has been.
Now, I won't put all of the blame on the traveler. I have to put at least some of it on her family. Knowing her condition, either the woman herself or her family should have insisted that someone travel with her to assist her, or at minimum someone should have insisted that she wear an adult diaper to allow her to go without a bathroom visit for the duration of her travel.
But, Southwest will settle the lawsuit to avoid looking like a Big Evil Faceless Corporation, even though, IMHO, they bear no real liability.
May 25, 2019, 1:53 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
Programs: AA/DL/UA
Posts: 10,761
I feel great sympathy for this poor woman, suffering from a debilitating condition and not being able to care for herself.
But it's not WN's fault that she failed to make adequate advance preparation for her flight, or that her family didn't bother to travel with her. She obviously needed a greater level of care than is provided by the airport and the airline, and instead of arranging for that care in advance, she assumed that others would, of course, take care of her.
That ain't the way the world works, and it never has been.
Now, I won't put all of the blame on the traveler. I have to put at least some of it on her family. Knowing her condition, either the woman herself or her family should have insisted that someone travel with her to assist her, or at minimum someone should have insisted that she wear an adult diaper to allow her to go without a bathroom visit for the duration of her travel.
But, Southwest will settle the lawsuit to avoid looking like a Big Evil Faceless Corporation, even though, IMHO, they bear no real liability.
But it's not WN's fault that she failed to make adequate advance preparation for her flight, or that her family didn't bother to travel with her. She obviously needed a greater level of care than is provided by the airport and the airline, and instead of arranging for that care in advance, she assumed that others would, of course, take care of her.
That ain't the way the world works, and it never has been.
Now, I won't put all of the blame on the traveler. I have to put at least some of it on her family. Knowing her condition, either the woman herself or her family should have insisted that someone travel with her to assist her, or at minimum someone should have insisted that she wear an adult diaper to allow her to go without a bathroom visit for the duration of her travel.
But, Southwest will settle the lawsuit to avoid looking like a Big Evil Faceless Corporation, even though, IMHO, they bear no real liability.
I hope Southwest does not settle this frivolous lawsuit and they win attorney fees against the family. Settling sends a signal to the vultures that they are ripe for robbing.
May 25, 2019, 6:43 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,363
The plaintiff asserts that the WN attendant refused to take her to a wheel chair accessible restroom prior to boarding because it was too far. If that is true, either the airport is really screwed up, or she has a valid complaint.
May 25, 2019, 6:51 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards. Tha... that's about it.
Posts: 4,331
The "attendant" in question was most likely a gate agent. Is there any requirement for GAs to be within sight of the gate while flights are incoming or outgoing?
May 25, 2019, 11:20 pm
#20
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,525
I find it hard to believe at PDX, there wasn't an ADA compliant toilet stall in the nearest restroom.
May 26, 2019, 11:05 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,500
Project work is scheduled to start March 2019 with substantial completion by February 2020. Complete demolition and reconstruction of six sets of restrooms (one men’s and one women’s restroom per set) on the secure side of the terminal. Demolition includes removal of all items down to the substructure level. Reconstruction includes adjustment of plumbing to meet current ADA requirements.
May 26, 2019, 12:25 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
Most (not all) people that own a business dealing with the public have a bit more compassion and understand of things that do not go right all the time. They get very "offended" when they see someone with limited knowledge of a situation posting things threatening a business, people getting fired, etc.
I have seen businesses having to deal with internet postings and the resulting impact to their business, including having to close up. Even when they did NOTHING wrong.
The internet is full of people saying people should be fired or jailed.
And businesses that should be shut down, or boycotted.
Often for little and sometimes NO reason at all.
May 26, 2019, 4:10 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,525
May 26, 2019, 9:36 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, US
Posts: 2,210
May 30, 2019, 3:44 am
#26
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,072
Im siding with Southwest on this because they clearly state in the Passenger terms and conditions that Southwest can only help with basics like opening packages or assisting with storing luggage
Other than that an attendant is required. And during turbulence no one is allowed to use the restroom. This lawsuit will fall on deaf ears.
Other than that an attendant is required. And during turbulence no one is allowed to use the restroom. This lawsuit will fall on deaf ears.
May 30, 2019, 11:59 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,500
Subpart 39 of the DOT regulations provides that carriers shall ensure that individuals with a disability are to be provided with assistance in enplaning, deplaning, and assistance to and from the lavatory. 14 CFR § 382.39.
May 30, 2019, 2:25 pm
#28
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,525
Do you know if that regulation is for lavatories both in the terminal and on the plane?
May 30, 2019, 3:52 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,878
Im siding with Southwest on this because they clearly state in the Passenger terms and conditions that Southwest can only help with basics like opening packages or assisting with storing luggage
Other than that an attendant is required. And during turbulence no one is allowed to use the restroom. This lawsuit will fall on deaf ears.
Other than that an attendant is required. And during turbulence no one is allowed to use the restroom. This lawsuit will fall on deaf ears.
