[Sandra C]

Thank you jimworcs – I wish people like you were on the panel of the international airlines to insist that they have a panel of disability advisors. Is there such a panel of collective airline representatives that I could write to?

So many able bods seem to ‘hate’ flying with Ryanair but I have never had a problem with them and my wheelchair, they have always treated me well – it is the major International big boys that have the “basic humanity” problems and I am not so sure that it is about compliance with the law. If they are sued they lose money so they comply with the law. It is all about profit eh! That is why the laws need to be altered then they will provide the needs of those with disabilities eh!

I am NOT talking about ‘pampering’ the disabled just respecting their basic personal needs. Things like being able to have your own wheelchair brought to the door if you so choose – I would actually be prepared to pay extra for that service rather than travel any distance in one of the typical airport wrecks!

Many airlines and members of the general public throw the line that they have seen people who have requested and used a wheelchair to get quickly through the system on arrival BUT in all my years of flight I have seen only one such case and there possibly was a reason behind her use.

The reasons so many people use wheelchairs at airports is because they have become so huge and therefore impossible for the elderly/disabled to walk around AND because Airlines could be sued whilst the person is “in transit” if they have an accident. Moving between connecting flights is being “in transit.” Once you have boarded the first plane of your travel you are “in transit” until you arrive at your destination whether you are travelling on just one Airline or with code share partners. Legally they even have to feed you if you miss your flight through their fault (maintenance etc) or weather problems but very few passengers know that!

Years ago my mother, could have been judged as a person who was pretending to need a wheelchair by those, who did not know the full circumstances of her journey when she had early stage dementia. She was a great looking 75 year old lady returning from New Zealand to the UK and like many times before alone – I was concerned that she would get muddled and lost so I phoned the fabulous Singapore Airlines. Their representative suggested that they give her wheelchair assistance to keep an eye on her in the Singapore changeover and to ensure that she was delivered to my waiting sister at Heathrow London. My mother refused to get into the wheelchair in Singapore but a clever employee asked mum to push the wheelchair for her. Mum was delighted “to help” and we got her home safely – last time we let her fly alone though.

You know I have just realised international Airlines cater for all dietary requirements of the individual, whether it is because of choice (vegetarian), allergy (e.g. peanuts) or religion (Muslims, Jews and Hindus). There are more people that travel with dietary requirements than those requiring wheelchair assistance but they have been sued on the allergy count and probably on the other counts too because it is regarded as “prejudice”. I have never witnessed someone having to fight the Airlines to have their dietary requests met. Interesting eh!

Thank you for your response – another hero!