PRM handling, a Cinderella service
The article in the MEN and Mr Parkes acciount don't quite tie up. Also missing is operational knowledge on how PRMs (Airline term meaning Persons of Reduced Mobility) are handled at airports. Given the choice, you board your PRMs first and disembark them last because it it more efficient to do so. But when they are boarded last, they are still brought on using a narrow wheelchair but now if you don't keep your elbows in you will bang into other passengers. But the staff providing the assistant normally clear a path for you. As for disembarkation, you sometimes have to wait longer than seams reasonable. This is for several reasons. In the olden days, a couple of burly chaps would simply lift the PRM in a small chair and place them in their seat. Quick, simple, job done. But in our modern world, we can't do that. No, we have to use complicated bits of equipment, send people on courses and have equal opportunity, comply with discrimination legislation and other such guff. And the only people who appear to be able to provide this service are those who provide the lowest quote. They are sub-contracted to the airport and no amount of shouting or stamping your feet will get them to your aircraft any quicker; in fact it may even delay their arrival. And this is where the quality airlines score. While your passenger waits you can look after them. Tea, coffee, bubbly, biscuits, sandwiches etc. (that we can offer for free) and you can have a chat and enjoy their company.
As for the suggestion that you can crawl to the loo, well that I can believe. If for no other reason than I think MOL doesn't really care about his fecking passengers. On our aircraft we have an inflight wheelchair and a (detachable) handle in the loo so our PRMs can pay a visit.
What is clear is that in general, we don't have proper PRM handling in UK airports.