It was in August that Canadian Rodney Hodgins, together with his wife, flew to Las Vegas to celebrate his anniversary.
Rodney Hodgins has a CP injury that leaves him unable to walk and is in constant need of a motorized wheelchair. According to the couple themselves, such had been included in the travel booking.
But when the plane had landed, they were informed that there was no possibility or time to take a wheelchair on board – and that he would have to get out on his own. The couple initially thought the flight attendant was joking.
– I said: “Of course I can’t.” I’m in a wheelchair. I can’t go,” Rodney Hodgins tells Global News.
Wife: Humiliating
It all ended with Rodney Hodgins being forced to leave the plane walking on his hands, while his wife carried his leg up.
In a post on Facebook, the man’s wife writes about how humiliating it was.
“We had to fight our way in front of dozens of people. Some looked away and others looked on, full of shame, for him to get off the plane”.
The airline’s apology
Now Air Canada is apologizing and admitting that Rodney Hodgins didn’t get the help he needed. They say it is a matter of professional misconduct on the part of the assistance company.
“We use the services of a wheelchair assistance specialist in Las Vegas to provide safe transportation on and off planes. After we investigate this serious misconduct, we will look at other suppliers,” the airline said in a statement.
Hodgins was also offered compensation in the form of flight vouchers equivalent to SEK 16,000 – something he was not particularly happy about.
– I don’t care if they send 80,000 or 120,000 kroner. It won’t solve the problem, I don’t care about the money. I just want to make a difference so that no one else is forced to experience this, says Hodgins to Global News.