Athletes frustrated after airline disassembled wheelchairs without knowledge: 'These are our legs'

RICHMOND, VA — Some Arizona athletes for the National Wheelchair Basketball Championship are raising concerns about the conditions they said they got their wheelchairs back in after landing at Virginia Wednesday night.Family members said they were in disbelief when they got off the plane in Richmond to see their sports chairs disassembled and the parts mixed up with many other pieces on the jet bridge.

It is not uncommon for airlines to disassemble wheelchairs in order for them to fit in cargo space. However, according to the Department of Transportation, the chairs should be re-assembled by the time passengers exit the plane.They claim staff kept announcing to passengers on the plane that the delays and potential damage to luggage were because of the issue with the disassembled wheelchairs.

Southwest Airlines tells our sister station WTVR in Richmond they have been made aware of the situation and are working to make it right. A spokesperson said they had been on monthly calls to prepare for this tournament. The athletes said they are putting the ball in Southwest Airlines court to create change so this doesn’t happen to other people.“I’m excited to get after it so I can turn my brain off and not think about the last 24 hours. The opportunity to live out dreams we thought were taken away,” said Suns player, Justin Walker.

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