“It appears that evidently the extra locations I see and expertise, the larger I notice the world to be. The extra I develop into conscious of, the extra I notice how comparatively little I do know of it, what number of locations I’ve nonetheless to go, how way more there’s to study.” – Anthony Bourdain

Whats up, mates!

We’ve loads to make amends for for the reason that transition of this article from Substack to the brand new and improved WheelchairTravel.org. It is good to have the whole lot in a single place, and I’m joyful that you’re right here! With out additional ado, let’s bounce proper in.

The world’s oldest llama and a weekend at camp

Final weekend, I took a street journey to North Carolina for a really particular weekend at Victory Junction, a camp that “challenges kids who’ve a severe medical situation to attempt issues they by no means imagined potential.” The camp depends closely on volunteers who welcome youngsters and households to a retreat stuffed with enjoyable and pleasure, serving to them to expertise actions like fishing, archery, bowling, horseback using, arts & crafts and extra.

Whereas at camp, I had the chance to recreate a photograph from my very own childhood once I met Whitetop the Llama, who lately earned the Guinness World Data for oldest residing llama in captivity and the oldest llama in captivity ever. Guinness revealed a pleasant story about how Whitetop’s life has been devoted to connecting with disabled youngsters.

Being there at camp, witnessing the self-giving of so many volunteers, and attending to expertise the weekend with an unbelievable child who has develop into an important a part of my life, was one thing I’ll always remember. Congratulations to the Victory Junction group for a job really nicely completed.

Restricted areas stay on the September 2025 Wheelchair Journey Group Journey to Spain

In case you are inquisitive about touring with me to Spain in September, there are nonetheless areas out there in my group! Check out the Itinerary for the September 2025 Wheelchair Journey Group Journey to Spain, and fill out the curiosity type if you need to hitch.

This tour is a particular one — we’ll be visiting Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, Monserrat and the Dalí Museum, whereas additionally having fun with experiences like a standard Flamenco Present, tapas dinners and a wine tour. I hope it is possible for you to to hitch us!

Journey to Hamburg, and talking to executives

In only a few brief weeks, I’ll set off on my annual journey to the Plane Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany. Final yr, I reported on thrilling progress within the growth of wheelchair securement areas for airplanes, and you may learn my protection right here:

Delta Wows with Up to date Wheelchair Seat, Bathroom for Airplanes – Wheelchair Journey

Discover the up to date wheelchair securement house for airplanes from Delta Flight Merchandise, unveiled on the Plane Interiors Expo in Germany.

Collins Aerospace Joins Race to Add Wheelchair House to Airplane – Wheelchair Journey

Debut of second wheelchair securement house idea kicks off dramatic race to certification and set up within the plane cabin.

I’ll absolutely be trying to follow-up on these improvements, whereas additionally in search of out new merchandise that would enhance the flying expertise for disabled folks.

Someday earlier than AIX kicks off, I’ve been invited to ship remarks on the Passenger Expertise Convention. You possibly can examine my appearances right here:

It is thrilling that two accessibility-focused panels, together with one throughout the plenary session, will likely be introduced on the daylong convention that’s attended by airline executives, plane designers and different trade leaders.

The airline that is maintaining tabs on me, and the despicable lawsuit they’ve filed

I fly with lots of totally different airways all year long, however my main service is American Airways — not as a result of I’m a fan of the service (they constantly rank as one of many worst airways for disabled passengers), however as a result of there are perks to being loyal (complimentary upgrades, free checked luggage, bonus miles, and so on.).

As a result of I fly AA so typically, they monitor my travels and routinely assign a supervisor to satisfy me on arrival (they ship notes to the stations saying {that a} “VIP” passenger is arriving, which is comical).

Sometimes, whoever is monitoring my actions from the company workplace misses a visit — there isn’t any advance discover supplied to airport groups, no supervisor assigned to satisfy me on arrival — and the system is left to disclose its true colours, what’s truly normal working process.

That occurred earlier this week. Nobody knew that I used to be coming, with one agent even saying “they did not tell us you had been flying immediately.” Once I arrived in Charlotte, the airline’s baggage handlers attended to my wheelchair final (it’s alleged to be “among the many first” gadgets faraway from cargo). They lifted the 450-pound wheelchair manually moderately than utilizing the specialised wheelchair raise that was available (recall this 2019 story, Every thing You Must Know About Wheelchair Dealing with at American Airways in One Picture), and I used to be made to attend an prolonged time frame for its return (30+ minutes).

6 Instruments Airways Can Use to Stop Wheelchair Injury – Wheelchair Journey

Till a wheelchair house within the plane cabin arrives, airways can cut back the danger of damaging wheelchairs with these progressive instruments.

That’s American’s true normal working process. However, fact be informed, even with the additional consideration that I typically obtain, they nonetheless fail — incessantly. A lot of it comes right down to poor coaching (baggage handlers have not been taught the best way to safely deal with wheelchairs or to prioritize their return), and workers who haven’t any concern for the security and dignity of disabled passengers (like when workers deny preboarding, or demand passengers deplane even when their wheelchair has not been returned).

The Police Aren’t Coming, However If They Do — Put together to Get Paid – Wheelchair Journey

It might be surprising to study that airways routinely threaten disabled passengers with arrest — right here’s the best way to reply if it occurs to you.

That is why it’s surprising that American Airways is suing the Division of Transportation to dam the improved coaching necessities introduced final yr. They should practice higher, and extra typically! To learn how American and different main carriers have lined up behind their commerce group to assault the civil rights of disabled air vacationers, learn this text: U.S. Airways Sue to Block Disabled Passenger Protections and Coaching Necessities. It is eye-opening.

What’s a CRO?

If you do not know the reply to this query, do not feel dangerous — airline workers do not both, regardless that they need to.

Earlier this week, once I traveled on that American Airways flight to Charlotte and my wheelchair was not promptly returned, I requested to talk with a CRO in order that I might lodge a criticism.

There was confusion on the gate. One gate agent requested, “What’s a CRO?” One other mentioned, “that is a CSM [Customer Service Manager], proper?” Another person remarked, “We name it a CSC.”

A couple of minutes later, somebody did current themselves to me as a CRO — I acknowledged the details and alleged a violation of the ACAA (i.e. “the criticism”), however she appeared confused once I introduced up the requirement that she reply in writing to substantiate or deny that the alleged violation occurred. I’ll give it 30 days because the legislation permits, however I’m questioning if my 2020 article, Airways Are Coaching Grievance Decision Officers to Break the Regulation, nonetheless holds water?

Excellent news earlier than you go, and last ideas

Listed here are some tales that have not been featured in a e-newsletter but:

Thanks to your continued readership and have a terrific weekend!

All the most effective,
— John