Lumen^^S: Everyone has someone in their family (NOW! NOW 0.00%↑ ) who may be a day from their last breath from any possible known disease. For most, you are thinking of someone and they are likely not in walking, driving, but only flying distance to be “there” in 24 hours. This “bigger picture” post is from the perspective of this 50 year old guy typing about a solution any airlines (so I chose Delta whom I’ve flown well over 1M of my air miles paid with my DAL 0.00%↑ AXP 0.00%↑
Serious question first. Who do you call? Where do you go? What do you ask for? … if someone you love that has been given the gift of each day for much longer than a specialist doctor guesstimated years ago?
But, then… you are informed that person is in the ER and likely has less than 24 hours to LIVE.!.!.!
Thanks to ChatGPT, I have copied and below am pasting the response since it’s a good PSA and level set for the rest of the post with the idea for Delta to offer LDF as a service that might fit in the category of life insurance that perhaps $BRK\B Geico could offer as concierge member amenity in partnership with airlines such as Delta or even Southwest since their ticker is LUV 0.00%↑ .
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to travel urgently due to a loved one being in critical condition, it's important to contact the airline as soon as possible to explain the situation and seek assistance. Here’s what you can do:
1. **Contact the Airline’s Customer Service or Emergency Assistance Line**: Most airlines have a dedicated customer service line or emergency assistance number. This is often available 24/7 and can provide immediate help. You can find this number on the airline’s website or through their general customer service contact information.
2. **Explain the Situation Clearly**: When you reach out to the airline, explain the urgency of your situation. Let them know that you need to travel immediately due to a family emergency. If you have documentation or proof of the situation, such as a letter from the hospital or a doctor's note, be prepared to provide this if requested.
3. **Request Special Considerations**: Ask about options for urgent travel. Some airlines might offer expedited processing, waivers for change fees, or priority boarding under these circumstances. They might also be able to assist with changing your flight to the earliest possible option.
4. **Check for Compassionate Fares or Discounts**: Some airlines offer compassionate or bereavement fares for those traveling due to a family emergency. Inquire if such options are available.
5. **Visit the Airport Ticket Counter**: If you’re already at the airport, going to the airline’s ticket counter might be faster. The staff there can often provide immediate assistance and help with rebooking your flight or other arrangements.
Traveling under such distressing circumstances is undoubtedly challenging, but airlines generally try to accommodate urgent situations as best as they can.
OK.
Since before the first commercial air flight ($400 on 1/1/1914 by the former Mayor Abram C. Pheil of St. Petersburg headed 21 miles to Tampa, FL - thanks again ChatGPT)... good humanity assembles to reduce or remove the financial travel burden when words such as “compassionate” and “bereavement” are uttered for situations when one needs to "travel urgently.”
OK. Good Start, for them and bless the many they have helped. But,
…it would be nice if there was a service that Delta could spearhead as a contender for largest airline in the U.S. and worldwide (depending on how one views market share and locations, etc.)…that collaborated on the offer of “urgent travel” assistance across the portfolio of travel elements. If this were offered like travel insurance is offered (for travel where dates are typically known), but instead of travel that will happen “sometime” …even if “sometime” is…
RIGHT DAMN NOW…
…it would be wonderful for their to be a service where airline cooperation and cross airport cooperation at the booking and gate level would have a better chance of making small miracles happen.
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