Deaf PAX refused boarding

[Memetic]

The BBC and others are reporting on an Iberia flight ex. LHR that denied a group of teens boarding for safety reasons - i.e. too few hearing carers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/b...re/3919249.stm

The reports don't mention the need to hear saftey announcements / hear instructions in an emergency they just talk of "regulations" - which the CAA are quoted as saying do not exist.

Either the airline's team failed to deliver this message (fools) or the BBC etc. have chosen not to run it as it removed the "This is an infringenment of our rights angle."

I'm sorry they could not board, I personally would hav been fuming, but there is a good reason.

[PaperTiger]

Iberia, being a member of IATA, section 1.3.2.2(a) of Resolution 700 presumably applies, viz:

1.3 ACCEPTANCE

1.3.1 General
Subject to the rules and conditions of this Resolution, Members shall participate in interline transactions concerning the carriage of incapacitated passengers. Members shall ensure that each interline Member participating in the transportation has specifically agreed to participate in the carriage of such Passenger.

1.3.2 Exceptions
Notwithstanding 1.3.1, Members:

1.3.2.1 may refuse to carry or continue to carry persons:
1.3.2.1(a) whose carriage because of their physical or medical conditions, on the basis of established facts, could pose a threat to the safety of other passengers and their property, the aircraft or the crew; and/or
1.3.2.1(b) who refuse to, or do not submit themselves to the specific conditions of carriage required by the Member(s)’ regulations;

1.3.2.2 may refuse to engage in interline transactions for carriage, or to commence/continue interline transportation of incapacitated persons:
1.3.2.2(a) whose conduct, status, mental or physical condition is determined by the Member to be such as to render them incapable of assisting in their evacuation of the aircraft (e.g.persons travelling in a stretcher or incubator, persons with severe mobility impairment, persons with severe hearing and vision impairment) unless they are accompanied by an escort who will be responsible for them and their needs on enplaning and deplaning during flight, and during emergency evacuation.

Not CAA but equally, not don't exist either.

[Memetic]

Hey BBC are you looking at the above?

[Final 3 Greens]

It really does appear that some of the BBC journos need to attend the retraining sessions mentioned in recent press reports.