We only know the service side of airlines, however, do you know what goes on in the backdrop? There are various things from on-loading and offloading the luggage of passengers, to cleaning and refilling products on the flight. A video has been circulating where you can see a staff member of American Airlines mishandling a wheelchair.
American Airlines Staff Was Caught Mishandling A Wheelchair
Wheelchair users have been trying for ages to raise awareness about their wheelchairs being broken so often when they fly, and the devastating impact this has on them. @AmericanAir baggage handlers decided to give a demonstration of how much they enjoy breaking them 😡 pic.twitter.com/jQvILpTRyQ
— Becca Peter (@DefectiveBecca) November 20, 2023
Social media users are outraged after seeing a video of an American Airlines employee removing a wheelchair from a passenger on a plane go viral. After being released on TikTok at first, the video circulated to other websites. The staffer is seen in the unsettling video carelessly throwing a passenger’s wheelchair down a ramp.
The video was shared on X by Becca Peter and she wrote that wheelchair users have been striving for a very long time to bring attention to the terrible effects that wheelchair breaks frequently throughout flights have on them.
A wheelchair is released from a staff member and rolls down a jet ramp, colliding with a metal barrier before being picked up by another staff member, as seen in the now-viral video.
Following the video’s widespread social media exposure, an airline representative spoke with HuffPost. He stated that they understand how crucial it is to maintain their clients’ independence by taking good care of their mobility aids during their time with them. They are obtaining additional information on this really alarming image so that their team can solve the issues.
This is totally unacceptable. We’ll be investigating. This is exactly why we are taking action to protect passengers who use wheelchairs. Everyone deserves to travel safely and with dignity. https://t.co/K5HO5QIWLK
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) November 20, 2023
The 19th Secretary of Transportation of the United States was even drawn to the video. This is completely unacceptable, he wrote in his tweet reply. We are going to investigate. We are acting to safeguard wheelchair-using travellers precisely for this reason. Everyone is entitled to a dignified and safe travel experience.
Also Read: Watch: Bird Hits American Airlines Plane; Engine Catches Fire!
Netizens React To This Behaviour Of Airline Staff
Not a defence but that thing was travelling too fast to stick your hand out to stop it.
— David Bushell (@DavidBushe72516) November 20, 2023
A person comments, ‘Not a defence, but you couldn’t stop it with your hand since it was moving too quickly’. At this, the user replied, ‘It was always supposed to be taken down the steps rather than going down that ramp.’
Okay, but what are they supposed to do? They can’t catch it when it’s sliding that fast, and they can’t carry it down the steps
— Not Becky (@redcoast) November 21, 2023
Another user asked, ‘All right, so what are they meant to do? When it’s sliding so quickly, they are unable to catch it and take it down the stairs.’
They really don’t understand that if you break a wheelchair, you can’t just go out and buy another. They are expensive, you have to go through insurance, some are custom fitted. And this means that person may HAVE NO MEANS TO GET AROUND FOR WEEKS OR EVEN MONTHS!@AmericanAir
— Pup (@Lady_Pup) November 20, 2023
And Becca Peter replied, ‘You could see how effortlessly he lifted the wheelchair onto the cart; unlike some wheelchairs, this one wasn’t too heavy. And they were able to carry it down the steps. Alternatively, you can slide it down the ramp on its side to slow its descent. Furthermore, drop it down the ramp using a rope.’
So digusting.
Custom wheelchairs are extremely expensive & take FOREVER to receive. It can be 6 months to a year after ordering to get one. Insurance only covers one every 5 years or so.
You can’t just go to Walmart and buy one. This is people’s legs! Treat them that way.
— Stacy (@StacyLynn624) November 20, 2023
A user commented, ‘Custom wheelchairs are quite costly and take a very long time to arrive. Ordering one can take anything from six months to a year to arrive. Only about every five years is one covered by insurance. You can’t just pick one up at Walmart. These are people’s limbs! Handle them in that manner.’
Another person wrote, ‘I suppose I should give flying on American Airlines another thought. I wonder whether wheelchairs are treated similarly by other airlines?’
Also Read: American Airlines Pilot Reunited 9-YO Girl With Her Doll, Travelled Tokyo To USA; Got Treats Too
Comment below and tell us what you think about this mishandling of the wheelchair.
Cover Image Courtesy: Becca Peter/ X (Formerly, Twitter)
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First Published: November 23, 2023 6:54 PM