Case History of an Alaskan Couple

My wife is a 100% Disabled American Veteran who served at Adak Naval Air Station. Her Stage IV Breast Cancer diagnosis came a few months following an Honorable Discharge and a move to Juneau. I was to fly to Seattle to be with her for her first chemotherapy treatment on the same weekend that my mother died. My flight was canceled due to fog. I tried to reschedule for the first plane out. Alaska Airlines wouldn't put me on the first plane out. I called several of their airline officials who said they could not help. I went in person to the ticket office. I was sent to the airport supervisor, without success. Though they supposedly have "medical emergency" and "bereavement" clauses, I couldn't get either one though I had both situations simultaneously. They told me, "there is nothing we can do for you." So, I missed my mothers funeral service. I was late for my wife's chemo treatment.

But, it doesn't end there. My wife qualified for an experimental drug program at Swedish Tumor Institute in Seattle. She has to be there once per week.

We explained our situation in a letter to John Kelly - CEO, Alaska Airlines, Bill Mackay - Vice President of Consumer Affairs, and to the Juneau office. We explained that our hope was that they would consider a compromise on air fare where they neither profited or lost money. We were told that "corporate policy" doesn't allow for discounted tickets...one representative suggested we move to Seattle.

Dr. Saul Rivkin of the Swedish Tumor Institute called Alaska Airlines on our behalf to explain the importance of the research experiment that my wife is part of. He offered to include Alaska Airlines in the public relations support acknowledgement for his project. He was cut off with, "Alaska Airlines doesn't care for any public relations with this."

Local airline officials have been remorseful and apologetic for the companies stance. We have completely lost confidence in Alaska Airline's ability to serve the people of SE and Alaska as a whole. We view this as corporate greed at its worst. Our ultimate question is What has this airline done for the individuals of this state?

An Alaskan Airline would have the best interest of Alaskans in mind and would fully serve the people in a state where aviation is so crucial to our lives. The federal subsidies for rural aviation service should go to a more deserving airline. Bring us another airline, and we will never buy an Alaska Airline ticket again.

Keith & Peggy Carpenter, Juneau