Is this man's disability a reason to be kicked off a flight? One airline seems to think so – 'It is humiliating'
By
- Replies 16
There's nothing more frustrating than planning a trip, packing your bags, and heading to the airport only to find out that your flight has been cancelled or delayed.
But we here at the Seniors Discount Club can imagine that it would be even more upsetting – not to mention humiliating – if you have kicked off a plane simply because of your disability.
A man with a disability claims he was forced off a plane and left stranded at Melbourne Airport by an allegedly unsympathetic Qatar Airways employee.
Craig Nolan, who uses a wheelchair due to spina bifida, said that while he was just about to make his way back home to Finland from Australia, the airline employee unexpectedly asked him to leave the aircraft without any explanation.
Craig was just completing his holiday in Australia for a family funeral when he experienced the unpleasant situation.
Two stewardesses were the ones who assisted him in boarding the plane, lifting him over a step and guiding him to his seat.
He recalled that he asked one of the stewardesses — 'just bring the aisle chair' — for assistance and she agreed to help him.
'I sat there and a stewardess approached me and asked what help I needed during the flight and I said just bring me back to my seat afterwards, as is their job as a stewardess,' he added.
When one of the stewardesses advised him to leave the flight, he asked her the reason. He was reportedly told that he was travelling alone as a disabled person and there was no assistance available for him, prompting the employee to ask him to get off the aeroplane.
'I asked whose decision that was, and I was told it was the captain’s. I asked to speak with the captain and was denied that opportunity,' recalled Craig.
'They didn’t want any further discussion.'
However, the 43-year-old insisted that he does not need assistance with his bathroom needs during the flight.
Craig’s childhood friend Brigitte mentioned that they have travelled to different countries many times together and have never encountered any major problems during their trips.
'Never before have we had any issues like this where he is articulating his needs quite clearly,' said Brigitte.
'And had this type of discrimination, and it’s just humiliating where he was kicked off a plane.'
Speaking of travelling to different countries, Craig recalled that since he was a child and was first diagnosed with spina bifida, he has travelled to approximately 30 countries all over the world without experiencing any problems.
'I’ve travelled the world, and it’s never happened in the 20-plus years I’ve been travelling,' he added.
Qatar Airways has yet to comment on the incident.
What are your thoughts, folks?
But we here at the Seniors Discount Club can imagine that it would be even more upsetting – not to mention humiliating – if you have kicked off a plane simply because of your disability.
A man with a disability claims he was forced off a plane and left stranded at Melbourne Airport by an allegedly unsympathetic Qatar Airways employee.
Craig Nolan, who uses a wheelchair due to spina bifida, said that while he was just about to make his way back home to Finland from Australia, the airline employee unexpectedly asked him to leave the aircraft without any explanation.
Craig was just completing his holiday in Australia for a family funeral when he experienced the unpleasant situation.
Two stewardesses were the ones who assisted him in boarding the plane, lifting him over a step and guiding him to his seat.
He recalled that he asked one of the stewardesses — 'just bring the aisle chair' — for assistance and she agreed to help him.
'I sat there and a stewardess approached me and asked what help I needed during the flight and I said just bring me back to my seat afterwards, as is their job as a stewardess,' he added.
When one of the stewardesses advised him to leave the flight, he asked her the reason. He was reportedly told that he was travelling alone as a disabled person and there was no assistance available for him, prompting the employee to ask him to get off the aeroplane.
'I asked whose decision that was, and I was told it was the captain’s. I asked to speak with the captain and was denied that opportunity,' recalled Craig.
'They didn’t want any further discussion.'
However, the 43-year-old insisted that he does not need assistance with his bathroom needs during the flight.
Craig’s childhood friend Brigitte mentioned that they have travelled to different countries many times together and have never encountered any major problems during their trips.
'Never before have we had any issues like this where he is articulating his needs quite clearly,' said Brigitte.
'And had this type of discrimination, and it’s just humiliating where he was kicked off a plane.'
Speaking of travelling to different countries, Craig recalled that since he was a child and was first diagnosed with spina bifida, he has travelled to approximately 30 countries all over the world without experiencing any problems.
'I’ve travelled the world, and it’s never happened in the 20-plus years I’ve been travelling,' he added.
Key Takeaways
- A man with spina bifida was allegedly kicked off a Qatar Airways flight because he was travelling alone.
- The man claims he was not allowed to speak with the captain and was only told it was the captain's decision.
- The man's friend says they have travelled together to many different countries without any issues.
- The man says he has travelled to over 30 countries without any problems like this.
Qatar Airways has yet to comment on the incident.
What are your thoughts, folks?