To the GENTLEMEN of X Marks: We are not alone!

**Father Bill** · 4th March 11, 06:26 PM

Agreed - the service was less than sterling. Have you heard the story of "United breaks Guitars?" If not, search for that on YouTube. Sounds like they still have an awful long way to go.

**MacGuffin** · 5th March 11, 04:17 PM

Thank you for this excellent article. I really brightened my day knowing that there are still people willing to help out another person.

**Bigkahuna** · 5th March 11, 07:59 PM

He should be inducted into the Order of The Dandelion!!

**azwildcat96** · 5th March 11, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck of NI

This story was big news here at the time it happened. The man is a True American Hero. Unlike the airline; the airline needs an a@@kicking.

***

**Cowher** · 5th March 11, 09:29 PM

I hope I don't offend anyone but I hope we can all be inspired to follow this mans line of thought. It makes me think of when some one near to me died. Many said let us know if you need anything. But there was a few that showed up with a nice scotch and a few hours to talk. I appreciate the thought but the action is what helped.
Likewise we can say wow great story. Or I'm glad there is still good people out there. But why not resolve to be that person with the good heart who looks for opportunity to show kindness. We all have the desire to do this. it's just that little voice that seems, at least for me, to be quieted by our own worries that prevent us from being that hero.
I think the people in this forum are more apt to think of doing good and actually following through than many others. Let's let this story to inspire us to do it more often.
(this rant is being directed at myself I hope you all agree)

**Lallans** · 7th March 11, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by EagleJCS

Hothir, the airline - once they found out they had made a mistake - should have bent over backwards to amend that mistake, especially after leaving a passenger in the wrong terminal for hours. Certainly much more than simply offering an overnight stay voucher (not for free, but at a "discounted rate") and leaving it at that. That may mollify the average business traveler for missed flight connections, but this was an elderly woman with limited mobility (not to mention limited means, but that wouldn't have been apparent just by looking at her) who had already been marginalized at the first airport*. It may be business policy, but it's not good customer service. Maybe it's my 'Southern hospitality' showing, or maybe it's the Scout in me, but a lot more could have been done to amend the situation.

The article isn't clear how strong an attempt was made at holding the connecting flight, or failing that, finding an alternative connection - even on another airline. Providing a meal and/or other senior 'assistance' (restrooms and other needs - e.g. water fountains - are often difficult for people with limited mobility to navigate) while in the terminal would have been a good idea too. People that are hungry and thirsty - esp. if they're dehydrated or distressed at having to relieve themselves, or distressed at having done so already - don't think all that clearly.

The article also doesn't mention whether it was a wheelchair or a motorized tram to get her from her flight to her connection, but I would think if there were any distance over 100 yards from one doorway to the next, a motorized tram would have been the way to go.

Sorry for the rant, but thinking that if it were my late, disabled uncle (MS) or a couple of frail relatives (also now deceased), or my friend's frail parents having to go through something like this makes my blood boil.

*That's why I think it's a shame that these days people without a boarding pass can't get past the security checkpoints. Before that particular idea was enacted, this probably wouldn't have happened. The lady's family could have taken her to the correct gate themselves in DFW and stayed with her to see to her needs and see her off. I can understand - sort of - the reasoning, wanting to limit the number of people wandering around a secure area, etc., but even before 9/11, everyone going past a certain point had to go through security.

Yes, that expands my thought on the matter, which was that if you're going to push a frail elderly person across a huge airport in a wheelchair and dump them, you have a particular responsibility to abandon them on time and in the correct location.

**Mike_Oettle** · 14th March 11, 02:01 PM

Canuck of NI wrote: “. . . if you're going to push a frail elderly person across a huge airport in a wheelchair and dump them, you have a particular responsibility to abandon them on time and in the correct location.”

Exactly.
Regards,
Mike

**Chirs** · 14th March 11, 03:52 PM

Ah damn. I think there's a leak in the side of my eye. Kindness that is for the benefit of the receiver and not - as is too often the case - for the benefit of the giver is far too rare in my experience. A pat on the shoulder and "I hope you get home tonight" is for the benefit of the speaker: "See what a good person I am? I care. Didn't you hear me say that I care?" But to take action that is TRULY done to help another is very, very rare. My faith in humankind is (minutely) restored.