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
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