A quadriplegic man was forced off a Frontier Airlines plane in Dallas, Texas Sunday. The man was trying to go back home to Fort Collins, Colo., along with his family. The flight's captain assumed it was dangerous for the male to travel. Post resource - Quadriplegic man forced off of Frontier Airlines flight by Newsytype.com.
Male had flown previously
Twenty-four year old John Morris from Colorado State University had gone to a wedding a few days before, which is why he flew to Dallas. Airline seat-belt extensions were used to secure him. He strapped his legs and chest to the seat this way. The extensions are meant to be used for larger passengers who need a longer-than-normal seat belt to be secured. His safety was not a concern for that flight.
'The pilot refused to take off'
John Morris' mother, Kathleen Morris, said, "When a flight attendant saw John strapped in, they said they would have to clear it with the captain. ... The captain refused to take off, so I said that we wouldn't get off the plane until they figured it out."
Airline law enforcement called in
Frontier called the airport law enforcement after the Morris family refused to leave. Law enforcement officers didn't take sides on the matter, although three showed up. Kathleen Morris listened to the officers. One said, "It looks like he's safely restrained. This isn't an issue for us, because he's not posing a problem for the plane or other passengers."
The captain was still worried. He wouldn't leave. The pilot said, according to Kathleen Morris, "He cannot fly. I want him off this plane."
Incident humiliates
It was not a good thing for the Morris family. They were embarrassed. "I felt horrible," john Morris said. "I just felt like I didn't belong. I haven't felt that bad since the accident."
"It really broke my heart," Kathleen Morris said, "because I know what John goes through on a day-to-day basis, not being able to do things that he certainly would like to, just wanting the opportunity to travel."
One passenger commented on the issue too. The passenger said, "It was very demoralizing and dehumanizing. It should have been dealt with at the gate, not after he was already boarded."
Captain gets to choose
Peter Kowalchuk is a Frontier spokesman. He said that the captain didn't know if there would be enough restraint with just the seat belt extensions. When it comes to plane safety, the captain gets to choose. Kowalchuk said the captain has the ultimate authority. "I'm sure that this will be reviewed, and I'm sure that there will be consideration given to how this was handled," he said.
Possible legal action
The Morris family was given tickets by Frontier to take the next plane to Denver. The captain on that plane had no concern over him traveling. Morris said that the family was considering legal action against Frontier Airlines.
Articles cited
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/43468686/ns/travel-news/t/frontier-forces-quadriplegic-man-plane/?GT1=43001
Denver Channel
thedenverchannel.com/news/28291011/detail.html
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