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Disabled US boy not allowed on airplane
Source: Agencies |
September 6, 2012, Thursday
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A California family who was not allowed to board their cross-country flight said that they were discriminated against because their son has Down syndrome.
Robert Vanderhorst, his wife Joan and 16-year-old son Bede, who is disabled, were flying on American Airlines from Newark to Los Angeles last Sunday when the boy and his parents were not allowed on the plane.
The family, who had upgraded to first class tickets at an airport kiosk, asked the airline to seat the boy and one of his parents together, Vanderhorst said, a request with which the airline complied.
When the family was ready to board, they were stopped by airline personnel, told their son was a "security risk" and would not be allowed on the flight. They protested, but were rebooked on another later flight.
American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller said the disabled boy was agitated and running around the gate area prior to boarding, a claim his parents dispute. The pilot observed the boy, Miller said, and made the call based on his behavior.
"He was not ready to fly, that was our perspective," Miller said. "We rebooked the family out of concern for the young man's safety and that of other passengers as well."
But Vanderhorst said his son did not run at any time, did not make any loud noises and didn't display any other offensive behaviors. The boy walked around with him or sat quietly in the gate area, Vanderhorst said.
Vanderhorst said Bede is very charming in contact with other people. The family has flown more than two dozen times with him, without any difficulties.
"Usually my son gets his snack and falls asleep, just like most people," Vanderhorst said. "The problem is this pilot thought my son might not be like most people. He didn't want a disabled person disturbing other passengers in first class."
On the second airplane, the family was placed in the last row and no passengers were allowed to sit within two rows of them.
Robert Vanderhorst, his wife Joan and 16-year-old son Bede, who is disabled, were flying on American Airlines from Newark to Los Angeles last Sunday when the boy and his parents were not allowed on the plane.
The family, who had upgraded to first class tickets at an airport kiosk, asked the airline to seat the boy and one of his parents together, Vanderhorst said, a request with which the airline complied.
When the family was ready to board, they were stopped by airline personnel, told their son was a "security risk" and would not be allowed on the flight. They protested, but were rebooked on another later flight.
American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller said the disabled boy was agitated and running around the gate area prior to boarding, a claim his parents dispute. The pilot observed the boy, Miller said, and made the call based on his behavior.
"He was not ready to fly, that was our perspective," Miller said. "We rebooked the family out of concern for the young man's safety and that of other passengers as well."
But Vanderhorst said his son did not run at any time, did not make any loud noises and didn't display any other offensive behaviors. The boy walked around with him or sat quietly in the gate area, Vanderhorst said.
Vanderhorst said Bede is very charming in contact with other people. The family has flown more than two dozen times with him, without any difficulties.
"Usually my son gets his snack and falls asleep, just like most people," Vanderhorst said. "The problem is this pilot thought my son might not be like most people. He didn't want a disabled person disturbing other passengers in first class."
On the second airplane, the family was placed in the last row and no passengers were allowed to sit within two rows of them.
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