Newsstand - Blind Passenger Wants Apology

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/600/42/374958.htm

Pavel Obiukh, a legally blind, disabled rights activist denied boarding on an S7 flight last month, demanded on Monday that the airline change its rules on disabled passengers and issue him a public apology or face a lawsuit.
S7, the second-largest airline in Russia, said it had only acted according to the law when it refused to fly Obiukh from Moscow to Kazan on Feb. 18.

S7, the second-largest airline in Russia, said it had only acted according to the law when it refused to fly Obiukh from Moscow to Kazan on Feb. 18.

Typical response. :td:

Thank goodness the US doesn't feel the same way about the disabled.

Thank goodness the US doesn't feel the same way about the disabled.

Yeah, I agree. I'm sure airlines need to taking own responsibilities to help with blind or deaf passengers to allowed onboard the aircraft. I'm ensure they doesn't have anymore problems at all. They need to get assistance with wheelchair or disability persons.

The federal regulations say an airline is only required to carry a legally blind passenger if informed in writing about the condition in advance.

Really, how difficult is it to accommodate a blind passenger on a flight? What exactly would the airline have done if they were notified in advance. I'm assuming he would need assistance from an agent down the runway and to his seat on the plane. Period. Why is that so hard?

Hmmm....

The laws, as explained in the article, certainly seem from the dark ages. I've seen cane-only blind travelers in the US get along fine with very minimal assistance.

However, the fact that he issued a press release before the plane even took off makes me think he might not have been extremely proactive and cooperative through the episode.

I agree with the bottom line of the article - the laws and rules should certainly be updated.