[gps-talkusers] Re: bad news EasyJet, non GPS related
- From: "Gerry Ellis" <gerry.ellis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 21:03:05 -0000
Hi, Mike,
Germany has very strong anti-discrimination legislation, including one
particular piece called social book Number 9. although easyjet may not be
german owned, they were operating out of germany.
Having said this, I reckon that european legislation is your route for
complaints. I suggest that you contact the european disability forum who
will be able to give you all the info you need and the correct contacts.
info@xxxxxxxxxxxx
The EDF is the main european umbrella body for people with disabilities and
is based in brussels.
ask them for information, but also ask them to put you in contact with
robert Hewett, who is the chairperson of the all-party committee on
disability in the European Parliament.
I hope this helps.
Take care,
gerry ellis
dublin, Ireland
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael May" <mikemay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "GPS-talkusers-freelists.org" <GPS-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 8:30 AM
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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