Family says service dog kicked off flight because "he was too big"
CHARLOTTE, NC (FOX 46) - A family with a disabled son is creating quite a stir -- booted off an American Airlines plane on Thanksgiving Day because their service dog was too big.
"She was very inconsiderate she had no compassion," Amy Weasel said, who was kicked off the flight with her family.
Weasel's adventure began on Thanksgiving Day on their way back home to Evansville, Indiana after vacationing in Myrtle Beach. Amy, her husband, their 12-year-old disabled son and certified service dog "Chugg" for her son who has seizures had to change planes at Charlotte-Douglas.
Weasel said she called American Airlines two weeks prior to alert them that a large service dog would be flying and the airline recommended bulkhead seating and it would be no problem. Three flights prior were no problem - but this flight attendant had a problem with Chugg.
"You could tell right away from her demeanor, her attitude, and her body language that she did not like animals." Weasel said. "She said I've already contacted management and they're coming to speak with you, and the management got on the plane and told me that I needed to exit the aircraft."
So Amy, her husband, Chugg and her 12-year-old disabled son with Dravet syndrome got off the plane at Charlotte-Douglas thinking they were stranded for Thanksgiving. The airline ended up re-routing them to St. Louis where Amy and family rented a car to drive three hours back home to Evansville.
"And the next day - which is the most painful part - I had to return the car all the way back to St. Louis. They didn't have a one way rental so I had to take the car all the way back," she said.
Weasel said American Airlines apologized for her inconvenience and offered her a $150 voucher on a future trip, would look into the rental car costs, and because she flew on regional carrier PSA - a subsidiary of American Airline - it would contact them regarding the matter.
Weasel had some pointed words for the airline.
"And hopefully they will hire people that have some compassion for the disabled folks in the community. And my hope is that nobody else will have to go through this."