Disabled passengers and too much make-up blamed for airport delays and cancellations!

Georgesgran

At least Frank Gardner got his wheelchair. BA ‘forgot’ to load DD2’s on the plane!

That is terrible, Georgesgran.
When we saw Frank Gardner I think they had lost his wheelchair because he was being pushed in an airport one by a porter.

My mother used wheelchairs and disabled support at airports for many years. She could walk but used a walker when she went out any distance. With a history of falls, broken bones, and a number of spine fractures she really wasn't capable of walking long distances or of climbing steps. She did get out of the chair and walk across to a waiting car. I wonder if people thought she was faking it?

To the poster with too much make up. Why? We’ve known about the restrictions since 9/11. My son recently witness many people kicking off because they couldn’t take their precious shampoo as it was too big or mountains of make up. It just holds everyone up.

On the disabled note. We are probably going to have to ask for assistance given the long queues as my bloke has an orthoststic tremor which means he can walk but can NOT stand without support so shuffling along in a security queue is impossible, so as they say not every disability is visible

"The chaos has not been caused by passengers". I agree, Gagajo. The chaos has been caused partly by the pandemic and lockdowns and all that crap, and then airports not getting up to speed again quickly enough.

BUT what the article linked to in the OP (by you) is about is what passengers can do to alleviate the chaos because, although they may not be primary causers of it, things like having too many liquids in bottles and faking disability, only make it worse.

We know news media go in for plenty of exaggeration so I feel if one just reads what the CEO says at face value, there's nothing wrong with it. And if it encourages people to think a bit more carefully about their little bottles and the rules that have been in place since 9/11, and discourages those few who fake disability, etc, etc, then that's all to the good.

Isn't it? So worth mentioning those things, without blaming disabled people, which he didn't.

Airports are hardly passenger friendly even for those who are fully fit. When I travelled from Gatwick with my mother who was in her mid nineties, I did request assistance because although Mum was not disabled and could walk quite well, there was no way she could walk the enormous distances to reach a gate at Gatwick. The bigger the airport, the more assistance should be provided.

All airports should have lifts to enable less able passengers to avoid having to negotiate stairs carrying their cabin baggage, but this is not always the case.

And if it encourages people to think a bit more carefully about their little bottles and the rules that have been in place since 9/11, and discourages those few who fake disability, etc, etc, then that's all to the good.

I have to disagree regarding the disabled comments. The people who 'fake' disability don't give a damn about other people because they are too selfish. I think comments like this about the disabled give people a reason to scrutinise the disabled which they just don't need and shouldn't have to put up with.
It would help if across society if the people who break the rules were challenged and faced some sort of set back for doing so but that just doesn't happen these days. Staff are scared (probably rightly so) so the rule breakers just get away with it.

After the long haul flights of 21+ hours and the way economy crams you in these days I would think a good 50 % would benefit from a wheelchair at the destination. They really don’t look after their passengers these days and they certainly don’t encourage you to stretch and walk around the aircraft like they used to in the good old days. Less leg room , worse food and worse service.

I know someone who watched a man and his family get priority through to departures because the man was in a wheelchair. Only to see him shortly afterwards dashing around duty free as if he was competing in the Olympics. I'm sure people feigning disability at airports are rare. But it's a shame because it makes others look at genuine people with suspicion because, as others have said, someone's disability is not always obvious.

Well i always ask for special assistance at airports. I'm pretty good after hip and knee replacements, but do have some problems. I find it very difficult to walk the long distances from check in to the gate on a hard surfaces, plus waiting in long queues whilst standing.

The plus is that I don't have to wait for customs and passport etc. I'd rather not have arthritis and be able to walk it.

Pretty lame excuse by Heathrow boss. Of course there are idiot queue jumpers, etc., but Heathrow need to hire and train more staff and probably pay them more. Maybe Heathrow needs new management.

If there is a way to abuse a system then people will do it. Just like the disabled parking badge, see it abused everywhere.

The misuse of the assistance at airports is very annoying for those who genuinely need it. I was thinking of booking a holiday using this, as I genuinely am nearly 85 and have a chronic back condition, but now I am thinking again and might not bother.

GagaJo

Do any of us know anyone who is able bodied, pretending to be disabled? Of course not .

I do! They have no shame and are disabled as and when it suits. They do have some mobility problems, nothing equating to being disabled, so very difficult to call out.

Aveline

We once saw a group of four pension age people literally running to get ahead of us in an airport queue only to see them being smugly wheeled out to the plane later. The sort of people that set back the cause of genuinely disabled people. DH being DH accosted them and they just shrugged and grinned.

Sadly, we have witnessed the same. And also had acquaintances boasting that this is how they avoid queues and get the best places.

'Older' people with some minor degree of discomfort, but perfectly able to cope.

Sometimes people are bad and use the rest of us but Eg I have a ruptured spinal disc and muscle wastage. I could walk the short distance from taxi to booking in but not be able to walk the long corridors to the gate of a flight.
You can’t tell by looking at me.

GagaJo

Do any of us know anyone who is able bodied, pretending to be disabled? Of course not .

No I do not know of anyone, although I have experienced the "companions" of the disabled passenger using the lift etc. This can cause problems, as it creates a queue.

Yes. This is a dilemma for me as I don't want to abuse the system. But after dealing with all the stuff at airports I always end up boarding the plane in great pain. I'm not disabled but do have great trouble walking all the way to the boarding gate.
So what to do?

I have been disabled for decades. In my experience 'disabled facilities' are very attractive to a certain type of abled bodied person be they lifts, loos, parking spaces, seats on public transport etc making it extremely awkward for the genuinely disabled. If you dare to complain you are usually met with a 'death stare' or roundly abused. I sometimes muse that if these facilities were intended for other more aggressive and assertive minority groups folk would not dare.
Care of the disabled at airports is very variable Heathrow brings a great deal of anxiety but Chicago is dreamy, for example. We disabled have much to contribute to society and should not suffer from the thoughtless of others either individually or in official capacities. I have learnt to be polite but firm and determined. I am pleased to see the younger generation being more vocal. Sorry for the rant. If you have a need then please ask. Love xxx

Those people that are pretending to be disabled are depriving the people that genuinely need help. They can’t be refused and know it, they should be dealt with. Pictures of those that had wheel chair assistance and running up the plane steps as shown on tv. They wee laughing and thought it great fun.
I feel sorry for those that have cancelled holidays due to no flights available, overbooking etc. it has stopped me having a holiday for years now, I couldn't face the sitting about and if there were no chairs it would be impossible for me. Who knows if I will go again..

Gagajo. Yes a friend of my son always says his Mum is disabled. They get buggy transport through the airport, priority boarding etc. She climbs the steps to the plane with assistance from he family.
You should see her playing tennis, skiing and running!!!

As a disabled person we have either problems as it is without idiots taking over our spaces it’s like other day I was watching GBnews and lady was saying if trans ppl felt uncomfortable going into ladies loo just nip into disabled ones no you don’t nip into our loos what if a disabled person is waiting so I sent them a email didn’t get a reply

Strictly speaking I am not disabled, but at 78 years old and having a old neck injury sustained during my nursing career, I do have problems manoeuvring suitcases on and off trains. I always ask for assistance but explain that it is only the luggage that I need help with. Staff are always very helpful and understanding. I usually find myself on a buggy, nevertheless. I must admit that is particularly useful at Marylebone where my train arrives and departs from what seems miles from the exit.

I don’t bother on planes because once my luggage is checked, I don’t see it again until we reach the destination.

My daughter, who suffers from fibromyalgia, has been travelling to LA from London to visit her son. On advice she asked for assistance and said it was a real godsend.

As a genuine disabled traveller it is absolutely definitely true ! Too many pretenders ! Proof should be shown. Maybe a blue badge at least

On a flight back from Malta, about 20 disabled passengers were called forward for assisted boarding. They were seated at the front of the plane. On landing, disabled people were instructed to stay in their seats and await assistance but when we got to the front of the plane they'd all gone. The cabin staff told us 'we call this the Lourdes flight'. So selfish for the truly disabled.

Seen the pretenders at Heathrow many times to jump queues and then getting off plane and running across tarmac at Gibraltar! As a genuine disabled person I am fuming !