Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸Nov 7, 2023

I must preface this with: As long as we have airplanes, all people should be able to fly on an airplane comfortably and safely, period. However, my point is: this also reminds me that if Canada (and North America in general) had a working high speed rail network, it is a mode of transportation that is far more conducive to accessibility and assistive devices.

I recognize trains can't go everywhere planes go (they used to!) and disabled people have the absolute right to expect the same speed and convenience of anyone else (thus this story!). But part of the problem for *everyone* is we simply have no options.

We've thrown all our transportation-eggs into the airplane and cars basket and the air corporations are showing to be particularly evil. The stories emerging from Air Canada and others are horrendous. The companies should be absolutely ashamed.

#Transportation #Canada #CanPoli #CdnPoli #AirTravel #AirCanada #Trains #Rail #DisabilityRights #HumanRights
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/marketplace-hidden-camera-disabilities-transportation-1.7020175

Hidden cameras capture passenger who uses wheelchair struck by lift on Air Canada flight | CBC News

In light of the federal government summoning Air Canada to Ottawa this week to discuss a spate of reports about the mistreatment of customers in wheelchairs, Marketplace is releasing an exclusive preview of its hidden-camera investigation which documented a rarely seen first-hand account of the challenges faced by those flying with a disability.

CBC
Show threadClinton Anderson SwordForHireNov 7, 2023

@chris There should absolutely be accessible, affordable, frequent, electric, Hi Speed Rail from Windsor to Quebec City, with a spar off to Ottawa, at the absolute minimum!

The bs we let airlines get away with is abhorrent.

Show thread🚲Nov 7, 2023

@ClintonAnderson @chris One of my controversial opinions is that we should have high speed rail from Toronto to Vancouver.*

* NB, many HSR proponents caveat their opinion with the statement that nobody is proposing HSR from Toronto to Vancouver, to keep the conversation on slam dunk provincial scale corridors

Show threadClinton Anderson SwordForHireNov 7, 2023

@dx @chris I'd agree with a NETWORK from Coast to Coast, sure.... But an express line from TO to Vancouver would be a ridiculous expense and effort just to service two cities.

As someone else here said... 16 hours vs a 3-4 hour flight..... For environmental reasons, sure... But as practical transit? I'm not sold.....

And I HATE arguing against trains lol

Show thread🚲

@ClintonAnderson @chris I didn’t mean a train that only went to those two cities, just a HSR line that terminated in those two. I expect you’d stop at Winnipeg and at least one Albertan city too.

Also, an overnight train ride for 16 hours wins over a 4 hour flight for me personally. And flying isn’t sustainable at large, and I haven’t seen any strong contenders to fix it

Nov 7, 2023 at 6:51pmWeb
Show threadClinton Anderson SwordForHireNov 7, 2023

@dx @chris I'll never argue in favor of airlines!

I can see situations where, in Emergencies, 16 hours isn't going to be anywhere near fast enough, where 4 hours might be....

The problem is now, we don't have the option to do one and not the other.

Show threadChris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸Nov 7, 2023
@ClintonAnderson @dx for sure
Show thread🚲Nov 7, 2023
@ClintonAnderson @chris I agree we may never replace air travel all together, but since it would cost an estimated $1T USD to hit net zero for planes, maybe we should consider prioritizing other means.
Show threadClinton Anderson SwordForHireNov 7, 2023
@dx @chris Hear hear