Qantas refused guide dog and stranded blind woman
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Aus
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So who is the evil group here - Qantas for being unable to comply with ANOTHER airline's passenger's requirements seemingly at short notice, or the media for using the said passenger to continue its mud-slinging at Qantas?
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sweden
Age: 56
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And let's not forget the obvious as well. If the Purcells had booked themselves and Hetty, the three-year-old black Labrador who is on a special diet, on a Qantas return flight SYD to ADL, instead of a Tiger flight, none of this would have happened in the first place. And they would have had a nice weekend away.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Up left - Down right
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From the QF website
and have an absorbent mat, which takes time to arrange with no advanced notice.
This all takes time, and they did fly home QF, eventually!
For a Service Dog to travel with you in the aircraft cabin you must:
- Confirm that the Service Dog is registered as a service animal at the time of booking.
- Carry and present a recognised Service Dog ID card or documentation at the time of check-in.
- Provide documentation that confirms that the Service Dog has been trained to an acceptable level (where requested).
- Provide evidence of your disability and how the Service Dog assists to alleviate the effect of that disability (where requested).
This all takes time, and they did fly home QF, eventually!
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
she became a CUSTOMER of QANTAS when she went to purchase a ticket.
Obviously NOT while the staff were processing other Tiger passengers, she was advised to call reservations, which seems she took exception to doing, and in the mean time was STILL NOT a customer of Qantas, although she was happy to bleat about them not allowing her to fly..... well... derr....
Go ring reservations like requested dear, and guess what, then they will happily organise all the details of your flight!
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Aus
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are a shining beacon as to why my profession is in such a state of disarray
Because I can show a bit of empathy for a disabled lady wanting to get home and I see that QANTAS policy made it more difficult for her than other able body person doing the same thing. Oh yes, then reportedly told her that the dog was not allowed in Adelaide airport.
Good for you if you consider that causing disarray in "YOUR" profession
Your other quote:
TIGER refused carriage of a blind person with a dog. Their passenger, their disgrace.
Being a little patronising don't you think. p.j.m.,
Go ring reservations like requested dear, and guess what, then they will happily organise all the details of your flight!
Anyway, at least QANTAS Management, in the end, showed a bigger heart than you two guys!!
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Europe
Age: 65
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How does TIGER escape the wrath of the media? Was it not a Tiger flight that was cancelled leaving this lady, her husband and guide dog stranded in AD?
That being the case then surely the airline that cancelled the flight and left them stranded must have had some responsibility to arrnage on carriage for their stranded passenger who has special needs. Would it not have been expected customer service that the airline that cancelled the flight organised alternatives, obviously THEY were the only ones with prior knowledge of the special requirements and were the ONLY ones who failed this lady in the first instance.
As other posters have commented, why have TIGER been allowed to get away with discriminating against this lady by cancelling the only flight that was prepared for her?
That being the case then surely the airline that cancelled the flight and left them stranded must have had some responsibility to arrnage on carriage for their stranded passenger who has special needs. Would it not have been expected customer service that the airline that cancelled the flight organised alternatives, obviously THEY were the only ones with prior knowledge of the special requirements and were the ONLY ones who failed this lady in the first instance.
As other posters have commented, why have TIGER been allowed to get away with discriminating against this lady by cancelling the only flight that was prepared for her?
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: shivering in the cold dark shadow of my own magnificence.
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Surely the legalist position of which airline is responsible, or clutching to airline policy rhetoric is entirely irrelevant.
As a magnanimous society we have chosen to protect and care for the less abled amongst us. Whether they be a soldier crippled by war, the victim of disease or even one suffering the rigours of old age.
The fact is that a blind person and their guide dog were left stranded.
There is no honour here. Every person that was involved is a disgrace.
As a magnanimous society we have chosen to protect and care for the less abled amongst us. Whether they be a soldier crippled by war, the victim of disease or even one suffering the rigours of old age.
The fact is that a blind person and their guide dog were left stranded.
There is no honour here. Every person that was involved is a disgrace.
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Assumption?
From p.j.m.
So how do you know she didn't have to get home to be at work the next day? Are you assuming she doesn't have a job because she's blind? How do you know that her reason for wanting to get home isn't compelling? Why should it matter if she doesn't have a job anyway? It's not up to ground staff to do some sort of ticketing triage. First come, best dressed at the Qantas counter would be the general rule, with maybe some compassionate exceptions.
At the end of the day none of us really know the exact sequence of events as far as booking these stranded passengers but for you to presume this lady should travel after other passengers because she's blind and doesn't have a job is a reflection of a discriminatory attitude.
There were 20 other seats and probably 20 other passengers who needed to get home to be at work the next day.
This woman and her dog and her husband did NOT have reservations, and probably no compelling need to be home that night, so the airline prioritised appropriately.
This woman and her dog and her husband did NOT have reservations, and probably no compelling need to be home that night, so the airline prioritised appropriately.
At the end of the day none of us really know the exact sequence of events as far as booking these stranded passengers but for you to presume this lady should travel after other passengers because she's blind and doesn't have a job is a reflection of a discriminatory attitude.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: FNQ
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This thread is a disgrace. I'm amazed how low people talk about Disabled in such a filpant way. I am discusted as a Disabled Person and Disabled Ex-Serviceman (TPI) and former aviator. I have referred this thread, as an example as to inhumane attitude of some towards the Disabled, to the Equal Opportunities Commission.
That's me finished - Goodbye!
That's me finished - Goodbye!
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sweden
Age: 56
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am genuinely sorry that you feel that way fencepost. I am also disappointed that what was a logical analysis of, what I believe to be, an intentionally misleading piece of "journalism" became so highly emotive for some, which is exactly what the article was designed to do.
The moderators though, do not seem to share your opinion as no posts have been deleted and the thread has not been locked. Why is that I wonder?
The moderators though, do not seem to share your opinion as no posts have been deleted and the thread has not been locked. Why is that I wonder?
this post is disgusting,
i am appalled by reading much content in this post upon my return to pprune after a while away, nothing surprises me on here now anymore.
in the UK, and in oz i am sure, you must abide by the DDA (disability discrimination act) which ensures any disabled/impaired vision persons who need their registered dog to accompany them to travel are not discriminated in any way, and have a right to travel on public transport uninhibited.
and in fact every reasonable effort should be made to ensure any disruption to journeys like as seen here then the pax is given all help to ensure minimal problems.
tiger air after cancelling her flight should have got her re-booked or assisted her to rebook on QF and escorted her over to QF on the first available flight and got her on asap.
end of...and as a priority.
thats what we did.
if QF flight was busy and seating arrangements difficult then QF could easily move other pax around to ensure she was togther with her dog.
well, thats what SHOULD have happened...
and thats what we would have done,
even before the DDA come about...
we would have done that with ANY wchr pax or unmin's or yp's...
these pax DO have special needs and should be looked after as a priority because if you dont do this when things go wrong then you have to deal with them after and pick up the pieces...
its total common sense.
in the UK, and in oz i am sure, you must abide by the DDA (disability discrimination act) which ensures any disabled/impaired vision persons who need their registered dog to accompany them to travel are not discriminated in any way, and have a right to travel on public transport uninhibited.
and in fact every reasonable effort should be made to ensure any disruption to journeys like as seen here then the pax is given all help to ensure minimal problems.
tiger air after cancelling her flight should have got her re-booked or assisted her to rebook on QF and escorted her over to QF on the first available flight and got her on asap.
end of...and as a priority.
thats what we did.
if QF flight was busy and seating arrangements difficult then QF could easily move other pax around to ensure she was togther with her dog.
well, thats what SHOULD have happened...
and thats what we would have done,
even before the DDA come about...
we would have done that with ANY wchr pax or unmin's or yp's...
these pax DO have special needs and should be looked after as a priority because if you dont do this when things go wrong then you have to deal with them after and pick up the pieces...
its total common sense.
Last edited by rog747; 11th Dec 2009 at 08:55. Reason: words
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Code:
tiger air after cancelling her flight should have got her re-booked or assisted her to rebook on QF and escorted her over to QF on the first available flight and got her on asap.
dtvone, QF still at fault.
QF is still at fault here as their STN Mngr or D/O should have ensured that
these pax were booked and boarded as a priority.
it seems from OP there were empty seats at the time Tiger cancelled so its a no-brainer...
QF and BA are first rate, full service airlines usually when it comes to this sort of thing and i am amazed that some dumb ass check-in bod at QF did not see outside of the box...
this is a sharp lesson to both tiger and QF to stop treating pax like lo-co trash and look after vulnerable and disabled pax without quoting their 'rule book'....
WE have been looking after such pax for 50+ years in the airline business so why now this lack of compassion and such vile comments from young people here like seen here in many of the posts...
this throwaway society, like a throwaway lo-co ticket must not be allowed to make human disablity a throwaway item too...
these pax were booked and boarded as a priority.
it seems from OP there were empty seats at the time Tiger cancelled so its a no-brainer...
QF and BA are first rate, full service airlines usually when it comes to this sort of thing and i am amazed that some dumb ass check-in bod at QF did not see outside of the box...
this is a sharp lesson to both tiger and QF to stop treating pax like lo-co trash and look after vulnerable and disabled pax without quoting their 'rule book'....
WE have been looking after such pax for 50+ years in the airline business so why now this lack of compassion and such vile comments from young people here like seen here in many of the posts...
this throwaway society, like a throwaway lo-co ticket must not be allowed to make human disablity a throwaway item too...
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Hicksville, Alabama
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
this throwaway society, like a throwaway lo-co ticket must not be allowed to make human disablity a throwaway item too...
i am amazed that some dumb ass check-in bod at QF did not see outside of the box...
yeah they WERE DUMB>>> hence the hoo hah now lol!!!
if i was their D/O i would have their b****x for my breakfast...
(not literally)
its not rocket science to see that the person(s) involved in allowing this
fiasco to accelerate to this were simply not seeing outside of the box of current airline trends of stoooopid dumb-arse nasty ''rules and regs'' which get in the way of human common sense and reason...sigh
where's my mate rainboe???
waves
if i was their D/O i would have their b****x for my breakfast...
(not literally)
its not rocket science to see that the person(s) involved in allowing this
fiasco to accelerate to this were simply not seeing outside of the box of current airline trends of stoooopid dumb-arse nasty ''rules and regs'' which get in the way of human common sense and reason...sigh
where's my mate rainboe???
waves
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
QF is not to blame.
Tiger is the crap company that is allowed to operate in Australian airspace.
They should be banned for their continued poor attitude toward the Australian public. All I can see, is the foreign owner's laughing at what they can do and get away with on a daily basis.
Qantas is then left to clean up the mess. This sh$t situation had a positive outcome. It is not exactly as you guys would like it to be scripted, however they did their best.
She got home, and so did the dog, she flew Qantas... game over, Qantas got her home.
Get over it.
Tiger is the crap company that is allowed to operate in Australian airspace.
They should be banned for their continued poor attitude toward the Australian public. All I can see, is the foreign owner's laughing at what they can do and get away with on a daily basis.
Qantas is then left to clean up the mess. This sh$t situation had a positive outcome. It is not exactly as you guys would like it to be scripted, however they did their best.
She got home, and so did the dog, she flew Qantas... game over, Qantas got her home.
Get over it.
Registered User **
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I find it amazing that so called rational people cannot see the problem here.Dual ground is telling us that there was no refusal of carriage yet they were not allowed on the first flight.
If you are not allowed on a flight then you can call it whatever you like but it is refusal of carriage.
Whoever was on duty at that time should have understood what an opportunity this was for a positive story about QF.Instead it's the complete opposite.
Even if they had told the lady that because of the lack of notification or time constraints they could not do anything on this flight.However, they would organise it for the first flight the following day and then said we have organised accomodation for you it would be a different story and QF would have been praised.
Some people here cannot differentiate between carrying cargo and carrying human beings with various needs.
With that sort of attitude I think some of you should stick to pushing buttons and flying aircraft and leave customer service issues to others.
If you are not allowed on a flight then you can call it whatever you like but it is refusal of carriage.
Whoever was on duty at that time should have understood what an opportunity this was for a positive story about QF.Instead it's the complete opposite.
Even if they had told the lady that because of the lack of notification or time constraints they could not do anything on this flight.However, they would organise it for the first flight the following day and then said we have organised accomodation for you it would be a different story and QF would have been praised.
Some people here cannot differentiate between carrying cargo and carrying human beings with various needs.
She got home, and so did the dog, she flew Qantas... game over, Qantas got her home.
Get over it.
Get over it.