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Hi there again, it’s nice to have the forum BACK!! So glad that you guys sorted out the problem/hackers.
Last Thursday March 16, 2006. I was booked on SAA (South Africa’s airline) to East Londen (also in South Africa) when it was time to get me onboard on the plane, the captain refused that I fly alone. Apparently its new policy. I personally think that’s discrimination. But what happened then was that they organized me an escort that accompanied me to East Londen. But they put her a row behind me, so I didn’t even see her the whole duration of the flight, not to mention she didn’t help me with anything. I came back from East Londen the following Wednesday, I was so stressed out of flying back, because I didn’t know if they would let me fly back alone. So I organized myself an escort, someone also flying to Cape Town.
Now what I want to know is, can the airlines do this….?
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South African Airline (SAA)
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#2
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Posted 26 March 2006 - 10:43 AM
Good question. I hope somebody can answer this one. My boyfriend is a guad too, he lives in CA and I live in The Netherlands. I am going over there in April, so there is no real need for him to come over here, but we would both like it if he could visit me here once and see where I live and meet my friends and family. It will not be likely that he will travel on his own, because no way he could be on a plane for 10 hours on his own, so the above will not apply to us, but I am just curious if airlines can get away with doing so. In near future I will be moving there so then we will have no distance problems at all anymore. 
"The follies which a man regrets the most in his life are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity".
#3
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Posted 26 March 2006 - 11:47 AM
I have seen various postings about this topic before. One thing that settled it for one poster was that he was wearing a catheter. BA had apparently refused to take the poster on board @because the staff are not allowed to help people to the toilet. Having a catheter mean, of course, no loo trips and it was fine.
My advice would be to check with the airline itself and get a definite ruling from them about it in letter form and then take it with you on flights. Also, I would complain about the service andpost what happened on as many message boards as possible; you even point the airline to your posts!
My advice would be to check with the airline itself and get a definite ruling from them about it in letter form and then take it with you on flights. Also, I would complain about the service andpost what happened on as many message boards as possible; you even point the airline to your posts!
Robert
T6 (Transverse Myelitis))
T6 (Transverse Myelitis))
#4
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Posted 27 March 2006 - 11:27 AM
I'm fast becoming an expert on this 
My story is here British Airways mistreating Disabled Passengers
The short answer is yes they can do it - the long answer is they can but they shouldn't. See section 4.16 & 4.17 of This code of practice or possibly they should in your case depending on how you fit into the definition of self reliant.
British Airways don't go quite that far requiring For your own safety and comfort you are required to provide your own escort, if you are not self-reliant (self-sufficient and capable of taking care of all your physical needs independently in-flight e.g. cannot self-lift). We cannot assume obligation for providing on board assistance which may, or will, contravene health, safety or hygiene requirements.
Just type South African Airlines or SAA and disabled passengers into google and you'll find a few stories worse than yours. SAA's website doesn't covber assistance of Para's Quads but Requires you to contact the airline prior to flying. Did you do this? If you did then you have a very valid complaint, did it take a lot of complaining to get them to provide an escort or was this offereed immediately - this will make a very big difference to any complaint you have.
My complaint is still ongoing with BA although I was phoned and told to expect a letter of apology and some vouchers in the next couple of days - I don't think I'm going to leave it there though.
My story is here British Airways mistreating Disabled PassengersThe short answer is yes they can do it - the long answer is they can but they shouldn't. See section 4.16 & 4.17 of This code of practice or possibly they should in your case depending on how you fit into the definition of self reliant.
British Airways don't go quite that far requiring For your own safety and comfort you are required to provide your own escort, if you are not self-reliant (self-sufficient and capable of taking care of all your physical needs independently in-flight e.g. cannot self-lift). We cannot assume obligation for providing on board assistance which may, or will, contravene health, safety or hygiene requirements.
Just type South African Airlines or SAA and disabled passengers into google and you'll find a few stories worse than yours. SAA's website doesn't covber assistance of Para's Quads but Requires you to contact the airline prior to flying. Did you do this? If you did then you have a very valid complaint, did it take a lot of complaining to get them to provide an escort or was this offereed immediately - this will make a very big difference to any complaint you have.
My complaint is still ongoing with BA although I was phoned and told to expect a letter of apology and some vouchers in the next couple of days - I don't think I'm going to leave it there though.
This post has been edited by russ1: 27 March 2006 - 11:28 AM
Russ - T2complete
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