Disabled fliers sue 10 airlines for better access

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Disabled fliers sue 10 airlines for better access

Posted 2/19/2004 7:17 AM

MIAMI (AP) — The 10 airlines that took $3.2 billion in bailout money after the 2001 terrorist attacks should be forced to follow federal disability access laws, 13 disabled plaintiffs claim in a new lawsuit.
The federal lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Miami, is a test case asking the court to force airlines to make reasonable accommodations in aircraft, facilities and programs that would expand access to disabled fliers and to pay damages for past problems.

Attorneys for the disabled air travelers claim their clients are subjected to harassment and inconvenience because they cannot file individual lawsuits under the Americans With Disabilities Act...."

"...For example, the fliers said they have been abandoned for two hours in a wheelchair, forced to disassemble a wheelchair before boarding, forced to check arm braces as baggage, denied service animals at their seats, denied the ability to pre-board and denied the right to have carry-on bags...."

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-02-19-airlines-sued_x.htm