Escorted to the Wrong Gate!

I was escorted by a Chicago O’Hare employee to the wrong gate. When he escorted me, I kept hearing a different airliner announcement over the terminal intercom. I asked him several times if he was taking me to the correct gate & he said, “Yes ma’am, I’ve been doing this for years.” I asked so many times that he got rude & upset with me.

Once we arrived to the gate, no Delta personnel were there. He told me that they would be there soon and he left me there. Well, no one ever came. I had to contact my Caregiver so he could inform the airline where I was left. I sat for approximately an hour. No one asked if I needed anything and I’m sure there were Delta personnel that saw me sitting alone in the wheelchair with my white cane extended.

When the Delta personnel arrived, Priscilla Byrne (Red Coat), she apologized & told me that I would not make my flight. I explained to her that I had arranged prepaid transportation to pick me up when I arrived in Pittsburgh. I was going to the Department of Veterans Affairs for a medical appointment. I did contact the transportation company to explain my delay. I was still charged $35.00 & changed my pickup time for a later time. They never picked me up!

Ms. Byrne stayed with me until my departure from Chicago O’Hare. She offered me a food voucher but, I was so disappointed, upset & afraid that I couldn’t eat but, she bought me a Chai Tea from Starbucks. I was rescheduled for a later flight and this time, I had a layover! I was so upset!!!

During my layover in Minneapolis, I was taken to the Delta Lounge until my departure.

Once I arrived in Pittsburgh, I had many fears of getting transportation. I did not want to get the airport shuttle to downtown Pittsburgh because there would be limited, if any, transportation to Oakland, which was my destination.

This bad experience is one of many that I have had traveling alone.

On most flights, the airline staff will introduce themselves to me when I board the plane but, afterwards, I’m ignored, especially when I’m placed in the back of the plane. They don’t ask if I want beverages or anything. I’ve done the surveys after each flight. I’ve also contacted their disability services representatives.