[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

One passage, from a page of the US Dept. of Transportation website, in commenting on the Air Carrier Access Act, states:

Airlines must provide enplaning, deplaning and connecting assistance, including both personnel and equipment. (Some small commuter aircraft may not be accessible to passengers with severe mobility impairments. When making plans to fly to small cities, such passengers should check on the aircraft type and its accessibility.)

See: http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publi...ights.htm#pass

The airlines, doubtless, will "pounce" on the passage I've highlighted in red. What is a "severe mobility impairment?" Is it just double amputees that qualify? What about someone with parkinsons--there are degrees of that illness. When someone DOES qualify, is there any requirement on the airlines as to timeliness of compliance? Can someone be kept waiting 2 to 3 hours, as some horror stories have described?

Based on the last sentence: Does an airline have the right to refuse boarding assistance onto small commuter aircraft, such as a Beech 1900?

In the meantime, the OP should mail a complaint to the DOT, with a "carbon copy" to Delta Air. Writing only to Delta Air may, at best, yield some worthless travel vouchers. If there is a possibility a violation of the "Access Act" has occured, and DOT will not be taking action, the OP should request a check, from Delta, for at least 10% of the amount of the estimated fine. Accordingly, I’d request a check for $100. Delta will probably laugh at such a request. Still, I'd make it anyway.

In addition to a summary of what took place, the letter to the DOT should detail the extent of the disability. Ideally, a doctor's statement, or relevant medical records, should be enclosed. Delta (or any other airline) will probably try to say the OP did not need a wheel chair.