Quote:
Originally Posted by Munchkin03
This isn't too surprising or upsetting to me, either.
The airline--outside of their obligations--gave each passenger $5,000. If they bought their tickets with certain credit cards, then they probably got additional insurance payouts and reimbursements as well. They didn't pay for their transportation back home, or any expenses related to getting home. Their immediate healthcare needs were also addressed. For that family of four, they received at least $20,000. Now they want the airline's insurer--AIG--to pay for therapy? As much as I am a believer in talk therapy and mental healthcare, it's not an entitlement and it's not the airline's responsibility to pay for it.
I'm sure I sound really harsh, but I am so tired of people whining and complaining about every single little thing. If the cause of the crash had been pilot error, I could understand their concerns. BUT, if anything the pilot prevented it from being a major catastrophe. Gah!
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And now I will respond from a PR crisis communication standpoint. The airline, not its insurer, should be paying for counseling for all of those passengers. That should be in every airline's crisis plan, because it's the right thing to do. You think you wouldn't need a little therapy after being in a plane that was going down due to engine failure? The airline wants to claim glory for its pilot that landed the plane on water, yet it doesn't want to take the responsibility for the consequences of the plane landing on water? Hogwash. If the insurer won't pay for therapy, the airline should be, and they should be happy to do so. The consequence of this accident could have been much worse - they should be relieved that they aren't being sued for wrongful death in a class action lawsuit! US Air does not need this right now...they're already known for their terrible customer care.