A disabled influencer has accused American Airlines of leaving her with a dislocated hand after staff allegedly refused to help stow her carry-on luggage. Tara Rule, 34, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder causing fragile joints, said she was injured on a flight from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Rule, who has 496,000 followers on TikTok, said she asked a flight attendant for assistance but was told: 'We don't do inflight, hospitality, or personal service.' Panicking with a queue behind her, she attempted to lift the bag herself and dislocated her hand. She is now being treated for a blown vein, pinched nerve, and pinkie tremor.
The US Department of Transportation states airlines must assist disabled passengers with stowing and retrieving carry-on items after boarding. American Airlines was fined $50 million in 2024 for violating disability laws between 2019 and 2023. Rule said she wants the airline to fix the problem, not a refund, and is considering legal action.
Two fellow passengers helped her on the flight. Rule said she believes airlines need designated crew to assist disabled people and called for proper training. Her original TikTok post has received over 74,000 likes and 2,000 comments, with many supporting her.
