[gps-talkusers] bad news EasyJet, non GPS related
- From: Michael May <mikemay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "GPS-talkusers-freelists.org" <GPS-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:30:31 +0100
First off, this message has nothing to do with GPS but everything to do with
traveling independently.
The incident with the restaurant in Copenhagen pales in comparison with my
experience this morning with EasyJet in Berlin. It takes a lot to rattle my
cage but I feel a bit in shock.
Some background. It is tricky to get from Poznan Poland to Barcelona Spain with
a reasonable airfare and I am literally paying for my work around. We took a 3
hour train ride to Berlin and spent the night near the Berlin-Shoenfeld
airport. EasyJet had a cheap flight at 8:30 this morning to Barcelona.
I have traveled to 33 countries and 27 of those countries with a Seeing Eye
dog. I have rarely been challenged with the dog by airlines and never been
denied access to a flight. We did ride in the cockpit of a 727 in Argentina
once because they didn't want the dog near the passengers. I didn't mind that a
bit. Another time in Peru, the flight was delayed for 2 hours while they sorted
things out with the U.S. embassy in Lima. After all, it was a 1 AM flight. I
haven't yet taken my dog to the UK but that is even possible now if you jump
through the right hoops. I even have all the documentation with me to take my
dog into the UK if necessary.
So, I was stunned when they told me at the EasyJet counter that service animals
are not allowed in the cabin to certain destinations. Flights to and from the
UK are okay but not other flights and in particular, not Berlin to Barcelona.
I spoke to a woman at a different counter and she printed out their regulation
that specifies this discrimination. She says it is posted on the web site and
you have to click on the agreement before purchasing the ticket. Who ever reads
all those policy statements other than the part about non-refundable fares? She
said there was no way EasyJet was going to let me on the flight with my dog.
I asked what my alternatives were. She called Air Berlin and told me about
their flights to Barcelona later in the day. I would have to take a taxi 40
minutes to the other Berlin airport in order to go on this flight and I'd have
to fly to Palma Mallorca and then change planes to get to Barcelona. I would
lose 5 hours in the process and it would cost me about $350 for the flight and
taxis.
We decided that we would cut our losses if Charles went ahead on the EasyJet
flight and I separated to take the Air Berlin flight.
EasyJet wasn't even apologetic about this situation. She thought because the
policy was documented that I had no reason to complain or to feel discrimated
against. They wouldn't even refund my EasyJet ticket let alone pay for the
other flights.
I know that the other low cost European airline, Ryan Air, got into a lot of
trouble over denying disabled passengers access. I don't see how EasyJet can go
against international aviation acceptance of dog guides in the cabin if there
is no issue of admittance in the country you are traveling to. It is a much
bigger deal to take on a major airline as compared with an individual
restaurant. At the same time, I have never backed down from these situations
and I don't plan on getting soft now. As soon as my shock wears off and I get
myself to Barcelona,, we'll figure out how to start addressing EasyJet so blind
people have access to low cost travel like everyone else. For now, stay clear
of EasyJet and probably Ryan Air if you have a dog guide.
Mike
Michael G. May
CEO Sendero Group
Developers and distributors of BrailleNote GPS
Distributing BrailleNote, VoiceNote, Talks, Miniguide, The Tissot Silen-T
tactile watch, and the ID Mate bar code reader
MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.SenderoGroup.com
1-888-757-6810, Fax (530) 757-6830, Mobile (530) 304-0007
Sendero Group, LLC
1118 Maple Lane, Davis, CA 95616-1723, USA
Latitude, 38 33 9.239 North
Longitude, 121 45 40.145 West
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