|
Monday, October 13, 2008
|
|
|
|
Temp:
|
6°C
|
|
Feels like:
|
6°C
|
|
Humidity:
|
100%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
HIV group furious after disease alert on plane |
|
|
Written by SCOTT STANFIELD
Citizen staff
|
|
Tuesday, 08 April 2008 |
Related Items
PRINCE GEORGE AIRPORT
The 10-person group that was flying via WestJet to a conference in Vancouver on March 28, was delayed about 40 minutes when the security guard raised concerns about "diseases," according to a Positive Living North employee.
The guard had allegedly recognized someone in the group and asked for a wipe down of the aircraft after the group left the plane.
"This situation presented itself by what appears to be an unfortunate choice of words by people that don't work for WestJet," said airline spokesman Richard Bartrem. "Essentially, it wasn't so much an issue as a non-issue, and it took us 40 minutes to make that determination. Ultimately, the captain said 'This is ridiculous, they're welcome guests on board our aircraft. Let's get going.'"
"Why did this happen? What disease was (the guard) talking about?" said PLN co-executive director Catherine Baylis. "I've worked with people with HIV for nine years, and I've not contracted HIV. That notion is ridiculous, but then again, HIV was never mentioned by the airport security staff.
"Some of the people who were on the plane are very upset. Most of those people are aboriginal people. I understand the oppression that goes with being aboriginal, and when you add to that the fact that you have a disease and you are marginalized, then you face all kinds of discrimination. Some of those people want to file a human rights complaint, some of them don't know they have the right to do that."
Tina Joyce, 30, who is living with AIDS, was among the group. She suggests the security guard made a judgment call before getting the facts straight.
"I was really disgusted," she said.
The Canada Air Transport Security Association contracts airport security to Garda of Canada.
"I would like an apology from (the guard) to our group," Baylis said.
Joe Gavaghan, a Boston-based spokesman for Garda World Security, said management became aware of the situation on Monday.
"We're looking into this to try to figure out exactly what did happen," Gavaghan said. "Once we're able to do that, then we'll be in a position to decide what actions need to be taken."
"It concerns us any time the customer service experience is affected," airport aviation services manager Todd Doherty said Tuesday. "We're doing an investigation and have asked for feedback from our service providers, which would be Garda and CATSA. It's between the two groups, and we'll facilitate whatever we can."
Baylis said she has received a call from a Garda representative, who suggested PLN provide education for airport security staff.
"We're going to do that," Baylis said. "Ultimately, we are about advocating for the rights of people with HIV, and we are about educating the community. And that's the only way we can reduce stigma and discrimination."
 |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 08 October 2008 )
|
|
|
Who's Online
We have 46 guests and 1 member online
|
|
|
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
