A “plus-size” social media influencer recently claimed that airport staff in Washington refused to allow her to ride up a jet bridge in a wheelchair because of her size. As a result, the influencer was left gasping for breath when he was forced to exit the plane on his own, the New York Post reported.
Jaelyn Cheney reportedly requested “wheelchair assistance” during a trip to Washington's Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The plan was to have staff roll the 27-year-old influencer around the airport.
“This is discrimination. NoBODY should be treated this way.”
As a result, influencers posted their experiences on TikTok.
“I am a plus-size wheelchair user, and when I recently boarded a flight to Seattle-Tuck Airport, I requested wheelchair assistance, as usual,” Cheney's post said. I saw an employee waiting for me at the jet bridge entrance to help me with my wheelchair. ”
@jaebaeofficial I didn't know when to share this, but staying silent is no longer an option. If you've faced something similar, you're not alone. Discrimination is real and I don't want anyone else to experience something like this. I'm not going to stop fighting for change in the travel industry or any other industry. Every BODY deserves respect and dignity, regardless of size, ability, or other factors. Let's unite to ensure equality for all. • • • #BodyEqualityWhileTraveling #TravelForAll #AccessForEveryone #PlusSize #PlusSizeTravel #FlyingWhileFat #TravelingWhileFat #flyingwhileplussize #plussizetravelpetition
Cheney, who has more than 135,000 followers on the controversial platform, abruptly walked away from the plane when Washington airport staff saw him exit the plane, according to social media posts. insisted.
Cheney argued: ”[a]As I approached her, she realized that she was going to help me and not just one of the little passengers and started walking in the wheelchair while commenting on my size. ”
What's interesting is that Cheney can actually walk. But she was “blatantly ignored” by her workers, who forced her to walk across “one of the longest jet bridges I've ever encountered,” she said.
The long walk appears to have taken a lot of energy, as Cheney said he nearly fainted after walking without anyone's help.
“By the time she put me in the wheelchair and sat me down, my lips were white, my oxygen levels were low, and I almost passed out,” Cheney recalled.
The New York Post reported that it has contacted the airport for comment. Cheney also said it was the first time in four years he had traveled without oxygen.
“This woman thought I could walk and would rather have me do that than push an oversized person onto the jet bridge. I carried them away, but my needs were ignored,” Cheney claimed.
“This is discrimination. NOBODY should be treated this way.”
Because of Mr. Cheney's large size, he must purchase an additional seat each time he travels. She was criticized in June 2023 for requiring her passengers to pay a fee to reserve her extra room for herself.
“If you've faced something similar, you're not alone. Discrimination is real and I don't want anyone else to go through something like this,” Cheney concluded. .
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