I just want to shout .....

AndyGT

There are times when I just want to shout about something. I don't expect an answer or for someone to come up with an answer or whatever..... I just want to get something off of my chest. So, my apologies to anyone who thinks this is self indulgent but I just want to tell you something. I am sure that you are aware of this and it probably won't come as a surprise but I just need to say something. A few months ago my partner and I were flying out to Perpignan to stay with my Cousin and his family for a short break. We were flying from Stansted so we booked with Ryan Air. As I get uncomfortable, my pain increases and I struggle with things we paid for the extra leg room. We also arranged for assistance to get from the terminal entrance to the steps to the aircraft. Everyone to this point was perfectly nice and helpful. However, when we boarded and took our seats with the extra leg room, which were by the wings, the steward sauntered up to us and in a rather couldn't care less attitude informed us that because I was disabled we couldn't sit there. I explained that we had paid for the extra leg room and that as I was disabled I needed it otherwise I would be in pain for the whole journey. He shrugged his shoulders and said that it didn't matter and that we would have to move. I said I wouldn't and he said that I would have to otherwise we wouldn't be flying. He then told to move to some other seats. We moved to these seats and took our places. We had been in these new seats for no more than a few seconds when the couple who had booked those seats boarded and wanted to know why were sitting there. They approached the steward and he said that "we had tried to sit in some seats that we shouldn't (as I have said above we had paid for those seats) and had to move so they would have to move as well. The new seats we were in so we're so tight and cramped that if it wias for safety reasons it would have been much harder to get out. To be honest I felt so belittled and made to feel like I was a lower class and didn't count. It was horrid.

Anyway, thanks for listening.

Sandy_123

Hi @AndyGT nice to see you posting but not under the stress you had to endure, I hope you put a complaint in to the airline and see if they can assist you with that, at least to offer a refund for the seats you paid for, I hope you enjoyed your stay away.

AndyGT

Hello Sandy_123. The trip was relaxing and both my partner and myself had a good time thanks. However, lately, my health has been a struggle and I have been at the Hospital or Dr's each week. The pain at times has been Unbearable and things have been a great struggle.

Sandy_123

Im sorry to read that @AndyGT I hope they are able to help you with your pain

Bluebell21

I am so sorry you were put in this situation @AndyGT it could have put a shadow over your whole holiday. I am glad you still managed to have a good time. I would definitively complain.

It must be difficult for you dealing with your health and being in pain. Can your hospital or doctors not help with this?

Please take care.

luvpink

This happened to some People a few years ago when I was on a flight.

They were told that the extra leg room seats were next to the emergency exit doors and that is why disabled people weren't supposed to be seated there but surely they should state that when people book and pay for their seats.

Rosie_Scope

Hi @AndyGT, sorry this happened to you and it's sad to hear you're in so much pain at the moment. As Sandy and Bluebell have said, maybe you could put in a complaint about it, it doesn't sound like you were treated in a respectful way. It's good that you were still able to enjoy your holiday though.

How was the flight back, did you manage to get a seat somewhere more comfortable or was it the same story?

AndyGT

Sandy_123 & Bluebell21 Over the years I have tried a lot of things including acupuncture, Joint injections into my spine and various forms of medication. I now have an implant in my lower back to help with the pain management. I am still on medication as well. So at the momentI don't know what else they can do.

Luvpink...... I know what you mean about not sitting in certain seats for safety but the other seats were so crammed in that the safety argument goes out of the window because it would have been so difficult and sitting by the wing would have been the easier option.

Rosie_scope .... I was treated with no respect and made to feel like I didn't exist and didn't count. I have complained and just await for some sort of answer. The flight back was just the same.

The pain affects everything. It hurts to do anything and my focus and concentration just disappears. So that is why at times it takes a while for me to reply, for which I am sorry and do apologise.

I would like to say thankyou for your wishes, it is most appreciated....... Thanks..

luvpink

@AndyGT

I fully agree with you.

egister

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/936063#Comment_936063

Yes, this rule has been around for many years, it’s strange that they don’t tell you about it when booking tickets.