Originally Posted by
fromYYZ_flyer
In regards to the treatment of his service dog, it is absolutely unacceptable to treat any animal, let alone a disabled veteran's service dog in such a manner. However, I have one issue with this story. In his video he mentions he DROVE to the airport to pick up his lost bag. He claims to not be able to read the reservation due to PTSD and brain injuries. Can someone explain how he is able to drive (as I understand) but cannot read a reservation? BTW, the flight schedule is below for his flight. As you can see, it operated everyday except for the 15th. I feel bad for the guy but his story seems very embellished or the details are not correct.
1. You are assuming that he operated the car when he said he drove. I often use the verb "drove" to indicate the method of travel when what I mean is "traveled in a car not necessarily operated by me"
2. With a traumatic brain injury, the ability to do certain things can depend on the person's stress level - part of the job of the service dog is help them manage the stress to remain able to function. I know several brain injury persons who lose the ability to "see" small things in front of them when their stress skyrockets.
3. I thought everybody on FT knew by now what the airlines post isn't always correct. More than once I've seen on airline websites that a flight has landed when it hasn't even taken off. Generally I know it hasn't taken off because the person I'm supposed to pick up is on the phone telling me they are still at the gate waiting for a runway so they can take off, or there's a mechanical delay, or whatever the airline excuse du jour is for being late.
And no matter what anyone feels about those with brain injuries, there is never any excuse for asking someone if they are "retarded" when they ask for help.