A man who claims to have a disability was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight after he insisted he couldn’t store his personal item underneath his seat due to a medical need. While it’s of course important to adhere to ADA policies, I find some of the details here to be a bit confusing.
In this post:
Man kicked off Southwest flight over carry-on dispute
A musician named Cody Blackbird took to Instagram to share an incident that happened yesterday (Thursday, August 6, 2026) on a Southwest flight from Dallas (DAL) to Tulsa (TUL). To summarize this situation as simply as possible:
- The man was traveling with an instrument and a backpack, and he tried to place both items in the overhead bin
- When the crew noticed he placed both items in the overhead, they asked him to place one item underneath the seat in front, but he claimed he couldn’t do that, due to a disability-related medical need that he wasn’t comfortable talking about, and he kept claiming that ADA and FAA regulations were on his side
- Eventually the crew kicked him off the flight due to lack of compliance, and because they weren’t comfortable with him
- A supervisor ended up meeting him after the flight and rebooking him on the next flight, and the supervisor seemed to largely take his side
You can watch the video for yourself below.
Here’s the caption about the video, with everything in his own words:
Today I was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight after requesting a disability accommodation.
When I boarded, I placed both my carry-on and backpack in the overhead bin because I need the space under the seat in front of me due to a disability-related medical need. When a flight attendant asked me to move my backpack under the seat, I explained that I have a disability and need that space for proper blood flow. I also told the crew I wasn’t comfortable discussing my private medical information in front of a full plane.
Initially, they acknowledged my request.
Moments before takeoff, however, I was deplaned for allegedly “not following crew member instructions.”
Afterward, a Southwest supervisor spoke with the crew and returned to tell me that I should never have been deplaned and that I should never have been asked to place my backpack under the seat because ADA supersedes airline policy for able bodied customers
Despite that, I missed my original flight and was delayed by five hours.
I’m sharing this because no one should have to choose between protecting their health, their privacy, and being able to travel. Disability accommodations exist for a reason, and I hope sharing my experience helps bring awareness to how situations like this should be handled with dignity and respect.
Does a disability really cover something like this?
So of course it’s crucially important for airlines to follow ADA regulations, and make accommodations for disabled passengers. Passengers also generally aren’t required to reveal the details of their disability.
But to me it raises the question, do ADA regulations really cover something like this? I’m not here to speculate about what his condition is, but presumably it has something to do with needing a certain amount of space in front of him? If so, would a seat with limited pitch also violate ADA regulations, as he sees it? I guess I’m struggling to figure out what exactly the legally required accommodation here is.
The reason I’m not sure if this would be covered by ADA regulations is because it’s not clear (at least he didn’t share) why he needed to actually carry on that bag. It seems like if he has a situation where he can’t have anything by his feet, and if airline regulations require the second carry-on item to be stored underneath the seat, then maybe he needed to check a bag instead?
I get that maybe he didn’t want to check the items that were in the bag, but still, this doesn’t seem like a standard accommodation that you would expect on account of the ADA.
Obviously there are lots of people with “invisible” disabilities, and those shouldn’t be diminished. But at airports you also have all kinds of people who take advantage of any loophole that they can, as we often see with wheelchairs. I’m not saying that’s the case here, but I can understand the general skepticism with “I can’t follow your rules due to an undisclosed medical condition.”
At the same time, it also seems like the crew could’ve just deescalated this, because this all ended up being much more drama than it needed to be. And I bet on his next flight, he was allowed to store both items in the overhead bin.
Bottom line
A man was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight after he insisted that he could store both of his carry-on items in the overhead bin due to a medical condition. While the ADA does set the standard for the ways that airlines have to accommodate customers with disabilities, it’s not clear to me that this is actually explicitly covered.
What do you make of this Southwest ADA situation?
I get the skepticism and all, and I would expect the man to be clear about why a specific accommodation is pertenant to his disabilty- does he need the space at his feet, is it too distressing having that space taken up? Except. Massive, MASSIVE caveat here. Who is he hurting? It's not like he's placing them in the isle, where it presents a hazard, or on the seat next to him, taking up someone...
I get the skepticism and all, and I would expect the man to be clear about why a specific accommodation is pertenant to his disabilty- does he need the space at his feet, is it too distressing having that space taken up? Except. Massive, MASSIVE caveat here. Who is he hurting? It's not like he's placing them in the isle, where it presents a hazard, or on the seat next to him, taking up someone else's seat- he's actually putting them out of the way of others. The only reason to confront and evict someone from a plane is if they are making the flight dangerous. You can judge all you want, I have invisible disabilities that need accommodating in ways that can make others upset with me, and I judge others- even if they have the same disabilities as me. I know they do it, too. But most people know to hold their tongue and go about their day- and to not unnecessarily sabotage.
It is time to end the free for all ADA, service dog, etc. loophole. The same way that a placard is needed for parking in disabled spaces people need to have some documentation issued by state, county or city that certify their status. I’m tired of jetway jesus.
The guy didn't want to pay for a checked bag PERIOD
The problem here is that authentic proof of disability can be expensive and prohibitive, and really difficult to get, even if you qualify. It's an unreasonable hurdle. If you're paralyzed from the neck down, you shouldn't need documentation to be accommodated- which is what would happen. You would also have people bribing online doctors, or outright forging documents- the exact same issue that service animals run into, in spaces that do require their documentation, which...
The problem here is that authentic proof of disability can be expensive and prohibitive, and really difficult to get, even if you qualify. It's an unreasonable hurdle. If you're paralyzed from the neck down, you shouldn't need documentation to be accommodated- which is what would happen. You would also have people bribing online doctors, or outright forging documents- the exact same issue that service animals run into, in spaces that do require their documentation, which some airlines actually do. therapy pets are not legally protected, as they have not had extensive training and passed some really difficult tests to become classified as medical devices. Only mini hourses and specific dog breeds can qualify to become service animals- so if you see a cat or chihuahua, it is absolutely just a pet. Almost all service animals are Labrador Retrievers.
If you are paralyzed you are seeing a doctor so no added burden. The status quo is absurd and should be the same as for disabled placards. At least require a sworn affidavit and prosecute fake ones.
He sounds like a fruit loop for sure. I applaud the FA for even noticing he put 2 things in the overhead bin!! People do this all of the time and noone bothers to say anything
The ADA doesn't apply to interstate air travel. That's the Air Carrier Access Act, an entirely different law.
Even if this fool and his "private medical condition" doesn't know that, I'm surprised Ben doesn't. I'm surprised the "Southwest Airlines supervisor" doesn't.
Agree with others that this kind of tacky clickbait doesn't belong on OMAAT. It's something Gary would post - after overhearing it in the breakfast buffet line.
Yep, lazy people love to claim it applies.
I was on that flight and witnessed this first hand. Passenger was in a seat toward the front of the plane with extra leg room already, plane was full, limited bin space, smaller bins than one of the bigger planes. Bags were already being checked. Passenger was asked to stow small backpack under seat. Passenger refused and made a scene. Others, including myself were uncomfortable. Passenger was removed and I never once heard anyone ask...
I was on that flight and witnessed this first hand. Passenger was in a seat toward the front of the plane with extra leg room already, plane was full, limited bin space, smaller bins than one of the bigger planes. Bags were already being checked. Passenger was asked to stow small backpack under seat. Passenger refused and made a scene. Others, including myself were uncomfortable. Passenger was removed and I never once heard anyone ask for his medical condition. This is a lot of misinformation and I feel for the staff having to deal with this man’s nonsense.
I've got a feeling that this guy says: "ADA reasons" all the time everywhere in his life ie: banks, restaurants, stores etc. He seems like a pain in the ass. What really happened here is that he looked for trouble and he found it.
Does ADA only work when you can visually confirm it?
I would FIRE that flight attendant. And why did not the captain intervene about the issue?
I would fire you.
So which of the two are you checking ? ADA doesn’t entitle you to put both items above , they are not a mobility device .
I would fire you.
Why do people think its ok to have more than one carry-on bag? Every time I fly the flight attendant announces that each passenger is allowed one carry-on, a purse is considered as a carry-on and they're instructed to put purse in backpack or carry-on luggage. Some board with backpack and carry-on luggage. Flight attendants have enough to be concerned with and passengers should respect it. Causing a scene because of one's own selfishness inconveniences...
Why do people think its ok to have more than one carry-on bag? Every time I fly the flight attendant announces that each passenger is allowed one carry-on, a purse is considered as a carry-on and they're instructed to put purse in backpack or carry-on luggage. Some board with backpack and carry-on luggage. Flight attendants have enough to be concerned with and passengers should respect it. Causing a scene because of one's own selfishness inconveniences everyone on board passengers, attendants and pilots.
Respect is a two way street. If the pass legitimately (agree it’s questionable) needs accommodation, he should notify the gate agent or FA upon boarding. Respect the job they have to do too. Don’t be entitled
Sleazes like this make the cost of travel higher for everyone.
I can imagine several situations in which a passenger may need the legroom under the seat in front of him because of a medical condition he doesn't want to discuss in front of the entire plane. The one that immediately came to mind (and I must admit, this was me once) is that after surgery, men are often required to wear a urinary catheter strapped to their leg. There is a document you're given that...
I can imagine several situations in which a passenger may need the legroom under the seat in front of him because of a medical condition he doesn't want to discuss in front of the entire plane. The one that immediately came to mind (and I must admit, this was me once) is that after surgery, men are often required to wear a urinary catheter strapped to their leg. There is a document you're given that allows you through TSA, but even on a short flight, not being able to extend your leg can cause real problems.
The fact that the supervisor booked him on the next flight led me to believe that the passenger was comfortable discussing the problem in private, and that once explained, his request to put his bags in the overhead was approved.
Nonsense. I spent most of a year with a urinary catheter and flew several times. There's no requirement to be able to stretch your legs out, the tubing works just as well however much your leg is bent.
BS
Not enough information to draw a conclusion.
Does ADA only work when you can visually confirm it?
I fly with Southwest a lot. I have to have a wheelchair. When making my reservation, there is a section for those of us needing assistance. Rule is 1 overhead and 1 under the seat. He could have contacted a representative when making his reservation and explained that he needed the leg room. He also could have reserved a seat in the forward section that has no seats in front of it with plenty of...
I fly with Southwest a lot. I have to have a wheelchair. When making my reservation, there is a section for those of us needing assistance. Rule is 1 overhead and 1 under the seat. He could have contacted a representative when making his reservation and explained that he needed the leg room. He also could have reserved a seat in the forward section that has no seats in front of it with plenty of leg room. I do agree the staff could have de-escalated the situation, as well. I am conscious that my disability is not visible, so I take extra care to follow the guidelines.
As a person who has invisible disabilities (MS, fibromyalgia and Guillian-Barre Syndrome) that leaves me occasionally needing the area around my feet clear due to pain, I get the same kind of pushback from Southwest flight attendants on occasion whenever I fly with them. I've learned to carry a drs note, I inform the gate attendant and request that they also inform the flight attendants, I don't cause any additional drama because their jobs are...
As a person who has invisible disabilities (MS, fibromyalgia and Guillian-Barre Syndrome) that leaves me occasionally needing the area around my feet clear due to pain, I get the same kind of pushback from Southwest flight attendants on occasion whenever I fly with them. I've learned to carry a drs note, I inform the gate attendant and request that they also inform the flight attendants, I don't cause any additional drama because their jobs are difficult enough without me adding to their stress.
Rules are rules for a reason. I''ve never seen that issue on domestic or international flights. Just about anyone can suddenly say they have a disability once boarded the plane to make excuses, which is what the guy clearly did. He tried to cheat the system and he got mad because he got caught!
Goes right with "service dogs". Claim ADA. How about all those wheelchair passengers that miraculously recover during the flight and walk off without assistance. This is the new "all about me" culture.
How many times have you witnessed a passenger store both carry-on items--his suitcase AND his backpack/laptop bag, plus a jacket sometimes, and flight attendants say nothing? I see it on just about every flight I take. That sense of entitlement is rarely confronted.
The thing is that the ADA doesn't technically apply, but most people call the ACAA "ADA" because they supposedly serve the same purpose: requiring equity for disabled passengers.
We are lacking a lot of details here, but I will break down what I can see:
Many airlines require you to pay for any checked luggage. If all passengers are permitted two carry-ons, then requiring a disabled passenger to check their carry-on could be interpreted (and...
The thing is that the ADA doesn't technically apply, but most people call the ACAA "ADA" because they supposedly serve the same purpose: requiring equity for disabled passengers.
We are lacking a lot of details here, but I will break down what I can see:
Many airlines require you to pay for any checked luggage. If all passengers are permitted two carry-ons, then requiring a disabled passenger to check their carry-on could be interpreted (and has been in the past) as charging the passenger for being disabled.
Additionally, if he requires access mid-flight to items in the carry-on, what does he do when the item is checked during boarding?
However, if the overhead bins were full (they often fill quickly), then allowing him to stow both his items and requiring someone else to check luggage or stuff both their carry-ons under a seat, potentially damaging items, is essentially charging the non-disabled passenger for not being disabled, or allowing a "perk" for disability, which is also not equitable.
Many airlines will require certain items not to be checked, including valuable instruments (source: when I flew to Arizona from Indiana in late 2001, they required me to make my clarinet a carry-on and would not allow it in my checked luggage -- though, in my experience, guitars are far too large to be carry-ons?). So if he needs meds from the bag and isn't allowed to check the other, what's he supposed to do?
And this is where we come to the actual solution: you read your contract that comes with your ticket, you call the airline as soon as you have the ticket confirmation, and they will instruct you. You also may need to remind gate and plane crew of whatever the customer support said, or carry certain documentation per that conversation (for example, I flew in 2009, and was told to carry a note from my doctor saying I was breastfeeding, so security wouldn't open all my stored milk containers and contaminate the milk).
He has the condition. The airline does not hide the instructions that one carry-on per passenger may be stowed in the bins (and I don't know of any American airlines without that rule, but I'm not an expert on airlines' requirements). Just like if you have a guide dog: you can't just pop up and expect to immediately get the accommodation you demand. Proper notification and allowing the airline to offer other accommodation which work for their regulations is required. (From his side of the story, no one offered an alternative, but for anyone else...)
Why is disability in quotes in the title? A travel blog post author is not qualified to judge if someone has a disability or not, unless they are a medical professional or social worker who has evaluated that person. Have some empathy and kindness.
If you're able to make it onboard under your own steam & have a rational argument with the cabin crew about your "rights", then maybe you shouldn't be asking for special accommodations, particularly given that this was a 240 mile/390 km flight that never lasts more than an hour? This guy is an asshat, and people like him make things more difficult for those with a genuine disability. If it's that important to you, get...
If you're able to make it onboard under your own steam & have a rational argument with the cabin crew about your "rights", then maybe you shouldn't be asking for special accommodations, particularly given that this was a 240 mile/390 km flight that never lasts more than an hour? This guy is an asshat, and people like him make things more difficult for those with a genuine disability. If it's that important to you, get a note from a specialist physician and negotiate extra space with the gate agent.
I don't believe him.
Under the ACAA, and just about any airlines contract of carriage as a downline requirement, a passenger can notify the airline that due to a medical need (which they don't have to disclose, and can't be asked) they require a certain type of seating. The airline must accommodate if such seating exists and does NOT have to provide for free any seating that is an upsell from whatever ticket they bought. So no extra legroom...
Under the ACAA, and just about any airlines contract of carriage as a downline requirement, a passenger can notify the airline that due to a medical need (which they don't have to disclose, and can't be asked) they require a certain type of seating. The airline must accommodate if such seating exists and does NOT have to provide for free any seating that is an upsell from whatever ticket they bought. So no extra legroom seat if it's in Econ Plus, no upgrade to front cabin for free, etc. If it is something the airline cannot accommodate in the seating their ticket entitles them to, they can notify the passenger and offer the option of paying for something that might in another class of service.
But nearly all require notifying the airline at least 24 hours in advance and being able to self-select the seat. This lack of ability to reserve a seat that meets medical need is the entire reason why Southwest was required to have such a liberal pre-board policy before assigned seating starts.
This customer could have had a medical condition needing extra foot space. But for a specific accommodation, the customer, per Southwest CoC, needs to notify the airline at least 24 hours in advance.
Now, argument is that's kinda silly if the seat they selected and booked and sat in met their requirements. Putting extra item in overhead... the crew should have just moved on. But the CoC says that technically the customer should have told the airline this in advance to have it documented.
I once went to court to defend an airline against someone suing because the airline's seats didn't recline. They said it worsened a back injury and caused further medical trouble. While it was an intl flight and I was prepared with a Montreal Convention defense as a back-up (very narrow scope of what counts as an injury), what won the case was the contract of carriage saying that the customer should have notified airline. If they'd done their part, per the judge, and called the airline saying they need a reclining seat (and judge pointed out every airline has some rows that don't recline) they'd have been told no seats go back and thus could have avoided the "injury."
One reason I no longer fly because of already cramped seating. More to the point having a tendency for deep vein blood clots I would definitely need the extra leg room. Flying has gotten so awful its not worth it anymore. I will drive the 1400 miles to visit folks rather than cram my aging body into a small space with no leg room. At least when I drive or am driven my movements and leg room are my own.
TED stockings, Clexane, first class. Sitting in the car for 1400 miles would surely be a greater risk for DVT than 3.5 hours in economy class?
I think the man with a medical disability needs to travel with some documentation. That is his responsibility. Also he had a chance when booking to declare that. Please give our service workers a chance to do their job. Respect should be mutual
One backpack can always fit somewhere on the plane. The passenger should have problem solved and considered whether he could just put the backpack under the seat in front of him. After takeoff, move the backpack to his foot area and put his feet under the seat in front. I do that all the time. He could also look for overhead space once the plane takes off and he could try to redistribute items in...
One backpack can always fit somewhere on the plane. The passenger should have problem solved and considered whether he could just put the backpack under the seat in front of him. After takeoff, move the backpack to his foot area and put his feet under the seat in front. I do that all the time. He could also look for overhead space once the plane takes off and he could try to redistribute items in his backpack if he had the foresight to bring a plastic bag with him, which I do.
He deserved to be kicked off. You claim a disability and then pull the "im not comfortable talking about it" like a coward? Sounds like he was lying his butt off. The flight crew did the right thing here.
If the man needed the additional leg room, he should have requested that accommodation when booking or at the gate, not wait until he got on the plane to make an issue of it. He knew the rules, but just chose at that time to pursue his ‘disability’ claim. Of course, by this time, the crew was in a position where they had to either ignore the rules and accommodate him or throw him off...
If the man needed the additional leg room, he should have requested that accommodation when booking or at the gate, not wait until he got on the plane to make an issue of it. He knew the rules, but just chose at that time to pursue his ‘disability’ claim. Of course, by this time, the crew was in a position where they had to either ignore the rules and accommodate him or throw him off the plane. They should have ignored the rules for that one flight and flagged him with a note to the supervisors. Let the higher ups resolve the situa
If he has a disability, he should have preloaded. Of course if he had a short connection, he didn't have that option.
Beyond thst, southwest is in violation of thr law. If he has the medical documentation he can sue for $1M+
This disability is likely a leg related one where he has knee mobility issues where long time bending hurts.
I have had knee surgery. Bending it like you might with limited leg...
If he has a disability, he should have preloaded. Of course if he had a short connection, he didn't have that option.
Beyond thst, southwest is in violation of thr law. If he has the medical documentation he can sue for $1M+
This disability is likely a leg related one where he has knee mobility issues where long time bending hurts.
I have had knee surgery. Bending it like you might with limited leg room can be very uncomfortable. If he abdominal surgery recovery, bending down like that hurts the abdominal muscles when healing
When had knee issues, I needed the extra room to keep my knee straight, so I couldn't store stuff in front. I would also booked specific isle seats allowing to put my leg in the isle. That said I also checked by lugguge except a small carry bag.
1. The law that covers disability accommodations is the ACAA, not the ADA.
2. The airline cannot legally demand disclosure of the exact nature of the disability, because disabled people have the same civil and privacy rights as everyone else.
3. If they want to help disabled people, airlines should stop treating us like children. while they're at it, they should remove the many fake service dogs so that my real one stops getting attacked.
The airline may not be able to force you to reveal the nature of the disability but they dont have to keep you on board either. If you're going to claim a disability then dont cower behind a privacy law when asked to explain. Thats something a self entitled coward does.
So your 2 and 3 contradict each other. It seems to be an issue with businesses even being able to ask about and determine whether " service dogs" are fake or real,because of people accusing them of asking about their condition and complaining that it violates ADA law to even try to verify if the service dog is real. . So,generally,businesses don't ask for verification of an actual service dog for fear of being accused...
So your 2 and 3 contradict each other. It seems to be an issue with businesses even being able to ask about and determine whether " service dogs" are fake or real,because of people accusing them of asking about their condition and complaining that it violates ADA law to even try to verify if the service dog is real. . So,generally,businesses don't ask for verification of an actual service dog for fear of being accused of prying about someone's disability. You can't have it both ways.
If airlines deplaned every person who put two items overhead and nothing under the seat, the planes will be half empty.
People just need to mind their business. I have disabilities where I need a wheelchair...I look ok but some of my conditions call for the wheelchair. Nobody wants everyone in their business. Use kindness and understanding.
Here is the piece I always scratch my head on these case.
"Eventually the crew kicked him off the flight due to lack of compliance, and because they weren’t comfortable with him
A supervisor ended up meeting him after the flight and rebooking him on the next flight, and the supervisor seemed to largely take his side"
It seems that 100% of these passengers that are kicked off a flight because crew is...
Here is the piece I always scratch my head on these case.
"Eventually the crew kicked him off the flight due to lack of compliance, and because they weren’t comfortable with him
A supervisor ended up meeting him after the flight and rebooking him on the next flight, and the supervisor seemed to largely take his side"
It seems that 100% of these passengers that are kicked off a flight because crew is not comfortable flying with him/her are booked on the next flight almost always on the same carrier. So, what changes that all of the sudden the passenger is now allowed to fly on the same carrier under a different crew? Doesn't that say a lot about where the problem is here? It seems it is always the crew that causes the problem because if the passenger is really a treat it would never be allowed on the next flight.
@ Santastico -- I agree with you 100%. It's part of the issue with the US crew culture, where crews are allowed to kick people off because they aren't "vibing" with passengers. This doesn't happen with foreign carriers in the same way. If a situation is so dire that someone is kicked off a flight, they also shouldn't be allowed to take the next flight, in my opinion.
Getting to preboard is a courtesy, not a requirement. A passenger with a disability can board at any time and still expect reasonable accomodations.
Correct. Preboard is a courtesy, not a requirement. Someone requiring any level of assistance (that is normally provided to passengers) cannot be required to board first.
I used to have a passenger from one of my stations who was an amputee, had a motorized scooter, and required aisle chair onto the airplane. They were also a self-styled rights activist. They insisted on boarding last right at gate close time. Usually we then took a...
Correct. Preboard is a courtesy, not a requirement. Someone requiring any level of assistance (that is normally provided to passengers) cannot be required to board first.
I used to have a passenger from one of my stations who was an amputee, had a motorized scooter, and required aisle chair onto the airplane. They were also a self-styled rights activist. They insisted on boarding last right at gate close time. Usually we then took a delay because they exercised the right to take the scooter to airplane door, which because it weighed over 300 lbs had to be taken to an elevator and down to the ramp and then back to plane and loaded (which that process took 10 minutes in itself), had to be assisted onto aisle chair, taken down the aisle, and usually booked a window seat toward the back so we would have to take up the aisle of fully boarded plane, require two rows of people to get up (so one assist agent could get behind the seat to support), etc. Guaranteed we took a delay. But that was his right under the law and I suppose he had a point too that shouldn't lose his convenience. Though he usually made it a point to inconvenience 200 other people.
I've been on southwest flights that I've seen people place their backpacks in the overhead bin. Later when space is full these same people often act flustered when asked to move their backpacks under the seat in front of them. I also see the flip side of this though. If there was room for his backpack on this particular flight one would think the flight attendant might have just deescalate and not worried about it unless there was actually a space issue.
"I guess I’m struggling to figure out what exactly the legally required accommodation here is."
The Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, which falls under the Air Carriers Access Act, spells out the accommodations to which disabled passengers are entitled. This falls under "The right to receive seating accommodations."
Whether anyone here on OMAAT believes him or not is immaterial.
@ TravelinWilly -- I hear you, but if you look at the section about "The Right to Receive Seating Accommodations," it says the following:
"Airlines must provide specific seats to the following passengers who identify to airline personnel as needing the seat, if the seat exists on the same class of service on the aircraft."
The only potentially relevant detail here is "Greater Leg Room–When the passenger has a fused or immobilized leg." But...
@ TravelinWilly -- I hear you, but if you look at the section about "The Right to Receive Seating Accommodations," it says the following:
"Airlines must provide specific seats to the following passengers who identify to airline personnel as needing the seat, if the seat exists on the same class of service on the aircraft."
The only potentially relevant detail here is "Greater Leg Room–When the passenger has a fused or immobilized leg." But this just seems to cover seat assignments, and not the right to not follow a carrier's rules when it comes to where carry-on bags are placed.
I could be reading this wrong, though. :-)
Show me a link to the legal document. Not a summary write up.
The muscles that control your legs are in your lower abdomen. You have say a c-section, recent surgery in that area, you cant be in a seat and bending down to reach under the seat.
What a frigging idiot! He tries to use laws to protect others to completee his scam
"The right to receive seating accommodations."
Wait so my "I wasn’t comfortable discussing my private medical information" excuse can score me any seat in the same class of service I want for free?
This is like fake service animals trick but for real humans.
It sounds like he didn’t preboard. In most instances to get accommodations under the ACAA, you have to preboard though an airline may give accommodations at its discretion if you don’t. Also, the ADA does not apply on airplanes, only the ACAA does.
Preboarding is a courtesy, not a requirement. A passenger with a disability can board at any time and expect reasonable accomodations.
Is OMAAT merging with View from the wing ?