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Fight to Fly Documentary - Wheelchair Users Experiences on Flights

Rachel_Scope

I watched the documentary, Sophie Morgan's Fight to Fly, and I was appalled at the treatment of wheelchair users on planes. It was so difficult to watch, especially when one woman said she felt treated like 'luggage'. Changes definitely need to be made.

Did anyone else see it? How did it make you feel? Has anyone experienced anything similar?

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Comments

OverlyAnxious

Yes, I watched it. I'm not a wheelchair user and have never been on a plane so knew I would definitely learn something from it.

The treatment of disabled passengers was awful to watch. Not just the physical treatment either, I genuinely couldn't believe the pilot made an announcement across the plane blaming the take-off delay on the wheelchair users.

The new system for remaining in their own chair on a flight looked very good. Though it did leave me with the question of how they'd get to the loo? Would still need an aisle chair on every plane and they'd have to travel the entire length of the moving plane unless there are loos at the front as well.

Definitely looks like it's heading in the right direction though. For now I just hope the staff are trained better in physically handling people where necessary and asking the right questions beforehand to make sure everything is as accessible as it can be on the day.

Rachel_Scope

@OverlyAnxious Totally agree about the pilot's announcement. How can they not understand how much their words would hurt? No compassion at all.

Yes they'd definitely need an aisle chair on every plane. I don't understand how this isn't mandatory already. It's dehumanising for people to have to drag themselves along the aisle.

I agree that staff training is very important here. I think sometimes people are hesitant to assist those with disabilities as they don't feel confident in knowing what do. I understand that airline staff have a difficult job but I think they should be taught to be compassionate and see the person as just that, a person, not a number.

Lindsay1961

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/892620#Comment_892620

My son wants me to take a holiday abroad but I’m worried about the problems I have and feel very anxious about all that goes with it,

Good and bad sorry all Xx

Rachel_Scope

I understand the anxiety @Lindsay1961. I think it's lovely that your son wants to take you away. Have you thought about where you'd go?

I would say to do a lot of research on the airline you'd use before you go. Make sure they have an aisle chair and ask how they'll meet your needs. The documentary has highlighted the worst parts of flying for wheelchair users but I'm sure there are some positive experiences too 😊

older01

I have not watched the documentary I’m afraid. I have flown from Bristol airport, and I am pleased to say that my experience was very good. I was travelling alone, and I was very worried. The staff at Bristol airport are marvellous. I don’t think that I am alone in having a positive experience of flying with complex physical difficulties. I was taken through the airport by a very nice gentleman to a waiting area with other passengers requiring assistance onto the aircraft. We were collected as a small group and driven to the aircraft. I was very conscious of the fact that I was alone and I did feel a little lost, but I suppose that’s only natural regardless of physical abilities or disability. We were wheeled into the ‘lift’ and taken to our seats before the other passengers could board.
I have only praise for the staff that I encountered on every leg of my personal journey.

samras42

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/120450/fight-to-fly-documentary-wheelchair-users-experiences-on-flights

Hi,

yes I have experienced bad service with flights, I had booked wheelchair assistance, I was helped from B’ham to Amsterdam but no wheelchair was waiting to take me to my connecting flight, there was no way I could’ve walked the distance between gates, I was getting anxious and stressed but I also felt very vulnerable because there was no one that I could ask for help, no airport staff around and I couldn’t even see any security, it is not an experience I want to have ever again.

JessieJ

I didn't see the programme, but twice I've had problems. The first was, they absolutely refused me walking with my crutches a few steps to the shorter steps that I could then take my time to get off after all the passengers had gone. No, instead, I had to transfer to their aisle chair. They then took me down the aisle & carried me down the long plane steps to my own waiting wheelchair. It was seriously painful & I was worrying about their backs, it was embarrassing & so not needed.

The other time, I was taken to the plane first, which is good & normal for disabled, so we don't have to rush. I was the only disabled passenger on that flight, so they wheeled me to the plane, I got myself to the seat & sorted out. Then, the captain requested all crew to get off the plane while it was refueled, apparently normal thing to happen. So off they all went & there was me sat alone in the apparent danger zone watching the refueling.

I've been on several flights over the years since being disabled, some with a niggle, but the majority brillant with no complaints at all, some, outstanding. You would have thought by now, they would have training & the only problems being little niggles, it seems not though, sad. Hopefully this programme will be shown at airline & airport training so corrections can be made to the treatment of disabled passengers.

Rachel_Scope

I'm so happy to hear that you had a positive experience @older01 😊 Hopefully that will become the norm as more policies and procedures are put in place.

@Biblioklept it's available on Ch4 catch-up online.

I'm so sorry for your experience @samras42. I can understand you feeling so vulnerable. I hope it doesn't put you off flying for good. I imagine that some airports are better equipped than others. Not that that's ok, every single airport should have procedures in place to help wheelchair users.

JW77

We watched it. And it was a picture of what could go badly wrong.

Our last flight (maybe not mine but the girl won't fly due to ethical reasons). Was to Madeira. We watched the chair being loaded into the aircraft, about 4 guys working out the best way to handle it. We'd taken photos before and labelled it in English & Portuguese using Google Translate.

And to be fair the airport 'assistance' staff were brilliant on the whole, but they are limited to certain areas of the airport.

Also important was to check the Airline for the width of the hold access. One airline had doors just a little too narrow.

Thankfully the chair was OK. Our experiences when the girl ended up in a Maderia hospital weren't so pleasant however.

I think our next trip might be the taking the train to Holland.

Always , reasearch research, check & triple check and talk to actual humans if you can.

I've had another sadder story with a previous partner that I won't share at this point.

csno01

I haven’t seen the documentary although I noticed it was on the other day. It looked interesting. I might watch it later this evening. Currently watching Andy Murray & Dan Evens in the Olympics tennis at the moment. They’re not doing too bad. Has anyone else tuned in for the Olympics?

Ironside1990

My favourite part of the documentary, was when Sophie went in that plane mockup and the engineer guy showed her the accessible wheelchair space.