Mobility Device Users in Air Travel: Addie Loerzel had several issues on her first electric scooter excursion, which changed her plans. After a long travel, Loerzel
arrived in Portland, Maine, but her excitement dimmed when she discovered her favorite chair was broken and wouldn’t do what she instructed it.
Loerzel, a vivacious 17-year-old with spina bifida, was ready to undergo a life-changing journey. A beauty competition took her from Minnesota to Portland, Oregon. Loerzel’s journey was memorable. The trip would have been impossible without her motorized wheelchair.
I was stunned to see my chair left. What happened? Loerzel told the story with astonishment and irritation.
The unstoppable disaster isn’t a minor loss. Underneath, the power switch panel was split in half, the frame was distorted, and crucial parts were gone. A chance encounter with an electrical engineer made the chair usable for the rest of their tour.
Delta Air Lines and Scootaround, its wheelchair repair partner, were unable to supply Loerzel a temporary wheelchair for travel. Loerzel needed the wheelchair since her right leg doesn’t move well. She moved around despite her chair’s difficulty.
Delta apologized and claimed they appreciated the intimate relationship between people and their mobility equipment. Company statement: “We think of a wheelchair as an extension of a person, and we know that mishandling a mobility device has a direct effect on how they live their daily lives.”
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A second mishap on the way back scratched and warped the chair. The question of whether the broken chair could be brought on future journeys arose because no one knew when the repairs would be done.
Delta’s approval of Loerzel’s wheelchair claim relieved her mother, Marisa Bengston-Loerzel. Loerzel too. The replacement won’t arrive for months beyond the original date.
Addie and her mother favor more rules and systems to assist disabled people move freely. Addie strongly agrees. They demonstrate safer, more dignified travel by imagining a system like airplane wheelchair hooks.
The US Department of Transportation collected statistics on mobility aid mishandling on planes, which is sad. These numbers prove that. Poor handling damages 1.5% of airline mobility equipment. US-based airlines recorded 11,389 occurrences in 2022, a significant increase.
We want to highlight disabled flyers’ issues. Addie Loerzel’s experiences show that the airline business must serve all mobility-impaired passengers in a friendly and non-intrusive manner. This duty is vital to aviation workers like Addie Loerzel. Even when the business is busy, this is true.
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Our Reader’s Queries
How do airlines handle handicapped passengers?
Airlines must offer passengers with disabilities various forms of aid, such as wheelchair or guided support for boarding, deplaning, or making connecting flights. They also need to provide seating accommodations that meet the passengers’ disability-related needs and help with loading and stowing belongings.
How do wheelchair users get on a plane?
Upon entering the aircraft, individuals usually switch to an aisle wheelchair. Staff members then aid those with disabilities in getting to their designated seats, using straps and belts to secure them safely.
Does a mobility aid count toward the carry-on baggage allowance?
Mobility aids and medical devices are not included in carry-on limits. If there isn’t enough space in the cabin or if the device is not needed during the flight, it may have to be checked.
How many people with disabilities travel by air?
In 2019, the Department of Transportation reported that around 27 million air travelers had disabilities. Without the right support and communication, these passengers might encounter difficulties during their journey.