[Walla Walla Sweet]

Did you file an official complaint with the airline as well? If so, I'm curious how the airline responded. I was unaware of the stance regarding vomiting 2 hours before a flight... After eating something that disagreed with me this fall I had to fly Alaska. I threw up right before my flight and even spent a good portion of the flight with a airsickness bag in my lap "just in case"!

[joegoblue]

Originally Posted by Walla Walla Sweet

Did you file an official complaint with the airline as well? If so, I'm curious how the airline responded. I was unaware of the stance regarding vomiting 2 hours before a flight... After eating something that disagreed with me this fall I had to fly Alaska. I threw up right before my flight and even spent a good portion of the flight with a airsickness bag in my lap "just in case"!

I did. The airline response was a justification of their decision. AA also claimed that they made accommodations upon our arrival at Sea-Tac which were not made. After a fight, we got an overnight stay in a hotel accommodation because our delayed arrival caused us to miss the last shuttle to our car, located 60 miles away in a park n ride.

I have come to believe that the gate agent receives some incentive for a medical bump upheld by med-link. Perhaps a bonus or an "attaboy" letter. The fact is that there are no specific rules. There is no policy in place. The gate agent makes the decision, and if med-link concurs, your off the flight.

I still fly Alaska. But if I have a choice, it's Jet Blue, or Southwest. Unfortunately Alaska Airlines has joined the cabal who treat their customers like self loading cargo.

[jimworcs]

Why would any airline offer incentives to bump someone off a flight for medical reasons? The airlines have to pay for Med-Link by the way... I think that is a conspiracy theory too far...

[joegoblue]

You might be right. But AA told us that "flight diversion due to medical emergency" is a major cost and justified their actions on that basis. I don't find it entirely implausible that AA would provide an incentive to a gate manager who claimed to act to prevent an "in flight" emergency.

Med-link just rubber stamped the gate agents action. There was no medical assessment, no check for fever, no check of vitals, just the god like decision of the agent. The gate agent makes the decision, med-link rubber stamps it. Med-link is just a CYA for AA.

AA's actions spoke for itself. All of our family, our friends, their friends, and any one who will listen, gets AA's message. Customer care? We don't care. We don't have to.