Citing an investigation that uncovered “numerous serious violations” over a four-year period involving passengers with disabilities, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced today it has fined American Airlines $50 million. The violations included instances of “unsafe physical assistance that at times resulted in injuries and undignified treatment of wheelchair users, in addition to repeated failures to provide prompt wheelchair assistance,” according to the DOT.
This looks like another government solution to a non-existent problem. I have flown the airlines since the 1960s, long before the horrible ADA law was passed, and have never seen anything other than the best treatment of people with real disabilities by airlines, ground personnel, and fellow passengers. Now, if a grossly overweight passenger demands to fly with her therapy dog/cat/pig, they will probably not enjoy the experience.
So, you think the ADA is horrible. I wonder if your opinion might change if you were suddenly disabled? YOU have never seen anything other than the best treatment … I guess that puts the matter to rest, doesn’t it? How do you explain the Thousands of missing wheelchairs? And what do you think those handicapped passengers should do?
I have limited disability and can walk short distances—- I need, and value, wheelchair assistance at airports.
Airlines outsource wheelchair assistance which is where the system falls apart. Fining an airline fifty million enriches the government but doesn’t solve the problem.
I’ve frequently been abandoned by wheelchair pushers. On one American flight, I was pushed down the jetway and told to stand, but the aircraft door was closed. The pusher needed the wheelchair for somebody else wanted me out of it so he could go back up to the boarding area to assist someone else. I was in pain — did I complain? No, but to whom?
It sucks not being independent and needing wheelchair assistance. But the help is appreciated and it’s necessary. However, there are obviously a lot of malingerers who request wheelchair assistance so they can pre-board. That screws it up.for everyone else.
“U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement, “The era of tolerating poor treatment of airline passengers with disabilities is over.”"
Funny how the same government never recognizes their own poor treatment of veterans with disabilities. Hell, if you want to receive dehumanizing treatment, just try and deal directly with the FAA.