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Vietnam Veteran Jerry Meekins on his efforts to change Spirit Airlines’ policies after they initially refused to give him a refund despite his termi...
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All right after buying a ticket on Spirit Airlines my next guest a terminally ill Vietnam War vet was denied a refund.
Actors doctors told them he was not medically cleared to fly now this created an uproar with that.
And Americans all across the country some even called the boycott the airline.
There is some good news to report though the airline CEO seems to have had to change apart here with his story.
That jeering eakins welcome to the show it's great to -- nice to be here thank you very much for inviting me.
And and first and foremost -- -- today I feel good you know you look at -- can be you know.
He is spirits up wrong word and and and -- exactly exactly well let's go over what happened you we're gonna fly on spirit -- bought a ticket.
I've I've purchases -- at taken on March 12.
And net then on March Tony sexton the reason I purchase my daughter was having surgery I was gonna fly up.
Take care -- during recovery.
March 26.
In my -- colleges told me there is nothing else that you do for me -- -- Just come home and enjoy the next couple months you know.
And so I called spirit and I tried to explain to them that you know the situation right it's not like I have ahead colder.
Just wanna get out of -- or something right my immune system was weak and need and you couldn't fly can fly because of the germs.
That might be -- airplane right.
-- -- -- -- Have -- refund the ticket and they told you know what did they say.
They wanted to give -- credit for the future.
-- -- is a joke.
I just adding insult to injury now exactly asset that a guy.
Don't what don't you understand about terminal there is no future.
And I think he just said well I'm sorry -- said well.
Put in my daughter's name she can usually in reverse now we don't do that I -- been donated to new wound to wires.
No we don't do that and that sort of made there and back from my -- stand up ninety -- US for pound I went to Tampa Bay.
News and found this little writer Elizabeth Berman and she did a fabulous job on the first.
Well -- he opened up the gates and you got a huge reaction from vets for -- now -- thousands and thousands.
Yeah and the CEO did turn around what happen well.
In my opinion.
As of Friday morning he was -- is grounds.
But by 330 Friday afternoon he called and apologized to me and said he didn't show enough.
Humanity.
And that he had a media release you wanted to read to me in the what I like to hear and I -- yes so.
It involve the -- gonna personally write a check for my airline ticket -- 97 dollars church.
If it it wasn't about to money.
Right you were offended and deeply and I -- and.
And many says.
And also issue of around trip ticket for your daughter to come down -- see -- -- she's well.
And he says I'm gonna write a check.
Make -- correction please Spirit Airlines or write a check to renew onto our your project which is one of my major.
Concern.
And a great project a great program absolutely true and we're gonna maker for 5000 dollars.
All that impressed me but there had to be pressure from somewhere for that turnaround between AM.
Until 330.
Well is this enough -- you think they've done the right thing have they gone far well I explained it this way that I've won a battle.
But I haven't won a warrior what would be an award -- -- to change their policy.
For terminally ill people at least have one executive available.
To listen to this story and then make a decision.
Not just make a blanket.
Ruling that nobody gets anything and to -- like -- human case you know they're gonna sell it cheap to somebody else -- -- -- twice receipt.
Answering that simple.
Well Gerri thanks for coming on the show tonight we really appreciate you having here.
And telling us about this I know people all over the country.
-- we'll -- -- -- however -- she's a thousand phone calls personally.
-- easily you know and thank you so much for publicizing.
-- needs it and I'm trying to establishment.
Within this -- airlines.
And we want it and tell them about the web site here thank you so much again for more on the wounded warrior project or to donate.
Log on to wounded warrior project dot org it's had a great work.
