Wheelchair damage – or the potential for it – is something that many air travelers face every time they board a plane. And although we can’t totally stop the damage (wouldn’t that be nice?) we can enact regulations regarding how airlines report such damage, so consumers can choose the airline with the best record. Continue reading
Tag Archives: DOT
UAL to Implement Measures to Improve Service for Disabled Passengers
As the result of a consent decree executed on Jan 7, 2016, United Airlines (UAL) is required to invest $650,000 to improve their services for disabled passengers. The decree resulted from an investigation of passenger complaints of a failure to enplane, deplane and transfer wheelchair-users in a timely manner at Houston International Airport , Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Denver International Airport, Newark International Airport, and Dulles International Airport. Continue reading
Should Airline Access Be Improved? Tell the DOT What You Think
The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released a “notice of intent” to explore the feasibility of conducting a negotioted rulemaking in regards to several items covered under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Basically they are testing the waters to see if there is enough public interest in updating certain parts of the ACAA to improve access to air travel for disabled passengers. Continue reading
A Denied Boarding at LAX
Although we don’t have very many denied boardings to disabled travelers these days, they do happen. And since it happened to a friend at LAX yesterday, I thought it might be a good time to go over what you should do if it happens to you. Continue reading
DOT Fines More Airlines
Reply
Well the Department of Transportation (DOT) has certainly been busy this year; as they recently levied fines against two more airlines for non-compliance with the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Continue reading
United Airlines Chimes in on Wheelchair Policy
As the busy holiday travel season is upon us, I thought I’d post a follow-up to my “Don?t Believe Everything Airline Employees Say” blog. As you recall, a friend of mine was horrified when an OKC gate agent informed her that a new policy would soon require wheelchair-users to retrieve and recheck their wheelchairs at all connecting cities.
My Public Comments on Accessible Airline Websites and Airport Kiosks
I thought I?d post the comments that I submitted to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding the proposed regulations on the accessibility of airline and ticket agent websites and airport kiosks. Not because it’s compelling reading, but because I wanted to show you how easy it is to write them. Granted I’m a writer and that’s what I do; however I fully well recognize that writing can be a chore for many people.
But it doesn’t have to be — again, my comments are very simple and straightforward. And yours can be too. Continue reading