Comments on: EU law forces airports to assist travellers with disabilities http://www.travel-rants.com/2008/07/30/eu-law-forces-airports-to-assist-travellers-with-disabilities/ Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:52:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Greg http://www.travel-rants.com/2008/07/30/eu-law-forces-airports-to-assist-travellers-with-disabilities/#comment-119415 Greg Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:59:21 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=1238#comment-119415 Am flying with XL Airways at the end of this month. I mentioned needing a seat with more legroom due to arthritis to the Holiday Company. I then was advised to contact XL direct which I did, they were extremely helpful and sent me a Medical form to fill in and required a Dr's letter regarding my condition. With the Dr's letter received they will then give a larger pitch seat at no charge, without the letter it would have been £20 each way. Am flying with XL Airways at the end of this month. I mentioned needing a seat with more legroom due to arthritis to the Holiday Company. I then was advised to contact XL direct which I did, they were extremely helpful and sent me a Medical form to fill in and required a Dr’s letter regarding my condition. With the Dr’s letter received they will then give a larger pitch seat at no charge, without the letter it would have been £20 each way.

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]]> By: Rohan http://www.travel-rants.com/2008/07/30/eu-law-forces-airports-to-assist-travellers-with-disabilities/#comment-111943 Rohan Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:05:29 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=1238#comment-111943 Darren that is good news. Nick is spot on - the Uk doesn't fail travellers with disabilities, the problem is when you go abroad. Spain is terrible, so is Italy. Darren that is good news. Nick is spot on – the Uk doesn’t fail travellers with disabilities, the problem is when you go abroad. Spain is terrible, so is Italy.

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]]> By: Nick http://www.travel-rants.com/2008/07/30/eu-law-forces-airports-to-assist-travellers-with-disabilities/#comment-111905 Nick Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:30:40 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=1238#comment-111905 Darren, One thing I will say having experienced this with my grandmother several times is that airport assistance is normally very good. But they need to know your coming. If the airport has 25 passengers booked in between 9 -12 then it will have staff on to cope, if 50 turn up then it has problems. This happens more than you may think. Travel Agents ask if people have any disability. We do get a lot of no's. Even from people standing before us using a walking stick or in one case a guy with his leg in plaster. Sometimes it is easy to tell; other times we do not see the customer requiring assistance. It is important when you book to tell whoever your booking with you need assistance, even if 8 times out of 10 you do not, it is better to be prepared than not. I will give you the 3 basic ways the industry class passengers and level of assistance needed. (There is a lot more). I have simplified things here. Basic level, customer may have problems walking distances or with steps. (Help to or from aircraft) Mid level, customer can only walk a few paces. (Help to and from seat, suitable seat on aircraft) High Level, customer is unable to move without aids/assistance (Help to and from seat, plus correct seat, maybe on board wheelchair) These will cover most passengers but other levels of assistance include for example blind passengers. Non of this is new. Darren,

One thing I will say having experienced this with my grandmother several times is that airport assistance is normally very good. But they need to know your coming. If the airport has 25 passengers booked in between 9 -12 then it will have staff on to cope, if 50 turn up then it has problems. This happens more than you may think.

Travel Agents ask if people have any disability. We do get a lot of no’s. Even from people standing before us using a walking stick or in one case a guy with his leg in plaster. Sometimes it is easy to tell; other times we do not see the customer requiring assistance.

It is important when you book to tell whoever your booking with you need assistance, even if 8 times out of 10 you do not, it is better to be prepared than not.

I will give you the 3 basic ways the industry class passengers and level of assistance needed. (There is a lot more). I have simplified things here.

Basic level, customer may have problems walking distances or with steps.
(Help to or from aircraft)
Mid level, customer can only walk a few paces.
(Help to and from seat, suitable seat on aircraft)
High Level, customer is unable to move without aids/assistance
(Help to and from seat, plus correct seat, maybe on board wheelchair)

These will cover most passengers but other levels of assistance include for example blind passengers. Non of this is new.

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