[Nikilea82]

I am not sure where to file my complaint. Am considering legal action.Returning home from a family funeral. Flight UA 6050 from Chicago to Indinapolis on 8/2/2011.Was with elderly 82 y/o mother, returning from son's funeral near Gettysburg PA. We had requested a wheelchair for Dorothy Mackey thru -out our flights. We were informed Flight 6050 boarded via metal steps; but tha tMother would be boarded "first" via a ramp. When passengers began boarding ahead we were then informed that the "ramp was delayed". We re-seated Mom at the gate as all other passengers boarded the plane. No wheelchair ever arrived. Mom suffers from severe Spinal Stenosis with radiculopathy and LE weakness. I am Diabetic with severe OA in both knees and LE Diabetic Neuropathy. We ended up walking up a long, hot ramp onto the plane. Upon entering the plane, now full of passengers; we had to make our way back 17 rows to seats 17A, 17B and 17c. Upon arriving with one carry-on each; upon opening the #17 overhead storage compartment; it was loaded with someone else's luggage and a box. When I asked why someone else's luggage was there; and it needed to be removed the Stewardness appeared behind me and stated loudly and rudely " it is first come, first serve!" She then told us we would need to put our carry-ons "under the seats". I replied "these seats?". As there was obviously no room for carry-on luggage and our legs to even get into a seat. She then restated loudly and rudely "put your baggage under your seats"! I then stated that I was sorry; that we were all very tired and stressed out to which she stated " well who isn't?" I was very upset with her attitude and treatment of me and my family, I then said, I hoped no one else buried their brother and son today; to which she stated "I did, my Mother!". I then asked for her name; and she stated, again very flippantly, "Precilla"; she then actually spelled it out letter by letter loudly. I then said quietly, "thank-you Precilla". My sister Jeanne then asked her for assistance to raise the arm of the aisle chair so that we could get ourselves and our carry-ons into the small narrow space. Precilla stated curtly, "they don't go up!" Precilla then turned to the passengers in front of us and dramaticaly stated "I am so sorry" . I do not think I have ever paid so much money to be treated so rudely and thoughtlessly in my life. I ended up crying for half the trip to Indy. Mom was offered no assistance to de-plane and walked all the way to the concourse in INDY. I absolutely feel that we experienced blatant discrmination due to age and disability. I was publically humiliated as I have never experienced before. I realize the times we are in. I am an RN of many years. I know what customer service is all about. I am very seriously considering bringing a suit against both United Airlines; and this Stewardness personally for disability and age discrimination and emotional distress. Through-out our many flights during this tragic episode in our family's lives; we had wonderful service from every other person we dealt with in the Airline industry as well as the hotels. Especially Flight Attendant "Gwen" with Delta on our first flight out from Indy to Detroit on 8/1/2011. She was one of many "angels" we encontered at this difficult time. Precilla, on the other hand, needs to be dismissed from her job immediately; she paints a very bad picture for United. I will never fly with them again; and do plan report this to the Airport Authority as well as Homeland Security in Indianpolis. Passenger safety does not give anyone in the Airliine Industry carte blanche to treat innocent passengers to public humiliation and rude attitudes. I have just filed a formal complaint with the DOT and then to United Customer Service.

[Jaykris]

First of all, that was NOT a United flight. It was a sub-par sub-contracted
United Express flight subsidised.

Write a letter to Mr. Smisek, he thinks they are great!

[BKK_FLYER]

Hi,

I'm not sure I see an element of age discrimination in your writing.. Bad service? perhaps.. Should it have been handled better? Sure sounds like it to me..

But if you're talking about a legal claim of age discrimination, that's a whole different ballgame and one that has, for the most part, some legal definitions and key elements that you'd need to prove to make and sustain any case.. While not an attorney myself, and only from what you write and without the benefit of seeing it nor the 'other-side' to the story, I don't see anything that, to me, says they overtly discriminated against you, due expressly to your age.

Again, could it have been better handled? Perhaps with more tact? Sure sounds like it... and to that end, I think UA (or again Sky West) should speak to that failure.

As to the disability claim. I suggest you take a read thru the law on the matter, generally known as the Air Carrier Access Act, which DOES give you, as a qualified disabled passenger within the scope of the law, some clearly defined rights when traveling.

IF United, or more accurately Sky West, did in fact violate any one of them, then I think you have a much better, much stronger case going forward... and one that I would pursue as I don't think it's right, legally or morally, to impede the travel ability of those who are disabled.