Comments on: “You might think that this request is a bit bold”

By: KathyJ

KathyJ — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:24:14 +0000

Any updates on this? Did the good doctor ever hear back from US Airways? Did he have to buy his tickets for the October trip?

By: Ralph

Ralph — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:27:39 +0000

Without considering the “philosophical” matters related to this matter, I basically see two major “issues” here…

*US Airways should have proactively provided some sort of appreciation to the Dr. without him having to “ask”.

*It is unreasonable for the Dr. to ask for TLV vouchers as consideration in this matter. October is the high holidays season in Israel and the monetary value of 2 non-stop PHL-TLV vouchers during that time would be approximately $2,500. That said, US Airways was probably kind of “cheap” in its offer of $175, something in the range of $300 seems more appropriate – but $2,500 is rather exaggerated in my opinion.

By: P.J. Zornosa

P.J. Zornosa — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:14:18 +0000

If he’s an MD, he signed on years ago via the Hippocratic Oath. If he has expectations, outrageous or not, he is setting himself up for disappointment, especially from US Airways. (Maybe he should have thought twice about volunteering if he “expected” compensation.) It’s his profession to “practice medicine”.

I live in the PHL area and hardly EVER fly US Airways. I could offer up 3 more examples of how US Airways is NOT inclined to be generous with ANY sort of compensation for any of their passengers.

Don’t do something thoughtful or considerate if you want to be “paid” for it, bottom line. A “Thank You” should be enough in the real world.

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:52:31 +0000

Did the airline ever get back to you Chris? I’d say two weeks is sufficient time for them to either craft a reply or decide to ignore and just hope the matter drops.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:38:46 +0000

I personally think that his request is excessive. However, the airline’s attitude is just as repulsive. I think that there is a middle ground somewhere in between that is fair for both sides. I would put the ball back in the airline’s court, and see what can be worked out.

By: JB

JB — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:58:33 +0000

While the doctor volunteered his services initially, he could not have known that he would be required to work for the remainder of the flight. I would certainly contact US Airways on the doctor’s behalf to reconsider their paltry offer.

By: MikeZ

MikeZ — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:12:16 +0000

@Jim:
Oh, come on, let’s be serious here. It’s highly unlikely that the passenger was needy or uninsured (although he or she may be in need of some counseling on drug and alcohol abuse — remember, both were apparently consumed in excess). It’s silly to imply Dr. P. would ignore the plight of those who are truly in need, often through no fault of their own.

The facts are that US (at the corporate level) did nothing to recognize the doctor’s heroics… and that he was so put off by it that he wrote his letter. His specific request may well have been over the top, but the fact that they failed to take any initiative to recognize him despite his saving THEM tens of thousands of dollars (let alone a passenger they had not properly cared for, by serving excessive alcohol) would be sufficient to motivate most reasonable people to react the same as he did.

I seriously doubt that his sole motivation for helping was to avoid his own delay. But since neither of us was there, we’ll never know for sure. What we do know are the facts as presented, and the overwhelming consensus here seems to be that while his request may have been excessive, US’s trashy recognition reflects that they are, indeed, a lousy airline ruled by as inept a management team as can be found in any business, let alone an airline. My condolences to not only the doctor, but to the many decent US Airways employees on the front lines who try their best despite their leaders.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 05:50:07 +0000

His points are logical and well conceived. I have no doubt he saved the airline $1000’s in ancillerary costs. The problem really occurs if this Dr. is faced with another medical emergency in the future he may be disinclined to help. I do not think Mr. Elliott should involve himself but the Dr. was perfectly entitled to make the request. I am not a doctor and I personally would find a demand reprehensible but a request is another matter. If folks looked at this unemotionally I believe the airline would offer more than $175. But not everyone can see the forest from the trees. I won’t assume this doctor does not volunteer services as he did answer the call for help.

By: Terry

Terry — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:03:58 +0000

Sounds like those that needed the medical attention should be buying the doctor a ticket. If the airline had diverted the good doctor would have been even less rested.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:20:41 +0000

As a physician myself, I feel embarrassed that one of my colleagues would cheapen our profession (or any profession) so much as to demand compensation for an activity that he VOLUNTEERED for. Not to mention that he had benefited from it himself by preventing a potential diversion. What would have happened to his vacation, if the plane had been diverted? While I sympathize with him that he may have lost a day of vacation due to lack on rest on the plane, it likely would have been even worse had the plane been diverted.

Many of my physician colleagues volunteer their time and provide free medical treatment to the needy and uninsured, but Dr. Pomerantz apparently feels his volunteering should come with a price tag?