Posted on 04/30/2019 3:00:08 PM PDT by Morgana
FULL TITLE: 'I had to crawl': Amputee seeks damages after United Airlines and airport security seize scooter batteries
Stearn Hodge says he will never forget the humiliation of having to drag his body across a hotel room floor during what was supposed to be a vacation celebrating his 43rd wedding anniversary — because a security agent at the Calgary International Airport and United Airlines confiscated the batteries he needed to operate a portable scooter.
"Having to crawl across the floor in front of my wife is the most humiliating thing that I can think of," said Hodge. "It unmasks how real my disability is … I haven't been the same since."
The 68-year-old retired contractor from Kelowna, B.C., lost his left arm and right leg in a 1984 workplace accident. He now relies on a portable scooter powered by lithium batteries.
But on a trip to Tulsa, Okla., on Feb. 26, 2017, an agent with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and a United Airlines official told Hodge to remove the $2,000 battery from his scooter and fly without it, as well as his spare battery.
In making the demand, both employees cited safety concerns.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbc.ca ...
My wife has seen me scoot on my butt several times. And I’ve seen her. She’s not as good as me, though I can’t scoot very far anymore. Getting old. Btw, gotta plan ahead and keep a urinal bottle in reach (just in case).
You mean posting it like this:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/tdg/lithium-batteries-are-dangerous-goods-1162.html
” For larger items containing lithium batteries, such as mobility aids or medical equipment, you should contact your air carrier for further details.”
I suppose personal responsibility is a lost art.
I flew United on my honeymoon to Hawaii 30+ years ago. At that time, I thought they were the only airline I would ever fly. Such a shame to hear what has happened to the “friendly skies” airline.
Its tough but this battery issue is real, its also posted on the TSA website. Been there for quite some time. He should have known this and looked into getting a battery at his destination.
I know that for many years airlines posted on websites what was not authorized—including certain types of batteries. Gate agents used to inform those checking wheelchairs at the counter and planeside of the rules. I would think that protocol is still in place today—but since I have avoided air travel for years I am not current as to what has transpired in the last 10 years and hopefully not for at least the next 10—Lord willing.
I now am fortunate to travel via motorhome and would do nothing else as long as that option exists.
Thank you Jim
I’m not sure. I’ve had DG training but never had to deal with something like that.
Oh. Got it. Didn’t see that, was at work on break when I read it.
Sure he can, but might cause him to go in circles.
If he lost a leg and arm 35 years ago in an industrial accident, why did he not pursue getting artificial limbs during all those years?
I’d wager just about every seat on every aircraft has a LI battery “not-from-china” in the form of computers and gamesets. Not from china being safer. But we want absolute safety in the enclosed environs of aircraft.
So, why isn’t it already standard equipment on airlines, to have an appropriate fire containment container on board just in case one of those not-from-china batteries in dozens of computers or gamesets catches fire? And if they had/have that standard equipment, then not-from-china scooter batteries could be placed into that very same container for the duration of the flight. (and it’d also be a great place to put those new phones that extend their acoustic/magnetic energy field by ionizing around itself to charge other devices and may interfer with other things they’re not supposed to)
At first glance, I’m on the guy’s side, but then FReepers say the lithium batteries can’t be brought on board. But my other thought is, doesn’t the guy have a backup wheelchair? I’m pretty sure you can rent a wheelchair in most cities, and you can even buy what’s called a transport wheelchair for not much, at any Walgreens. And almost any goodwill or thrift store sells used wheelchairs for almost nothing. Something’s not quite right, here. As far as prosthetics go, though, some people don’t tolerate leg prosthesis very well.
His wife or the concierge can push a wheelchair.
In that case, he does have a case.
And typically, no one responds to useful direct information posted.
Thanks for what you found.
“How do people in motorized wheelchairs fly?”
Not very well with just one arm/sarc....
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Most motorized wheelchairs I’ve seen have
a freewheel mode where they can be pushed
like a regular chair, though it does take
a bit of extra effort. I’m thinking this
guy is looking for some quick cash.
That sums it up. The man did not touch bases with the airline. When you don’t do your homework, you end up crawling.
I have no sympathy. He could have asked.
United breaks guitars
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