Luton-9
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Edinburgh
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I would like to know how he managed to get off the aircraft, by ambilift in a wheelchair with help from the care bears I would imagine. Then decided as his own wheelchair was not available he would slide across the terminal floor. What happened when he got to passport control! Also the incident occurred in August 2017 seems a long time to make a claim. I wonder if the airline was Monarch. Lots of unanswered questions.
You raise a good point about the border. How did he get through in that state? e-gates would have been out of the question. Surely a border force agent wouldn't have tolerate just staring a a man sitting on the floor?
It is quite insulting towards the PRM service people that he considers thier help undignified but then goes on to make this dramatic episode.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Outside the terminal the pavement isn’t very wheelchair friendly for those that want to wheel themselves due to sloping ground. Also just before the coach station opened a selection of coaches tested their ramps for wheelchair access but many coaches could not use their wheelchair ramps due to the narrowness of the pavement between the coaches and fencing between the lanes, that issue was never fixed.
The multi-storey also has issues when all the lifts breakdown in a single core which then leaves just the stairs for access. Always seem to happen on a Friday afternoon just before a bank holiday.
The man also complained that the airport does not have any powered golf buggies.
I have to say that the airport has not been designed to help the less mobile or people pushing children’s pushchairs. Most of the gates involve staircases and most don’t have lifts.
The multi-storey also has issues when all the lifts breakdown in a single core which then leaves just the stairs for access. Always seem to happen on a Friday afternoon just before a bank holiday.
The man also complained that the airport does not have any powered golf buggies.
I have to say that the airport has not been designed to help the less mobile or people pushing children’s pushchairs. Most of the gates involve staircases and most don’t have lifts.
Join Date: Oct 2006
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He also just happened to have a colleague filming the incident hmmm. He does not seem to be getting a lot of sympathy from comments in the national press who seem to be sided with the airport in this case which definitely makes a change!
Join Date: Jul 2006
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To be honest I think both parties in wheelchairgate are at fault here. A lot of other airports have self propelled wheelchairs that can be loaned out to customers not just the attendant style ones. Why not Luton ? Also as mentioned before the airport is not very disability friendly. Having said that the news report interviewed the passenger making the complaint which said that he refused the offer of being wheeled through by an attendant because it made him dependant on other people. I completely understand and respect his viewpoint but then that would make sitting on a motorised buggy also being dependant on someone else.
The customer is quite within his right to complain about his treatment but like a lot of stories that make it into the news, the issue is given some extra sensationalism to turn it into a headline.
The customer is quite within his right to complain about his treatment but like a lot of stories that make it into the news, the issue is given some extra sensationalism to turn it into a headline.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Never seen any at Luton. Noted that the gent was pushing himself along on a trolly that costs £2 to rent. Also don’t forget the drop off zone is a good 6 minute walk from the terminal frontage.
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Yes, that is exactly what I posted, but thank you for quoting me only to then say the same thing! 
That's why I don't understand his dramatics. How did he get to/from the airport in the first place? Presumably he had a taxi or another vehicle? Is that not also relying on someone else? I don't understand his opposition to being assisted at all to be honest. It was an unfortunate situation that his own chair didn't arrive, but the airline in question should be the ones in the spotlight. All LTN staff did was offer their assistance and this man refused. They way he has acted is unacceptable. They are not obliged to have self propelled chairs, they are obliged to provide assistance which is what they did. Where would he have gone with the self propelled chair in this instance? Home, presumably? With an expensive piece of kit that LTN then has to pay to get back for the next customer. I don't really see that as being a good solution.
I really don't get this mans beef with LTN. It just smacks of attention seeking. He is suggesting that wheelchair users are lacking dignity for being pushed around. I think many other wheelchair users would rightly be disgusted at that kind of comment from him. There is nothing wrong with needing help sometimes. This situation is one of those exact times. He would have maintained his dignity more by just accepting the assistance and saying thanks, then kicking up an almighty fuss about the airline in the media, outlining how the LTN staff were there to help him. Now they will likely do nothing to help him and will indeed take him to court. A situation not originally caused by the man, but certainly one he has escalated entirely unnecessarily. I am surprised that a man who apparently works in Moldova (a country I have been to) is going off on one about being offered assistance at the airport. Moldova is possibly the least disabled friendly country I've been to. After spending any amount of time there I'd have though anyone who needed mobility assistance would be very welcome of it.
Back to the original issue though. The airline in question chose not to load his chair. That needs to be investigated. Even if it was taken at the gate there would have been plenty of time to disconnect any batteries and load it and they would surely have been aware of the chair at the time of check in? KIV is a small airport, it takes barely any time to proceed through the formalities on departure, so unless this passenger just presented himself at the gate without having given any warning to the airline about his chair and they simply couldn't plan for it then I don't see why it wouldn't have been loaded.
I completely understand and respect his viewpoint but then that would make sitting on a motorised buggy also being dependant on someone else.
I really don't get this mans beef with LTN. It just smacks of attention seeking. He is suggesting that wheelchair users are lacking dignity for being pushed around. I think many other wheelchair users would rightly be disgusted at that kind of comment from him. There is nothing wrong with needing help sometimes. This situation is one of those exact times. He would have maintained his dignity more by just accepting the assistance and saying thanks, then kicking up an almighty fuss about the airline in the media, outlining how the LTN staff were there to help him. Now they will likely do nothing to help him and will indeed take him to court. A situation not originally caused by the man, but certainly one he has escalated entirely unnecessarily. I am surprised that a man who apparently works in Moldova (a country I have been to) is going off on one about being offered assistance at the airport. Moldova is possibly the least disabled friendly country I've been to. After spending any amount of time there I'd have though anyone who needed mobility assistance would be very welcome of it.
Back to the original issue though. The airline in question chose not to load his chair. That needs to be investigated. Even if it was taken at the gate there would have been plenty of time to disconnect any batteries and load it and they would surely have been aware of the chair at the time of check in? KIV is a small airport, it takes barely any time to proceed through the formalities on departure, so unless this passenger just presented himself at the gate without having given any warning to the airline about his chair and they simply couldn't plan for it then I don't see why it wouldn't have been loaded.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LGS6753
Wizzair fly to Chisinau, capital of Moldova.
Yes, that is exactly what I posted, but thank you for quoting me only to then say the same thing!
Originally Posted by LGS6753
Wizzair fly to Chisinau, capital of Moldova.
Yes, that is exactly what I posted, but thank you for quoting me only to then say the same thing!
Join Date: Oct 2006
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BLUEAIR
Looks like both the Larnaca and Turin routes have been pulled from the start of the summer 2019 schedule. Understand Larnaca with a lot of competition but Turin or whether it is easyJets new daily route which has yet to be announced.
Looks like both the Larnaca and Turin routes have been pulled from the start of the summer 2019 schedule. Understand Larnaca with a lot of competition but Turin or whether it is easyJets new daily route which has yet to be announced.
Join Date: May 2018
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Wouldn't be so sure about larnaca. Seems o be one of most packed bluair flights from luton. month or two ago they were ferrying empty ac from Liverpool to luton so they can send 2 ac full of pax to larnaca at the same time
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Seems that Luton does have self propelled wheelchairs after all. Also now that I am looking out for them I have seen a few located by the care bear reception.
https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/...luton-airport/
https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/...luton-airport/
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Reminds me if the old Cyprus Airways flights, always did well!
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Justin Levene has dropped his legal action against the airport, saying he is now satisfied with Luton's actions in response to his complaint.
Or maybe his legal advice changed once it became clear that the airport would vigorously defend their position rather than settle the matter out of court.
Or maybe his legal advice changed once it became clear that the airport would vigorously defend their position rather than settle the matter out of court.
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He did say in an interview that the airport now had self propelled wheelchairs which is what I spotted a few days ago on my travels so maybe the airport was shamed into taking action?
Join Date: Apr 2009
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I know they have been code sharing for a few weeks now but how long has the Blue Air Turin flight been announced on the airport PA as "Alitalia" as well as "Blue Air" - heard it this morning for the first time. Anyone know if the Vueling Amsterdam gets announced as "Iberia" as they also have a code share?
It is quite apparent that the wheelchair user has now won the argument...
Disabled athlete drops legal action against Luton Airport
A disabled athlete who dragged himself through Luton Airport is dropping his legal action following an improvement in the airport's disabled facilities.Justin Levene's self-propelling wheelchair was left behind on a flight last August, and although he was offered a rigid high-backed chair he refused because he said it removed his independence.
Instead he dragged himself along the ground through the arrivals terminal.
Luton Airport says it has since acquired 10 self-propelled wheelchairs. In addition, it is able to lend people replacement equipment, such as wheelchairs, free of charge as well as organise and fund the returns process, and, when it has pre-notification of a requirement for very specialised mobility equipment, it has an arrangement with a local disability resource centre to source the necessary items.
Levene, an international wheelchair athlete, trainer and mentor to disabled athletes, told the BBC: "If Luton now has self-propelling wheelchairs, and a loan system in case of loss or damage to a wheelchair, then I'm delighted with this outcome.
"This was never about money, it was about trying get a change in policy.
"I am happy to drop my legal claim because Luton has taken on board my concerns and improved their disabled facilities for the better.
"I hope that media coverage has helped raise awareness of issues around the mobility needs of disabled travellers.
"We simply want to get from A to B with as much dignity and independence as possible."