Woman sues AA for "emergency landing"
09-02-2010, 05:11 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Position: low hanging fruit
Posts: 116
Woman sues AA for "emergency landing"
So much of what is wrong with the airline industry is that it has to put up with passengers like this. AA needs to counter-sue for wrongful litigation and make an example out of this opportunist.
American Airlines Passenger Sues, Says She Was Traumatized
A woman is suing American Airlines saying the emergency landing of a plane she was on has left her emotionally scarred.
Jewel Thomas, of Bellevue, Washington, was a passenger on American Flight 268 when the Boeing 757 ran off the runway and skidded onto grass at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, in September 2008.
"That day changed my whole life - it changed my whole world," Thomas says in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle. "This is one problem I can't solve."
The plane was flying nonstop from Seattle to New York when there were electrical problems. The suit alleges crew tried to troubleshoot for several hours until key systems began to shut down.
After cabin lights went out, passengers were told to prepare for a rough landing and many started praying, Thomas says. She says she used her cell phone to leave messages for her children to tell them she loved them.
The aircraft sustained only minor damage in the emergency landing. There were no injuries reported among the 185 passengers and seven crew members.
Thomas says in the lawsuit the plane should have been diverted sooner, and accuses American and the two pilots of negligence.
She says since the incident she has suffered from mental and emotional problems, is no longer able to fly and is on unpaid disability from her job at Microsoft.
Thomas says even the sound of a plane engine sometimes makes her "freak out."
The amount of damages Thomas is seeking was not specified. American declined to comment on the suit.
American Airlines Passenger Sues, Says She Was Traumatized
A woman is suing American Airlines saying the emergency landing of a plane she was on has left her emotionally scarred.
Jewel Thomas, of Bellevue, Washington, was a passenger on American Flight 268 when the Boeing 757 ran off the runway and skidded onto grass at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, in September 2008.
"That day changed my whole life - it changed my whole world," Thomas says in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle. "This is one problem I can't solve."
The plane was flying nonstop from Seattle to New York when there were electrical problems. The suit alleges crew tried to troubleshoot for several hours until key systems began to shut down.
After cabin lights went out, passengers were told to prepare for a rough landing and many started praying, Thomas says. She says she used her cell phone to leave messages for her children to tell them she loved them.
The aircraft sustained only minor damage in the emergency landing. There were no injuries reported among the 185 passengers and seven crew members.
Thomas says in the lawsuit the plane should have been diverted sooner, and accuses American and the two pilots of negligence.
She says since the incident she has suffered from mental and emotional problems, is no longer able to fly and is on unpaid disability from her job at Microsoft.
Thomas says even the sound of a plane engine sometimes makes her "freak out."
The amount of damages Thomas is seeking was not specified. American declined to comment on the suit.
09-02-2010, 05:44 PM
#2
On Reserve
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Posts: 22
The woman's name says it all "jewel".
American should sue her stating that the reason why the crew ran off the runway was because she was using her cellphone. Then sue her for the damage of the aircraft and lost crew wages.
Some people are a waste of air.
American should sue her stating that the reason why the crew ran off the runway was because she was using her cellphone. Then sue her for the damage of the aircraft and lost crew wages.
Some people are a waste of air.
09-02-2010, 05:44 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,463
Originally Posted by Auger In
After cabin lights went out, passengers were told to prepare for a rough landing and many started praying, Thomas says. She says she used her cell phone to leave messages for her children to tell them she loved them.
09-02-2010, 05:46 PM
#4
Nice lookin' tree, there!
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: MD-11, old man
Posts: 2,198
I heard the radio interview today with the UAL Pilot who is her "technical advisor" on this lawsuit. Pretty pathetic! She's second guessing the crew during the whole interview when the radio host asked her the technical details.
09-02-2010, 07:42 PM
#6
Administrator
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: C-172
Posts: 8,024
This Seattle Times article provides a few more details, such as the name of her attorney, the QRH, FAs passing notes under the cockpit door, and Vickie Norton (the UAL captain) on "a primary lack of systems knowledge."
A Bellevue woman has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines over what she says was a terrifying flight to New York on Sept. 22, 2008, when the airplane flew on battery power until it had to make an emergency landing in Chicago.
"It changed my whole world," said Jewel Thomas, 55, who had been a frequent traveler but hasn't been able to get back on an airplane in nearly two years. Even hearing the sound of a jet flying overhead "freaks me out," said Thomas, who announced the lawsuit Wednesday in the Seattle office of her attorney Alisa Brodkowitz.
Thomas had worked for Microsoft for six years, but said she has had difficulty working and is on disability.
The lawsuit, which seeks no specific damages, was filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle. Andrea Huguely, a spokeswoman for Texas-based American Airlines, said "we haven't seen the complaint and have no comment at this time."
Thomas said she was flying to New York to apply for another job with Microsoft.
Shortly after takeoff, warning lights indicated power problems with several in-flight systems, according to the lawsuit.
The flight crew referred to the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) and followed the recommended procedure, switching four of the plane's main electrical power buses to battery power, according to the lawsuit. The QRH said the battery would provide power to the airplane for 30 minutes, although the power from the engines kept the battery operating longer.
Eventually, the lights in the airplane went off, the public address system did not work and the phone to the cockpit was out of order. Flight attendants had to pass notes under the cockpit door to communicate with the flight crew, according to the suit.
About 11 a.m., the plane was out of battery power, said the suit, and 20 minutes later the captain asked to divert to Chicago's O'Hare Airport.
"Passengers called loved ones on their cellphones to tell them goodbye and that they loved them," said Brodkowitz in a news release. "The turbulent flight became even more so. Passengers prayed loudly, cried, and braced for landing."
There were no injuries among the airplane's 190 passengers, and Brodkowitz doesn't believe any other lawsuits have been filed over the incident. She said she hopes to speak to many of the passengers as part of her lawsuit.
"The reason we filed this lawsuit is it was completely preventable and resulted in injury to Jewel Thomas," said Brodkowitz. "She has prolonged trauma caused by human error."
She said the jet should have returned to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport when pilots learned of the power problems.
Thomas, through tears, said she missed her uncle's funeral because she couldn't fly to Arizona, and when a friend was dying, the friend wanted Thomas by her side, but she couldn't fly. "This hurt me so badly. I really wanted to be with her," said Thomas. "My life is over. I want my life back. I want to be Jewel again."
Vickie Norton, a captain with United Airlines, said via telephone at the news conference that she didn't agree with the American Airlines pilot's decision to continue the flight
"There was a primary lack of systems knowledge," she said, adding that the pilots should have landed at the nearest airport when they learned of the electrical problems.
Local News | Bellevue woman sues, says American Airlines took her on a harrowing flight | Seattle Times Newspaper
"It changed my whole world," said Jewel Thomas, 55, who had been a frequent traveler but hasn't been able to get back on an airplane in nearly two years. Even hearing the sound of a jet flying overhead "freaks me out," said Thomas, who announced the lawsuit Wednesday in the Seattle office of her attorney Alisa Brodkowitz.
Thomas had worked for Microsoft for six years, but said she has had difficulty working and is on disability.
The lawsuit, which seeks no specific damages, was filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle. Andrea Huguely, a spokeswoman for Texas-based American Airlines, said "we haven't seen the complaint and have no comment at this time."
Thomas said she was flying to New York to apply for another job with Microsoft.
Shortly after takeoff, warning lights indicated power problems with several in-flight systems, according to the lawsuit.
The flight crew referred to the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) and followed the recommended procedure, switching four of the plane's main electrical power buses to battery power, according to the lawsuit. The QRH said the battery would provide power to the airplane for 30 minutes, although the power from the engines kept the battery operating longer.
Eventually, the lights in the airplane went off, the public address system did not work and the phone to the cockpit was out of order. Flight attendants had to pass notes under the cockpit door to communicate with the flight crew, according to the suit.
About 11 a.m., the plane was out of battery power, said the suit, and 20 minutes later the captain asked to divert to Chicago's O'Hare Airport.
"Passengers called loved ones on their cellphones to tell them goodbye and that they loved them," said Brodkowitz in a news release. "The turbulent flight became even more so. Passengers prayed loudly, cried, and braced for landing."
There were no injuries among the airplane's 190 passengers, and Brodkowitz doesn't believe any other lawsuits have been filed over the incident. She said she hopes to speak to many of the passengers as part of her lawsuit.
"The reason we filed this lawsuit is it was completely preventable and resulted in injury to Jewel Thomas," said Brodkowitz. "She has prolonged trauma caused by human error."
She said the jet should have returned to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport when pilots learned of the power problems.
Thomas, through tears, said she missed her uncle's funeral because she couldn't fly to Arizona, and when a friend was dying, the friend wanted Thomas by her side, but she couldn't fly. "This hurt me so badly. I really wanted to be with her," said Thomas. "My life is over. I want my life back. I want to be Jewel again."
Vickie Norton, a captain with United Airlines, said via telephone at the news conference that she didn't agree with the American Airlines pilot's decision to continue the flight
"There was a primary lack of systems knowledge," she said, adding that the pilots should have landed at the nearest airport when they learned of the electrical problems.
Local News | Bellevue woman sues, says American Airlines took her on a harrowing flight | Seattle Times Newspaper
09-02-2010, 07:47 PM
#7
Che Guevara
Joined APC: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,408
Vickie sounds like a real joy to fly with. Not agreeing with someone is one thing but going public to the press with it is something completely different. Lack of professionalism on her part hanging people out to dry. Wish we could see her track record.
09-02-2010, 07:55 PM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: back in the right
Posts: 406
I guess the woman didn't read her contract...
FORCE MAJEURE EVENTS
American may, in the event of a force majeure event, without notice, cancel, terminate, divert, postpone or delay any flight or the right of carriage or reservation of traffic accommodations without liability except to issue an involuntary refund. The involuntary refund will be made in the original form of payment in accordance with involuntary refund rules for any unused portion of the ticket. American will also reserve the right to determine if any departure or landing should be made without any liability except the afore mentioned involuntary refund.
From: http://www.aa.com/i18n/customerServi...age.jsp#Delays
FORCE MAJEURE EVENTS
American may, in the event of a force majeure event, without notice, cancel, terminate, divert, postpone or delay any flight or the right of carriage or reservation of traffic accommodations without liability except to issue an involuntary refund. The involuntary refund will be made in the original form of payment in accordance with involuntary refund rules for any unused portion of the ticket. American will also reserve the right to determine if any departure or landing should be made without any liability except the afore mentioned involuntary refund.
From: http://www.aa.com/i18n/customerServi...age.jsp#Delays
Last edited by DashDriverYV; 09-02-2010 at 07:55 PM. Reason: source
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
