My mother has always had some hearing impairment. As her hearing loss has been increasing, combined with advancing years, I thought it might be advisable for me to accompany her to the gate in LAX for an upcoming LAX-DUB flight on Aer Lingus (EI). That being so, I called EI at their 800 number to inquire about whether this is possible given current security requirements. Before I had even finished explaining the situation, the EI agent broke in with: "we don�t provide escorts."
I proceeded to explain that that was not what I was going to ask for � instead, could I be the escort? The agent did not know, did not know anyone who would know, said there was no telephone number for the EI check-in agents in LAX, etc. In brief, I got no useful response from EI on this.

So, any suggestions on how to proceed? In particular, does anyone know if US legislation with regard to travel by disabled passengers applies only to US flag carriers, or does this legislation also apply to EI in Los Angeles?

[A similar post has been made to the European Airlines forum in "FT miles"]

http://www2.faa.gov/acr/dat.htm

DOT website with info. It will apply to EI at US airports.

scott

Thank you very much for the link. However, it indicates in the second paragraph of that article "That these rules do not apply to foreign airlines." So, maybe no redress there after all?

EDoyle, Foreign airlines operating in the US work under the same rules. May I suggest that you telephone the airport rather than the airline. Keep talking to people until you find an individual who is sympathic to your situation. In my own experience, likely you will find someone who doesn't have a lot of customer contact who will sort it out for you. (they aren't burned out.) One of my favorite places to telephone for specific information at an airport is to the office of the people who take care of parking. They really know how the airport works. Another would be the airport's own security office. A sample question might be 'I need to escort my deaf mother to the gate. How do I work that out?'

In your case, telephoning security and saving the parking people for another day is probably the best idea.

I wouldn't be surprised if someone from security arranged to meet you and escort you and your mother to the gate.

The people who answer the telephone for the airlines are seldom if ever at the airport you will be using. They usually don't have a clue about how to do things such as this. They may not even be in the same country! Don't let their stubbornness deter you from your correct thinking!