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Some people just never cease to amaze me (USAirways crash)

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Some people just never cease to amaze me (USAirways crash)

Old 01-27-2009, 12:46 PM
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Default Some people just never cease to amaze me (USAirways crash)

Is $5,000 for US Airways Fliers Enough?By Gary Stoller, USA Today

Many US Airways passengers who endured a crash landing in the Hudson River 12 days ago say they appreciate the $5,000 that the airline has offered — but some say it's not enough.
Joe Hart, a salesman from Charlotte who suffered a bloody nose and bruises, says he "would like to be made whole for the incident."

It's too soon after the accident to determine what emotional distress he has suffered, he says.
He's one of 150 passengers who were dramatically rescued Jan. 15, when the Charlotte-bound Airbus A320 jet safely ditched into the frigid river off Midtown Manhattan. A pilot on the plane told air-traffic controllers that birds struck the plane before both engines failed after takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport.
After the crash, US Airways sent passengers a letter of apology, a $5,000 check to assist "with immediate needs" and reimbursement for the ticket.
Exactly how much compensation is appropriate is a question after crashes.
The National Air Disaster Alliance & Foundation, a safety advocacy group, says $5,000 is not enough.
River Landing ProbedPatrick Andrade, Reuters13 photos The left engine of US Airways Flight 1549 is hauled out of New York's Hudson River on Friday. The pilot ditched the jet into the icy river on Jan. 15 after both engines failed. All 155 people on board were rescued.(Note: Please disable your pop-up blocker)

"We're grateful everyone survived, and the captain on the plane was so marvelous," says Gail Dunham, the group's executive director. "But passengers lost luggage, briefcases, cellphones, BlackBerrys and business documents, and went through a terrific ordeal."
Like many, Hart says he left a lot of items behind and doesn't know which ones may be lost.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates aviation accidents, wants to examine baggage and belongings, and determine how much they weighed on the plane, says spokesman Peter Knudson.
It could take "weeks or months" before they are returned to passengers, he says.
Hart and another passenger, Dave Sanderson, say they each left more than $5,000 worth of items on the plane.
A sales manager in Charlotte, says US Airways' letter and checks were "a nice gesture," and the airline's personnel "have treated me like gold since the incident."
US Airways Vice President Jim Olson says that an insurance claims specialist is contacting passengers and that they'll be reimbursed for expenses or losses above $5,000.
The airline wants to ensure no passenger is "losing money for the inconvenience or anything lost during the accident," he says.
Under Department of Transportation regulations, airlines are liable for up to $3,300 per passenger for checked bags that are lost or damaged on a domestic flight. Most airlines disclaim liability for carry-on bags unless a crewmember stowed the bag, says Bill Mosley, a department spokesman.
In addition to recovering losses, Hart says he's concerned about having trouble flying. He's flown on six planes since the accident, and each flight has gotten "progressively more difficult."
He says he was tense, sweated and "felt every bit of turbulence" on a Los Angeles-to-Philadelphia flight last week, though it wasn't that turbulent a flight.
Hart says he has talked to a lawyer in North Carolina but hasn't decided whether to take any legal action.
"I want to see how things play out with US Airways," he says. "I'm hopeful US Airways understands the significance of the incident."
Kreindler & Kreindler, a New York law firm that has represented plaintiffs in crashes, says it has been contacted by several passengers on the US Airways flight.
The firm's lawyers are determining what injuries and emotional distress passengers may have suffered, and what parties might be liable under New York state law, says Noah Kushlefsky, a partner in the firm.
In many aviation accidents, survivors have claimed post-traumatic stress disorder. To recover damages, plaintiffs have to prove that injury or distress was caused by negligence, or the jet or its engines not performing as they should, Kushlefsky says. New York law requires a lawsuit to be filed within three years of an incident, he says.
Sanderson, a father of four, says he's thankful he could celebrate his 48th birthday on Friday and has no reason to talk to an attorney.
"US Air has been doing the right thing," he says. "Everyone is acting in a responsible way."
Fred Berretta, who suffered a small cut on his head during the crash landing, says US Airways representatives have called frequently and treated him very well. He says that a few personal mementos from his father were left behind but that the money sent by US Airways covers the value of his belongings.
Berretta, who works for a financial services company, was flown home to Charlotte after the crash on his company's jet.
"I'm a private pilot, and I'm sure I'll be flying again," he says. "But it might be a little while before I fly for pleasure again."
Amber Wells of Charlotte says she's so thankful to have survived and to be with her 9-month-old daughter, Rayley, that she hasn't had time to think about her belongings.
She says she lost $2,000 of nursing equipment and a laptop computer, as well as a checked bag and a carry-on bag.
"Everything that's gone can be replaced," says Wells, 34, a senior manager for NASCAR. "My life cannot be replaced."
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Old 01-27-2009, 12:50 PM
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I agree that many should get more than 5K, but as LLC stated it was to reimburse the immediate expenses.
I am sure that they and their insurers expect lawsuits. It is the American thing to do.
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Old 01-27-2009, 01:00 PM
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You survived a plane crash and are ALIVE! What else do you want??????? Unbelievable.

I wouldn't have even expected $5000....I'd be grateful to the Lord that I have my life and I could see my child again.
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Old 01-27-2009, 01:03 PM
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Money for my physical and mental anguish. Just watch.
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Old 01-27-2009, 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by acl65pilot View Post
I agree that many should get more than 5K, but as LLC stated it was to reimburse the immediate expenses.
I am sure that they and their insurers expect lawsuits. It is the American thing to do.

Exactly. We all know those blood sucking ambulance chasers couldn't keep their slimy tentacles off this one. It was only a matter of time before the mass phone calls and emails went out to the pax of UsAir 1549.

"$5000 dollars? You've suffered unbelievable anguish and stress. You deserve so much more then that. Let my firm represent you. We'll get you what you deserve." Slimeballs.
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Old 01-27-2009, 01:06 PM
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They went out that night. I am really surprised that no one has filed yet!
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Old 01-27-2009, 01:07 PM
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If anything these people should be enjoying life more now that they know how fragile it can be.
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Old 01-27-2009, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Freightpuppy View Post
I wouldn't have even expected $5000....I'd be grateful to the Lord that I have my life and I could see my child again.

Exactly! We can thank those personal compensation attorneys.
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Old 01-27-2009, 01:17 PM
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When you go in for surgery, the DR has you sign a form. Why can't the airlines come up with something similar, Fly at your own risk. You want to fly, sign here! Otherwise Drive. Negligence is a different story, but this is getting out of hand. Even the CAL pax suck, no one seems to be just satisfied they just survived a PLANE CRASH..Hello?!?
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Old 01-27-2009, 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Freightpuppy View Post
You survived a plane crash and are ALIVE! What else do you want??????? Unbelievable.

I wouldn't have even expected $5000....I'd be grateful to the Lord that I have my life and I could see my child again.
They want a couple of million dollars per. And here's what I like "its not about the money, its about getting answers", they always say that.....I've seen this movie many times

I was 110% sure, without a shadow of a doubt the pasengers were going to sue US Airways, that $5000 wasn't going to do anything. I just knew it.
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