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Hopefully they've learnt a lesson about being flexible with policies when the situation warrants – seems like common sense. The resulting bad PR should help.
I had a totally different experience with another carrier when returning home from Kokoda this September out of Brisbane back to Adelaide. I had cracked 2 ribs in a fall on the Track and had a painful time on the flight out of Moresby. We went and saw our airline when we landed in Brisbane and they were exceptional in how they looked after me on the flight home.
I was disappointed to hear what happened to Kurt in Brisbane! My nephew is in a wheel chair and he too had a bad experience travelling from Melbourne to the Gold Coast. From the age of 12 the family were informed he would be lucky to reach 21. He defied the odds and is still alive a few years further on.
He cannot walk but zooms around the house and the town of Shepparton where he lives in his wheel chair and only rarely needs to be pushed. He has a fold up wheel chair that can easily fit into the boot of a car and I know he too would not like to be treated in the same manner as Kurt but in his case to crawl would not be an option.
I am not too sure which airline humilated him, but I do recall listening to my sister comment on how he will not fly with a certain airline anymore because of the way he was treated.
So irrespective of which airline, it appears they all need to look at the way the treat people with a disability to allow them to feel good about themselves. I cannot speak for others but for my nephew, with the little bit of time he has left, he is proud to get around by himself!
There is no doubt some flexibility should have been shown in Kurt's situation.
In defence of Jet Star, they acknowledged this aspect after the event and apologised accordingly to Kurt.
Before we all come down too hard on budget or any airlines, consider the circumstance if, for example, the whole Australian Wheelchair Basketball team fronted up for a flight.
1. Generally most wheelchairs will not pass through the narrow passages.
2. Where are a multiple number of wheelchairs to be stored during flight ?These are the issues involved that necessitate the airlines providing purpose built wheelchairs to facilitate suitable transfer of wheelchair bound travellers from the terminal to their airline seat. Individually owned wheelchairs therfore need to be consigned to luggage holds.
Geoff Hardie
Geoff makes a good point, however from my experience they even take their own wheelchairs back before you reach the aircraft. My youngest son was run over by a tractor about 10 years ago, necessitating a lengthy stay in ICU and hospital in Sydney. On our return flight home I booked and was given a wheelchair. HOwever they took it back BEFORE we were asked to walk out onto the tarmac to the aircraft. I was on my own with multiple bits of hand luggage and then was forced to carry a 3 year old with full leg plaster and other injuries as well.
I'm in awe of Kurt's amazing strength ( both mental and physical) and tenacity. Completing the track would have been right up there with any medal he's previously won I'm sure.
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