“Who is the idiot who decided to put a wheelchair on an escalator?”
Read the article! She was a sick old woman. Someone was suppose to escort her from one terminal to the next. They got her off one plane but left her on her own. She got confused. She thought she was getting in an elevator but by the time she realized her mistake it was too late.
This company, Alaska and Huntliegh, had one job and people too lazy to do it?
This does not really make sense at Portland. The only escalators I know of are from the Gate level to the baggage claim area/ground transportation. Portland is a relatively small airport. There is only one terminal divided into two sides; gate areas, A, B, C and D,E. All on one level. If she was supposed to be changing gates, there are no escalators involved, only moving walkways. So she would have had to go through the Security exit to get to the escalators.
That said, I agree, the family paid someone to watch this woman. Not sure if the fault is with Alaskan or the contractor. My opinion is the contractor, but I am not a lawyer. Sad for the family.