Disability Travel - US Airways agent removes wheelchair-using passenger

http://barrierfreetravels.com/serendipity/archives/603-US-Airways-Boots-Wheelchair-User.html#extended

We hear about airline denied boardings all the time in Asia, Africa, Australia and (thanks to easyJet) the UK; but they don't happen all that often in the US. Why? Well quite simply, because we have the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), a piece of civil rights legislation that specifically prohibits such discriminatory behavior. But apparently a US Airways gate agent in West Palm Beach missed the "special needs" day in training; as he recently forced wheelchair-user Johnnie Tuitel to deplane.

News reports:
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=135336&catid=2
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/10/avid_grand_rapids_traveler_who.html

Other commentary:
http://www.petergreenberg.com/b/Too-Disabled-To-Fly-US-Airways-Boots-Disabled-Traveler/-744554105016671631.html

I don't understand what all the fuss is about?

It has been standard practice for years now with airlines such as KLM, Air France, Air New Zealand, Qantas and a couple of others that they will not fly unaccompanied disabled passengers. I know Paralympic athletes who have been refused flights by these airlines because they were travelling alone. Why the fuss now over US Airways?

There is another thread about this : http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/newsstand/1137247-passenger-airline-said-im-too-disabled-fly-alone.html

HiltonP,

It is not standard practice in the US, nor should it be.

I understand that . . . but all of the airlines I quoted fly into, and out of, the US and transport US citizens . . . yet nothing is said about their discriminatory practices.

I understand that . . . but all of the airlines I quoted fly into, and out of, the US and transport US citizens . . . yet nothing is said about their discriminatory practices.

When they fly into and out of the US they must comply with the ACAA.

I don't know why you don't hear more about those airlines and their practices. It could be because:

1. Those of us with disabilities do not fly internationally much AND post on FT about it. and/or;

2. The US and EU laws are similar so the experience is pretty much the same. However, there have been plenty of complaints in this forum about airlines from OZ. (I don't remember if Qantas was one of them or not.)