The fact that this only came up at the gate is pretty abhorrent. That said, the airline only flies Cessna Caravans and there really isn’t a meaningfully way to use a transfer chair or make them accessible. Getting in is more akin to getting into the back row of a va than boarding an airliner.
82
PipsqueakPilot8 hr ago
+26
Just so people can see what you mean: https://static0.boltflight.com/photos/interior-cabin-of-southern-airways-express-cessna-caravan-aircraft-99284.jpg
26
Ttoctam13 hr ago
+128
My disabled ass's response to this headline was: "Oh shit, they hired an actual disabled woman for the movie role? Times have changed"
128
Jean-Paul_Sartre13 hr ago
+109
I’ve seen some interviews with her and it sounds like the Wicked production actually went out of their way to make the set accessible for her so that she wasn’t just “the disabled cast member” but fully able to participate and go where she needed without much assistance.
109
Ttoctam13 hr ago
+18
I'm super glad to hear that!
18
OverlappingChatter10 hr ago
+16
Just this alone makes me want to watch. I previously had no interest at all.
16
periperiwinklesauce8 hr ago
-7
While it’s commendable, that alone isn’t enough to make watching the movies worth it.
-7
XtremeDragonForce7 hr ago
-8
Yeah but I still think it's weird they changed nessa rose from a women with no arms to a women with legs that don't work. What about all the fans with no arms feeling under represented. This would have been like their one opportunity to get a major film role
-8
msgoop7 hr ago
+1
I mean, she’s always been a wheelchair user in the musical and this was first and foremost an adaptation of the musical. it still was a major opportunity for a person with a disability
1
XtremeDragonForce5 hr ago
+1
Yeah I guess they thought wheel chair users were more popular then people without arms when writing the musical adaptation
1
nonsensestuff15 hr ago
+277
The way disabled people in wheelchairs are treated by airlines is abhorrent. It’s not okay and I’m glad she’s speaking out. It doesn’t only help her but it gives a voice to the countless others who have faced similar situations feel heard and seen.
277
Choice_Age460810 hr ago
+23
Any assistive device they have an issue with. Trying to get them to store my rollator on the plane was met with much resistance and this was a major airline.
23
IANALbutIAMAcat4 hr ago
+1
My mother will probably never fly again after a similar incident when she and my dad flew to MN to go to the Mayo Clinic
1
purpleblossom11 hr ago
+60
Dozens of wheelchairs are damaged daily by airlines.
60
Western-Corner-4319 hr ago
+14
Intentionally
14
morfunah5 hr ago
+1
I’m not disabled or haven’t traveled with disabled folks so I’m asking here on lack of experience and understanding - how and why would airlines intentionally damage wheelchairs?
1
Distal-Phalanges5 hr ago
+1
[citation needed]
1
Optimal_Whiner7 hr ago
+1
The plane literally couldn't fit her. They fly tiny little cessnas. You can't even move the wheel chair between the aisles.
1
[deleted]7 hr ago
+1
[deleted]
1
devilishycleverchap6 hr ago
+1
Doesn't matter what the article says, the airline only flies Cessnas
1
Bluered20126 hr ago
+1
That’s how it works with these planes though. Jet bridges are not applicable.
1
Crewman_Guy_Fleegman6 hr ago
+1
> The article didn’t say anything about that.
So? None of us here are restricted to just this specific tabloid for information. We all have google and can look up more information from more credible publications than a celebrity gossip rag
It’s not at all hard to look up Southern Airways and see their entire fleet is 9 passenger Cessna 208s. There is *never* a jet bridge for planes that small. And a brief google search of this incident would also reveal that airlines with aircraft under 28 passengers in size aren’t required to accommodate disabilities because their cabins are usually too small to assist with passenger movement
1
CooperCooperCooper105 hr ago
+1
GTFO with your logical reasoning. People wanna be angry.
1
nonsensestuff6 hr ago
+1
Imma hold your hand when I say this:
It’s almost like passenger planes should be accessible.
🤯
1
morfunah5 hr ago
+1
While i agree, at the very least they should make it explicitly clear when people are buying their tickets that they can’t accommodate certain disabilities so that other travel arrangements can be made. From what some other comments are saying, this airline in practice doesn’t have the ability to accommodate certain disabilities due to the nature of the plane, and may not have to given that based on certain regulations.
1
SugarCube804 hr ago
+1
And there are plenty that are! Cessnas aren’t.
1
one_is_enough15 hr ago
-21
Not all airlines. My wife is disabled and we have always been treated extremely well.
This article is about a small regional airline that is probably shitty because they know there are no other options in that area. Now they will get an ADA suit and reluctantly fix the issues, or go out of business. They just had no motivation or morality to spend the money until called out.
-21
Anon2830114 hr ago
+76
You’re very lucky. But multiple disabled people have mentioned big airlines treating them like shit even if they aren’t considered bad airlines.
I’ve heard stories of flights loosing or breaking wheelchairs, leaving people in wheelchairs off the plane “on accident” and they end up missing their flights and being told they have to pay for another one. There’s even been cases of people that use crutches being told they have to move around the airport in a wheelchair that they don’t need for “safety reasons”.
Just because you haven’t personally experienced something doesn’t mean it rarely happens.
76
duckworthy369 hr ago
+12
Yeah I was at a gate where two blind young women arrived, and there was no representative there (it’s required to have at least one person at the gate to help people with disabilities). They needed to use the restroom so me and another woman walked them to the restroom and back. I filed a complaint with the airline after.
12
Love-that-dog8 hr ago
+4
Last time I flew with my grandmother, she used an airport temporary wheelchair. When the time came to board the flight, an employee came and just started…. pushing her away from the gate and back towards the concourse.
I had to run after this woman who was functionally kidnapping my grandma and says no that’s our flight where are you going?
4
one_is_enough14 hr ago
-44
OK, but you’re fine with saying that a few anecdotes of incompetence means that all airlines are bad to all disabled passengers?
You seem to think that your anecdotes are science but mine are just random outliers that should be ignored.
I think that mistakes affect all passengers, and some of them will statistically be disabled passengers. Doesn’t mean the airline isn’t trying.
A dog bit me once. That doesn’t mean that all dogs are bad.
-44
Inside_Training_87610 hr ago
+24
The major airlines lobbied together to shoot down a law that would hold them accountable for wheelchair damages. It’s THAT big of a problem that legislation was happening recently and they worked against it.
Your experience is indeed the outlier.
24
Anon2830112 hr ago
+35
One person’s experience does not invalidate the thousands of other negative experiences.
What I’m saying is not simply an anecdote but things I’ve heard from others time and time again. You don’t realise how lucky you are. Please research people’s experiences with being disabled and being mistreated at airports and you’ll see how many people it happens to.
35
Nuttonbutton10 hr ago
+15
A few anecdotes? My good person, disabled people have literally died. You're an exception because you have gotten exceptional treatment.
15
nonsensestuff13 hr ago
+26
You and your wife are very lucky. Your experience is far from universal, unfortunately. This doesn’t just happen with small regional airlines.
26
ianisahurricane9 hr ago
-6
He didn’t say it didn’t happen. He said not all airlines.
-6
Anon283019 hr ago
+14
Read the other comment he sent me. He’s claiming that it’s rare for disabled people to be treated badly at airports and that my “anecdote proves nothing”.
He’s straight up implying that because he’s never experienced it then it barely ever happens.
14
ianisahurricane8 hr ago
-1
I think only an idiot would say it doesn’t happen, or that all companies and businesses should do everything possible to improve lives of people. Those w disabilities and those without. We need a much kinder world to live in. I also believe recognizing the companies that do strive to improve assistance should be recognized and promoted. Be kind.
-1
PipsqueakPilot7 hr ago
+4
There are regulations protecting very tiny airlines. For very remote places very small aircraft are utilized. This is what a Southern Express caravan looks like inside: https://static0.boltflight.com/photos/interior-cabin-of-southern-airways-express-cessna-caravan-aircraft-99284.jpg
Many Alaskan operators are flying aircraft even smaller, and if their operations were suspended it would make parts of Alaska much harder to live in.
4
Crewman_Guy_Fleegman6 hr ago
+1
The ADA does not apply to commercial aviation. The Air Carrier Access Act is the law providing for disability assistance from airlines.
But Southern Airways exclusively flies 9 passengers Cessna 208s, and under the Air Carrier Access Act, airlines operating aircraft under 28 seats are excluded from typical disability accommodation requirements. I don’t think they’re going to be sued successfully
1
Dong_bringer9 hr ago
-29
How is it abhorrent? They get to board first. They get assistance from the staff. They get special seats in some cases. All for zero extra money. When my wife was in a boot and we got to board first and get all those accommodations for free, it was awesome. Sometimes we still have her wear the boot just so we can be treated that way.
-29
Gingygingygrant899 hr ago
+19
So you have your wife fake a disability/injury to take advantage of first boarding? That’s disgusting.
19
Dong_bringer8 hr ago
[ Removed by Listnook ]
0
CookieDragon6786 hr ago
+1
Question. Did she tell them before hand? If she did and they blew it off then it’s all on the airline. If she didn’t tell them u til boarding it’s on her.
1
talkandilljustlisten5 hr ago
+1
Her manager called the airline to make sure she was okay to fly, and they assured him that she could. When she told the people at the gate this, they said that was a miscommunication and she couldn't board the plane since they use stairs to board.
1
CookieDragon6785 hr ago
+1
That’s should be the lead of the story. She reached out to make sure first. She did that. She don’t surprise them
1
Extension-Fail-191711 hr ago
-67
I feel sorry for her. But what does she want? For them to build a new airport for her? Yes, many planes have stairs. Not all have luxurious, expensive airports. That's why big companies haven't visited this city.
And if she wants to visit Everest, what will she do? Will she order the Nepalese government to build an elevator to the mountain, or that is segregation?
-67
lelma_and_thouise11 hr ago
+50
I don't think it's about luxuries....just access.
50
Extension-Fail-191711 hr ago
-30
How? It's a small airport with no tunnels or elevators. Where this small, poor airline fly to.
Should this company build a large airport with an elevator and a tunnel itself? Her complaints will only lead to the airline stopping flights to that town, and everyone will be left without a plane. Because a Hollywood actress got offended. We can't always get what we want. Sometimes it's impossible, and we have to drive.
My question still stands. And if she wants to visit Everest, what will she do? Will she order the Nepalese government to build an elevator to the mountain, or that is segregation?
-30
Anon283019 hr ago
+16
A small ramp costs barely anything to an airport. In my country it’s literally the law that any public building needs to be accessible for disabled people. An airport refusing to build a tiny ramp is a joke, they bring in enough money to make it happen.
16
Crewman_Guy_Fleegman5 hr ago
+1
The Lancaster Airport she was flying to is a tiny general aviation airport in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, mostly used for private aircraft. There literally are no bridges, or even a real terminal.
The entirety of airline service offered at the airport is a couple Southern Airways routes serviced by a 9 passenger seat Cessna 208s. Jet bridges that can accommodate Cessna 208s don't really exist.
1
CreativeBandicoot7789 hr ago
+17
Your question is a straw man argument and absolutely irrelevant to the discussion at hand regarding basic access to air travel.
It's insane that universal access and design still has to be argued for.
17
chaneI198910 hr ago
+27
Well no because everyone with a brain knows that Everest isn’t for everyone and she and many disabled people aren’t asking for them to change Everest but disabled people have been talking for years about how hard it is to travel. Especially when you phone and explain the situation and be told it will be fine like her manager did.
She was lucky she could afford to drive or hire a car to take her but not everyone that is disabled have that luxury.
27
nondescriptun7 hr ago
+1
>And if she wants to visit Everest, what will she do
Allow me to introduce your abelist tush to Erik Weihenmayer and Hari Budha Magar.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Weihenmayer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hari_Budha_Magar
1
chemical_outcome2137 hr ago
+8
The airline obviously needs to make sure people who need accomodations know they won't have them, to begin with. They need to stop taking disabled people's money and leaving them high and dry.
Stop acting like a trolling t***.
8
child_ofparadise9 hr ago
+15
What the hell does Mt Everest have to do with this?
15
chaneI198911 hr ago
+39
It’s 2026 i think airplanes and airports should have access for disabled people.
39
PipsqueakPilot8 hr ago
+12
I guess the question is how do you make this sort of interior wheelchair accessible?
https://static0.boltflight.com/photos/interior-cabin-of-southern-airways-express-cessna-caravan-aircraft-99284.jpg
12
Extension-Fail-191710 hr ago
-36
So, you're proposing to close all routes to small towns that don't have a large airport with tunnels, and leave all residents without air travel?
-36
kdj0094010 hr ago
+20
You do realize that at any time in your own life you could be disabled, right? I’m talking random, inconvenient injuries, or even simply aging and losing full control of your body. It’s common and it happens.
I flew this past year after needing to have a random tumor removed from my hip. Flew shortly after the surgery, so I could get back home. I’m so thankful my flight, the airline, and the airline employees were more than accommodating to me. I was wheelchaired throughout the airport and boarded early, in extra comfort seating, to avoid hiccups or missing my flight. The whole experience put so much into perspective for me and made me 1. SO grateful for my general health day to day, and 2. It made me keenly aware that there are people traveling who have real challenges and require special care and accommodations.
Have some compassion and think about it and I’m sure it might occur to you that what Marissa Bode is asking for and talking about is reasonable. It’s the bare minimum.
20
Crewman_Guy_Fleegman5 hr ago
+1
You didn't really answer their question. She was flying to Lancaster PA. Go look up that airport, it is a general aviation airfield and barely has a real terminal. It's mostly used by private pilots, fixed wing services, and pilot schools. The entirety of airline service to that airport is a 9-seat Cessna 208 plane that goes back and forth between there and Pittsburgh or Dulles.
Now go look at the inside cabin of a Cessna 208 and think about what you're asking. There is literally no room to assist anyone into a seat.
1
Extension-Fail-191710 hr ago
-11
I do feel for her and understand. Again - what is her and your proposition to fix this thing?
Should that small poor company build new airport with tunnel in every small city they fly? Does she understand that this is the reason those small companies fly there and not big ones? Literally because its a small town with few people and no big airport.
She should have name the city and tag mayor and governor and ask THEM why that airport has no tunnel. That company will not build it. they can only stop flying there. And no one will fly. Im sure city people will "love' that scenario. But Hollywood actress will be happy to get her revenge on company.
There was alternative - to drove a car which she did. It's not like she didnt make it.
We can't always get what we want. And have to settle for alternatives.
-11
Dowager-queen-beagle9 hr ago
+14
It’s interesting to me that to you, the onus to solve this problem is solely on disabled people, and not on all of us as a society to address. Someone else has pointed out that you, too, may experience a disability at any time, but it doesn’t sound as though you’re too skilled at looking at things from other people’s perspectives. It’s a worthwhile practice, I’ve found.
14
disappointingstepdad9 hr ago
+10
Yo king, we’re talking about a RAMP.
Every community, huge, small, rich, poor, will have disabled folks in them. Every single one. So yes it makes sense for a tiny airport to buy a RAMP.
10
Dowager-queen-beagle8 hr ago
+6
BUT WHAT ABOUT EVEREST? 🙄🙄🙄
6
PipsqueakPilot8 hr ago
+2
The issue isn’t a ramp. It’s that this is the interior of the aircraft: https://static0.boltflight.com/photos/interior-cabin-of-southern-airways-express-cessna-caravan-aircraft-99284.jpg
2
chaneI198910 hr ago
+23
Do you think there’s nobody in the small towns that are disabled and would like to travel??
23
CreativeBandicoot7789 hr ago
+3
Lmao I'd love to see where the person you responded to actually said that.
3
SillyGoatGruff7 hr ago
+6
What does she want? I bet she would have wanted to find out that the plane can't accommodate her at virtually any stage of the purchasing or check in process other than *at the gate*
6
psyne10 hr ago
+18
They need a f****** ramp, not a billion dollar airport redesign, captain strawman. This isn't the first time in the world a person in a wheelchair has needed to get up a flight of stairs. Solutions exist.
18
Background_Bus2638 hr ago
+6
In this case, it’s less to do with the airport and more to do with the plane.
6
PipsqueakPilot7 hr ago
+6
Unfortunately in this case it’s more than a ramp. The interior of the aircraft looks like this: https://static0.boltflight.com/photos/interior-cabin-of-southern-airways-express-cessna-caravan-aircraft-99284.jpg
6
limecakes6 hr ago
+1
Wow, you really are dense
1
islandgyalislandgyal5 hr ago
+1
accessibility for the disabled is not a luxury. it is basic human necessities. what the hell are u going on about?
1
that-martian7 hr ago
-3
Actually she wants them to follow the law.
Airlines and U.S. airport operators are both responsible for the accessibility of airport facilities. The Air Carrier Access (ACAA) and Department’s implementing regulation in 14 CFR Part 382 cover airlines’ obligations. Various other federal statutes and regulations apply to U.S. airport operators, for example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and their implementing regulations. Airlines and airport operators have concurrent obligations to ensure accessibility of airport facilities.
This Bill of Rights describes the obligations of airlines under the ACAA. In general, airlines must ensure that terminal facilities that they own, lease, or control are readily accessible and usable by passengers with disabilities at U.S. airports, and readily usable at foreign airports. Airports are responsible for ensuring compliance of facilities that they own, operate, or lease to other parties, including airlines. Airlines must ensure an accessible route between the gate and the aircraft boarding location. When level-entry boarding is not available, such as boarding via a jet bridge, airlines and U.S. airports must ensure ramps or mechanical lifts are available to service most flights. Airlines, in cooperation with airport operators, must also provide service animal relief areas at the airport.
https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disabilitybillofrights#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20airlines%20must%20ensure,Services%20for%20Individuals%20with%20Disabilities).
-3
Crewman_Guy_Fleegman5 hr ago
+1
Under 14 CFR Part 382.97 of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) airlines operating aircraft with fewer than 29 passenger seats are not required to provide mechanical lift devices or ramps to board passengers with disabilities who cannot ascend or descend stairs
Southern Airways exclusively flies Cessna 208s that seat only 9 passengers. They are following the law, those cabins are so small the law recognizes it's impractical to provide assistance.
1
that-martian5 hr ago
+1
oh airways not airlines that’s completely my fault I misread that. thank you for correcting me on that
1
RadiantDresden4 hr ago
+1
The airline has an obligation to accommodate disabilities. End of discussion.
78 Comments