Disabilities.AFreePress.com

11:36 am PT, Monday, Oct 17, 2005
Outrage after airline ejects blind passengers from jet

By Ben Webster. As reported in www.timesonline.co.uk

"RYANAIR was accused a few days ago of ignoring industry practice by ordering nine blind and partially sighted passengers off a plane shortly before take-off. Safety regulators dismissed the budget airline's claim that it was only following safety rules.

The nine passengers had already taken their seats aboard an aircraft due to leave Stansted for Italy when the pilot told them that the flight had exceeded its quota of four disabled people. They were forced to return to the departure lounge and some of the party had to sleep on the floor until the next flight.

The airline told the party they would have to arrange their own accommodation and would not be given any money for food. "

For FT members, I would have to say that this is the most disgusting and inhumane of all in the stories we have heard! There should be some type of reclamation allowed for these unfortunate passengers, and as a matter of course, Ryan Air should be besieged with letters and emails vilifying their behaviour!

I agree.

I do not disagree with the airline not seating them because if a emergency had occured it would have been difficult providing both the disabled and able passengers assistance.I would think that every aircraft and or airline company has a limit set of disabled passengers allowed onboard and that limit is based on safety alone.If the airline was told in advance of the size of the group and denied them seating then they should have compensated them for room and board if they were not told ahead of time then I feel no compensation is coming as it would be the responsibility of whoever put the trip together

For the FTer's who wrote regarding the emergency factors in an airplane would be hampered, due to the number of disabled people on board, is NOT justification to boot them off after being boarded! There are laws that cover such travesties of discriminatory behavior, and folks who are "abled body" should read the rules regulating those of us who not as fortunate as the "abled body"; we truly hope you never have to see the day when you are in some way incapacitated, and the laws then will have to protect you! he following is a partial explanation of the rules for "non-abled body", to wit:

� 382.1 Purpose.
The purpose of this part is to implement the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (49 U.S.C. 41705), which provides that no air carrier may discriminate against any otherwise qualified individual with a disability, by reason of such disability, in the provision of air transportation.

� 382.3 Applicability.
(a) Except as provided in this section, this part applies to all air carriers providing air transportation.

� 382.7 General prohibition of discrimination.
(a) A carrier shall not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other
arrangements:
(1) Discriminate against any otherwise qualified individual with a disability, by
reason of such disability, in the provision of air transportation;
(2) Require a person with a disability to accept special services (including, but not limited to, preboarding) not requested by the passenger;
(3) Exclude a qualified individual with a disability from or deny the person the
benefit of any air transportation or related services that are available to other persons, even if there are separate or different services available for persons with a disability except when specifically permitted by another section of this part; or,
(4) Take any action adverse to an individual because of the individual�s assertion, on his or her own behalf or through or behalf of others, of rights protected by this part or the Air Carrier Access Act.

� 382.31 Refusal of transportation.
(a) Unless specifically permitted by a provision of this part, a carrier shall not
refuse to provide transportation to a qualified individual with a disability on the basis of his or her disability.
(b) A carrier shall not refuse to provide transportation to a qualified individual with a disability solely because the person�s disability results in appearance or
involuntary behavior that may offend, annoy, or inconvenience crewmembers or other passengers.
(c) A carrier shall not refuse to provide transportation to qualified individuals with a disability by limiting the number of such persons who are permitted to travel on a given flight.

But...shouldn't the person that made the arrangements been clear about the disabilies of the passengers? If Ryan Air does have a disabilities clause in their T&C's, just like airlines do about in cabin cats/dogs (only example that I can think of right now), that limits the number, it is the fault of their travel arrangement people. Granted, accomodation should have been provided, but if it's clear in their T&C...

Desiring to ascribe reasonable motivations to the carrier, I will assume the limitation on the number of nonsighted individuals is due to the ability of the crew to help in an emergency and perhaps the impact on the rest of the pax in an emergency. Would you have the airline deputize selected passengers to assist the nonsighted? Would you have them bring up reserve crew at the last minute? Should they sign papers acknowledging they are on their own? Could it be that there can be a practical limitation on accommodating a disability? Just my 2c.

I think a disabled person has just as much right to travel as anyone else. Having to call beforehand, while easy, shouldn't be required. I think that limiting the number on an aircraft should also not be a requirement, unless the number is reasonable. (9 is too low). Signing away our lives so an airline can just leave us in an emergency is the wrong approach. Everyone who boards an aircraft assumes the risk of a crash. Disabled people either have to take the risk, or stay home, signing a paper is not necessary.

An airline, must be responsible for the people it transports. Discriminating should not be allowed. If the airline can't handle it, maybe they shouldn't be in the transport business.

Ryanair has a history of unfortunate policies regarding passengers with disabilities. In 2003 the airline was sued for charging for wheelchair assistance: Ryanair loses disability ruling.

This suit was part of the reason for the recent EU anti-discrimination ruling.

In fact, the airline was advised of the size of the group:
Here you are quoting the Air Carrier Access Act, which only applies to US carriers, so Ryanair does not fall under its jurisdiction.

Unfortunately, there is institutionalized discrimination by many air carriers. Apparelyzed.com has a useful list of airline idiosyncracies for checking out an airline you may be interested in.

It in no way justifies Ryanairs disgusting behavior; but you get what you pay for with these airlines. When you fly BA or another carrier you can expect decent treatment, when you pay bottom class fares you get bottom class service.