[gps-talkusers] Re: bad news EasyJet, non GPS related
- From: "Sarai" <bucc7465@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 08:01:26 -0600
Mike,
When you get to Barcelona, contact Once, the organization for the Blind.
Sarai D. Bucciarelli
-----Original Message-----
From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Michael May
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 2:31 AM
To: GPS-talkusers-freelists.org
Subject: [gps-talkusers] bad news EasyJet, non GPS related
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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