AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT CREW'S SELFISHNESS HURTS DISABLED TRAVELER - 2

WHEELCHAIR SEVERELY DAMAGED BY UNCARING GROUND CREW AFTER AMERICN AIRLINES FLIGHT CREW REFUSES TO MOVE ITS LUGGAGE TO ACCOMMODATE ONBOARD WHEELCHAIR STORAGE

Editor's note: We arrived home on Dec. 31 from a week in Mexico City. The City was great, our Hotel -- the St.Regis -- was spectacular but the flight getting there was a nightmare caused by American Airlines employees who are abusive toward the needs of disabled travelers. It is no wonder why this carrier is in banktruptcy. We will share our tale of disability discrimination during the next several days. The postings are in the form of a letter to American Airlines, which has not even been addressed -- despite the urgency of our complaints.

We also prearrange AA disability services so my wife has assistance at the jet bridge, while boarding the plane and with stowage of her wheelchair in the onboard closet.

We are aware that crew members like to stow their baggage in the same closet that provides space for passengers’ wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

In most cases, crew members kindly relocate their bags to clear space for the wheelchair.

On Christmas Day 2011, we flew from Miami International Airport to Mexico City on flight 2199, departing at 7:30 a.m. The folks at the AA check-in counter understood our needs and said the wheelchair could be stored in the closet (not gate checked where it can get damaged).

The gate crew that checks boarding passes and escorts us down the jet bridge also confirmed this.

But when we arrived at the door of the plane, it was obvious that the flight crew had a large amount of luggage stored in the closet.

It also became clear that the brand new plane had a smaller than usual closet, a dreadful design flaw that negatively impacts wheelchair-using passengers.