tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post8006628035912325259..comments2024-03-19T07:36:33.915-04:00Comments on Of Battered Aspect: Dave's Very Bad DayDave Hingsburgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11918601687946534172noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-67199694961234891902008-10-26T14:09:00.001-04:002008-10-26T14:09:00.001-04:00Whoops sorry, here's that link as a link. 8-)I am...Whoops sorry, here's that link as a link. 8-)<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://liz-henry.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-am-not-wheelchair-air-travel-and.html" REL="nofollow">I am not The Wheelchair: Air Travel & Disability</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-78097149428674336642008-10-26T14:09:00.000-04:002008-10-26T14:09:00.000-04:00Hi Dave. I have so been there. You might like my o...Hi Dave. I have so been there. You might like my own airport lament and rant.<BR/><BR/>http://liz-henry.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-am-not-wheelchair-air-travel-and.html<BR/><BR/>I always feel like if I were in a role-playing game, merely being in an airport does several points of psychic damage to me. Or, if it were in a Cthulhu game, I'd lose a few SAN points....<BR/><BR/>People who behave in such dehumanizing ways do more than damage to individuals like us. They damage themselves, and the fabric of society, social trust, civil behavior.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-37172507476726171672008-10-24T17:41:00.000-04:002008-10-24T17:41:00.000-04:00Regarding Lindagene's questions about why airlines...Regarding Lindagene's questions about why airlines can't develop lock-down removable airline seats. It's not that they can't. I met the young designer who developed them. She contracts with the Boeing team in Everett, Washington. It's simply a matter of airlines deciding that they want to use them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12035089687905137788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-45836706589143716502008-10-19T19:57:00.000-04:002008-10-19T19:57:00.000-04:00Sorry to read about your fiasco. I have travelled ...Sorry to read about your fiasco. I have travelled a lot and never had an experience like yours, tho' my chair did fly on to Montreal once without me. That left me in Toronto waiting for it to come back to me!<BR/><BR/>Most airlines are quite responsive, but United really dropped the ball.<BR/><BR/>I always try to keep the chair in the cabin if possible, but it usually isn't.<BR/><BR/>Cheers and keep travelling, despite those ableists!!Blue Chair Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02042110988790974204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-59065789376248265082008-10-17T12:51:00.000-04:002008-10-17T12:51:00.000-04:00The greater question here is: why can't airlines c...The greater question here is: why can't airlines create bulkhead lockdown spaces for passengers in wheelchairs? Buses, trains and vans can do it. They could even feature lock-in seats for those times when there's no wheeled passenger. (The driver's seat in my van can be locked into either side, so I or my wheelchair-liberated husband can drive.) This is not rocket science.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-32741902437344073802008-10-17T00:49:00.000-04:002008-10-17T00:49:00.000-04:00Dave, I'm so sorry. I just read this. I hope you...Dave, I'm so sorry. I just read this. I hope you are wheelchair liberated again soon. Indeed this is an emergency situation. Much love to you. How nightmarish.FridaWriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321658097813377806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-19446069076596542692008-10-16T13:01:00.000-04:002008-10-16T13:01:00.000-04:00Hi Dave,So sorry to hear your story - Scott Rains ...Hi Dave,<BR/><BR/>So sorry to hear your story - Scott Rains copied me. I've heard many people have been through the mill with their chairs being lost or damaged in transit, but this takes the biscuit.<BR/><BR/>If I can I'll get the story / link up on our website in the UK, so that others are aware of how bad things can get. I do hope you are in a better position now?<BR/><BR/>Best wishes, Brian, Tourism for All UKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-30681683478157432712008-10-16T07:25:00.000-04:002008-10-16T07:25:00.000-04:00I'm so sorry Dave. Please don't let it break you d...I'm so sorry Dave. Please don't let it break you down any more. I hate it for you.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07513265151132754365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-22283800111835935142008-10-16T04:54:00.000-04:002008-10-16T04:54:00.000-04:00These are not mutually inclusive factors. Bad peop...These are not mutually inclusive factors. Bad people can do good and good people can do bad. Just because an individual excells at making a great thing, product or venture or whatever; it does not mean they are good. SO often, we have problems separating the person from the event.<BR/>-------------------------------------<BR/>jacksen<BR/><A HREF="http://www.drivenwide.com" REL="nofollow">Buzz Marketing</A>spadamchristhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08872091190392484711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-81143232826509184682008-10-15T16:57:00.000-04:002008-10-15T16:57:00.000-04:00Wow. And I have to fly tomorrow. This is not add...Wow. <BR/><BR/>And I have to fly tomorrow. This is not adding to my good mood about packing.<BR/><BR/>I actually had someone try to steal my wheelchair once before. It was during my three days ever of living on the streets. And I was sleeping on the sidewalk with one leg curled around my chair.<BR/><BR/>Middle of the night I woke up to something yanking on that leg. Was immediately alert, grunted, and yanked back as hard as I could. I heard a panicked voice say, of all things, "Sorry!" and then running footsteps.<BR/><BR/>Someone told me she'd been warned when she got her chair, that people ride around with them for <EM>fun</EM> and will steal them for that purpose. That seems really strange to me and quite a lot selfish.<BR/><BR/>But...apparently I'm not the only one it happens to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-28513964120064389042008-10-15T15:02:00.000-04:002008-10-15T15:02:00.000-04:00Hi Dave,Just got to know about this incident from ...Hi Dave,<BR/><BR/>Just got to know about this incident from Scott. Im sorry the aviation incompetence has claimed another victim in yourself.<BR/><BR/>I hope you will let neither the Skycaps nor the United Airlines sleep over this. At the very least it will make them reconsider their practices.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://free2wheel.co.in" REL="nofollow">Vikas</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-67304446730000634472008-10-15T13:13:00.000-04:002008-10-15T13:13:00.000-04:00What an utterly horrible thing to go through. This...What an utterly horrible thing to go through. This airline certainly needs to be held accountable. I really hope that you follow up with a Strong letter of complaint, demanding some sort of compensation. You are so knowledgeable and articulate, I'm sure that anything in writing from you, directed to the appropriate individual, could make a big difference. (We once had difficulty with a car, and I skipped all the middle people and wrote directly to the CEO with copies to the middle people. BOY, did we get action fast!)Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16171428636839043425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-41126498192191040762008-10-15T12:34:00.000-04:002008-10-15T12:34:00.000-04:00I keep explaining that they gave my legs away. You...I keep explaining that they gave my legs away. <BR/><BR/>You'd think anyone would understand that. Wish I could help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-19494548456418844222008-10-15T08:55:00.000-04:002008-10-15T08:55:00.000-04:00I wonder how the airline officials would like it i...I wonder how the airline officials would like it if someone took their feet away and then said, "Please calm down. There's nothing we can do. We are not responsible for your feet, even though we took them from you and they were in our care when they were taken."<BR/>It's hard not to get bitter and resentful when I hear stories like this. I can't believe they wouldn't even loan you a wheelchair or try to compensate you in any way. UGH. Give them hell.little.birdyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07156310917613899680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-54400735286286596982008-10-15T00:53:00.000-04:002008-10-15T00:53:00.000-04:00Hi Dave, every time we fly with my 12 year old dau...Hi Dave, every time we fly with my 12 year old daughter we run into problems of some type or another. Angel has a dual diagnosis of DS-ASD, and has a Service Dog that flies with her on board the plane. People just don't understand the dynamics of DS-ASD and how very hard it is on a child to go through security, where they have to take off their shoes, someone takes all of their belongings, they even take their dog from them and take it's harness off. And then they make the dog walk through security without her. It's always a scream fest and very traumatic for our daughter who just wants her stuff to be left alone in her arms. She has problems with letting things go through the check out at the store and be scanned and bagged as it is, so it really upsets her when her belongings get taken away and put on the track to go through the xray machines. She's so worried they will destroy it all or that it's no longer the same. And when they take her luggage it's another screaming event as well. One time they took her special needs stroller, which she was using as her wheelchair, and they wouldn't let her sit in it to the gate, she had to walk the way to the gate. And of course she did so screaming and crying the whole way. We also found that most flight attendants really don't like it when we let her wear head gear during take off to help her endure through the loud noise. The last flight attendant that demanded they be removed during take off learned quickly that the loud engines bring on a fear which induces loud screaming. <BR/>We've learned to always ask to be seated in the bulkhead so that there is room for the service dog to lie at our daughters feet. And we've also learned to recheck our seats a few hours before flying to make sure the staff of the day are aware that we NEED seating in the bulkhead and don't decide to move us because someone else checks in first and requests it. The last time this happened they tried to put our daughter and her dog in the bulkhead and put us in another row. Like that wouldn't have set off another major breakdown hey!!! Yep, we get a little uptight with it all, and just when I was finally near losing it on our last trip we came upon an airline attendant that stopped what she was doing and watched our daughter falling apart with fear over having to hand over her luggage, and being upset that a male attendant was going to take it to boot. This lady took the time to get to come to meet our daughter and ask her about her holiday and she promise to take care of her luggage and bring it all the way to the designation airport for her. A trust was formed and our daughter knew she could hand over her luggage and she felt sure that this lady would make sure it was safe. Thank goodness for those who take the time to care and go the extra bit. <BR/><BR/>Cheryl<BR/>www.members.shaw.ca/awesomeangelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-23647518580912514732008-10-15T00:19:00.000-04:002008-10-15T00:19:00.000-04:00Oh, Dave. This really sucks...Oh, Dave. This really sucks...Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12527926041729913404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-68912497809804869972008-10-14T21:31:00.000-04:002008-10-14T21:31:00.000-04:00Unbelievable...but, unfortunately...beievable.Unbelievable...but, unfortunately...beievable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-35070185925814176432008-10-14T21:05:00.000-04:002008-10-14T21:05:00.000-04:00All the swear words in the universe. This is tota...All the swear words in the universe. This is totally unacceptable. Those disgusting pieces of flesh that aren't human.<BR/><BR/>What Scott said.<BR/><BR/>WCD<BR/><BR/>(I've also had something similar happen to me -- gave the chair to grandma who was at baggage claim before they got to her. Luckily the capt. took charge; I was simply howling in public. Gma wondered why the chair was so light comfortable. Daughter swore it was theirs. !@##($#@()$)_@!!**)Wheelchair Dancerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11981313345401954118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-68780417293704301972008-10-14T20:27:00.000-04:002008-10-14T20:27:00.000-04:00What a total nightmare. I'm sorry this has happene...What a total nightmare. I'm sorry this has happened. There is nothing else I can say. No one deserves suc treatment.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487287929258553766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-18658637701111719222008-10-14T19:27:00.000-04:002008-10-14T19:27:00.000-04:00I will send up some prayers for you tonight Dave, ...I will send up some prayers for you tonight Dave, may God lift the fog that is settling over you and wrap you in His healing powers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-13945957988776306822008-10-14T18:59:00.000-04:002008-10-14T18:59:00.000-04:00I think that the first order of business is for yo...I think that the first order of business is for you to rent a chair, even if it costs you money? Mobility is too important a facet of life to give up, even for a few days.rickismomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07817042750959998664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-70679826700460657922008-10-14T17:08:00.000-04:002008-10-14T17:08:00.000-04:00Oh Dave. Many hugs.Oh Dave. <BR/>Many hugs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-25181627512894695622008-10-14T16:30:00.000-04:002008-10-14T16:30:00.000-04:00I'm so sorry! I'm horrified by their lack of respo...I'm so sorry! I'm horrified by their lack of response. I hope you get to read all these responses and go from depressed to angry. <BR/><BR/>File a complaint. And write them for compensation beyond just replacing the footrests (think travel vouchers at minimum). <BR/><BR/>I'll third contacting Elliot over at Tripso (where he also posts). <BR/><BR/>And you've convinced me to up the precautions I take when flying. I always used to just have my name address and phone number on ever bit of the chair, now I want to add a big "please match this chair with the person wearing x" as one more safety. <BR/><BR/>As a "make do" can you use duct tape to keep your feet up?Wheelinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06734200212865873896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-85954100737847755622008-10-14T15:56:00.000-04:002008-10-14T15:56:00.000-04:00Oh Dave, I'm so sorry they effed you like that. An...Oh Dave, I'm so sorry they effed you like that. And that someone would have the nerve to steal your chair!?!?!!! WTF? <BR/>Sending love your way.Keihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04095184831191402113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-24228644539712522802008-10-14T15:39:00.000-04:002008-10-14T15:39:00.000-04:00I think that airline is going to be sorry that the...I think that airline is going to be sorry that they screwed with you. You have a lot of support out here from a bunch of people who don't just roll over and take it when one of our FAMILY!!! is treated poorly. I don't have much clout but from reading the comments some of us do. <BR/>Not much is worse than being told to "calm down" when those words are being used in a condescending manner. That is just a way to put the blame back on the injured party.<BR/>I wish I could give you a hug and give those idiots a good boot in the butt!<BR/>Hang in there and know that you are cared about by many people including me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com