Originally Posted by
32767a
Just to be clear, I can't keep up with the current politically correct nomenclature for these sorts of things. I meant no disrespect to the lady who appeared to have vision problems and was accompanied by a service dog. I was under the impression that "handicapped" was more derogatory than "disabled" and apparently I was incorrect.
No you weren't wrong. The correct way is "a person with a disability". There are variations of that. "Handicap" is not derogatory, it's just incorrect. A person has a disability or handicap, they''re not a disabled person.
I also thought I was clear that I was not complaining to the airline, rather I was merely trying to figure out if "this is the way it happens and everyone just has to suck it up" or if a process broke down and/or someone didn't do what they were supposed to do. I do not object to moving to accommodate someone, but my concern is that on a full A/C, the addition of the dog creates a situation where another passenger might have to give up their seat completely. At 12 midnight, that means not getting home until the next day at around noon.
While it was not particularly disruptive in this case, the situation as it played out was very challenging to everyone's good nature and compassion. Particularly on a CRJ200 where there is hardly any 'decent' seating.
If the correct process is to "let it sort itself out on the aircraft" then that's a pretty crappy policy for all involved..
The process broke down somewhere. It was either at check-in or at the gate. What that person did was wrong. People with disabilities are not entitle to any seat. They get what is available. Occasionally, the gate agent might change the seats. One time I did get a changed seat while on the plane, but that ws due to a malfunction of the seat, and was arranged by the FA. I didn't do it myself.