Accessible Recreation

» Jill Browne - Communication is everything

Air Canada asks for 48 hours notice of any special requests.

I would love to think that all airlines always honour every special request they get, at least the requests made through proper channels.

What do you think? Fairy tale or realistic expectation?

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» Jennifer W. Miner - Communication is everything

In response to Communication is everything posted by jillbrowne:
You know, when I read this article, my first thought was - don't ALL aviation companies offer support for people in wheelchairs? I thought the Federal Disabilities Act (down here in the USA) made it against the law to not provide accomodations. If not, then they should all follow Air Canada's lead.

In terms of your question, yep, fairy tale. They usually can't even arrange for a family of 4 with 2 young children to all sit together.

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» Jill Browne - Communication is everything

In response to Communication is everything posted by JenniferMiner:

Thanks Jennifer. Your understanding of the law matches mine, for the USA.

I do think that the airlines are reasonably sincere, on both sides of the border, in trying to live up to their obligations and promises. Yes, some people will call that naive. But I live with the glass half full.

However there are details which the laws don't always spell out, hence the airlines can use discretion.

One example is whether a person is required to surrender their wheelchair before they get to the gate. This and the way baggage handlers treat equipment, particularly power chairs, give rise to a lot of concerns and complaints.

On Air Canada's website they specifically talk about their willingness to be helpful on both these matters.

I will have to dig around for some statistics, if they are available, on their performance.

I like what they say - it's comprehensive and detailed. I hope it's how things happen in real life.

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