The following is via CBC News:
Air Canada says it’s investigating complaints from Itzhak Perlman after the disabled virtuoso violinist claimed he was abandoned by a disability assistant and left to deal with his own luggage when arriving at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
“We find this very concerning as it is not at all representative of Air Canada’s policies,” said Peter Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for Air Canada, in a statement. “We are looking into this regrettable situation and we will be in contact with the customer to discuss this matter and offer our apologies.”
The Israeli-American violinist, who contracted polio at the age of four and uses crutches or a mobility scooter to get around, was in Toronto Monday night for a charity concert.
He said airline officials had his information that he was supposed to be met at the airport by someone to help him through customs.
He said he was met by a man who took one of his bags and accompanied him to an elevator.
“And he says, ‘Well, that’s where I leave you.’ I said, ‘What do you mean ‘where I leave you?””
Perlman said the man then rearranged his bags on his lap, which included a heavy bag, violin, a couple of more bags and his crutches.
“I said, ‘What about this bag?” referring to his carry-on. “He said, ‘Well, it’s not my problem that you chose to carry an extra bag. And besides, I’m not your personal assistant. You’re not paying me or anything.'”
“I said, ‘This is ridiculous.’ He says, ‘Well, I’ve got to go, I’ve got other flights to take care of.’ And he just left me there.”
Perlman said he was able to load everything on his lap and found an officer who helped him get in line for immigration.
“I looked up and there was signs saying ‘Welcome to Canada.’ And I said to myself, well, I don’t know about this. The way this gentleman treated me was ridiculous
“I felt abandoned. I felt like I was kind of helpless.”
Perlman said he’s been coming to Toronto for more than 40 years and this is the first time he’s ever had an ordeal like this.
He said he’s speaking out because he hopes the experience will raise awareness about the needs of people with disabilities.
(Source: CBC News)
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7 Responses
Canada shmanada. Big deal.
Oyb emes as reported, this pusher needs a new job out of customer service.
Canada still exists?
I find it ironic, that this was posted on the same page as the information about David Werdiger OBM, and his Levaya
which would take place this afternoon.
Perhaps, if he’s still in North America he could be enlisted to play at the levaya? Of course I mean only if its acceptable Halachically.
Oh Canada!
Are we forgetting that Canada is Israel’s best friend in the entire world. The fact that one insolent porter would not help Mr. Perlman should never reflect upon the whole country. What it should reflect upon is that we can never turn away from helping people who are less fortunate than ourselves. you read of so many stories of handicapped individuals being helped by strangers. Let us not judge.
They have to fire the worker.
DISGUSTING
Legaleagle, this is not one insolent porter. The service for disabled people and those needing assistance at Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ in airline parlance) is beyond terrible. I have never seen anything to compare even remotely at any other airport. I personally am aware of incidents involving unacceptable behavior ranging from insolence to negligence that could have resulted in serious harm and did result in unnecessary suffering. Unfortunately there’s nobody to complain to there. The whole system at that airport is flawed to begin with in that those assisting wheelchair bound travelers drop them off at various points at the airport where they’re supposed to be transferred to a different porter. There is often no one there. These points are not in the busy parts of the airport where other passengers are also walking, so the disabled person is alone and cannot alert anyone to their plight. I feel sorry for Mr Perlman, but perhaps as a celebrity he will be able to bring this to the attention of airport officials. The airports in NYC, Atlanta, and LA which are far busier, have much better and more courteous service. Heads would probably roll among the staff at those airports if they had service problems half as bad as Toronto.