Concerned About Wheelchair Damage on AIrlines? Comments requested by U.S.Dept of Transportation by Sept 13, 2011

About Wheelchair Damage? Posted By: Michael Collins : August 8, 2011

After years of mistreatment by the airlines, those of us who travel with wheelchairs or other mobility equipment may actually have our concerns recognized. Up until now there has been no attempt to capture the accurate number of wheelchairs or other mobility devices transported by the nation's air carriers, or how many incidents of damage occur.

I have taken over 100 flights during the time that I have used a wheelchair, and I would estimate that something negative happens about a third of the time on those trips. These incidents range from damage to my wheelchair or improper handling by the contracted personnel used by the airlines to transfer me, to excessive delays that jeopardize my ability to make connecting flights or meet prearranged transportation on time.
The federal

#Department of Transportation:

is asking all of us to provide opinions and advice about how they should capture the number of mobility devices being handled by the airlines, and how incidents of damage to that equipment should be reported. Before that will occur, DOT needs to be reassured by the legion of travelers with disabilities that this is important information to capture. That's where we come in.

Because DOT does a good job of explaining what they are seeking in the following announcement that is located on the regulations.gov website, I am going to simply paste that information below so that you can take action as described in the announcement. If we hope to see improvement in the future, it is important that we take the time to provide the input that DOT is seeking.

Here is the DOT's Federal Register announcement, which is available at http://www.regulations.gov:

"The Department of Transportation is interested in capturing data about the number of mishandled wheelchairs/scooters per unit of wheelchairs/scooters transported in aircraft cargo. Many air travelers who use wheelchairs are reluctant to travel by air because of concern that the return of their wheelchairs or scooters will be delayed, or the wheelchair/scooter will be damaged or lost. However, we do not know the magnitude of the problem. The proposed data collection for mishandled wheelchairs/scooters is crucial to understanding the magnitude of the problem as this data is not available to us through other means.

It is very important that passengers with mobility disabilities arrive at their destination with their wheelchair/scooter in good working order. Without these devices, they will have great difficulty in exiting the airport or may be confined to their hotel or place of visit.

We invite interested persons to comment on this proposal. Should the rule be expanded to require data not only about wheelchairs and scooters transported in the aircraft cargo compartment but about all wheelchairs and scooters regardless of whether the devices are transported in the cabin or in the cargo compartment? Should the rule also apply to other mobility devices, such as walkers?

The Department plans to publish the data it receives from the carriers, which would increase public awareness of the issue, provide passengers with disabilities a means by which to compare the overall mishandled wheelchair/scooter rates by carrier and create an added incentive for air carriers to treat these mobility devices with greater care.

DATES: All comments must be received by September 13, 2011. Late filed comments will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to Docket RITA 2011-0001 by any of the following methods:

· Federal eRulemaking Portal:

Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.

· Mail

: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

· Hand Delivery or Courier:

U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
· Fax: 202-493-2251.

DOT will post all comments received, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. If DOT acknowledgement of comments is desired, please include a pre-addressed, stamped postcard on which the docket number appears. We will date the postcard and mail it to you.

Docket: To read background documents or comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or to Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: bernard.stankus@dot.gov."

* Bernie Stankus, Office of Airline Information, RTS-42, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001, Telephone Number (202) 366-4387, Fax Number (202) 366-3383 or E-MAIL bernard.stankus@dot.gov."