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

We had a flight delayed in Gatwick because of an overabundance of carry on luggage. It seemed everyone but us had huge carry-ons with no room left to stow them. The plane took over an hour to load, then we missed the 'take off window' for taxiing the plane, so had to wait another 3 hours on the tarmac. We were so ticked off.

Everyone has the idea that they will save 20 minutes waiting for their luggage, so they do carry on only, causing delays to load the plane. The airports (or airlines) really need to implement their own restrictions. We see people with a full size carry-on suitcase, a backpack and a shopping bag or handbag. They need to stick to one item only.

So proof could either be the Disabled Badge, or in case of temporary issues, broken leg, major op or replacement knee or hip, etc- with a Doctor's certificate?

People who are temporarily disabled, like my OH who broke a leg on holiday and people who are not disabled but unable to walk miles to the gate, like my 94 year old mother do not have blue cards.

I don’t know how the system works but why couldn’t it be for people who have the blue car cards which they have to show to get help.
In France there are disability cards which people show if the need to go to the front of a queue or seats on busses.

I agree that many people could use some aid who don't appear handicapped. The cumulative effects of holding your urine until you can find a bathroom, sitting up and sitting down, stuffing food down like a starving artist because it's eat now and quickly to catch your flight, or don't eat until you're in another country, having your ankles swell and your knees throb all make travel a misery. The same person (me) can appear quite vital when in their natural environment. On the other hand, a quick story to demonstrate why we REALLY do not like people who take advantage: elderly man in parking lot of a department store drives around looking for a handicap spot. There is a car parked in the handicap spot which does not have a tag or license plate for it. The old gentleman parks his car as close to the entrance as he can. He then gets out with his cane and slowly walks up to the car (with no handicap ID) in the handicap spot. He uses what energy he has left to whack huge dents in the hood and trunk of the car. He turns and continues limping into the department store. This story is courtesy of my husband who was waiting to take me home from work when my shift ended. He was still laughing when I came out minutes later.

It would be very difficult to provide proof of disability. My daughter, who has fibromyalgia, and my sister, who has severe asthma, both had to jump through interminable hoops to get their blue badges so I cannot see how an airline can do it.

Proof using a blue badge, as has been suggested earlier, is one way, but what about temporary disabilities? I had a fall earlier this year resulting in a fractured shoulder and back injury, both healing now. I certainly do not ‘look disabled’ currently, but the back injury means I cannot stand for too long. Queuing would be out of the question for the time being. As it is a temporary problem, I am not eligible for a blue badge.

On a trip to Spain my osteoarthritis in my left knee was playing up so I booked assistance Getting to the plane meant hopping on a bus with a steep step. Using my right leg first, the right leg gave way and I had to be lifted on board by the driver and my DH. I spent the whole holiday hobbling about. For the return journey, I booked assistance and was very surprised at the fast track through security etc. When checking in baggage the man in front was lifting about 7 heavy pieces of luggage with both arms. Next time we saw him and his wife was at the gate. Suddenly they had acquired a wheelchair each and he was sporting a sling on one arm. Couldn’t believe it. Proof should be provided.

Airlines don’t ask for proof of disability when requesting special assistance. They probably should! Also remember some disabilities aren’t that obvious to onlookers.

I'm another with a hidden disability (CFS/ME, Fibromyalgia and Emphysema)

I've had the 'your not disabled' comments too because I "don't look it" - even from family members...

I haven't been abroad for quite some time and reading all the comments - as well as hearing about all the cancellations/lost luggage etc - I don't think I will for a few years, or at least until they've got the staffing issues sorted.

I agree with others, there does need to be disability training across the board for all airport and airline staff.

And some bright spark needs to find a way to stop the fake disability queue jumpers - if that's at all possible. While reading the bit about the rows of 'disabled' passengers who disappear pronto once the plane lands I did wonder about the cabin crew taking photos for a 'wall of shame' that the airlines/airports can use to bar them from using the assistance in future...

I use disabled assistance when travelling to St Lucia or back to UK (although I cannot see myself making the journey again) I look well for my age of 88. My balance is poor and I have serious heart disease and just cannot walk from the terminal to the plane. You are always last off on arrival and the staff are very busy. So patience is required. It is annoying that some passengers do not ask for assistance on arrival before we fly so that the number of wheelchairs is not enough. I have always booked well in advance and accept the delay. However, last time I flew, one young lady was in the buggy on the outward flight, but when we arrived she was one of the first off the plane and was nowhere to be seen when wheelchair passengers got into the terminal! I have read in the papers that being a wheelchair passenger beats the current queues!

anna7

I ask for a wheelchair for my husband because , although he can walk long distances and climb stairs perfectly well, he cannot stand for any length of time without it causing him great pain, he goes white and starts shaking. He can't stand in any queues, for instance waiting in the supermarket queue . He is waiting for a knee replacement. He is not disabled but he certainly couldn't get through the airport without a wheelchair. I do worry about what people might think when they see him moving about with no problems. I don't think we are doing anything wrong in requesting assistance for him though. We couldn't fly otherwise

Bit like my bloke. He can walk but not stand due to orthostatic tremor

When my OH broke a leg when we were on holiday, we had to buy two extra seats from Easyjet to get him home as he needed three seats to accommodate the leg in plaster.

He had to board and disembark using a lift. As we were last off we chatted to the pilot who said that when they go to the ski resorts they always keep a few extra seats for broken legs.

Apparently my daughter is too beautiful to be disabled - according to one Jet2 pilot. She said if she’d known that, she wouldn’t have signed up to the disabled club.
Some of the airline and airport staff really are in dire need of training and the first rule should be to be pleasant, courteous and say nothing about the person’s need for assistance, unless it’s offered first. Would they ask a stranger why they’re so fat, or thin or balding or spotty??

NannaFirework

I get told you don’t look’ disabled ! I have no words I can put here…
?

I got told I look too young to be disabled. I asked the gentleman if he was aware how offensive that statement was. He looked completely shocked so I explained how comments like that negated the difficulties the disabled at any age and his comment appeared to question whether I was entitled to park in the Disabled Bay with my Blue Badge. He apologised.
Another gentleman I offered to show the scars after he berated me for not being disabled enough. I started to take off my top and he scurried away most embarrassedly!

Exactly what @icsnhandpick said. It's so true. I became disabled in my thirties. The hoops I've had to wheel through to get any support is unbelievable. I was even told I shouldn't have had my children. Sadly I already had one by the time my condition was diagnosed.
I get no help with them at all.
Being disabled is something I truly wouldn't wish in my worst enemy.
I went from a great salary and career to benefits and a life stuck in a chair or bed.
Some of these philanderers once caught should be made to spend a week with a disabled person. It's no joke.

My SIL is 74 but very fit, she is a professional dog walker. She travels to her sons who live in another country 4/5 times a year. She has to get a connecting flight and one year she missed her flight due to a delay. Someone told her if she has mobility assistance she they will make sure she gets her connecting flight. So now every airport/flight she has assistance despite being well able to walk. I get so cross.

My husband & I were returning from holiday sitting at the boarding gate. The airline called all passengers needing assistance to board first. I noticed a man walking very slowly going to board the plane in this group. When we reached our destination the same man literally ‘ran’ be first to the baggage carousel. Not fair on genuine disabled passengers he just wanted to be first for everything.

I know a woman who used a walking stick to go on holiday. She DID NOT need it but reckoned she'd get more help that way.

At some airports there are buggies which seat several people , This is useful when there is a long walk between check in and boarding. I can not walk the long distance and found the transport very useful. 2 airports in particular are Amsterdam and Atlanta USA. Why can't we have them in British airports?

I get told you don’t look’ disabled ! I have no words I can put here…
?

I have a disabled granddaughter and took her to Edinburgh when she was 12 and we booked assistance for Gatwick and Edinburgh. Gatwick was excellent on departure and arrival and Edinburgh was terrible. I had to find a cleaner to help us when we arrived and nearly missed out flight on the way back - I simply took one of their wheelchairs and pushed her or we could have still been in Edinburgh now! Terrible service and quite short rude response to my complaint!
When we were on holiday a few years ago I had a fall and was still limping quite badly when we got back to Gatwick. I was slowly making my way to customs etc when a lovely member of staff insisted that I should have a lift and he’d come back for me when he’d dropped off those that had booked assistance. A very quick exit through passport control etc which we totally hadn’t expected.

Treetops05, that is terrible. People are so judgmental about who is disabled...until it happens to them. Last night I was able to dance. Half way through my hip subluxed and although it went back into place quite easily a couple of minutes later, the pain is still there today meaning it is difficult to walk. Anybody who had seen me dancing after seeing me using a disability aid previously would have been disgusted but these subluxations come out of the blue; sometimes they happen when I stand up and take a while to recover so assistance is essential.
I also use a disabled toilet. Not because of the joint hypermobility but because I have IBS. Trying to clean up without a sink in the cubicle is embarrassing and a nightmare but people look at me as if I shouldn't be there. You just can't tell by looking.

I am asking for airport assistance for the first time in a few weeks. I am travelling with my own mobility scooter which I need some days but not others. I am not able to take it on the coach at the other end so will be provided with an adapted vehicle. To get this I had to get a form filled in and stamped from my GP so perhaps the airports should do this so only people who need assistance can get it.

I am disabled, but don't 'look' disabled. I have had people try to force me to tell them my entire medical history, so that they can decide if I'm disabled or not! I also had a traffic warden point out that as my blue badge had only 3 months till it ran out it 'didn't count'...I reached into the glove box, pulled out my next blue badge and left my car exactly where it was...in a disabled bay. She obviously fancied another argument, as she was standing by my car when I was returned, by my husband and paramedics, after I collapsed. She had the decency to blush and leave apparently...I was in no state to notice but my husband was.

I'm pretty fit, for my age, and thought that the 2 hour stopover in Dubai was plenty of time to get to my next flight.
Going out was fine. Coming back, we had to disembark down a steep flight of mobile steps, which some passengers found difficult, especially when carrying hand luggage. No help was offered. We then were taken on a scenic bus tour of the airport for 15 minutes, finally disembarking at a terminal. Through the customs check, then there was a long walk, an escalator ride, another long walk, and a short train ride to my flight terminal.
A final long trudge to my Gate, which was at the far end, and I had arrived. I just had time to message my family to say that I had arrived safely in Dubai when they announced that boarding was about to begin.
Luckily I managed the trek well, if a little breathlessly. I don't know how the other elderly passengers got on. There were no wheelchairs for disembarking passengers, and some of them must have had serious problems getting down the airplane stairs. After my experience I'm not surprised that some play safe and book assistance.