Stearn Hodge was traveling to Tusla, Oklahoma, in 2017 from Calgary International Airport for he and his wife's 43rd wedding anniversary when a security officer and representative from United Airlines said that it wasn't safe for his $2,000 scooter battery or the spare to fly on the plane.
This is a problem for Hodge as he lost his left arm and right leg in a workplace accident in 1984 and his mobility is determined by his scooter which is powered by lithium batteries. While he has a prosthetic leg, he can't wear it long or he risks an infection.
Hodge was prepared for pushback with this, but he was prepared and had documents he'd printed from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that said while Lithium-ion batteries do pose a fire safety risk, the IATA make exceptions for travelers with disabilities if the airline provides prior approval. Hodge also had prior approval from United Airlines so it should have been fine.
Instead, the Calgary Airport officer and United Airlines representative wouldn't listen or even read the documents.
"I still remember the CATSA agent saying, 'Well, you could get a wheelchair.' How's a one-armed guy going to run a wheelchair?" Hodge told CBC. "How am I going to go down a ramp and brake with one hand? But that shouldn't even have to come up."
Hodge asked United Airlines to confirm to security that he'd gotten permission to bring the batteries on board but instead of referring to the approval the airline had provided him, they sided with security.
Without the batteries to his scooter, Hodge's anniversary was ruined. He spent his three-week vacation mostly confined to his bed and resorting to crawling to get around.
"An anniversary is supposed to be all about remembering how you fell in love ... and keeping that magic alive," he said. "And those things were denied. I'm crawling across the floor and it is pathetic."
Hodge took the case up with the Canadian Transportation Authority, but since they can't award damages, Hodge's lawyer, John Burns, will be asking a Federal Court judge on May 9 to have the Canadian Human Rights Commission review the case and see if United Airlines and Calgary Airport should be held responsible for discrimination.
In an email from United Airlines, a complaint resolution official Tatricia Orija wrote, "it appears we were in violation of federal disability requirements," and apologized for the "inconvenience." United then offered Hodge and his wife $800 travel certificates each.
"Inconvenience is when it rains on your holiday," said Hodge. "This was a … life-changing moment for me and my wife."
"People with disabilities should be taken seriously. You don't take away somebody's legs and then describe it as an inconvenience. No, this is an injury," Burns added.
"We are looking into the allegations, and because of the pending litigation, we are unable to provide further comment," Andrea Hiller, a spokeswoman for United Airlines, told CNN. "That said, the experience described falls far short of our own high standard of caring for our customers. We are proud of the many steps we have taken over the past few years to exhibit more care for our customers and we are proud to operate an airline that doesn't just include people with disabilities but welcomes them as customers."
For Hodge, this experience has affected him greatly.
"They're taking my legs - and not only that, my dignity," said Hodge.
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