WN kicks autistic 3 year-old and family off plane
Aug 23, 2020, 12:47 pm
#106
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,502
DL says "the virtual consultation process with a third-party medical professional could take up to an hour. False claims of a disability or health condition to obtain an exemption from wearing a mask or face covering may result in the suspension of travel privileges on any Delta flight for the duration of the mask/face covering requirement."
130 mask scofflaws banned thus far.
130 mask scofflaws banned thus far.
Aug 23, 2020, 1:02 pm
#107
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
DL says "the virtual consultation process with a third-party medical professional could take up to an hour. False claims of a disability or health condition to obtain an exemption from wearing a mask or face covering may result in the suspension of travel privileges on any Delta flight for the duration of the mask/face covering requirement."
130 mask scofflaws banned thus far.
130 mask scofflaws banned thus far.
Aug 24, 2020, 9:31 pm
#108
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 514
Too bad DL cannot attempt to impose a monetary fine on those who make false claims of a disability or health condition. I think the travel industry is one of the most customer unfriendly industries out there. Back in the good times it was the ongoing fees for everything. Now it is this sort of thing. Continue to drag everyone through the mud travel industry- your recovery will take that much longer.
Aug 24, 2020, 9:37 pm
#109
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Thanks but I don't want to sit 20 inches from someone who is unwilling/unable to wear a mask during a pandemic. The policy seems pretty clear, if you are unable to wear a mask, you should contact the airline before you board and get approval from Southwest management. If you are unwilling, find another form of transportation.
Aug 25, 2020, 9:18 pm
#110
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 514
Thank you for the clarification. I figured the policy was similar to bringing service animals on board. If you need a service animal and can provide medical documentation, accommodations will be found. Surprised Southwest's policy doesn't violate the Americans with Disabilities Act by having to find an accommodation for the few that have true issues with masks. I feel for them, but glad when packed close together, that paxs have to wear masks.
Aug 25, 2020, 11:45 pm
#111
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
Thank you for the clarification. I figured the policy was similar to bringing service animals on board. If you need a service animal and can provide medical documentation, accommodations will be found. Surprised Southwest's policy doesn't violate the Americans with Disabilities Act by having to find an accommodation for the few that have true issues with masks. I feel for them, but glad when packed close together, that paxs have to wear masks.
Aug 25, 2020, 11:57 pm
#112
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
Thank you for the clarification. I figured the policy was similar to bringing service animals on board. If you need a service animal and can provide medical documentation, accommodations will be found. Surprised Southwest's policy doesn't violate the Americans with Disabilities Act by having to find an accommodation for the few that have true issues with masks. I feel for them, but glad when packed close together, that paxs have to wear masks.
The ADA doesn't actually apply to air travel on board, the relevant legislation is the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The ACAA allows carriers to deny travel to a disabled passenger if it's unsafe to do so. Not wearing a mask during the pandemic presents an unsafe situation. It's a controversial position, but I suspect Southwest's high-paid legal team feels strongly that it's defensible.
(Oh, and trained service animals don't actually require documentation, you're thinking of Emotional Support Animals. It's a confusing but important distinction.)
Aug 27, 2020, 5:55 am
#113
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,506
I suspect the same, or at the very least, they anticipate the amount of any legal settlements/judgements would be well below the extra revenue they can make by being seen as safe. I know I wouldn't be flying without a fairly strong mask mandate on a plane.
Aug 27, 2020, 11:25 am
#114
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
The problem here is that carriers are constrained from actually determining whether an animal is a "service animal" or an "emotional support animal" and many people especially people who want to fly with Fluffy conflate the two and even dress up their pets in vests saying "service animal".
Aug 27, 2020, 1:12 pm
#115
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,286
The problem here is that carriers are constrained from actually determining whether an animal is a "service animal" or an "emotional support animal" and many people especially people who want to fly with Fluffy conflate the two and even dress up their pets in vests saying "service animal".