[nagdu] US Airways Responds To Criticism From Disabled Passengers

[Chasity Jackson]

I went on the website and read a comment. There is one comment there from a 
lady that said, "Then if something happens, they sue the airline. Maybe they 
should have "rent-a-companion" for people who need help. What a stupid 
uninformed person.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Passle Helminski" <passle at roadrunner.com>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2010 4:08 PM
Subject: [nagdu] US Airways Responds To Criticism From Disabled Passengers


> >
>><http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=117192&catid=158&GID=VIcPW/3mzmqUWYQrnCud/KWmoOjUm3RCzpLcNm+02MI%3D>http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=117192&catid=158&GID=VIcPW/3mzmqUWYQrnCud/KWmoOjUm3RCzpLcNm+02MI%3D
>>
>>US Airways Responds To Criticism From Disabled Passengers
>>
>>A US Airways employee allegedly deemed the frequent business traveler "too 
>>disabled to fly" without an assistant. And apparently, that wasn't an 
>>isolated case.
>>
>>"This is a flat out issue of civil rights," said Johnnie Tuitel. He has 
>>cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, but that hasn't kept Tuitel from 
>>logging half a million miles of business travel on airlines. But on a 
>>recent flight, a US Airways employee removed Tuitel from his seat and told 
>>him he was "too disabled to fly alone."
>>
>>"We're sitting together on the plane, something happens. Are you going to 
>>help me? Of course you will," said Tuitel.
>>
>>US Airways has a policy that requires passengers with severe mobility 
>>impairments to travel with someone to help them evacuate in the event of 
>>an emergency.
>>
>>"Well we passed the civil rights law, the Americans with Disabilities Act, 
>>20 years ago, but that doesn't change attitudes overnight," said Andy 
>>Imparato, the President and CEO of the American Association of People with 
>>Disabilities.
>>
>>"I was furious. And I was angry," said Jim Dickson. He was so upset 
>>because a similar incident happened to him, also on US Airways. Blind, 
>>Dickson always travels with his service dog, Pierson. They flew from DC to 
>>Charlotte without a hitch. But after boarding the next flight, he was told 
>>to get off.
>>
>>"It's just infuriating. And I basically don't fly USAir anymore," said 
>>Dickson.
>>
>>Luckily, he'd packed the paperwork three US Airways agents told him he 
>>wouldn't need -- verification that Pierson is a service dog and up to date 
>>on his shots. Dickson was eventually allowed to return to his seat and fly 
>>to his destination.
>>
>>Written by Andrea McCarren
>>9NEWS NOW & wusa9.com
>
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