Non travel specific post here, but sort of in the travel constellation…
The BBC’s security correspondent just had a disgraceful experience on LOT Polish Airline.
FYI—Mr Gardner was shot by an al-Qaeda gunman while reporting from Saudi Arabia in 2004. The shooting left him disabled.
It’s hard to believe an airline operating in the EU is not mandated to have a special airplane wheelchair on board.
This is beyond appalling.
Even if there is not an airplane wheelchair, it seems like there would be a better protocol for getting a passenger with a disability to the WC than making him crawl.
It looks to me that he didn't book special on-board assistance or he did book it but was told wheelchair was not available on that particular type of plane, was offered rebooking/free cancellation, but decided to fly anyway. That would be perfectly OK- I'm guessing he's from London so it's a 2.5h flight -most people never use toilets on such short flights
In addition to that, if he can't lift himself/reach emergency exit on his own, he should have travelled with a companion to help him. Where was his companion? Flight crew do not provide that sort of assistance. On most, if not all airlines, they won't even help you lift your bags, let alone help you to the toilets.
Basically I have a slight impression that he did it on purpose, for the drama and attention. He is a reporter after all. Always on the look out for things to report on and be outraged about.
