News: Wheelchair athlete banned from plane 'because he couldn't walk'
Apr 30, 2010, 2:38 pm
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DEN
Posts: 1,962
News: Wheelchair athlete banned from plane 'because he couldn't walk'
One of Britain's top wheelchair athletes was prevented from travelling to a race after an airline said he would have to walk up steps to board.
Jun 5, 2010, 12:55 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Florida
Programs: Delta frequent flyer Gold Medallion Status
Posts: 876
Katja, Is this legal? It seems as if it would not be legal in the US. It is outrageous, but I appreciate the notification. It is an airline I will certainly avoid using.
Jun 8, 2010, 8:52 am
#3
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DEN
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382.95 What are carriers’ general obligations with respect to boarding and deplaning assistance? At U.S. airports with 10,000 or more annual enplanements, boarding assistance must be provided through the use of lifts or ramps, where level-entry boarding is not otherwise available
382.97 To which aircraft does the requirement to provide boarding and deplaning assistance through the use of lifts apply? At U.S. airports where lift or ramp boarding is required, the requirement applies to aircraft with 19 or more passenger seats, with a few stated exceptions. The Department reserves the option to expand the list of aircraft to which the requirement does not apply, if we determine that there is no model of boarding device on the market that will accommodate the aircraft without a significant risk of serious damage to the aircraft or injury to persons, or that there are internal barriers in the aircraft that would preclude passengers who use a boarding or aisle chair from reaching a non-exit row seat.
Carriers may require passengers needing lift assistance for boarding to check in for the flight an hour before the standard check-in time for the flight.
I'd like to see airlines observing the spirit of the law, not just the letter.
Jun 9, 2010, 12:59 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Florida
Programs: Delta frequent flyer Gold Medallion Status
Posts: 876
I agree. I think it is outrageous that this young man experienced this discrimination. I probably need to educate myself more about airline regulations. I tend to rely too much on the ADA and expect similar protections when I travel.