Flying Has Become Hell for Passengers with Wheelchairs
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2024
- For millions of wheelchair users, flying on an airplane means undergoing a series of indignities, and sometimes even dealing with a broken chair upon arrival. VICE News rides along with one traveler to see the nightmare firsthand.
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As a permanently disabled person from birth, who sometimes has to use a chair, I am dismayed this piece doesn’t also address what happens to a wheelchair used once they board the plane. How do you think we go to the bathroom? The agony and humiliation doesn’t end with once our seat belt is fastened.
So, don't travel. The world owes you nothing and you are very narcissistic in thinking that everyone should adjust to you and serve you. Everyone is dealing with their own life and problems, and it's no one's fault that you've unlucky in health. I have spinal and mental health problems, so what? That does not give me privileges to demand that others serve me and adapt the world to my needs, I am the one that must take care of my own needs.
Yeah, I saw a clip about this last week. I was also hoping that they would address this in the video as it really highlights just how serious and unacceptable the issue really is.
@Edith so the ADA is about narcissism lol?
@edith so you’re anti-equality? Also, this isn’t a demand to be served it’s actually less than than. WC users want more autonomy and independence. They’d rather not have multiple people transfer them and hope their chairs make it safe. This is asking for equality, not extras
@@Edith.G.G. Wait til Edith gets sick, wait til Edith gets old and frail. And needs many support services to look after her. Watch how her UGLY , SELFISH voice turns to one of need , and empathy and Compassion. Watch How sorry she is , admitting how STUPID & PATHETIC she was.
Watch how that funny old lady eats up her thoughtless, carefree words....
When my wheelchair was broken by Air Canada in September, I posted a video on social media about how I felt. I was angry, devastated and in tremendous pain, sitting in a temporary loaner chair from the airport after hours of problem solving. That video of me in the blue t-shirt sobbing was never the video I aimed to make. I wanted to simply hold the airline accountable, and I couldn't imagine how all this injustice could happen and that I was somehow supposed to just accept it. The second I hit record, all this emotion and stress just came pouring out of me. I posted the video anyways, hoping it might help create some awareness about how people with disabilities are treated in the air travel industry. It's been months now since my story went viral, I only just received my wheelchair replacement last week, and we have heard more stories of the exact same horrible treatment happening to people with disabilities everywhere. Our stories matter, our lives matter, and I am so moved to see VICE covering this important issue with the thoughtfulness it deserves. Thank you to Emily Ladau, All Wheels Up, Pete Buttigieg and VICE for this important piece of journalism.
hehehe hohoho hahaha his name is BUTTGEEK! hehehe hohoho hahaha!
I can't figure out how the main lady in this story remained so calm with her wheelchair damaged like that! I'd be the same as you - actually I'm just too afraid to fly in fear of my chair being broken
It's happened to me. I've been left stranded at gateways, I've broken bones.
Please don't think WestJet is any better, especially in Vancouver. they have 3rd party wheelchair assistants and they're awful
That was brave of you to post. Had a very dear friend in the 90s who used a powered wheelchair as a result of some genetic things i met in my college dorm. My floor had handicap access bathroom (George Mason University), and Scott was in one of the wheelchair accessible rooms. Government paid helpers for whatever he needed. I helped whenever I could. He was so looking forward to the Star Wars rerelease before the 2nd trilogy, and he passed away just before they came out. It was devastating. He was the kindest human I’ve ever met, and I miss him. Sorry you had to go thru that
Damaging a disabled persons assistance devices should be treated as assault on the person and prosecuted as a crime... This will solve the problem here.
Absolutely
When I flew to Boston several years ago my wheelchair was broken by the airline (I have photo evidence which I always take before and after the flight to make sure it isn’t damaged). I was stuck in the airport for a week instead of having fun while on vacation and I was forced to buy a new wheelchair in a different state which makes those custom wheelchairs because the airline refused to do anything about it. My experience with flights has been extremely demeaning, unfair and horrible. I don’t need them to remind me I’m disabled because I’m treated like a creature every time I have to go into an airport and unto an airplane. I’m going to fly in about a month from now, again, and instead of looking forward to seeing my family I am absolutely petrified.
Ok
I’m so sorry you have to deal with that. I hope that your trip is uneventful. Laws definitely need to be better.
So sorry you had to deal with that. Our society fails disabled people in so many ways, it’s shameful. You deserve an equal chance at a good, independent, dignified life. Any society that doesn’t strive for that as the bare minimum is a moral failure.
Did they pay for the chair
Airlines really need to understand that wheelchairs aren't like regular luggage. They shouldn't be tossed around carelessly, because they're ESSENTIAL for their owner to get around, and can't be easily replaced like clothing could be.
I used to work as an assistant to paralympic athletes. This stuff happens all the time. I can't tell how many horror stories I've witnessed and heard, particularly about broken wheelchairs. I love the wheelchair seat idea. But in the meantime, are you telling me airlines can't figure out how to handle fragile equipment without breaking it? They seem to be able to do it with cargo.
Oh, no, they're always breaking things. A few years back, there was the guy who wrote a song, "United Breaks Guitars," after what happened to his guitar. In 1973 my high school band traveled to Europe. Our instruments were pre-loaded into cargo crates. Did that help? Maybe... but one trombone player had her case torn open around the bell end. Lucky for her, the case did its job and protected her trombone. Many musicians refuse to check their instruments. They'll purchase an extra ticket for larger instruments, and have their instrument ride next to them strapped into a seat. Many people will drive rather than check their pets into the cargo hold. And then there's the endless list of lost, damaged, misdirected, and stolen luggage. One exception seems to be when horses are shipped by air. But they go on specially equipped cargo planes, in special stalls, and are attended by a human being who is paid to do nothing but care for the horses.
Cargo is boxed, wheelchair just consumed a lot of "unusable space". You'd be biting your fist if you know how the fit in luggage. Almost 0 wasted space
THIS! It is inexcusable & reprehensible how the airlines repeatedly break wheelchairs, & there is absolutely no reason why they shouldn't at the bare minimum be able to not break them while wheelchairs users are still not allowed to stay in their chair/have it on the plane. Perhaps the airlines need to start providing a crate to place the wheelchairs in before being put in the cargo hold. I'm not wheelchair bound, but I am a very empathic person & I wish that at least just 1 of our domestic American airlines would truly start treating handicapped people & their wheelchairs right.
It's terrifying. I mean, they are also working around aircraft but they can't load things without huge amounts of damage??? What the .... ???
loading and handling checked baggage or cargo is outsourced to third companies servicing the airports.
basically, the airlines can‘t really actually do anything about how those contractors do their work. they can charge penalties after the fact/claim money from them.
it‘s fucked up.
As another wheelchair user, thank you Emily Ladau for the work you've done and continue to do for our community
RIP 💔
The part where she mentioned Disney is true. Disney World is one of the most accommodating places to visit if you have a disability or autistic. Most of the rides are wheelchair-accessible! And there are certain rides where wheelchairs can roll up right onto like Jungle Cruise, Carousel of Progress, the WDW Railroad, Gran Fiesta Tour, and Winnie the Pooh. That way, you can still enjoy the ride without having to get off it! Plus, Disney's bus, ferry (between TTC and MK), Friendship Boat (between DHS and Epcot), and monorail fleets are also wheelchair accessible.
And for those with other disabilities or autistic, Disney has the DAS (Disability Access Service) Pass which is basically a Fastpass that gives you times to return and enter the Lightning Lane line. Though unfortunately, this system is now being abused by people who lie about having disabilities since Disney doesn't ask for proof (since all you do is register and it costs nothing), and it makes the rest of us look bad.
Disney Florida was horrendous with autism & covid, forcing children too young to safely wear face coverings anyway, but with the added danger & problem of autism, to be wearing them or be denied entry to the park completely. Sorry but that's not inclusive! I'm in Australia, we NEVER masked anyone under 8 for safety reasons, so it horrifies me that 3 year olds with autism there were being forced to wear them or be denied entry!
Nice they have wheelchair access, that's great for me, but I still care about others with disabilities too, not just my own needs
Makes me think of my nightmare of a trip to a Cedar Fair park last summer.
I,an autistic person,was tossed into a full sized van for three hours and seated next to two very touchy teens. When I actually got to the park I nearly started crying in the first five minutes because one of the people I was with had her kid lie about being autistic in order to skip lines. Meanwhile every little thing was setting me off and I heard multiple rude comments from people watching me enter the separate lines when I was just trying to keep myself composed and not have another meltdown. I love rollercoasters but large crowds make me panic or just shut down entirely. Unsurprisingly, I failed at keeping composed when nobody in the group I came with wanted to be around me and I was stuck with a person I hardly knew for the entire time. And my disability was being used as a tool to skip lines. When all I wanted was to make it through the day and actually be able to function. Don't get me wrong I love amusement parks, and I'm glad that the particular Cedar Fair park I went to had such services. But that trip was an overall train wreck.
@Adam Efimoff it's not the masks I have an issue with, it's the lack of medical exemptions when it's inappropriate & dangerous for someone to wear one. I used to work in daycare, the idea of putting them on 3 year old, even healthy ones, let alone autistic ones, horrifies me! We forever had kids finding & eating bluetak or plants from the garden, or rocks, or even a cockroach one time. Covering a child's mouth & face, so that adults around them can't see they are engaged in a highly hazardous choking behaviour is really scary, even without the general inability of a young, severely autistic child to understand the need to keep it on & at the time they were enforcing it, there was next to no evidence young children were even transmitting it.
To force young autistic or otherwise severely disabled & choking risk children to have their face covered, with no medical exemptions available is no different to failing to cater to wheelchairs. That' my opinion anyway, as a wheelchair user
@@LiliOfTheValleyIZkewl that's horrible! I hope you manage to go back at some point in the future - with some REAL friends who will respect your needs & be a real friend to you. Really not ok for people to exploit you like that! I'm sure they had a wonderful time, but what horrible people they are! You deserve to be treated much better than that!
the airport is not F((kin disney land cmon!!!???
I’m so happy this is getting the coverage it deserves. So many of us in wheelchairs basically don’t fly at all because of such a high chance of losing our mobility
Okay I get it if you’re disabled but if you’re just fat do something about it
🙄🙄🙄
No one asked you to BUY a ticket js
@@codydaluudauwu2883The ADA already requires that the 250 lb wheelchair flies for free. maybe lobby for more effective rail options
united states a failed society
This has 100% been my experience, and every wheelchair user I have ever met has had their electric wheelchair damaged while flying. It’s incredible. Thankful for the great reporting here!
maybe if this country had any usable interstate public transportation people wouldn't have to feel like luggage after paying up to a thousand dollars for a ticket (something our government could easily afford)
Planes aren;t made for electric wheelchairs, they are too big and heavy. They would have to be reconstructed.
@@marisamartin3664 Meh, I blame the wheelchair manufacturers not making their moden wheelcharis compatible with 60s planes (737s) :D
@@marisamartin3664 they were not made to have a tv in the seat or usb or power plug ether but they change an upgrade all the seat on most every plane for that. they can make at least 1 or 2 on the wing or front row a place for chair users. they can but dont care and that is the problem. not every1 can use a push chair or have some1 travel with them to push them in one. there is no reason for the baggage ppl to be so careless.
the ins company and medical supply company charge insane prices that we get stuck with coz of greed. just like how they charge $30 for 1 tylenol when you get admitted. we dont pretend to be disabled an we did not ask to be this way but we make the best life we can. they way you word that it sound like you make excuse for them. also search how airline make there real money. it is in cargo not passenger. i just pray that you or some1 you love never have to experience this for you to understand.
Wow that’s awful
This hits home for me. I had to wait for an hour for a wheelchair at JFK International with a paraplegic mom. Even though, I called ahead of time to inform them I’m flying with a paraplegic passenger.
JFK is a nightmare in every way. I once asked for assistance there and never received it. I'm lucky I recovered.
Sorry that happened to you. I’ve traveled with my grandmother who can walk but needs a wheelchair for the long distance from entry to gate. Even doing that sucked so I can only imagine having that experience with a paraplegic family member 😢
Airiness don't care
I'm a wheelchair user. It's actually a quite simple process.
1. Buy your ticket, on the ticket indicate that you're using a wheelchair and fill out the little form online. No need to worry about spelling or grammar, no one is ever going to read the online request.
2. Immediately after buying your ticket, call the airline and tell them that you're going to need an aisle chair (the wheelchair used to load a wheelchair user on the plane, which I assume is what you're talking about). This should be a quick process, normally I'm on hold no more than 45 minutes or so.
3. The day of your flight arrive at the airport 4 hours early (for a domestic flight, earlier if your destination is international). At check in tell them you need an aisle chair, because no one is going to know about it.
4. Go through security and let them grope you for a while. Every once in a while they'll want to check the cushion. I literally cannot sit on a hard surface without risking a pressure injury, so sometimes I have to hold my bodyweight with my arms for 20 minutes or so while they run the cushion (but not the rest of the chair for some reason) through the scanner.
5. Once you're through security, head on over to the gate nearest to your departure gate (you should still be 3 or so hours early, so your gate isn't going to be open yet, unless it's for the flight immediately before yours) and tell them you need an aisle chair... because no one is going to have been informed yet.
6. Wait patiently for someone to come staff your gate for your flight. As soon as they do, let them know you need an aisle chair. They might be aware at this point... but only if they happen to be the same person you informed at the previous gate, because again, no one is telling anyone.
7. Go take the last bathroom break you're going to get until you touch down. Hopefully you remembered to thoroughly dehydrate yourself and you haven't drunk any fluids today, because the only option to use the bathroom on a flight is to piss yourself.
8. Go back to the gate, because hopefully you're going to be boarding first. When they announce that the flight is boarding kindly remind the gate attendant that you need an aisle chair... because they're not going to have requested one yet.
9. Wait 20-30 minutes for an aisle chair to arrive once the airline employees finally realize that nothing is going to happen until they track down an aisle chair.
10. Go through the humiliation of getting strapped to a chair and having your knees and elbows banged against every seat all the way down to your row. I hope you can get into the seat yourself or you're going to be in for some additional bruises during that process.
11. Pray that your chair survives the flight. Don't worry the odds are slightly better than 50/50.
12. Endure the excruciation of an uncomfortable seat that you literally cannot get out of for the duration of your flight, and don't forget to tell the first flight attendant you see that you need an aisle chair.
13. When they announce the descent, go ahead and let the flight attendant know again that you need an aisle chair. They won't actually radio ahead for one, but it will make you feel like you've done everything you can.
14. On arrival, sit back and relax. You have to wait for literally everyone to get off of the plane, plus an additional 20 to 30 minutes for them to come ask you why you aren't deplaning and realize that you need an aisle chair and then go find one. If you feel like living dangerously, go ahead and have your first sip of water for the day, the bathroom is probably less than an hour away!
15. After getting your chair inspect it to see how damaged it is. Hopefully you wrapped it up with protective equipment properly and you just have a few new scratches and dents and no catastrophic failures. Scratches give character.
16. It's now at least 60 minutes after arrival time, if you've got a connection, you had better fly like the wind to make it in time. The easiest thing to do is make sure each connection is at least 3 hours in length. You won't even be off the plane in 60 minutes and a 2 hour layover is doable, but only if everything goes right, if you have to use the restroom or there is a delay in getting the aisle chair, you're screwed.
It's just that easy. I don't know why everybody is whining about this.
@@verreal It was definitely an experience...glad to hear you recovered.
omg my heart broke when they destroyed her wheelchair. Completely unacceptable
I’m SO GLAD this is being brought to attention I was shot and paralyzed 3 years ago on my 18th birthday all I wanna do is travel… but this is the one thing holding me back it’s ridiculous it’s inhumane I’m so glad it’s being brought to attention THANK YOU!!!
@@amvlabs5339 in humane might be a stretch I just wanna be able to go on a plane with my chair lmao
@@MyBakedTurtle But how is this being treated as not human. You're sitting on a giant wheelchair of course they need to make sure it fits and make sure you're able to have what you need on the flight. Saying you're a sideshow is just insecurity, because like it or not you're a giant liability on the plane...
I am terribly sorry for happened, I really am, but I think it is unfair to commercial service providers to be called "inhumane" when it fact is just "insufficient service". Air travel is complex and it has its constraints, and unfortunately it is regarded as the primary mode of transport in the U.S. I have seen MANY wheelchair bound people in Europe during my travels who use foldable wheelchairs (as their arms/hands are fine) and the wheelchair is folded and placed in the galley. Apparently mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs are often used in the US by people who in Europe would manage a "manual" one for many situations. And yes, wheelchair bound people in Europe are perfectly taken care on on long-distance high speed trains. Which is not possible in the U.S.
Sorry that some commenters are unable to understand the indignity, discomfort, and upsetting emotions that flying with an electric wheelchair entails. Don't worry, there are many of us who get it, and we support efforts to change things. We understand that the wheelchair is an extension of your body, custom designed for your specific needs, and that you can't just leave it at home when you travel. There is no reason that disabled people should have to go to crazy lengths in order to just board a plane and fly like everyone else. 💕
@@MetroidPurples you’re putting words in my mouth I’m not saying I’m a sideshow idc about any of that it’s just the comfort ability of being in my own chair it’s really hard to understand but my chair is like my feet imagine living in someone else’s feet after being in yours for so long all I’m just saying is I’m happy that there’s change soon I just wanna to be able to ride my wheelchair on into the plane…
I worked at pdx for 6 years. 3 and half years was helping people to and from airplanes. I feel for these people.
Not if they bring a bomb on the wheelchair then the airplane.🤓👍
AMERICA!!!
💪💪💪💪
@@ClarkKent-tg6ls Are you stupid for a living? The chance of someone in a wheelchair bringing a bomb on a plane is equal to that of a person not in a wheelchair (yes, even if their skin is brown). Be more feeble minded
You can feel all you want but life is what it is most time..she should realize lost of physical capability is not the NORM and majority is ALWAYS expected to be the NORM...
Short the airlines companies
It’s terrifying that a piece of equipment worth more than most cars is handed over to complete space cadets. IF you get your chair back it might not be usable. I learned that one cannot insure wheelchairs for the full cost of the chair. So it’s pure anxiety the entire journey and maybe for weeks after the flight if one has a broken chair after
The entire crew that loaded that chair should be interviewed by the FAA. The one who broke the chair should be identified, fired, fined and barred from ever working for the airlines again.
@@sirphineasluciusambercromb9114 These are minimum wage employees. Good luck finding workers if you treat them like that
@@Tribuneoftheplebs So you are saying its okay that these idiots destroy our stuff? You are a terrible person. Also they will find people who will do the work
@@taikajorma7276 Blame rich company. Not poor workers.
The airlines need to train their employee how to safely handle wheel chairs. I knew a guy who worked baggage and really, this is the airline owners cheaping out. Many baggage handlers just haven't had sufficient training.
As a person in a wheelchair who was recently caught up in the Southwest debacle of Christmas/NewYears, I can confirm it was a nightmare and not at all comfortable and the a spectacle is made of you, 100%. I've been an amputee now for 3years and I do not want to fly anymore. It throws me in to mental distress. It takes away so much of the excitement for traveling for fun or visiting family. I used to buy tickets and feel pumped for what was coming. Now, I it triggers an underlying anxiety that doesn't go away until the return trip is over and I'm back home. And sometimes lasts beyond that if the experience was unusually brutal.
Understood, as my experience with airlines in the US is why I no longer fly on Commercial Airlines:
As a Chronic Pain Patient I have had my opioid prescriptions stolen twice, once by Baggage Handling or TSA and once it could have only been TSA at PDX [Portland International Airport], and no they can't be replaced if they are stolen...
Having a Broad Native Build, I have had two very fat White Men complain about my shoulders seeking me thrown off the flight,
once resulting in being given a seat in Business Class & told next time that have to buy either a Bossiness Class Seat or two two Economy Seats
and once being given the two seats that don't recline in the back & told next time I need to buy two Economy Seats, and no I am not obese, I am just two feet wide in the shoulders...
It’s totally inexcusable what both of you have to go through. I’m “able bodied” but I do take opioid medication. I carry it in my carry on as I don’t trust TSA or the baggage handlers. Losing a medication like this would be devastating. Not only due to pain but withdrawal.
I also take pain meds and psych meds. I always keep them on me for that very reason.
@David Hollenshead You should never check any of your medications, especially not opiates or benzos. All medications stay firmly in my medical bag (I travel with two different medical devices so have a dedicated bag for them) and jewelry goes in my regular carry-on or personal item. This has never happened, but on the off chance they would try to gate check my medical bag, I would take the meds out and put them in my personal item bag. I also always put a lock on my med bag as well as my carry-on if I have one. Preferably not a TSA lock, just a regular one that they have to ask me to open or cut it off. If you don't want to risk a lock, use zip ties. This protects from TSA, airline employees, and fellow passengers.
If you put your meds in checked luggage, did not request to be present while your carry-on bag was searched, or didn't lock it, that is completely on you. Never once have I had missing meds or jewelry (or anything at all for that matter) because I always follow this procedure.
@@davidhollenshead4892 Bro, you HAVE to keep your meds on your person….NEVER check them
A reason my mom can't travel on airplanes anymore. Our world is not built for disabled people. I learned this the hard way 6 years ago post my mother's stroke, as I now take care of her. We had to change bathrooms, doors, add ramps, buy a smaller transfer chair to get through doorways, etc. to make things easier for us getting around in and out of our house. My niece had her $200 stroller we bought for her baby shower broken by the airlines, when she came to visit us cross country with the baby, and had to get a new one.
@T Raybern and your carelessness is showing. This stroller was gifted during a baby shower. That almost always occurs while the mom is still pregnant. The damage occurred during a flight after baby was born. You are raging out in all caps here over a scenario you've made up in your imagination. SMDH.
I've been in the travel industry for over 20 years and I validate these people's complaints. They are treated and viewed as a burden 😒
Probably because they are, even though that's very cruel to say. I feel for them though, I wouldn't want to be in their shoes.
The reason they're treated like a burden is because these corporation's don't train their staff or hire specific people to deal with their needs. The employees are treated like crap and in return can't treat the customer with the care they need. Blame the big wigs up top.
It's rough to say but they are a burden, these are what we call 1st world problems too.
@@Biru_to And? should we not add simple measures to provide comfort for as many people as possible? These aren’t difficult issues lol
@@lanxy2398 There are limitations to being disabled.. Are we to provide rock climbing lessons to Quadriplegics too?
The US's current infrastructure also doesn't make it easy for those with disabilities either unless you have a car. As an architect who has seen a lot of simple changes like curb cuts for access, I've grown to become more aware of the extra steps and stress people with disabilities have. For the US, the care and routine for people with access issues needs to be addressed and written into ADA code so the airlines have to follow it. Broken wheelchairs, not referring to a person as a human is just not okay. Great that you guys covered this. People need to be visible, so the general public understands and supports everyone in the community.
This is more than just a wheelchair issue, this is an ACCESSIBILITY issue that affects everyone who doesn't/can't own a car. With all the science and technology we have today as well as the high cost of air travel, we could be doing so much better for folks in wheelchairs or others that need special accommodations. The only reason airlines continue to operate the way they do is because of corporate greed.
This will make air travel cost more though, unless they will start charging for 2 seats for wheelchair bound persons the same way they should for the morbidly obese.
@@TheGrindcorps I thought they already did that for the morbidly obese and then refunded them if there are extra empty seats?
@@giantdad1661 not that I know of. If they do, it must be very recent. I’ve had people tell me recently this happened to them where fat people were overflowing from their seat onto them.
As a disabled person myself, I run into this substandard, subhuman behavior far too often as well. I have to admit though. When I was healthy and didn't have my disabilities, I had no clue how involved and difficult it is to be disabled. The world completely changes. It's horrible and I miss my former life sooooo much!!! Even the disability services have treated me so unbelievably bad. Social Security Disability has been one of the worst if not the absolute worst. I have been denied everything. As if I wanted to have my life and ability to earn a living ripped away from me. I want to work!!!!! But I can't.
Yes, you've become a burden now. It's hard and i see it with my grandma. But it's my job to help her, not anyone else. People think that all the world has to care about them, and it's often the disabled that behave like a prick.
@@bogeydope3022 You should know that a Lack of empathy like your case is a disability And that anyone can become disable
@@neyou6940 Oh yeah, i have a lack of empathy because you guys are pretending to be compassionate about others. It's always the same, as soon as it goes from free blabla in comments to paying and working for disabled people for free, you cry for the state and others do pay and do the work.
So much for your compassion. Go ahead and feel like a better person because you dish out worthless free words about compassion on the internet.
@@rikijett310 Oh, i would rather hear that from a person that is, let's say more normal then you are. Go ahead and live your life as the snowflake you are and cry for others to help you.
@@rikijett310 Wow, i thought you had "compassion" for the disabled? Do you now feel better THAN me? The only thing humorous is that you are just the same rotten human as everyone else, pretending and in actual believe to be something better. Smoke and mirrors.
As a wheelchair user who mainly uses a power chair and avoids air travel because of being scared that my 50k custom-made power wheelchair will break, it makes me happy that Vice is speaking about this topic and bringing more awareness to it because it's not only the fear of having your chair broken and ruining your whole trip it's also very uncomfortable for a lot of people including myself. When I travel on a plane, I usually have to bring many blankets and pillows so that the ride is a bit less painful and I have some support. Another issue that not many people are aware of is that we can't even use the restroom when we are on a plane. I've had to go on 6-9 hour flights without drinking or eating anything because I know I won't be able to use the restroom.
It's so inhumane that you can't use the bathroom!
Why aren't you allowed to use the bathroom? That is making me sick to hear. Unacceptable!
@@gregorsamsa2271 Because it's not accessible, the room is too small and the aisle is too narrow to move around in a wheelchair.
@@ChipitaDraws That's a shame. They need asap to change that. We have the resources nowadays to create it as comfortable as possible for everybody. Especially for those who need it the most! They absolutely need to work on that now!
I am ambulatory to some degree and even I struggle to get to the bathroom. The aisle isn't even big enough to use my cane. I just dehydrate myself and pray my bladder doesn't want to fight me for once.
I think all it takes is one. One company to break ranks and do what's right. In my mind, it makes good business sense to be that first company and garner the loyalty and respect of wheelchair users.
NTM all the great publicity and ads you could run
I think installing wheelchair space on airplanes might require FAA approval.
@@barbaravyse660 ... Why not have removable chairs that can be locked back into place for non-wheelchair customers? FAA approval doesn't have to be onerous.
AMERICA!!!
💪💪💪💪
what airline gets more business from wheelchair users who will appreciate the delays that come with taking extra care compared to the business class travelers who want the plane to leave as soon as possible?
Reminder that Engracia Figueroa, a disabled advocate, warned airlines that her wheelchair needed to be handled properly because her life depended on it. I forget which airline, but they broke the wheelchair and didn’t want to replace it with her specific health needs. She ended up with an infected sore from the inadequate loaner chair and died. This is literally life or death.
Don't travel then if your life depends on it. Simple as that. Stop snowflaking around.
@@bogeydope3022 Limiting disabled people traveling restricts what jobs they can have, what advocacy work they can do, and what leisure they can enjoy. People freaked out about mask and vaccine requirements restricting their travel and work, which were for public health and saving lives, so I don’t understand why there would be zero compassion for this.
@@gameoftomes14 First of all, if you can't sit in a damn used wheelchair because of an infection risk, you shouldn't travel around in planes. It's like taking a trip with the exact amount of fuel for it and then you run dry because the traffic jams. Things don't go smoothly in the real world.
2nd there is no "restriction". If heavily disabled people are arguing that they want to travel in the same vehicles built for regular people while paying the same price just for convenience they live in a dream world. I have zero problems with them taking flights in planes when i have to wait for the extra time it takes, but i simply don't care for them being "traumatized" by the extra steps it takes, just as they don't care that i have to wait longer.
And for god's sake, 99% of them couldn't even travel one time if it wasn't for the others that pay for everything they need to make a living, not everyone is Stephen Hawking. If a regular person doesn't earn enough money to afford a plane ticket, aren't we restricting him from what life has to offer?
At last, please stop with your "compassion" bs, it's fake because your words in a comment section doesn't cost anything, they are free. But as soon as you have to do anything that takes effort in the real world, you cry for the state or others to pay for disabled people. So stop telling people about compassion for people you don't know and thus not care about.
@@bogeydope3022 what if traveling would have saved her life because she needed to go to a certain hospital? Can't you see the flaw in your comment? It's easier for airlines to handle a wheelchair properly, it's not rocket science!!!!! Than a person to just not use airplanes. It's 2023 duuude, and it's the US. It's not like they're expecting third world countries services to adjust, it's the US, NO?
It was United, and yes their negligence killed her. It's truly disgusting that we as a society allow this.
As a pilot I have always felt bad for people who fly with disabilities, it always looks like a nightmare I hope the issue is resolved as soon as possible.
The last time I traveled by air, the only airline employee who seemed to care about me was the pilot of my flight, who noticed the problems I was having with access to my wheelchair and stopped and advocated for me.
I have recently reached to point of needing a wheelchair. While I CAN walk with my regular walker in the house, a rollator to go to a restaurant ( I have leg weakness due to a back injury so I cannot rise from an armless chair), I need a wheelchair to traverse distances. My darling husband insisted that we get a folding electric wheelchair for my use.
We'd love to fly somewhere - ANYWHERE - but I am terrified that my chair will be damaged/lost/ destroyed. As both my husband and I are tall (he's 6'7"), We'd need to pay for first class for the leg room.
The bottom line is that the hoops I'd have to hump through make me never want to fly - too much hassle to be treated as 'less than'.
@@gailpippin9761 honestly I have seen people with disabilities fly with first class and they seem to be treated way better than anyone flying economy. It is a shame that this is stopping you from traveling. The government t is working on a new bill to help people with disabilities fly on aircraft much easier.
@Rextheslime1 I can't help but think that First Class, in general, gets treated better than economy.
I was en route in ecom9ny from Heathrow (or Gatwick - I can't remember) when I got my time, along with debilitating cramps.
The FA, bless her and hers forever, trigger to the fact that I was very ill. I pantomimed that I had cramps.
She cheerily asked if I'd like some tea, then bustled off and returned with a china cup and saucer of tea, handing it to me with a wink.
That saucer had a horsepill on it (concealed by the lip of the saucer because there was a random sitting in he aisle seat).
I didn't ask questions.
I took the pill and was out like a light until we were approaching Cleveland. Not sure how many hours. She was a saint.
I am very grateful for the pilot on my trip to Las Vegas several years ago. I had my small bag that I wore which had my inhaler and spacer for my asthma. The flight attendant yelled at me for having my bag around me without letting me tell her why. When the pilot heard that I had asthma and that I kept my rescue inhaler close to me in case I had an asthma attack. He let me keep it on me. He made the flight attendant apologize to me. He also let me keep my cane near me since I didn’t have my walker since it had to be checked. He told me that he would check on my walker once we got to Las Vegas to make sure it wasn’t damaged or broken. He treated me with respect and and compassion.
10:52 I literally just said out loud: “unreal man”. What a joke. I don’t pity this women as I know that’s not what anyone of us would want if in her spot. I’m angry for her. Huge difference.
💯
I don’t use a wheelchair but I am disabled and do sometimes use mobility aids (and have problems at airports bc of other medical devices)- can only speak for myself but this type of allyship makes my day to see and is so appreciated 🥰 please mobilize that anger by whatever means you have at your disposal: fighting for this legislation, helping your own workplace/daily activities become accessible and equitable, etc. This is the right type of momentum ✨
Thank you! Yes, we don't need pity we need support from everyone to cause change. We need those who are stronger physically to help fight for us. I can only speak for myself in this part but I am dealing with so much with my health and fatigue I don't have the strength or energy to try and fight for this to change as well. With all the limitations we have even to do the smallest task its nearly impossible for many of us to get the change to happen. We have to be important enough to the able bodied to demand the change. Unfortunately. The only way I see that happening is if all the able bodied people became directly affected by it like someone close to them was put in the same predicament. (God Forbid!)
You are so right angry is very different from pity, no one wants or needs to be pitied.
The first company to implement wheelchair seats will be the first to get all the business. It would also benefit the airline to incorporate wheelchair seating on the plane. It would save them from having to move and store the chairs during flight and save them from all the money they spend on damage claims
I just posted the same thing. If they can see profit, they would do it
Stop making sense.
The economics of putting in wheel chair specific seating simply doesn’t work. There are additional design constraints that are unique to aircraft that make motorized wheelchairs within the passenger compartment difficult to implement. Factors like aisle width or the lip on doors make it extremely difficult to retrofit existing aircraft to meet the needs of a very small percentage of passengers. More careful handling of the chairs and stream lining of pre flight procedures would solve most of the problems.
move and store seats? they dont do that
You think they actually pay these claims? It's been over a month and I bet she calls regularly. They don't care. It would make sense to have maybe 3 of these wheelchair spots per plane, but these are the same airlines that continue to overbook flights. The flight will be close to full, if not packed to the gills with people, it's unnecessary.
I once had to travel by plane shortly after having a major knee surgery. I was in a leg immobilizer from ankle to half way up my thigh and in a wheelchair. It was the most humiliating experience of my life. The amount of times I was asked if I could get up and walk through security, if I could take my leg brace off, that I was treated like an inconvenience by airport staff and airplane staff… I can’t imagine having to handle that every single time I need to travel. These laws need to change asap.
Ow! Even arthroscopic knee surgery hurts, (both of my knees) and that sounds like it’s a lot worse!
I used crutches only temporarily and - man oh man - did it demonstrate on a minor level how differently I was treated and how difficult it was to get around. I have worked with people who use wheelchairs and have heard so many horror stories. Even though I have been flying a lot the past 2 years, it had not occurred to me how rarely I see people who arrive via wheelchair but who cannot move without them. It's truly an outrage we haven't fixed this long ago.
This is why my cousin hasn’t come home in over a decade to visit. Last trip, they broke her electric wheelchair. She won’t fly again.
Why doesn't she just use a free foldable wheelchair found at every airport?
@@guitarcatlind6075she needs the wheelchair to be mobile once she gets there. It’s when they are taken from the passenger and put in the cargo hold that they get damaged. Someone who uses a wheelchair can’t travel without it
Thank you for bringing attention to this major issue. Airlines need to do better in so many ways. But accessibility is the most important one that will have the greatest impact for the people who need it most.
Exactly yes and no virtue signaling either, this is just de-humanizing 100%
Airlines don't give a hang. All they care about is money. Period.
@@jackgardner8225 I mean, they are corporations....
@@jackgardner8225 you do know that they are a business right?
I agree 100%. I'm actually surprised we're so behind on this. Like you said in the video, we do have buses and trains that do have the ability to integrate the wheel chairs in the vehicle/transport so the fact that airlines don't is mind boggling. I've only flown maybe twice in my life mainly due to my anxiety but I didn't know it was this horrible. I'm glad there's more awareness being shed on this but it's unfortunate for this woman and many others, that their wheelchairs were the cost. It's also sad that it took her making a complaint and the camera following her for them to treat her as a human being, when they could have just been accommodating or atleast understanding since the beginning.
I live in a major city, and I believe most major cities have buses that can accommodate wheelchair users (ramps, seats that fold up where a wheelchair user can park and/or lock themselves in place, stop request buttons lower etc) The only reason airplanes don't make these sort of adaptations is purely based on profit. The more people they can cram into a plane the more money they make! Making someone feel like a burden because they are disabled is disgusting!
Flying has become hell for everyone period. The last two times I visited San Diego, I drove from Seattle and back. I'd rather spend two days in my own vehicle than deal with what flying has become.
Greetings from a San Diegan! I'd love to visit Seattle sometime.
trains would also be a solution for accessibility and wouldn't be slower for many destinations if there was high speed rail
Its become hellish because it’s affordable. You can make it the way it used to be if you pay as much as you used to.
100%
@@BlownMacTruck Exactly.
The four most dangerous words in investing are; it's different this time; Sir John Templeton. Economies are cylical, and the markets have shown that they'll recover. Make sure you're part of those recoveries.
The biggest risk of all is not taking one. If investors stick to the low_risks assets like the money market and bonds, then they run a high risk of low long term returns. That's why I have stick with Autumn Lynzi Smith whose advise matched the reality
@@AshtonGrace the best stock to buy now should be SCHD... You can as well connect with Autumn Lynzi Smith for more analyzt
@@ReidCoffman1 I think this is what I've been looking for. I've been doing pretty well on my own but I don't have a lot of time and the experience to really analyze the companies to be more successful in my investments.
I traveled with my wheelchair-bound aunt a while back. Not sure exactly when, but I'm going to guess it was around 2015 or 2016. The airline staff moved her to a wheelchair that would fit on the tiny planes that fly out of our local airport, got her to her seat and helped her transfer, and then stowed her wheelchair. When we got to our connecting airport, a staff member wheeled her to our connecting flight rather then expecting or even asking me to do it. I joked that we should just tether the wheelchair to the back of one of those overgrown golf carts that they use to shuttle people who can't walk well between gates. They didn't realize this is a longstanding joke in our family and were suitably horrified. After they were reassured that I was joking, we got on the next flight, arrived at our destination, and they gave us back her undamaged wheelchair. I had no idea that people were having these kinds of difficulties. Maybe we flew before it got bad; maybe it was easier because she has a manual chair, not electric; or maybe we were just very lucky. It's usually a very big undertaking for her to go anywhere, so I was pleasantly surprised at how well all four legs of our flights went--both to our destination and back.
I do feel these people's pain, but in a very different and much lesser way. I have a DBS implant in my brain, which the TSA just loves. TSA Precheck makes it easier, but I still set off the metal detector the one time that I was stupid enough to go through it. Metal detectors also usually turn the DBS off, which can make me stagger or fall if I'm not expecting it. So it's the big scanner followed by a mini pat down for the wires under my skin. This has gotten even more attention since my last surgery when a wire was rerouted to run along my collarbone, not just down my neck like it used to. It shows up on the big scanner like some bizarre necklace that doesn't actually go around my neck.
I also need to travel with the equipment necessary for the DBS *and* my CPAP machine. Most TSA people are familiar with CPAP's, but the DBS accessories are unknown electrical devices that must mean I have nefarious, if not outright murderous, intentions. I've got a medical implant device ID card from the manufacturer, but those aren't official government documents or anything that the TSA is required to abide by. They're more to give other doctors a heads up and contact info if they have questions about scans (absolutely no MRI's, for example) wound or surgical cauterization, etc. My neurosurgeon finally wrote a letter that I carry when I'm traveling that explains that it's DBS medical equipment and may not, under any circumstances, be removed from my custody and control. I also carry my Medtronics rep's business card with me at all times in case someone wants to make my life extra annoying on any particular day.
Legally, airlines in the US must carry medical devices without counting that as your carry-on or charging you for either a carry-on or checked bag. No idea about other countries, as I haven't flown internationally since I started needing all this fine equipment. I have a bag which I use for airline travel with all the medical equipment and only the medical equipment, as required by law. It has a big medical equipment label along with the luggage tag itself, which is also a medical tag. The bag is small enough to fit in the overhead of any plane or under the seat of all but the smallest of puddle-jumper planes. I always indicate that I have CPAP as well as other medical equipment when booking the flight. Even with all this, it's still 50/50 whether the airline gate agent or flight attendant (usually gate agent, the flight attendants are typically too busy) will want to search the bag to make sure I'm not trying to sneak an illicit pair of underwear, bag of M&Ms, or toothbrush in with my medical equipment.
So I feel your pain, my disabled and/or wheelchair-bound brothers and sisters who want to travel. Flying with any disability is hard, so I can only imagine flying with an electric wheelchair now, when things have apparently gotten much worse.
How did I miss this for a week? Thank you thank you thank you (x1000) for covering this topic which affects millions of individuals every year. The experience the user had in the video mirrors my experience flying from St. Louis Missouri to Honolulu Hawaii in 2021. My motorized chair, which cost upwards of USD16,000, was damaged not once but TWICE; on the way out by United Airlines and on the return by Southwest Airlines. I do not shy away from naming names because this is NOT the first time this has happened with EITHER carrier, and the 21st-century is no place, no time for this kind of behavior. I literally started crying tears of joy when I heard Pete Buttigieg answer in the affirmative to the question about allowing wheelchair users to remain in their chairs during flight. Now it's up to us, the disabled community, to hold their feet to the fire. This is nonnegotiable; THIS MUST HAPPEN!
I remember growing up and taking public transport, my friends and I always saw a wheelchair as something that slowed us down. Forget about them. As an adult, watching this video, it really made me check my privilege and be thankful for everything. It also made me very emotional imagining what these people go through.
I work as a ramp loader and I think most people would be surprised about how many wheelchairs i offload each day. Most of them aren’t electrically powered from what I can tell but it happens from time to time that a more expensive wheelchair such as the one in this video is onboard. I’d like to believe we put extra effort to ensure that no damage is done to the wheelchairs but I cannot say for sure that’s true.
I am sure those chairs are heavy
@@dirk480 typically they are automatic and should be drivable up the loading ramp
Bruh. I used to work for Continental at EWR way back. Those chairs are heavy AF. No power and you're not allowed to ride up the belt loader to keep a hand on it. Such an easily solved problem.🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🗽🗽🗽
Disheartening, but not surprising
Man I miss the ramp, I really enjoyed the interactions I've had bringing customers their wheelchairs. Some flew a lot and would tell me about their terrible experiences with wheelchair travel and I was just glad I was able to be some sort of sunshine in their experience.
Sadly for most of us in wheelchairs this is reality; it doesn’t matter whether we use ultralight manual chairs or massive sip-and-puff electric wheelchairs; we’ve all experienced broken and lost durable medical equipment. Wheelchairs are not luggage, they are our key to independence. Airlines don’t acknowledge this.
I work as a contractor for a Australian airline who loads aircraft. I feel for those passengers who have to hand over their wheelchairs over to us. We have some tools to carefully load or unload wheelchairs into the hold and as well we make sure that the chairs are securely strapped down so nothing does break.
Thank you for this. Been through similar situations with my mom. My sister's students go through situations like this as well. Appreciate all of the hard work that Vice News does in EVERYTHING that you report.
AMERICA!!!
💪💪💪💪
This really made me emotional I can’t imagine the trauma they go through when traveling and just trying to live their regular lives
Same thing here, we have to change things and fast!
AMERICA!!!
💪💪💪💪
They're not regular tho, so part of that, is not traveling cross country/nation like normal people....
You need stronger constitutions then
@@powsniffer0110 I think Karma would change your mind. you better hope you never become disabled and have to travel for medical care, weddings, funerals, etc.
It's times like this where I ask people to help motivate action on our rail network more than any other. Travel is insanely difficult for those whom are disabled, and long distance is next to impossible from the draconian barriers that laws like the ADA struggle to overcome. Trains offer such an incredible offer on that front, being extremely easy for disabled passengers to travel across the nation with not only excellent facilities but also staff and service to help them stay comfortable on their journey. We NEED good rail service across this country, if not for everyone, at least for those who could benefit from it the most.
Former gate agent here - Air Travel is 100% tough for any wheelchair user, vice could make another story about the wheelchair companies used in airports. Here's the problem with the arguement for a wheelchair spot on airplanes. If you saw in the video - what they use after she is moved out of her own chair is an aisle chair. These are specially designed to fit in the aisle of an aircraft, past the bulkhead, and through the main cabin door. There aren't any great ways I can think of that an accesible seat could be created because of these designs with the exception if something happened on newer aircraft. Given that these aircraft can have lifespans of upto 35 years that is a tough problem. Ground Crew need to be trained to better handle wheelchairs - the ramp crew I worked with were generally pretty good with this stuff and would ask the passenger if they couldn't figure something out during loading rather than damage the chair. That scenario is not the case at most airports, we recieved a noticeable amount of chairs that were damaged from other stations. This is a complex problem to solve and something should be addressing it.
You ever taken the NYC subway?? It’s absolutely abysmal. Have to go 6+ stops to a handicap accessible subway station which even then is AWFUL. I’m not handicapped but it makes me so depressed just thinking about it when I do take the subway and I see the little sign on the stop map.
You know what's funny is the fact no one has considered building a ramp to bridge between the jetway and the entrance of the aircraft as that would greatly simplify boarding. Even in Japan they have people who will place down a ramp for you so you can board and unboard (also, all prearranged.)
Even just a bit of ply board would help.
They make metal drop in ramps that could cover the gap. As it is they only need one size to fit a standard aisle chair.
it’s absolutely MIND BOGGLING that airplanes / airports were able to “sneak pass” the ADA act. It’s insane how they are still not accommodating individuals with disabilities today.
What would happen if an airline literally broke the legs of 30 customers a year? Would they be able to financially recover from all those lawsuits alone?
Not just people in wheelchairs
For anyone disabled
They put me in the push cart they push me like luggage outside on the runway and they talk to you like you are a POS
They repeatedly tell us they don't want the cripples flying anymore
I had to stop flying because they would leave me at the security checkpoint and miss flights and tell me they don't have staff to push me to the gate.
They left me stranded in terminal A at Dulles for 17 days and they didn't care if I lived or died.
They sold 3 seats I paid for our from under me and repeatedly denied me boarding at the plane.
I wish they would just ban all disabled people, just be honest about it.
Don't torture us
You where left in a terminal for 17 days??
@@aelfwealld its satire mate, there is no way thats real. Lol.
@@aelfwealld yes, Delta, 17 DAYS !!!!
3 TIMES THEY SOLD MY SEATS TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO CAME AT THE LAST MINUTE
IF YOU HAVE 5000 DOLLARS YOU CAN WALK IN 15 MINUTES BEFORE A FLIGHT AND GET WHOEVER IS IN THE SEAT KICKED OFF AND THEY WILL RUSH YOU TO THE GATE.
I WATCHED IT DOZENS OF TIMES.
I BOUGHT MY TICKETS 6 MONTHS IN ADVANCE AND PAID THE LEAST SO I KEPT GETTING KICKED OFF
I HATE THE AIRLINES
THE GOVERNMENT JUST GAVE THEM 3 TRILLION DOLLARS TO KEEP THEM FROM GOING OUT OF BUSINESS
THEY SHOULD HAVE LET THEM FAIL
WE WOULD HAVE HAD A BETTER SYSTEM IF THEY WENT BANKRUPTCY AND WENT AWAY
I WILL NEVER FLY AGAIN
This is a perfect video demonstrating the struggles individuals wheelchair bound live with when it comes to airlines. The accessible seats are a perfect solution to some of these issues
We’re not “bound” to our wheelchairs! If anything, we’re FREED by them.
On my last trip to Boston, Southwest completely destroyed my scooter. In Denver, I noticed some minor items were broken, but was able to go to the gate to Boston, so just took pictures. SW told us we should report it once we get to Boston. When we arrived to Boston, my scooter was further broken to a point I couldn't use it. It took forever for rental scooter to come and for about a week after I got home, I was left without a scooter. SW ended up buying me a completely new scooter, but the time and effort I had to put in was ridiculous. I was on vacation, yet had to worry about my transportation during that time. Why is it so difficult for airlines to transfer our wheelchair/scooter without breaking them? Now I'm worried about checking the scooter every time I travel.
Delta literally mashed my wheelchair to the point where it was unusable. I was not compensated and my chair was replaced at my expense.
If they just didn't destroy someone's wheelchair half the problem would be solved
This is why I hadn't been on a plane until I was 20. My dad is in a wheelchair, and he knew it would be impossible for us to take a trip as a family that would require a plane for travel.
Don't let this get in the way
Airlines should pay for their negligence! A custom rig is up to 30K not 3K...Its like mortgage payments for their only way to have mobility, and then you just break it instead of making sure it is safely taken care of.
There should be extra helpers that stay with disabled families and individuals so they are safe at all parts of their journey.
My ignorant mind first thought “what the heck, you get wheeled right to the gate by an employee and get to board before all of us.” 😢 documentaries like this are so important in opening minds.
Same. I had to pause the video when he said the ADA doesn’t apply to air flight, I was that shocked.
I’m actually a little ashamed that it NEVER crossed my mind when I saw disabled people boarding and having their wheelchair taken away from them that this was their autonomy being taken away from them. How are they supposed to go to the bathroom? I’ve seen folks in the comment section saying they’d basically fast before and during to make sure they wouldn’t need to go, and it makes me really sad to think that on top of all the other stressors, they have to deal with that too.
I guess this is how privilege works though, isn’t it. As an able bodied person, mine allowed me to remain blind to the cruelty experienced by others. Inhabiting the same spaces at them without having to even think of the cruelty inflicted to them, even though it was all around me.
Anyways, I’m thankful for this documentary. Definitely an eye opener, and I’ll try to educate myself more.
i use a wheelchair as well and before i needed to use it i would think the exact same thing, but its more for safety, we can take a little bit of time sitting down or wait till everyone has gone in and then fix ourselves
I have used wheelchair accommodations before while it was very good atleast in my case I was ambulatory but walking very long distances is not good for me however I didn't have my own wheelchair (yet) so I did go through some of what people are saying but I know I had that privilege 😢 now I have a wheelchair I'm scared to travel
Explain to me how a modern airliner can be evacuated in 90 seconds. The FAA needs to improve our comfort AND SAFETY with more spacious and accessible cabins. The American public practically owns these airlines after bailing them out in 2020.
Because the majority of delay of exiting an aircraft is with idiots fiddling with their bags, you don't take your bags in the event of an emergency. Also, you have no idea how badly the airline industry is struggling right now, it's only possible for you to go la to new York for $400 if you accept to deal with this. If you don't like it, pay $3,000 on business class seats.
They mean that it can be evacuated of non-disabled passengers in 90 seconds. Airlines tell us that in the case of an emergency they will evacuate all of the other passengers and then come and get us off! BAHAHAHAHA! Like hell they will.
A relative of mine happens to work for a company that makes airliner emergency exit stuff. They test new designs of the products by having a group of people sit in a test plane and try to all evacuate in 90 seconds or fewer.
I once asked the relative if that group ever has any people with significant and noticeable disabilities, or even elderly people or kids and babies. As far as I remember, it does not. Infer what you will.
Former flight attendant here. I have seen someone get straight up dropped out of an aisle chair. Nonambulatory passenger in DTW. He took it with grace but was clearly in a great deal of pain.
I used to be a wheel chair porter at LAS. All of this is so true. I saw it all the time. She should sue the airline.
It shouldn't be this hard! As someone with physical disabilities, it hurts to see people get treated and sometimes even abused like this!
She was smart to take pictures of her chair prior to taking ownership.
Happened to one of my clients. The people that specifically are in charge of loading passengers into the plane seat (because why would you able to stay in the seat specifically designed for your body). They ended up dropping him and couldn't get him off the floor. Spent the past 4 months recovering from pressure ulcers...
My mom was in a powered wheelchair from the time I was a teen. I swear every time we traveled they would scratch, tear the seat, or break off some of the plastic bits (like the fenders over the wheel). One time they completely destroyed one of her foot supports (luckily we were able to bodge it together with some home depot parts and a pillow until we got home) and another time they broke the control stick just like this woman at 2:20. That time we found a local wheelchair repair shop that offered us a loaner for free while they waited several days for the parts to arrive. I also remember something about the batteries or wiring having a problem one time when my parents were traveling without me.
Then there is of course the problems with the airport and the boarding and de-boarding the plane (luckily my father and I were able to help with the transfer in and out of the chairs and not rely on some random employee).
Another thing is the rental cars that like to overbook and when you get there they do not have the car you requested and there is no way to fit the chair in the backup car they gave you. It would become a mad scramble to find another rental agency with a suitable car.
Also hotels. My parents booked an ocean front hotel and specifically asked on the phone about an accessible room weeks in advance. When they got there the only room available was on the second floor and not accessible. The hotel was kind enough to pay to relocate them to another hotel but it was several miles off the beach. The hotel thing is pretty common but this was the time they really got screwed by losing their view.
As a wheelchair user I am honestly shocked with what happened to Emily. That is an nightmare scenario for me…
I work for a DME provider, I think people would be shocked by the amount of airline-damaged chairs that are replaced every year. It affects us all. The clients who maybe just totally stuck with their independence/ mobility just taken away, and the able body because the amount they spend on repairs/ replacements is getting passed back to all of us. A little more care would go a long way.
I really appreciate when you guys cover stories on disability. It’s important to give a platform and spotlight to these issues
They'd been on every platform and had the spotlight beaming into their faces for decades.
This is so awful , my heart breaks for my disabled brothers and sister 😢 I’m sending you love ❤️
I'm a public city bus driver and have to handle wheelchairs on occasion. It doesn't have to be difficult. If I was a airline executive, I would be capitalizing on this in a instant. Just remove 4 rows of seats and add the same floor rails on the buses that secure a wheelchair. It's way more comfortable for the person in the chair, and it saves you money from having employees lift people in and out of seats (which seems kind of disrespectful in my opinion) and limits paying for damaging chairs.... Win win win. If you use my idea you better pay me! 😉
Totally ridiculous airlines have avoided this for so long. Aircraft engineers aren't stupid, they'd have solutions devolved in a few weeks if they were mandated.
As someone in a wheelchair, thank you for this video
One-sided reporting. Vice did not tell any airline side of the story.
What’s mind boggling is that these companies need to understand that disabled people have to pay thousands of dollars for those wheelchairs. They are not cheap. So if the airlines can’t take care of the disabled passengers they fly in their planes ✈️ sue them and maybe they will stop being careless for people who pay their salaries to even fly with them.
Being a former flight attendant for one of the biggest regionals in the country and currently working for the biggest mainline carrier, I sympathise with the disabled masses of America for the awful treatments that they suffer HOWEVER in defense of the aviation professionals, I would like to state that it’s not that we are careless or don’t care, WE ARE NOT TRAINED AT ALL HOW TO HELP OUT DISABLED INDIVIDUALS . This statement is valid for inflight crew. And I’m sure it’s true for airport personnel as well. As an inflight crew there is absolutely nothing we can do on board to physically facilitate a disabled person. Most immobile pax have to be usually accompanied by an able bodied caretaker or a fellow passenger to be accepted as a traveller. If a person is disabled and can maneuveur on their own inflight, they are allowed to be on board but if they need any assistance that requires us physically lifting or assisting them during flight, we are simply not allowed to do that ! As a matter of fact we are instructed not to help any disabled individual on board due to liability reason . There had been several incidents where the pax was sitting waiting for a long time to be helped to get off boarded at their destination because the airline didn’t have an able bodied person to haul them out of the aircraft. Numerous times a frail 18 year old kid was sent by the airline staff to haul out a completely disabled immobile gentleman out of the aircraft. I remember me and the captain had to help that gentleman on the inflight wheelchair so that he could be offloaded at his destination because the kid had never handled a disabled person and nor was he strong enough to help that guy out. His wife was frail and elderly as well and we weren’t gonna ask her ! A couple of times I had to break my rules and help out some poor individual because there was no one else. Next time you see a flight attendant not helping out a disabled pax please remember MOST AIRLINES SIMPLY DONT ALLOW US TO HELP SUCH PAX DUE TO LIABILITY REASONS WHICH CAN RESULT IN LAWSUITS . It’s not that the crew is unkind or don’t want to help, it’s just that our hands are tied due to airline and company rules . Even if we want to help, sometimes u can’t help due to fear of ratted out by your inflight pursur or supervisor and possibly loose your job specially when you are on probationary period . I remember during my training , we were not trained about anything that can guide us how to help disabled individuals . The only thing that was taught to us was the location of the inflight wheelchair and it’s location in the cabin . The only thing they taught us was how to operate it to fold open and close. That’s it ! We were told to hand it to the disabled persons caretaker and don’t offer anything else whatsoever ! Again very frustrating ! Many times a disabled individual was an old frail individual whose caretaker was a lady of the same age . Now you tell me how can she help a grown disabled elderly go to the bathroom. These are some serious concerns and NO ONE SHOULD BE BLAMED OTHER THAN THE AIRLINES . I’m sure the poor ramp agents who broke this lady’s wheelchair were not even shown an electric wheelchair let alone taught how to properly handle it ! So yes it’s easy to blame front line employees but remember it’s not our fault ! We are never trained and airlines tie our hands in fear of liability and injury lawsuits . It’s not that we are unkind or cruel , We are simply not trained and at times not allowed to help specially when it comes to inflight cabin crew!
Perhaps a step to keeping wheelchairs from being damaged so often would be to use the seat restraint points like on a bus to hold the chair in a special cargo container with a stronger base and a top that folds out of the way. Depending on the size of the chair and the container, there might be room for checked baggage in a different compartment. I think we can do the logistics so that the chair container is the last on and the first off, making it likely that by the time the rest of the passengers have deplaned the chair can ready and waiting, actually reducing the airlines costs when dealing with a handicapped passenger.
My thought, too. If bicycles and pets must travel in containers, why not wheelchairs?
Another thing to add: many WC users have chairs that are customised to fit their body and their needs, and there have been cases of serious injury caused by WC damage on flights. The lack of accountability from the airline in such cases is truly abhorrent and needs to be addressed more.
Exactly so even if they provide a loaner it’s still not gonna be able to do everything your custom chair can do that causes severe pain and then sometimes it’s a safety issue the one they provided me the first time it was broken was so lightweight that I couldn’t put my school backpack on it and I was afraid of flipping backwards in school every day because it couldn’t accommodate the way to my backpack or the weight of me and I basically couldn’t get dressed by myself either because the chair couldn’t be modified the same way my custom chair could be
I flew with American Airlines to Los Angeles, and on my connecting flight they took my cane away from me and said I wasn't allowed to have it and that I could get it back after we landed. It was extremely aggravating because the AA flight I had just been on said it was no problem, and Delta always lets me have it on me. I need it to walk even short distances, so when they took it away from me it was like they were taking away my dignity. Instead of apologizing, AA acted like it was my fault for needing a cane in the first place.
omg I flew with United before with my cane however it's the foldable type I think I didn't use it when I boarded so maybe that's how mine wasn't taken from me :( that's horrible why would they do that is that a thing????
😢 I'm so sorry that's awful
Im fully wheelchair bound. And I can vouch for the lack of accessible almost everywhere. I find myself appreciating large companies like McDonald’s that provide accessible bathrooms as well as high tables specially marked for wheelchairs.
Handicap accessibility is a myth when it comes to the public realm. Most places I encounter are built to bare minimum standards. Myself I lost my independence the day I ended up in a power wheelchair. Thank God for my family and friends who assist me when I have to go somewhere.
Today metro busses and fastfood resto have better services than the airlines.
i understand what you wish for, but you're asking companies to spend tens of millions each year so wheelchair bound people can fly around. that's such a big cost, that... i don't know. what are your thoughts on that?
How do you figure? If they only replace one seat per aircraft how is that tens of millions each year?
@@shikeridoo Wait until it happens to you. You'll see what a nightmare it is going into public.
I was on crutches for almost 2 years on and off. I would fly often. Even sitting in first class on Alaska I was a burden for the flight attendant, let alone what to do with my crutches. I FEEL DEELY FOR THE RESPECT THESE PEOPLE ARE OWED!
When flight attendants see crutches you can feel them stop breathing 😅
@Sarah Rose lmaooo. As a flight attendant that cracked me tf up. I wish we had a closet specifically for crutches. There are closets on board but they aren't specifically for crutches so often times they are full.
I am not sure that is comparable bud
I do work at a facility with many wheelchairs, and getting repairs on them takes an unreasonably long time. There's absolutely no reason for it either, these people need their chairs to function.
I am disabled and use a wheelchair and that is one of my fears of traveling and why its been decades since I have been on a plane. If I ever had to travel then I would use an older wheelchair that I don't use anymore that is very uncomfortable just because I don't want my good one broken.
Flying has become such a NIGHTMARE. The whole industry needs to be re-evaluated.
Flying has been made a nightmare for all, unfortunately we have all collectively voted with our wallets and told the airlines we want the cheapest possible flights leading to a reduction in the quality of service across the board.
My mom is in a wheelchair and i’m terrified of flying with her. My mom can’t walk at all so if her wheelchair is lost, we’re stuck. I’m not strong enough to carry her so we’d be stuck at the airport.
I’m also terrified of my mom’s wheelchair being damaged.
As a 6’5 inch tall non outwardly appearing disabled man flying has been near impossible for me too. This world is not at all made for us.
As a non-disabled person - this is just as much our fight as it is disabled people's fight. This is a basic accommodation that is necessary to make the world more accessible. Disability is not binary, just like 'able'-bodied is not a permanent state. Some people become temporarily disabled. Others are born with impairments. Others are born abled but become disabled at some point. It could just as easily be me, you, or any other person. Accommodating to movement-impaired people (disabled by our society - not by their conditions, by the way) is the least we can do.
INSANE that this is still a problem. Every flight I can recall taking has had at least one person that needs wheelchair assistance, whether it be from disability or old age. I can't believe there isn't dedicated seating for them yet, when the need for it is so clearly there.
My grandpa turned 90 two weeks ago. In November, he decided to travel alonside my parents to Germany to see me graduate. Because of his age and his diabetes, his mobility is very reduced, so my family made a great effort to get him a mobility scooter. For this trip I did the best I could to accomodate him and his mobility aid on all possible aspects: plane rides, car rental, barrier-free seightseeing and activities... I am so greatful that Lufthansa treated him with a lot of respect and noted the great effort that was made for him to take a 10-hour intercontinental flight. My heart goes out for all those who have to undergo such mistreatment every day. Idkw abled-bodied people can't be just as accomodating or serviceable towards people with reduced mobility!
I have never even had to think about things like this. Lucky for me. This is freaking outrageous! Why can't they get it together?
I tell people airlines suck because I am a tall person, and somehow flying hurts more every year. But I've never had something broken that was more than $20. This is absolutely disgusting. This needs to be audited by the audit community
Yeah somehow I can’t muster the ability to feel sorry for you. But these people deserve grace and compassion. Sometimes you don’t have to make it about you.
@@LeolaGlamour well you’re just a ray of sunshine to be around aren’t you?
@@CB-nv8bs
They made it about themselves, literally this was about disabled people and their mistreatment and they complain the airline doesn’t accommodate tall people.
@@LeolaGlamourgirl bye he was just explaining his issue with planes and also acknowledged how messed up airlines treat disabled people 🙄 sorry his issues aren’t as big but they’re still valid, people don’t ask to be tall and having the person reclining in front of them creating stabbing pain in their knees for hours
@@aloistyler boohoo I’m tall 🙄
As someone who works in the airline industry, it would be great for folks that are in wheelchairs to be able to stay in their wheelchairs and have a spot on the aircraft.
You are so right. I’m in a power wheelchair with a service dog. I’m to scared to fly. We shouldn’t have to get out of our wheelchair and risk damage to our unit. The unit I have is $45,000. It’s a very specialized unit due to my disabilities. One of my good friends just had her power wheelchair demolished by the airline. She ended up getting our senator involved and sued the airline and was settled out of court. For me the thought of having my wheels destroyed keeps me from flying.
Until someone sneaks a weapon into the cabin inside a wheelchair and holds the plane hostage.
@@brianp5205 Well that's why they go through TSA, Just like everyone else they have to go through the same process, in fact they go through a few extra processes because people could do what you had already said.
@@edwardh1591 The airline i worked for, we have to take the wheel chair and put it in the belly of the plane, sadly it takes about 2 to 4 people to bring it down a flight a stairs, then we strap it down inside the air craft. I'm not sure what other airlines do, but thats what we do. It would be super easy for someone who is in a wheel chair to stay in the chair. Super easy for all parties in my opinion . It's always good to know your rights. Safe travels
!
@@MW.-.- unfortunately I’m not willing to risk my wheelchair being destroyed by the airlines
Flying has always been hell for disabled people with wheelchairs
Flying is uncomfortable for every single person. I empathize with the extra challenges experienced by persons in wheelchairs, but accommodating wheelchairs is putting more stress on an already stressful process, so understanding should be applied on both sides of this challenge. Being disabled doesn’t mean we are not subject to the same harrowing and degrading treatment everyone else endures. TSA can’t and shouldn’t give a free pass to disabled travelers, because they must be concerned with the safety of all travelers, not the discomfort of one. There needs to be some gratitude on the part of people who are provided extra services instead of constant complaints that its not enough. Providing multiple extra people to manage loading and unloading wheelchairs, providing extra staff for assisting persons through the airport and managing the extra steps involved when assisting wheelchair users is not nothing and there is no additional charge for these services, so a little gratitude is in order. Disabled passengers absolutely have a right to expect their wheelchairs and other medical equipment to be properly protected and returned in the same condition as when the airline accepted it, but at some point we all need to understand that its not the worlds fault we are disabled, and we shouldn’t expect to be treated as special just because we have a disability. Just because we live in a society that allows for accommodation of disabled persons, doesn’t mean its a God given right we should expect.
That is so unforgivable.
AMERICA!!!
💪💪💪💪
I refuse to fly. I’m in a power wheelchair and I don’t want to deal with it. My friend had her wheelchair broken. Our power wheelchair’s have 4 tie downs and a seatbelt. There is no reason they can’t have tie down straps and strap the wheelchair in so it doesn’t have to be put below and be destroyed. I also have a auto easy lock in my van. This has a strong rod that comes down and locks into a locking block. My wheelchair doesn’t move. This issue makes me angry. Vice please keep exposing stuff like this.
Question, do they make special cases that the wheelchairs can be packed into? If you have this for any other type of expensive fragile equipment, why not wheelchairs? Seems like that would be a good solution.
@@seanmarkham6965 no. I have a unit that weighs 400 pounds. These machines don’t fold up.
@@edwardh1591 hmmm interesting. I know they don't fold up I've actually done some work designing wheelchairs. It wouldn't have to fold, but having a case that can encompass the chair, kind of like sound/stage equipment boxes might be a viable option. A little bit of an extra hassle but if it could better ensure the safety of the wheelchair it would definitely be worth it.
@@seanmarkham6965 your wheelchair should never be stowed. It should always stay with the patient
35 damaged wheelchairs a day???? How is that even possible
It's 2% of the wheelchairs they transport a day. Certainly doesn't make it better for those who are afflicted but still.
The title of the video is misleading, flying has ALWAYS been hell for wheelchair users. We just need to drive our own dang wheelchairs on flights and move forward as a modern day inclusive society already…
I was handicapped for months when I broke my foot. Getting through the airport and on a plane was the worst. With as much money as people pay you would think airlines would do better. They should be mandated to do better.
I have a disability and I don't think nor want the world to change for me. There is no way that anyone can expect an airline to change the overall plane construction to accommodate a small minority group.
As someone who loves flying, everything about flying for disabled people needs to change
I’m so sorry to all of you who have been thru this. I’ve learned something today. Please know you are heard!
Really?
I work in the airline and the reason why this happens is because the motorized wheel chairs can weigh almost up to 400lbs, the fleet service agents depending on the airport hub would physically have to lift them up, carry them down or up a flight of steps and then break their backs putting them inside of cargo. Airlines dont give af about anyone honestly.
So having a spot where the chairs can be anchored securely in the passenger cabin would be useful for the loaders, too.
@@grmpEqweer the aisle can be too narrow for regular wheelchairs to fit through
@@Skeletomania seated at front/back cabin doors. they mentioned that some planes don't even have doors wide enough for entry chairs, let alone down the aisles.
@@soSTYLISTICglyni the wheelchair still won't fit, and there's a height difference between the door and the jet bridge. Try lifting 2 hundred plus pounds into the plane
@@Skeletomania
I'm aware of that.
I'm also aware they're going to want to use the space for regular seating when not transporting someone with a mobility device.
Ideally, seats would unlock easily, and be stowed safely,
You would then need to anchor the power chair, so you need tie downs. Meaning anchors welded into the deck.
My thought was, get a specialist team for the airline, whose job is strictly getting people who have big mobility devices onto/off planes?