[nfb-talk] Blind Man Asked To Give Up Cane On AA Flight

David Evans drevans at bellsouth.net
Thu Oct 21 14:51:26 UTC 2010


Dear All,

I have had airline people try to take my cane before and I tell them that it 
is not a weapon, but a tool that lets me travel and FAA regulations 
specfically say that I do not have to give it up, but I do need to secure it 
for take off and landings.  I secure it either in the pocket on the back of 
the seat in front of me or the overhead bin or clipping it to some secure 
part of my seat where it can not go flying off in a crash.
I have never given up my cane and if they want to call their supervisor or 
security, let them and I will talk to them and then call my lawyer and file 
suit.  That is usually enough to send them away.  I always make sure I get 
their name first to tell my lawyer.

David Evans, NFBf  and GD Jack.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Hingson" <info at michaelhingson.com>
To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 12:11 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Blind Man Asked To Give Up Cane On AA Flight


Since the cane must go through Security before he boarded the aircraft
security is not an issue.


The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
"Speaking with Vision"
Michael Hingson, President
(415) 827-4084
info at michaelhingson.com
www.michaelhingson.com


for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit:
http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com




-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Judy Jones
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 8:49 PM
To: qubit; NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Blind Man Asked To Give Up Cane On AA Flight

I agree, and not knowing if there are any other secondary disabilities.

Judy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "qubit" <lauraeaves at yahoo.com>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 8:34 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Blind Man Asked To Give Up Cane On AA Flight


I am wondering if there is some security issue with carrying a white cane,
that might look like it contains a concealed weapon -- or is a weapon.  That
is the only reason I would pardon the flight attendants for trying to
confiscate it.  As for the wheelchair, I think this person should have
objected to that as much as the white cane -- if he was wheeled onto the
plane in one of those chairs, he not only might be confused as being
sighted, but also as being nonambulatory.  There are those of us who indeed
do need a wheelchair.  I think I would not like the ambulatory crowd using a
finite supply of airline transport chairs.
Just a thought.
--le

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Judy Jones" <jtj1 at cableone.net>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 9:14 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Blind Man Asked To Give Up Cane On AA Flight


Hi,

In reading this story, I wonder about this gentleman's skills and adapting
to blindness; nevertheless, he should not be discriminated against.  I do
believe though, that when you look and act independent and know what you're
doing, people are going to, more or less, assume you do.  When you have
control over your actions, some control of the environment, or at least
gather the info to give you life control wherever you are, people will be
less likely to feel put-upon.  I've always told my daughters, when possible,
to "take control of your environment."  That means some planning, some
thinking ahead of what you might need or questions you need to ask, or how
you want to react or respond.

Judy
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Buddy Brannan" <buddy at brannan.name>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 8:17 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Blind Man Asked To Give Up Cane On AA Flight


Why am I not surprised that it was American?

It's the '80's all over again.

Apparently, someone isn't familiar with the Air Carrier Access Act. There's
no reason he should have given up his cane, none at all. This makes me
angry. If we hear the "safety concern" thing one more time. ...
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY



On Oct 20, 2010, at 9:55 AM, John Heim wrote:

> http://kdka.com/local/blind.man.flight.2.1971310.html
> A blind man was told if he tried to use his cane he'd be removed from a
> flight and arrested and now he's asking for an apology.
>
> Bill Diamond is legally blind and sees nothing from his left eye and
> shadows from his right eye. He lost his sight 15 years ago due to
> diabetes.
>
> He's a Navy veteran and spent 13 years in the service. It was on a recent
> trip to a special veterans school in Chicago to learn how to use a talking
> computer where he ran into real trouble on an American Airlines flight.
>
> "American Airlines just wants customers who can see - it's not going to be
> a burden to them," he said. "Anybody with a disability is going to be a
> burden to American Airlines."
>
> Diamond caught his flight to Chicago out of Pittsburgh. He was brought to
> the plane in a wheelchair. He got on board using his cane and was told he
> had to give it up even though it was folded up.
>
> "I says, 'I need my cane.'
>
> "She goes, 'Sir, if you refuse to give up your cane, I will have no
> alternative but to call security,'" Diamond recalled.
>
> Faced with possible arrest, Diamond gave up the cane, sat on a nearly
> two-hour flight unable to get up and move around even though he needed to
> use the bathroom.
>
> "The stewardess acted like, 'Oh no, not another disabled person on my
> flight,'" he said.
>
> On his way back from Chicago, Diamond flew United. They had no problem
> with his cane. He used it to get to the men's room. He says it gave him
> his dignity back and his freedom.
>
> "That's my independence, that's my mode of travel, that's how I learned to
> travel being visually impaired," Diamond said. "They're taking something
> from me that I've learned to use."
>
> KDKA's Marty Griffin spoke with American Airlines Monday. They said they
> were investigating the matter and offered no further comment.
>
> Griffin could find no evidence indicating the use of a folding cane on a
> flight is determined to be against the policy of any airline.
>
> (© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
>
>
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> nfb-talk mailing list
> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
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