Travelers with Disabilities Continue Complaints about Airlines

posted on Mar 10 by in the Disability Discrimination, Disability Law, Disability News, Health, Healthcare, Wheelchair Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessibility Laws category

Disabled air traveler

Even though federal regulations are in place to make sure that travelers with disabilities can take advantage of air travel with the medical equipment they need, many travelers are finding that airlines and other travel companies are refusing service and violating their rights. Complaints against airlines made by disabled passengers went up 22 percent in 2009, according to the United States Department of Transportation.

The complaints have concerned many different problems with flying with disabilities. Airlines are refusing to let disabled travelers who use medical equipment board planes, change flights, and often make air travel inconvenient or impossible for many travelers with disabilities, despite letters from doctors and compliance with federal regulations.

Part of the problem is incomplete and confusing federal guidelines for travel with medical equipment. While the federal government has set standards for portable medical equipment to allow users to travel via airplane, the stickers that show that a piece of medical equipment passes federal standards have not been made available to those who need them. This forces airline passengers with disabilities to present letters from their doctors and medical equipment manufacturers several times during travel.

Often the airline companies have their own regulations that are not fully integrated with federal regulations. Even if passengers contact the airline before they travel to make sure they are complying with the airline’s portable medical equipment regulations, they will often be refused boarding and be forced to endure repeated inspections of equipment that can cause dangerous delays.

While a delay in travel may not be a major problem for individuals without physical disabilities, it can present a serious health issue and embarassment for travelers with disabilities.

2 Comments

Belinda Bell, posted this comment on May 4th, 2011

I was on a flight that was rerouted due to bad weather. We touched down in Chattanoga Tennessee. The night supervisor was past rude. My Bi-Pap machine was missing. He stated he had bigger problems and that wasn’t any of his concern. My prayer is that none of these inconsiderate people ever have to suffer with disabilities because they may be the ones that can’t handle thier short comings.

J, posted this comment on Apr 28th, 2012

Many problems with Continental last year & the year before. I ended up having to fly without my (physical) service dog (& suffered greatly due to it). Continental didn”t know their own policies or what vet papers (assisting I needed many I did not & didn”t have time to get)! I called many days ahead. At all meals/snacks, food I am allergic to was offered to me (aka put right in my face), even though I had requested a special meal (& said why). There was no alt (like promised), so my bloodsugar issues had some fun. I recieve NO assistance as requested & strangers actually had to help me with backage both in cabin & airport & getting seated. In the airport, travel carts whizzed by me as I stubbled & struggled to my gates (finally lassoing my bags to me with my jacket as to pull them). The only employee who was helpful at all was a booking agent who made me have 1 less stop for the same ticket price to save me more hassel. I was very greatful to him.

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