[nagdu] Access Denied on Airline

[Michael Hingson]

Hi Miranda,

While small aircraft do create challenges you should have not been denied.
The law is clear.

I will consult with Marion on this and we will talk with you as well as
determine what actions we wish to take.  While litigation is always tempting
the ACAA does not give much room for this in most cases.  The law is a bit
murky as the ACAA does not cover remedial rights.  However, let us talk and
go from there.

Feel free to call me if you wish to talk, (415) 827-4084.  You are in the
right. 


Best,


Michael Hingson
Vice President, NAGDU

The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
"Speaking with Vision"
Michael Hingson, President
(415) 827-4084
info at michaelhingson.com
To order Michael Hingson's new book, Running With Roselle, and check on
Michael Hingson's speaking availability for your next event please visit:
www.michaelhingson.com
 
To purchase your own portrait of Roselle painted by the world's foremost
animal artist, Ron Burns, please visit http://www.ronburns.com/roselle

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Miranda Morse via
nagdu
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2015 3:02 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] Access Denied on Airline

Hello All, 

Flying home yesterday from Chicago O'hare airport I was denied access to fly
home on AirChoice One. I fly with this airline frequently because they are a
small airport in my town and I travel monthly. The first time I flew with
them I had had an issue but I was able to resolve it rather quickly and I
was able to catch my flight. 

Yesterday first the flight desk attendant demanded that I show her my guide
dog's paperwork. For 30 minutes we disagreed with her and tried to tell her
that they were not required, she made several calls to her supervisor and
other locations of AirChoice One and then they finally found out that they
could not require such paperwork. Then they denied us access because they
said their was another service animal already checked in for the flight.
They say that their baggage of carry policy says that only one animal can be
transported at a time. This is a very small airline and their planes have
only 8 passenger seats. So one hour later we had missed our flight. We tried
to contact their corporate office but because it was late Friday night their
was no one their, once again due to them being a small airline.  Their
policy does say that they are to offer the next available flight to
passengers when this occurs but there was only 1 seat available the next
day. So since we were only 4 hours from home we rented a car and drove home.
They did not even offer to accommodate us in a hotel. 

What steps do I need to take to be reimbursed for the flight tickets and
expenses of renting a car. Also what do I need to do to get this policy
changed in their airline so I do not have to ever have this happen again or
have it happen to someone else.  Is their policy legal. 

Any suggestions and assistance is greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance. 

Miranda 



_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/info%40michaelhingson.com