Blind N.Y. man allegedly kicked off plane over guide dog; passengers exit in solidarity

That an entire planeload of passengers walked off the plane in protest of the flight crew member's behavior not only says quite a lot about the flight attendant's behavior toward the blind man and his dog (and none if it good), but also shows that peope can self- sacrifice and put justice and the needs of a disadvantaged person being abused ahead of their need to get to their destination.

Now we just have to sit back and listen to the lies and excuses from US Air...much like the ones I heard last summer when they cancelled two flights in a row from YHZ to Phillie.

Medical service dogs are not required to be "under" the seat. They may occupy the floor in front of the passenger's seat or, if there is an empty seat next to the passenger, most flight crews have no problem if the dog occupies the floor in front of the empty seat.

I fly with a service dog and it is amazing how ill informed the gate and flight crews are about ADA law.

In spite of the certain negative posts on here...I applaud the passengers on that flight. It is rare, in this day and age, to see such a group stand up for what they believe in, for what is right!

The FA definitely needs retraining, as her actions did violate the ADA and ACAA. As the husband of someone who is blind and has a guide dog, I wonder what seat this passenger had. Normally, they get bulkhead seating, and row 1 at the best, so issues like this are prevented. There wouldn't be a seat for the dog to crawl out to under his legs.

I feel for the passenger, but would equally be humbled and overwhelmed that the others on the flight stood up for him. I wonder if they all got their money back from their tickets.

The man did not ask to be blind! He has the same rights as any American citizen regardless of any challenges he or anyone else may face.I don't feel the dog represented any safety issue.Most service dogs are trained to stay right beside their owners.When I was a kid,I had a heart condition that would cause me to collapse without warning.My parents got me a dog that was trained to alert them by barking.That dog saved my life a couple of times. I couldn't possibly imagine being denied the right to having him by my side.Kudos to the passengers for standing up for the man! P.S. I have since fully recovered from my condition and became a pilot.(Achieved my childhood dream.)

I would like to see a press follow up and name the crew involved - at least they should be suspended and publicly shamed.

For those who have experience flying with service dogs: Wouldn't the fact that he needed special accommodation for his dog have come up when he purchased his ticket?

The service dogs I've seen are very well cared for (not to mention among the best trained dogs you'll find). Given some of the people I've had the misfortune to be seated next to, I'd much rather be next to one of these dogs on a flight.

I am offended that my country needs laws to enforce the humane treatment of the disabled.

Keith you are a jerk.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/PDT4183/history/20131113/2110Z/KPHL/KISP

US Airways took them to their destination by bus.

Make the crew be coffee runners for Doug for a year then they can mow his lawn or something

Some people have to remember that animals are living this too. Dogs as of those breeds are well behaved and have to be treated with equal care as humans. So when someone tires to take away that freedom, then I see why people did what they did. Something has to be done to compensate the passengers and something needs to be done about that flight attendant.

It's all Doug Parkers fault, Crap rolls downhill

Glad to see you all are awake wonderful comments I might add. What I mean is a blind person needs their service dog I get that and most guide dogs have had very specialized training, are well mannered and curl up at their owners feet . Not so of the so called comfort dogs the have no special training and all their owners need is a doctors note saying they need the dog to settle their nerves while flying and wala you have your everyday mutt riding in the cabin among people who paid good money to buy that ticket these same people may be severly allergic to dogs , they may be terrified of them or they may just not care for them. My question or compliant if that's what you want to call it is why should I pay good money for my seat and have to endure two or three hours with some dog shedding on my clothes and shoes or worse yet fido takes a dump.WHAT HAPPENED TO MY RIGHTS? I believe there is medication to calm a persons nerves or other forms of transport. As for weather they fly free or not I think that is up to the individual airline.put them in a kennel and down below after all they are dogs not humans. Just to clarify I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT SERVICE OR SEEING EYE DOGS I AM TALKING ABOUT THE PERSON WITH THE 60 POUND PIT BULL THAT IS THEIR COMFORT DOG!!!