Easyjet Disabled Question

Capyboppy

Okay folks I have been and come back and the result is Brickbats and Roses as they say.

Going out was brilliant. I couldn't fault it. As already stated the company who "cart" the less able about were great. Sailed through security etc, right up to the boarding gate where there was one other man there in a wheelchair. Both of us were taken straight through but went through a slightly different way, then we were able to board. By then the Early Boarders had caught up with us. Flight out was great with the cabin crew as good as any others I have been with.

Sadly coming back was a different story! A similar thing going back up until where the boarding gate was where I was asked to go down a steep flight of stairs to get to the gate. Apparently although there was a lift it wasn't anywhere near the boarding gate. Somehow I managed as I am better at going downstairs than up. Both myself and the young man who had helped me were concerned there was nobody else around and he double checked, everything seemed okay. Five minutes later the Easyjet staff arrived, all one of them plus a Dutch Airport member. Five minutes after that the EJ girl came up to me and said she was terribly sorry but because the incoming flight was 37 minutes late I would have to go up the stairs to a different boarding gate. By then I was exhausted and in a lot of pain to begin with and was near to tears. I said there was no way I could get up those stairs as it was hard enough getting down. She said something along the lines I would have to as there was no other way. The Dutch girl came over and said don't worry, they would get hold of D. Assistance again to come and help. Time was going on and the "cattle run" for the now new lot who were going to Edinburgh was in full force. D. Assistance eventually came and asked me to follow them - where? You've guessed it, straight to the bottom of the stairs! I was in tears by then and repeated everything again and said there was no way I could get up those stairs. If there had been less of them, and less of an incline maybe very slowly, but certainly not as they were with the "cattle run" still coming down, which included one poor guy struggling very slowly trying to bump down one of those three wheeled baby stroller's down the steps with nobody offering to help. I pointed this out to D.Assistance and he said this is what you get with "Cost Cutter" airlines. He went on to tell me that they lump all these types of flights together in the same area (with stairs, away from lifts etc), and it is everyone fend for themselves. The main airlines don't have to contend with stairs etc. After I refused point blank to kill myself trying to get up these stairs he then said they would arrange for a van to come to the boarding gate and take me across to to the correct boarding gate and the aircraft steps. Common sense at last. When this eventually happened I couldn't believe my eyes, the "new" boarding gate was the next one along! not some distance as I had been led to believe. As it was flat it was easily within slow walking distance to get to, so I didn't even need the minibus. By then the "cattle run" were in full force, and the amount of dirty looks I got as the D. Assistance just pushed and said excuse me so we could get up and board could kill. The ray of light in all this is that some sensible person had saved a seat for me and the wonderful David gave a wink as he put the tables down to indicate nobody could sit there to give me more room.
Frazzled to pieces by then and very hungry, I followed hubby's instructions and "never mind the cost" opted for the one choice available of a toasted cheese and ham sandwich. I couldn't finish it as it was that revolting. Full of fat, soggy. I noticed that even though the cabin crew had started serving at the front, there was very little available that passengers were asking for. One asked just for a kitkat but that wasn't even available. Another wanted to buy the Easyjet Plus card(to have speedy boarding every time for 12 months). His card was being rejected and the girl said this keeps happening and was a fault with EJ's bank and not the passenger's card, so he ended up having to pay cash (£99).
My final verdict and would I fly with them again? I maintain the cabin crew both ways were excellent. The EJ girl at Schiphol had a couldn't care attitude. To expect disabled people whoever they are to get up steep steps is unreasonable and that little bit of foresight of just saying "can you walk the short distance from this gate to the next" would have saved a lot of bother, not just for me, but for them as well. It summed it up when the Schipol staff said "cost cutter" airlines and I should have gone with BA. Will I fly with EJ again? I really don't know. I doubt it, but there may be the bit in me that says give them another chance, but it certainly won't be Manchester to Schiphol due to their lack of forethought and don't care less attitude.

Sorry to be negative and the long reply, but as you were all so helpful it was the least I could do to give you an account. Thanks again for all your replies previously as it was appreciated.

GlennTheBaker

Certainly a mixed bag of experiences for you!

Obviously I cannot comment on Schiphol Airport's policy towards PRM's but at Manchester (as I said previously) a company called OCS are contracted by the airport to assist anyone who requires it. It doesn't matter whether you are flying First Class with Emirates or a £10 Ryanair flight - anyone who requires and requests assistance is obliged to receive it. At Jet2.com, any failings by OCS or anybody else regarding PRM assistance are taken very seriously and reported to Manchester Airport for investigation.

Capyboppy

I think the main grouses I had was the fact the Easyjet girl had taken the "job's worth" hat on. Additionally, and I don't know how one one find out in advance, that budget flights are not in an accessible area as much as the others. Easyjet must know that there is this issue with stairs at Schipol (and possibly other airports too, I don't know), so as they know when a customer has put down for disabled assistance, they shouldn't even put that person through it. At the very least they should put something on the website to state there are very steep steps and no lift. God only knows how someone who is completely wheelchair bound would have gone on. It was only because I was so adamant that Easyjet knew in advance that I needed the assistance that the girl begrudgingly did something about it. I have not flown that often in my life but maybe I have been spoilt by El Al and BA in the way they handled things:rotfl: I am trying to see the funny side, but part of me still thinks EJ should have dealt with it better. Never mind, I am still in one piece:beer:

GlennTheBaker

There are boarding gates at Manchester which have stairs and no lift but it is simply a case of the assistance company taking PRM's to the aircraft via a different route and onto the aircraft via an Ambulift. There are no excuses - budget airline or otherwise.

Glad you are OK!

greenface

Never had a bad experiance at Schipnol always thought it was one of the best. but it seems you have been a victim to lazy people and lack of duty of care for your well being. If you find it difficult to go up & down stairs there needs to be a alternative route. We were met from our taxi and delivered onto our plane (delta & BA)by axicom or axicon . Totally wheelchair dependent .

lyniced

d.ross wrote: »

I wouldn't worry at all. Although Easyjet are a budget airline, they will make sure that you get on the plane ok. Just tell them about your worries when you check in, and you will probably find that a member of staff makes sure that you are ok.

I know that people like to maon about budget airlines, but most of the time the complaints aren't deserved. I have used them many times, and my brother must have used them 100's of times, and neither of us has had any problems (although my brother has with Ryan Air and BMI Baby). You just have to think of them as being like a bus service. If you don't turn up in time, they will go without you, and if there is a problem with the weather or French air traffic controlers, then they may cancel the flight. These are the main reasons for complaints, and not treatment of disabled.

Not my experience at all - Easyjet were most unhelpful when I boarded with my wheelchair - I wasn't boarded first and quite honestly the passengers were worse than the cabin crew almost knocking me over to get their desired seat! But the cabin crew weren't bothered and were more interested in their make-up and getting the lockers shut than the safety of disabled passengers. I will NEVER fly Easyjet again!

Capyboppy

lyniced: You are right about the passengers. Because I think it was the last flight of the day it was virtually full. When the man who was helping me was trying to clear the way so I could follow, it was obvious the passengers already on the "cattle run" were not happy that it appeared someone (me) was getting preferential treatment. I am one of those who doesn't look disabled so there were plenty of daggers. If the organisation had have been better and it had been done the way I came out there would have been no problems. I felt that they just weren't listening to what I was saying. I had said I could walk a slow short to medium distance so why make me wait all that time for van which entailed extra fuel and man power I don't know. When I was taken out to the van and the man realised I was on the EJ flight only a few paces further he looked a bit perplexed and asked if I was okay to walk. It would have been more effort pulling myself up into the van for that distance than ambling across:rotfl: If it was going to go wrong I would have rather it being going out than coming back. Despite a pleasurable trip I was exhausted even though only 3 days and that is when I really do need the help. Never mind, you lose some and win some.

greenface

People of all ages and background are so ignorant when it comes to getting in their way but a whhelchair can open a few doors IMO (tried crossing the road when my son was young in his"big" pram and not one car even thought about stopping.Next day in his wheelchair cars stopped and i could have took baby steps across the road) People have to give a little room just a little then they can continue with their lives. SMALL RANT OVER . I love the oh i didnt see you there sorry. I have a son in a wheelchair in his 20s and I am not too little myself either. How could he miss

Capyboppy

Greenface: It is surprising the difference in people's attitudes and they can be so varied. When my partially deafblind friend decided to swallow her pride and have a cane, it was like the parting of the red sea when she was walking on the whole. Yet I have other friends where people are more ignorant who are not aware and don't realise that there is a balance problem and are glaring, tutting and so on.

lyniced

greenface wrote: »

People of all ages and background are so ignorant when it comes to getting in their way but a whhelchair can open a few doors IMO (tried crossing the road when my son was young in his"big" pram and not one car even thought about stopping.Next day in his wheelchair cars stopped and i could have took baby steps across the road) People have to give a little room just a little then they can continue with their lives. SMALL RANT OVER . I love the oh i didnt see you there sorry. I have a son in a wheelchair in his 20s and I am not too little myself either. How could he miss

Quite true - the wheelchair can help you get better treatment (not always), but IMHO I would love to be able to walk, and run and jump and do all the things others can do. Ces't la vie!