[nagdu] NFB and Airlines

Thu Oct 28 01:34:30 UTC 2010

Hello Catherine and everyone,

    The NFB was instrumental in helping to pass the Air Carrier Access Act 
in the 1980s but we went farther concerning the seating of blind passengers 
in exit rows. There was a piece of legislation dealing specifically with 
that issue. Unfortunately that legislation failed to pass which was 
unfortunate. Perhaps the time has come for us to "Ramp up" our virulence and 
demand that airline personnel receive proper training in how to treat blind 
passengers and push for tougher compliance with the regulations of the ACAA.

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cathryn Bonnette" <cathrynisfinally at verizon.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 6:29 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] NFB and Airlines

Peter, and All

I believe the airlines will continue to do exactly what NFB and related
groups allow them to get away with. Why not? They face no actual
consequences.

JMHO

Cathryn Bonnette

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Peter Donahue
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 4:50 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] NFB and Airlines

Good afternoon everyone,

    In the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s we've had various airline and

airtravel regulatory officials at our national conventions. The
receptiveness of these individuals to our concerns was mixed at best. If you

can get your hands on them listen to recordings from the 1978, 1983, 1984,
1985, 1986, 1987, and the 1988 national conventions; 1986 in particular. The

entire afternoon session on the first day of general sessions was taken up
with matters related to the airlines. Dr. Jernigan's reaction, and that of
others to the way we were treated by some of the airline officials to our
concerns with  quite disgusting. Dr. Jernigan was so angry that we didn't
have a closing door prize that afternoon. I know because I was there.

    I find it sad to think that despite passage of the Air Carrier Access
Act which has been in force since 1986 we're hearing about an alarming
number of cases of mistreatment of the blind and other disabled individuals
by the nation's airlines. It's no wonder some of us are looking for
alternatives to traveling on the flying bus. Perhaps the airlines need a
reminder that we didn't go away and will take additional action to end the
abuse of blind passengers by them.

Peter Donahue

  ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chasity Jackson" <chasityvanda at charter.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 2:22 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] US Airways Responds To Criticism From
DisabledPassengers

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=V
IcPW/3mzmqUWYQrnCud/KWmoOjUm3RCzpLcNm+02MI%3D>http://www.wusa9.com/news/loca
l/story.aspx?storyid=117192&catid=158&GID=VIcPW/3mzmqUWYQrnCud/KWmoOjUm3RCzp
LcNm+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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