opinion
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE by Larry Pempeit
H
aving a disability, I, personally, have found airline travel to be challenging and not that pleasant an experience. With increased security, less airline staff to help you, more regulations, and a host of other inconveniences, I recently found another challenge that is really
getting my goat! In January I booked a return flight on Air Canada to go to Houston, Texas, as part of a vacation/cruise. Normally I book online and then go through the medical desk—because I use a power wheelchair I need to get their permission to fly. I also need to make arrangements through them if I expect my attendant to fly at the discounted rate. When I spoke with staff at the Air Canada medical desk I was asked for the dimensions of my wheelchair: 36” tall, 35” long, and 26” wide. I was then told I couldn’t fly on the jet on which I was booked—an Embraer 190 (E90), a 93-seat, narrow-body plane. I was told the maximum height of my wheelchair had to be 34 inches. When I asked if they could tilt the wheelchair on its back wheels to go through the luggage door, I
was told they would not tilt the wheelchair, lay the wheelchair on its side, or manipulate it in any way. A further explanation given was that they have had too many damage issues with power chairs. I was told I would need to take another flight on a larger plane. The problem with taking another flight was that I would have to transfer in another city which created a greater hardship for me, as well as a substantial time difference. Their solution was completely unsuitable for me. I took my complaint to the Canadian Transportation Agency to see if they could help resolve the situation. They did a great job of mediating between me and Air Canada. In the end, I was able to book onto one of Air Canada’s Alliance partners, Continental Airlines, for a direct flight to Houston. In my opinion, I think Air Canada has a responsibility to me and other individuals who have disabilities, to offer the same opportunities to travel with them that they provide to the general public. If they are unable to do so because the aircraft is inadequate or inappropriate, then they should be responsible for finding me alternate transportation. Why should I have to hunt for an alternate airline and possibly pay a premium price? In far too many cases, airlines are providing shoddy treatment to people with disabilities. We’re paying good money like everyone else. It’s time we started to push back. At least that’s my opinion.
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