Attorney General Charlie Crist News Release
February 15, 2005
Media Contact: Jenn Meale
Phone: (850) 245-0150
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Crist Writes to US Airways President Over Disabilities Incident

Attorney General Charlie Crist today sent the following letter to US Airways Chief Executive Officer and President Bruce Lakefield following the removal of would-be passenger Phil Barrett from a recent flight at Tampa International Airport. Mr. Barrett, a wheelchair-bound paraplegic who relies on a ventilator to breathe, was on his way to have surgery in Ohio designed to allow him to breathe on his own.

The text of Attorney General Crist's letter follows:

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February 15, 2005



Mr. Bruce Lakefield
CEO and President
US Airways
2345 Crystal Drive
Arlington, VA 22227

Dear Mr. Lakefield:

I am writing to you to express my very serious concern regarding an incident involving US Airways. Yesterday I learned from our local CBS affiliate, Channel 10, that a disabled passenger in Tampa, Florida, Mr. Phil Barrett, was refused transportation service by your airline.

It is my understanding that Mr. Barrett, a wheelchair-bound paraplegic who relies on a ventilator to breathe, was seated on a US Airways flight bound from Tampa to Cleveland, Ohio, when he was physically removed from the aircraft by US Airways personnel allegedly because he posed a medical risk. It was reported that he was flying with a medical assistant and had informed airline personnel of his condition well in advance of boarding the plane.

Mr. Barrett suffered inconvenience and personal humiliation not only because he was carried off the airplane by US Airways personnel, but also because US Airways did not assist in finding other transportation arrangements to Cleveland or in ensuring his safe return home. In addition, it appears that because he was refused passage, Mr. Barrett could have missed an opportunity in Cleveland to undergo important surgery to assist him with his breathing.

I wanted to be sure that you are aware of these extremely troublesome facts. I am confident that US Airways would not condone discrimination against its physically disabled passengers and that you have policies in place to assist and protect such customers. Furthermore, as I am certain you are aware, federal regulations specifically prohibit air carriers from refusing transportation to an individual with disabilities, and federal and state civil rights laws provide protection for individuals from discrimination on domestic flights. No less than the United States Constitution affords the right of all Americans to interstate travel.

Although I suspect these incidents are rare in your business, a single report is of great consequence to the community. I share the widespread concern of the people of the Tampa Bay area over this incident and would like to be able to assure the citizens that this will not recur in Tampa Bay or elsewhere in Florida. To that end, I would appreciate it if you would advise my office of the resolution of this matter and any actions you may take once you have had an opportunity to investigate. It is my preference to resolve problems informally, but will consider all available options in order to bring this matter to an appropriate conclusion.

Thank you in advance for your assistance. I can be reached at (850) 245-0222.

Sincerely,


Charlie Crist

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