Jan 29, 2012 - Air Canada confirms they must comply with transphobic law

This just in from a friend of mine..........

From: support@help-aircanada.com;
We understand your concern, however, we hope you will appreciate that we cannot comment on what other airlines' policies are. Air Canada is bound by federal law and as such we must comply with the regulations that if a passenger's face or gender does not match the government-issued photo identification, we are prohibited from carrying that passenger. Again, if you have a concern regarding this, we respectfully ask that you pursue this with Transport Canada.

We are sorry we cannot provide a more positive answer for you but wish you the very best with your transition process.

Best regards,

Jan
Customer Relations Lead

------ Previous Message ------

To: support@help-aircanada.com;
Sent: 06/01/2011 09:41:23 PM
Subject: Issue#:ABDA-8PMGS0:12/22/2010 02:45:42:transgender documentation question.

As part of the transition process, there is a medical requirement to
live in the target gender for at least 1 year. During this year,
gender markers on government identification are not changed in all
provinces (as some provinces will only change gender markers after
surgery)
According to your email, during that 1 year, people will not be
allowed to fly Air Canada. Can you confirm this?

I've flown on other airlines within Canada and have not had an issue
and know dozens, if not hundreds of cases where people have flown
without an issue. I'm unclear as to why it seems to be an issue to Air
Canada and not other airlines.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Issue#:ABDA-8PMGS0:12/22/2010 02:45:42:transgender
documentation question.
From: support@help-aircanada.com
Date: Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:07:52 -0800 (pst)

> ===============================================================
> Please do not change the Subject Line - Veuillez ne pas modifier le
> Sujet de ce courriel
> ===============================================================
>
> Dear Ms. Jones,
>
> Thank you for your patience and understanding while awaiting my
> response. I have been advised the following:
>
> Air Canada is bound by federal law and as such we are complying
> with the regulations that if a passenger's face or gender does not
> match the government-issued photo identification, we are prohibited
> from carrying that passenger. If you have a concern regarding
> this, you can address your concerns with Transport Canada.
>
> Thank you once again for allowing us this opportunity to review and
> respond to your concerns. We trust you will continue to travel
> with us and your experience will be pleasant and trouble free.
>
>
> Sincerely, Leslie Anne
>
> ------ Previous Message ------
>
> From: support@help-aircanada.com To:
> Sent: 03/01/2011 02:36:40 PM Subject: Issue#:ABDA-8PMGS0:12/22/2010
> 02:45:42:transgender documentation question.
>
>
> ===============================================================
> Please do not change the Subject Line - Veuillez ne pas modifier le
> Sujet de ce courriel
> ===============================================================
>
> Dear Ms. Jones,
>
> Thank you for your email.
>
> We appreciate your patience and understanding while we look into
> your enquiry.
>
> Hopefully I will have the answer in the next couple of days.
>
> Thanks once again. Happy New Year.
>
>
> Sincerely, Leslie Anne
>
> ------ Original Message ------
>
> From: Sent: 22/12/2010 12:45 AM
> Subject: transgender documentation question.
>
>
> Subject : transgender documentation question. Message : Hello, I am
> writing about this one statement on your website. ?legally required
> to compare a customer?s full face against the photograph shown on
> any government-issued identification ? which must also include the
> name, date of birth and gender. Boarding will be denied if the
> customer does not resemble the photograph on the government-issued
> photo identification.? As a transsexual person, I am concerned
> about whether or not this will exclude me from flying with Air
> Canada. As I go through my transition, my appearance will continue
> to change and I'm worried that I might be denied boarding even if
> replace my ID card every few months.