[NAGDU] FW: [Njagdu] Blind woman and guide dog kicked off American Airline flight

[Marsha Drenth]

Hi list, 
I have seen this story all over facebook and other guide dog related lists. I agree, AA should be apologizing to this person, but an apology is just that. They should be doing more. I can't believe that this has happened, but I can't believe all of the other times guide dog handlers have troubles on various airlines either. So as I am sure this person is making complaints, and further legal actions. She should not be the only one to fight this battle. This is a battle for everyone. So what are you going to do about? Whether or not you think what the airline did was right or wrong, whether or not you think the handler was in the right or wrong, the fact of the matter is that this type of situation has been happening more and more. This one just sparked alot of news. Again, my question is not directed at anyone in particular, it includes me, everyone, all guide dog handlers. What are we going to do about it? 


Marsha drenth  
email: marsha.drenth at gmail.com  
Sent with my IPhone  
Please note that this email communication has been sent using my iPhone. As such, I may have used dictation and had made attempts to mitigate errors. Please do not be hesitant to ask for clarification as necessary. 

> On Mar 16, 2017, at 10:56 AM, Tracy Carcione via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I wonder, as airlines have started charging for sitting in the bulkhead, if
> it will be harder to switch to sit there.  I don't care myself, but some do.
> 
> Tracy
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> From: NJAGDU [mailto:njagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ginger Kutsch
> via NJAGDU
> Sent: Monday, March 13, 2017 9:41 PM
> To: New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Ginger Kutsch
> Subject: [Njagdu] Blind woman and guide dog kicked off American Airline
> flight
> 
> 
> 
> Blind woman and guide dog kicked off American Airline flight 
> 
> Samantha York, WLBZ 7:24 PM. EDT March 13, 2017
> 
> Video at
> http://www.wlbz2.com/news/local/blind-woman-and-service-dog-kicked-off-ameri
> can-airlines-flight/422219883
> 
> 
> 
> FRANKLIN, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- After requesting a different seat -- Sue
> Martin, who is blind, and her service dog were kicked off of an American
> Airlines
> 
> flight -- she said the pilot claimed she was a "danger to the flight".
> 
> 
> 
> Sue Martin of Franklin has had her seeing eye dog, Quan, for the past year.
> She depends on him to navigate through her daily life. Martin had never run
> 
> into an incident like this before her most recent trip to San Diego. There
> were several connecting flights -- all of which went smoothly until her
> connector
> 
> flight from Washington DC to Dallas. She requested a different seat on the
> aircraft after she saw it would not accommodate her service dog. "There was
> not enough room for a 75 pound dog and three adult humans" Martin said.The
> two were asked to step off of the plane after several requests were made to
> change seats. "The man said, you have to leave the plane -- I asked him why
> and he said the crew had decided I was a danger to the flight" Martin said.
> "I've
> 
> never had anything happen like this before". Martin claims there was no
> altercation between she and the flight attendants and that she couldn't
> understand why it escalated the way it did. 
> 
> 
> 
> She was traveling with her husband as well -- they had to re-book their
> flight with a completely different airline at a different airport. "I stood
> up, reached for Quan's harness and almost began to cry -- this is just so
> far out of the realm of anything I have ever experienced in all my years of
> travel" Martin said. "I felt helpless, I felt afraid, I was terrified.
> 
> 
> 
> Martin filed three separate complaints with the Airline -- it says it will
> be investigating the matter. NEWS CENTER reached out to the airline as well,
> a spokesperson said "We take all disability complaints very seriously, and
> are thoroughly investigating these allegations".
> 
> 
> 
> Martin stated she's worried about traveling with the airline in the future,
> especially if she is alone.
> 
> 
> 
> "Some reassurance that American will better train its personnel is the only
> way I will feel comfortable getting on another American Airlines flight"
> Martin said. "I mean if they can kick a blind person off a plane whose dog
> is perfectly behaved, what can they do next? I don't know".
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> <Untitled attachment 00016.txt>
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