Marine double-amputee’s treatment on Delta flight angers other vets

Wahsington Post ^ | December 13, 2012 | Annie Groer

[el_texicano]

On Dec. 13, 2011, Marine Lance Cpl. Christian Brown was leading his squad on a foot patrol in Afghanistan’s Helmand province when he stepped on an explosive device that blew off both his legs, one above the knee, the other below his hip. He also lost part of his right index finger.

Last Sunday, almost exactly a year since those grievous injuries forced him to learn to walk on two successive pairs of prosthetic legs, Brown was “humiliated” to the point of tears on a Delta flight from Atlanta to Washington after being clumsily wheeled to the back row of the plane, according to a complaint sent to the airline by an outraged fellow passenger....

[el_texicano]

This is disgusting that the Delta flight crew would treat a Marine amputee in such a demeaning and disgraceful manner. I want names of everyone employed by Delta on that flight - from pilot to flight attendant. They deserve to be tarred and feathered (metaphorically of course) but they deserve to be fired from their jobs. I want their names and their faces plastered out there in the news.

And I want that complainers name too.

[el_texicano]

I don’t post very often, so if I have erred, please correct as needed.

[driftdiver]

There has to be more to the story. I fly Delta all the time and they are very respectful of vets.

I’ve seen multiple cases where they gave special treatment to vets.

[el_texicano]

And I hope more of the story comes out. Perhaps some others on Free Republic can ferret out more of this story. I cannot conceive that an airline like Delta would tolerate this.

Two other people in first class offered their seats to them, but were rebuffed and told they had to take off.

[ifinnegan]

I read the article and it has this comment: “I have been flying with Delta for a gazillion years and this crew treated Chris worse than you’d treat any thing, not even any body.”

But, I didn’t see what events or treatment of the Vet were so horrible.

This article really makes no sense. It is strong on emotional manipulation but very short on facts.

[Mr. K]

When I see a soldier in line at the food court or somethign in an airport I always pay for his meal and tell him thanks for his service.

I get way more out of it than they do, I guarantee that. But the grateful responses are very nice.

[livius]

The story is very confusing. Delta is a Southern airline and usually great with vets, very supportive. They always announce when we have active duty military on board and we applaud and thank them.

[Doogle]

you did fine, as in cense as I am right now, I could not have posted anything that would have NOT banned me.

[driftdiver]

I’ve never seen Delta refuse someone in first class giving up their seat for another. Of course I’ve only been on 72 delta flights this year so I’m sure I’ve missed some.

[Doogle]

from another source: Worse yet, according to retired Army Col. Nickey Knighton’s detailed “customer care” report to Delta, efforts by several fellow vets to shift Brown from coach to a first class seat offered by another flyer, were rebuffed by the crew. Flight attendants insisted no one could move through the cabin because the doors were being closed for takeoff, she wrote.

[Kirkwood]

Story makes no sense on several levels.

1. I don’t see where the humiliation comes from.
2. He should have preboarded.
3. He should have arranged for a seat up front - he would have had several opportunities to do so.
4. He shouldn’t be flying with a 104 deg fever.
5. I’ve never seen a Delta employee disrespect a disabled person - ever, including myself when I’ve had to use a wheelchair to get on and off the plane.
6. I’ve never seen a Delta employee disrespect a veteran.

[LifeComesFirst]

Aren’t these flight attendants and pilots all-union?

[Captain PJ]

Thanks, good post.

[First_Salute]

bttt

[el_texicano]

Well, yes.

[rawcatslyentist]

I suspect melanin based racism here.

[Louis Foxwell]

Good catch. My money is with yours.

[wesagain]

Today’s flying industries......so far above the rest of us!....../sarc

[PeteePie]

Yyyyyyyyep, agree 99.999%

[OldMissileer]

Considering most female flight attendants are postmenopausal harpies and the males are flaming twinks, I don't think many wounded veterans fare well while flying.