“They were willing to sacrifice his human rights:” man forced to drag himself out of airplane

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“Air Canada had initially reached out via email on Oct. 7 to Mr. Hodgins to apologize and to offer compensation for his upsetting travel experience. We subsequently learned this email was never received; however, we successfully contacted Mr. Hodgins by phone on Oct. 24 and also have records of two additional two follow-up emails sent, one on Oct. 24 and one on Oct. 30 to offer compensation and our apologies as the level of care that should have been provided at the destination airport were not. We use the services of a third-party wheelchair assistance specialist in Las Vegas to provide safe transport on and off aircraft. The flight attendants followed procedures, including offering assistance that was declined. Following our investigation into how this serious service lapse occurred, we will be evaluating other mobility assistance service partners in Las Vegas.”

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Rodney said he declined the financial compensation of $2000, as for him this issue isn’t about money, it’s about doing the right thing.

“I don’t want that terrible experience to happen to anyone else, I don’t want anyone else dragging themselves off (a plane),” Rodney said.

Since the incident, Rodney and Deanna have been focused on trying to bring about positive policy change, and Rodney had some ideas. Among them were:

1. Designated seating for people with mobility issues, preferably at the front of the airplane for easy entry and exit.
2. Hire mobility specialist crews that are ready at all times. Hodgins expanded on this, saying the Vegas experience was just one of many, but it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. There were several other instances where he would have to wait for hours in a plane before the crew was ready.
3. A heavy compensation for passengers if the mobility specialist crew is not ready within 15 minutes of landing. This idea came from the fact that there is a severe penalty on an airline for losing luggage and other things like cancelled or delayed flights, so a penalty for not letting passengers off of flights should be implemented.
4. Redesign aisle chairs so they have more mobility capabilities.

Rodney explained prior to every flight he, and other mobility impaired people, fill out paperwork and submit it to airlines, so there is advance notice that accommodations will be needed. In the case of Las Vegas, he booked this flight eight months in advance, so he believes there is no excuse for Air Canada not being prepared.

“When I’m flying into that airport they know that I’m there, so they should be ready for me before I even get there.”

While the experience certainly left a sour taste in his mouth, Rodney hopes that something positive may come from it so that other people don’t have to experience what he did.