QuadSquad
07-13-2004, 03:11 PM
Recently there was a thread titled "traveling on airlines with Segway".
In that thread there were multiple posts by Ben Bethel asserting that for people who were NOT DISABLED, not only would America West Airlines transport your Segway free of charge, but that they were required to do so.
"America West Airlines is required to allow assistive devices (including Segways) on the aircraft. Get a pink 'special handling cargo hold' tag at the ticket counter so that you can get past security checkpoints, then ride it to the door of the aircraft, where it'll be taken and placed in a special handling area under the cabin of the plane. When you land, they'll bring it to you. I've done this several times already with zero problems. If they give you any problems, tell them to refer to their inflight operations manual and remind them of their settlement with the FAA that led to this policy. If you really want to push it and want it in the cabin, you have the right to bring it on board with you as well. Even if the plane is FULL, per your wishes, they will bump three people off the flight to block a row of seats and will use seatbelt extenders to secure the device to the seats - regardless of whether it's a Segway or an electric wheelchair. But I wouldn't push it that far - having it under the plane is good enough. Ben"
Unfortunately, Ben is mistaken, and his assertions are based upon protections afforded to people with qualifying disabilities under the ACAA.
While there is certainly nothing that would prevent America West from transporting anyone's Segway free of charge and indeed allowing you to take it to and check it at the gate, according to their executive offices if someone who is not disabled wishes to transport their Segway, their policies would be similar to golf clubs, skis etc. Subject to weight and baggage limits. And checked, not brought on board.
The settlement that Ben refers to, was announced on August 28, 2003 between the United States Department of Transportation, America West Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Southwest Airlines. These airlines had failed to provide stowage space for passenger's standard sized folding wheelchairs inside the cabins of the aircraft, as required by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), and federal regulations.
Obviously, Ben has been successful thus far transporting his HT aboard America West Airlines, but it would appear that success was a result of America West Airlines assuming that he required an assistive device.
For many people with disabilities, stepping aboard the Segway HT renders their disability invisible. If able-bodied people attempt to circumvent airline policy by fraudulently seeking the protection of the ACAA, it will further encumber and make life much more difficult for people with disabilities.
From reading responses to Ben's posts, I think most people found it difficult to believe that America West Airlines was doing something that no other airline would. I think most people would have been hesitant to attempt to transport their Segway HT in the way Ben suggested. And in Ben's case, I do not believe he was trying to fraudulently pass himself off as a person with a disability, but rather is misinformed regarding America West Airlines policy.
In that thread there were multiple posts by Ben Bethel asserting that for people who were NOT DISABLED, not only would America West Airlines transport your Segway free of charge, but that they were required to do so.
"America West Airlines is required to allow assistive devices (including Segways) on the aircraft. Get a pink 'special handling cargo hold' tag at the ticket counter so that you can get past security checkpoints, then ride it to the door of the aircraft, where it'll be taken and placed in a special handling area under the cabin of the plane. When you land, they'll bring it to you. I've done this several times already with zero problems. If they give you any problems, tell them to refer to their inflight operations manual and remind them of their settlement with the FAA that led to this policy. If you really want to push it and want it in the cabin, you have the right to bring it on board with you as well. Even if the plane is FULL, per your wishes, they will bump three people off the flight to block a row of seats and will use seatbelt extenders to secure the device to the seats - regardless of whether it's a Segway or an electric wheelchair. But I wouldn't push it that far - having it under the plane is good enough. Ben"
Unfortunately, Ben is mistaken, and his assertions are based upon protections afforded to people with qualifying disabilities under the ACAA.
While there is certainly nothing that would prevent America West from transporting anyone's Segway free of charge and indeed allowing you to take it to and check it at the gate, according to their executive offices if someone who is not disabled wishes to transport their Segway, their policies would be similar to golf clubs, skis etc. Subject to weight and baggage limits. And checked, not brought on board.
The settlement that Ben refers to, was announced on August 28, 2003 between the United States Department of Transportation, America West Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Southwest Airlines. These airlines had failed to provide stowage space for passenger's standard sized folding wheelchairs inside the cabins of the aircraft, as required by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), and federal regulations.
Obviously, Ben has been successful thus far transporting his HT aboard America West Airlines, but it would appear that success was a result of America West Airlines assuming that he required an assistive device.
For many people with disabilities, stepping aboard the Segway HT renders their disability invisible. If able-bodied people attempt to circumvent airline policy by fraudulently seeking the protection of the ACAA, it will further encumber and make life much more difficult for people with disabilities.
From reading responses to Ben's posts, I think most people found it difficult to believe that America West Airlines was doing something that no other airline would. I think most people would have been hesitant to attempt to transport their Segway HT in the way Ben suggested. And in Ben's case, I do not believe he was trying to fraudulently pass himself off as a person with a disability, but rather is misinformed regarding America West Airlines policy.