Air Travel

Well, it's finally over! "It" being the long drawn out battle between disability advocates and the Canadian airline industry, regarding the one-person one-fare decision.

Just when I thought I'd heard everything in regards to airlines and accessible travel, another airline chimes in.

This time it's Jet2, a UK budget carrier. And the victim is Mick Skee, a mild mannered amputee who just wanted to take a vacation to Majorca. Mr. Skee always flies with an extra pair of legs, as he wants to make sure he has a backup pair if something goes wrong with his primary set. Sounds reasonable to me; in fact, I know folks who travel with more than one wheelchair for that very reason.

Every now and again I read a blog entry that really chaffs my hide. Thus was the case this morning. I don't know if it was the attitude of the blogger or the terminology he used in an entry titled "How to Fly the Friendly Skies;" but, it just really got to me. So I need to vent.

As I was sitting in Dulles at gate 72B yesterday morning, I watched the arrival of five wheelchair passengers. In each case the skycap asked the passenger if he or she would like to remain in the wheelchair or transfer to a seat. Three of the passengers opted to stay in their wheelchairs, while two decided to transfer to a seat in the terminal.

I'd be remiss in my duties if I didn't mention a press release I got last week from Air France. First off, I couldn't believe they actually sent me a press release, but I digress.