AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT CREW'S SELFISHNESS HURTS DISABLED TRAVELER - 3

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.

I pleaded with the flight crew, but they refused to move their bags.

(I must note that this 12-25-11 flight was less than half full and had more than enough room in empty first class bins to store crew luggage near the front of the plane.)

I told them we'll arrive in Mexico City on Christmas Day, when no shops will be open to repair my wife's wheelchair, with her chair very likely damaged by being gate checked into the cargo area. I tried to take the wheels off my wife's wheelchair to show how easily it can be stowed, but the unyielding flight crew refused to move its baggage.

I was told to take my seat or there would be consequences.