A few weeks ago I returned from my hunt in Zimbabwe aboard Delta Flt 201. On hour after leaving O Tambo a man on the flight suffered a heart attack. The flight crew went into action, enlisted on board medical staff and assisted with emergency care. Sadly, the gentleman expired. We returned to joberg, where the deceased and his family we deplaned. The crew handled this very uncomfortable situation wit great professionalism and respect for the remains and the survivors.

The flight crew had to vote whether to continue the flight which would have taken them over their time in air, it had to be unanimous to continue, it was. Imagine the time delay if a new crew had to be located.

After refueling, the flight departed five hours late. The flight crew not only performed their duties very well but maintained a positive attitude in spite of some incredibly callus and stupid comments by a few of the passengers.

Unbelievably, an hour and a half before arrival in Atlanta, another man suffered a fatal medical event. Again the the flight crew responded professionally, managed the situation with grace and care.

I am now a confirmed Delta customer.

From a medical stand point Delta was great to me. Last summer when returning on Flt 201 I had a medical emergency. They quickly got all the medical staff that was flying on the plane to help and had all the supplies to get an IV started. They made an emergency landing in Puerto Rico where I was taken to the hospital where a Delta reprsentive was there waiting. (BTW I do not recommend any hospitals in Puerto Rico). He came by several times for the 5 days I was in the hospital. When flying out he and his supervisor met me at the airport and put me in one of the economy comfort seats.

Had something similar happen to me on a takeoff once, just as we started a man stood up and had a heart attack. They were able to shut down prior to leaving the ground.

What are the odds of two fatalities on one flight? I log about 80K-100K air miles a year and I've never seen a single medical emergency.

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Originally posted by Fjold:
What are the odds of two fatalities on one flight? I log about 80K-100K air miles a year and I've never seen a single medical emergency.

About the same odds as being mauled by both a grizzley bear and a polar bear in the same day!!

Having had a passenger die on one of my flights, I totally understand what went on. I won't even try to figure the odds. For me it was once in 33 years as an airline captain. That was indeed enough. Other medical emergencies pale to that one. My hats off to that Delta crew!

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Originally posted by David Culpepper:
From a medical stand point Delta was great to me. Last summer when returning on Flt 201 I had a medical emergency. They quickly got all the medical staff that was flying on the plane to help and had all the supplies to get an IV started. They made an emergency landing in Puerto Rico where I was taken to the hospital where a Delta reprsentive was there waiting. (BTW I do not recommend any hospitals in Puerto Rico). He came by several times for the 5 days I was in the hospital. When flying out he and his supervisor met me at the airport and put me in one of the economy comfort seats.

I think I was on that flight with you. My friend was one of the nurses that helped you. Glad it turned out for you!

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Originally posted by Trapper Tom:

quote:

Originally posted by David Culpepper:
From a medical stand point Delta was great to me. Last summer when returning on Flt 201 I had a medical emergency. They quickly got all the medical staff that was flying on the plane to help and had all the supplies to get an IV started. They made an emergency landing in Puerto Rico where I was taken to the hospital where a Delta reprsentive was there waiting. (BTW I do not recommend any hospitals in Puerto Rico). He came by several times for the 5 days I was in the hospital. When flying out he and his supervisor met me at the airport and put me in one of the economy comfort seats.

I think I was on that flight with you. My friend was one of the nurses that helped you. Glad it turned out for you!

Thank your friend for me and I hope the delay getting into Atlanta did not mess up your travel plans too badly.

I will do that. No problem with the travel plans. We all got back that day, just a little later.

I neglected to mention the outstanding job the support staff on the ground did getting folks rescheduled on connecting flights from Atlanta to their final destinations. It was a constant moving line through the process and absolutely no snags. Truly great service!