[gatagato]

Even Though Airline Brought Him To Chicago

A family brought their son from France to Chicago for a year and a half of treatment of a hormone disorder and now it’s time to return home. The problem is that British Airways won’t allow the 500 pound man to board a flight, even though the same airline brought him to the United States.

22-year-old Kevin Chenais came with his family to the U.S. to spend 18 months at the Mayo Clinic for treatment, according to Mail Online. Chenais and his parents have been stuck at a hotel close to the airport for a week because British Airways refuses to allow him to fly because of his size.

“We blame British Airways because now they just leave us, and they brought us here,” Christina Chenais, Kevin’s mother, told CBS Chicago.

The family is now out of cash and plan to travel to New York by train to board the Queen Mary II cruise ship to England, all taking time and money they can’t afford. Kevin requires round-the-clock oxygen and full time medical attention.

“Our customer service team worked diligently to find a solution…Unfortunately, it is not possible to safely accommodate the customer on any of our aircraft…,” a statement from a British Airways spokesperson read.

Kevin’s parents insist the airline was informed about his size and medical needs before they bought their tickets

[dirty ike]

Pretty chicken shit.

[bob351]

[bob351]

Sneaky way of exporting fat people.

[Shakey]

Pay the double fare.

[Laudanum]

I don't get this. The collective weight of the passengers will be obscene, so as long as the total flight weight isn't exceeded, then what the fuck are they on about? The only other aspect as far as I can tell, would be BA worrying about medical issues that can arise in flight, and surely the family would be prepared for, and would even be willing to sign a disclaimer to the fact, just to get their son home. BA are a bunch of wankflannels anyway.

[BBKF]

I worked for an airline. It would have been illegal for us to refuse a passenger due to weight. We have seatbelt extenders. Although, depending on size, sometimes they must pay for two seats. This takes care of the weight balance issue. Refusing a passenger because of oxygen or disabilies is absolutely illegal. I worked for a domestic airline so perhaps regulations are different, but it smacks of bias against someone with weight and/or physical disabilities.

[Spiffyfable]

Buy two seats

[GoreisGreat]

Slim down fatty, then you can fly.

[Sharon]

That's ridiculous