This post was in response to the John and Amy Show on WIND Radio. They were discussing the story about a disabled man who was removed from a flight because he was disabled and he was flying without any assistant. This man was a public speaker and had flown many thousands of miles without an assistant.
Why haven't planes been designed so that at least 4 seats work much like a ride at Disney World? A non-ambulatory individual could transfer into a plane seat and be pushed into the plane and locked down. And before anyone starts thinking, "sure, we have to make things special for THESE PEOPLE", I contend that what is out there is specialized. Only people who can walk can use what is out there easily and economically. Whereas, the 4 seats can be used by all people. I say, arbitrarily 4 seats because I cannot imagine needing more than that on any given flight but even 2 seats would be bonus. I am saying that when new planes are built that modifications could be made that would accommodate EVERYONE.
I just flew to and from Los Angeles last week. Not only can I not walk, I am fat. So I bought 2 tickets and explained my situation to the ticket person. She was very accommodating. However, when I got to the plane I found that I could not use the isle chair to board the plane and the seats that were assigned me were not going to be usable by me. The airline bent over backwards and had a customer in Business move back to my 2 coach seats and paid him as well as gave him all the Business Class amenities (except for leg and seat room) and gave me the Business Class seat.
About 17 years ago, my middle son had joined the Navy and was preparing to leave for boot camp. Before he went, I took him, my youngest son and a friend to Las Vegas to meet up with my eldest son who was stationed at Fort Irwin. Once I was situated in my seat the flight attendant came to me and said, "In the event of an emergency, how would you like to be handled?" I was so surprised by that question that I responded very demurely "any way you want to just get me the hell off the plane!"
There have been a number of other times that I have flown and never have I been denied flying privileges. Common sense was the order of the day.
To address the issue of safety, to respond to John's example of cartwheeling into a cornfield... bend over and kiss it goodbye, whether you walk or not. I know that when I get on a plane, that in the event of an emergency I may need to be left behind because to try and help me may put people at risk. I do not sit in an exit area and I accept that possibility.
Finally, I don't need another expense. I am blessed with a job and insurance and I am not complaining about my life. The reality of my life's situation is I have to use a wheelchair. I work and am therefore not considered disabled by the State of Wisconsin, so all of my wheelchair repair, any durable medical aid that I may need or need repaired comes out of my pocket. Most adaptive housing is for low income, so I have to pay extra so that I can have housing that I can use. A person who walks can go to a car dealer and spend say, $20,000 for a van and only he/she can drive it. My van costs $40,000 and everyone can drive it.
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