[abutterfinger25]

Originally Posted by WONTFLYDELTAEVERAGAIN

Delta/Northwest, finally answered my complaint. Only took them 3-weeks, but its obvious that they really don't care about customers, so this came as not suprise.

They did admit they made a mistake and offered me a $100 credit. I've written to them to "Shove" the credit and kiss my business good bye.

The fact that "I HAD TO WALK" to my connection has been twisted by you ignorant morans to suite your own needs and keep this discussion going.

I STRUGGLED WITH NO HELP to my connection, which thankfully wasn't too far away. I spent the next two days recovering because of this assinine "mistake" by Delta.

As state, I WILL NEVER FLY DELTA AGAIN.

I thank those of you who have offered factual information, and I have filed a complaint with the DOT.

On a personal note, I think its Atlanta. This is the most shabbily run airport I have ever witnessed. Disorganized, dirty, and rude, seems to be the Standard Operating Proceedure for this bunch. Honestly never seen such an unprofessional bunch of people, who get paychecks, for doing a job. I will avoid Delta and Atlanta at all costs in the future.

For those who offered help, Thank you!

For those of you who made excuses, defended the Delta people who admitted that screwed up, UP YOURS! I truly wish on you, a disability, and then run into people like yourselves, and see how you handle it!

To the folks who run this forum, thanks for providing a way for someone who is disabled to air a complaint and get some help!

Delta is one shabby airlines, and people with disabilities should avoid it and Atlanta airport at all costs.

I wish I got in on this thread at the start. I will try to answer some of the questions I saw in one reply.

First, to the original poster. A carrier has 30 business days to reply to a written complaint claiming a violation of the Air Carrier Access Act. A reply of 3 weeks is normal.

Butch - the "Severe mobility impariments" is in regards to enplaining assistance for smaller aircraft when there is not level entry boarding. If there is no jetbridge, carriers must enplane passengers with a lift or other device. There are some aircraft types where using a lift could damage the aircraft. Therefore, if the passenger can not climb the stairs to get in, then they just can't travel in those aircraft types since carrier personnel are not allowed to hand carry a passenger into or out of the aircraft, except during an emergency evacuation.

Getoutthere - It does not matter that the wheelchair service is a third party. The carrier's contract that service out and are responsible for the actions of their contractors. (thanks to Jim, Judge and Jetliner for making this statement)

Jr - A passenger with a disability is considered anyone with an impairment that limits one or more life functions. Walking is a life function. Therfore, even if the passenger can walk, the fact that they still needed assistance protects them under the rule.

Jetliner - There is no set "15 minute rule" written into the reg-text. It just says carriers must provide timely assitance. DOT has taken the position, that a wait of 15 minutes or more would be considered untimely. However, this is normally for ad hoc requests where the carrier has no prior request or the passenger is just arriving at the terminal for the first time. It does not apply for passengers on incoming aircraft. For those passengers, the wheelchair needs to be there as soon as the passengers is able to exit the aircrft. The carrier knows when the plane arrives and the carrier knows the passenger is arriving. They need to have a wheelchair present.

Gromit - If all the chairs on in use, the carrier is "screwed". We may be a little understanding if it happens once. But if there is a continued pattern of running out of chairs, then the first words out of any of our enforcement staff would be "then get more chairs."

It is allowed if not required by some federal agency (Butterfinger can help me on this) that 1 (one) wheelchair will be allowed on the aircraft to be stored in the forward closet. So taking your wheelchair and not gate-checking it could be an option.

Yes, carriers are required to have space on the aircraft for at least 1 standard sized folding wheelchair. If that space happens to be the closest, than the wheelchair gets priority over any other passenger AND CREW items places in the closes. Provided that the passenger requests to pre-board the aircraft. If the passenger elects to board with the general public, then the closet is first come first serve. [I don't agree but that is how the rule is written]. Also, if the closet is being used by carry-on items from people who boarded on a previous leg and are continuing, than the wheelchair passenger is again SOL. [Again, I don't agree] DOT does have demensions for what we consider a "standard sized" wheelchair but off hand, I can't quite recall what they are.