airsmiles
28th Nov 2006, 21:49
Could anyone tell me what the BA policy is on handling deaf passengers during the check-in, gate handling process and during the flight? I have a severe hearing problem and wear one hearing aid (I can't hear anything on the other side). It's bad enough at the check-in and gate, what with the background noise and unclear announcements, but on the aircraft communciation is extremely difficult due to the engine and airflow noise.
I travel long-haul 2 or 3 times a year, but there doesn't seem to be anyway of conveying my difficulties in coping to the check-in staff/gate staff/cabin crew involved. When I book I make a point of advising the agent that communication is very difficult but the message doesn't seem to find its way to the people who matter. If I mention it to the check-in staff, they say they put a note on the booking/boarding record or whatever, but the gate staff don't seem to get the message. The same applies to the gate staff passing on my circumstances to the cabin crew. When I get on the aircraft, no one seems to be aware of any note. If I say anything to the first cabin crew I meet, the message doesn't always seem to be passed on to the particular cabin crew who cover my section of the cabin!
I've also spoken to the Exec Club and the medical department about my hearing and communication problems, but it seems as if I have to tell the same story to everyone I deal with at each stage of the process AND for every flight I make!
I'm not asking for any particular favours as I normally travel Club World anyway and the service is generally very good. I would just like my booking marked ONCE with a genuine appeal for understanding and assistance as I pass through the check-in, the gate and especially on the aircraft. Better still, is there a way of having my Exec Club profile flagged in some way to indicate I have a medical problem and can't communicate well. Hopefully this could then be transferred to any booking I make.
I mention this only because I'm doing another USA tour on Sunday and it would be very reassuring to avoid the normal hassle of long-haul flying by solving this problem once and for all. After all, 8-10 hours without proper conversation and understanding is pretty lonely! Surely there is some way around the BA system.
Sorry, rant over and apologies to the moderator if this is the wrong forum. It is a valid point to cabin crew of all airlines though.
Many thanks
airsmiles :{
I travel long-haul 2 or 3 times a year, but there doesn't seem to be anyway of conveying my difficulties in coping to the check-in staff/gate staff/cabin crew involved. When I book I make a point of advising the agent that communication is very difficult but the message doesn't seem to find its way to the people who matter. If I mention it to the check-in staff, they say they put a note on the booking/boarding record or whatever, but the gate staff don't seem to get the message. The same applies to the gate staff passing on my circumstances to the cabin crew. When I get on the aircraft, no one seems to be aware of any note. If I say anything to the first cabin crew I meet, the message doesn't always seem to be passed on to the particular cabin crew who cover my section of the cabin!
I've also spoken to the Exec Club and the medical department about my hearing and communication problems, but it seems as if I have to tell the same story to everyone I deal with at each stage of the process AND for every flight I make!
I'm not asking for any particular favours as I normally travel Club World anyway and the service is generally very good. I would just like my booking marked ONCE with a genuine appeal for understanding and assistance as I pass through the check-in, the gate and especially on the aircraft. Better still, is there a way of having my Exec Club profile flagged in some way to indicate I have a medical problem and can't communicate well. Hopefully this could then be transferred to any booking I make.
I mention this only because I'm doing another USA tour on Sunday and it would be very reassuring to avoid the normal hassle of long-haul flying by solving this problem once and for all. After all, 8-10 hours without proper conversation and understanding is pretty lonely! Surely there is some way around the BA system.
Sorry, rant over and apologies to the moderator if this is the wrong forum. It is a valid point to cabin crew of all airlines though.
Many thanks
airsmiles :{