Package holiday - fitness to fly

[kiethton]

Currently abroad, my MIL and family are due to join us on Monday but they're having issues jetting 2 us.

Issue is that my brother and sister in law have SEN (fragile x with some other complications). Over the last 2 years they've flown to 4 countries on 3 airlines without issue. Yesterday my MIL is contacted, requiring additional medical forms to be completed by a GP for them as my SIL requires iron supplements (yes really, iron supplements!...although my BIL's needs are more material).

This itself was an issue as there was 1 working day until they fly - they pulled some strings and the 4 page forms were completed by the GP this evening. Only they've been sent and the call centre operator is now questioning the blood test results (which are fine, they don't know how to interpret them) but is also ignoring the fit to fly comment. They are now asking for a second opinion and even more paperwork - not viable as they fly on Monday.

To me this is pure discrimination - not wanting people with SEN to go away with them.

My MIL has paid substantial travel insurance costs, has booked parking, has paid for the holiday months ago has arranged for the one more complicated thing (overnight oxygen) at another significant cost and was looking forward to spending time with us (couple and 6m old baby) and is now very stressed as they're threatening not accepting them to fly despite all this.

What's the simplest way to put an end to this and get them on the plane on Monday afternoon - I've been tasked with drafting an email reply to the request for second medical opinion.

[djc206]

Equality Act section about disabilities copied and pasted would be my starting point. Twitter/X normally embarrasses them into to backing down on certain issues too. I honestly don’t know how Twitter works because I’m a 37 year old dinosaur but if it’s possible to tag the BBC particularly Frank Gardner in your post? He’s a very vocal critic of airline’s treatment of disabled people and has shamed a couple of them in the past.

[kiethton]

Thanks - did so and had a quick reply...asking us to speak to the team that are the cause of the issue.

I'll copy that name next reply if we don't get a resolution, appreciated.

[Mark V GTD]

When you say MIL ‘was contacted’ do you mean contacted by the airline asking for a doctors input? If so, how did the airline know your MIL has a medical issue?

[kiethton]

Yes - she was contacted as she requested assistance at the airport as part of the booking (BIL normally has this as can't walk too far) and checked brands/makes of overnight oxygen that could be taken on the plane (sleep apnea) - it's continued from there by email...

[djc206]

kiethton said:

Thanks - did so and had a quick reply...asking us to speak to the team that are the cause of the issue.

I'll copy that name next reply if we don't get a resolution, appreciated.

How helpful of them. Time to get pushy and demand they sort it on your behalf, it’s the company that ends up in court not the department.

[kiethton]

djc206 said:

kiethton said:

Thanks - did so and had a quick reply...asking us to speak to the team that are the cause of the issue.

I'll copy that name next reply if we don't get a resolution, appreciated.

How helpful of them. Time to get pushy and demand they sort it on your behalf, it’s the company that ends up in court not the department.

Thanks have done and am in discussions via twitter.

The sticking point is the lower acuity traveller needs iron supplements (which she has and will be taking with her) due to normal "lady issues"

Couldn't make this up

[djc206]

kiethton said:

Thanks have done and am in discussions via twitter.

The sticking point is the lower acuity traveller needs iron supplements (which she has and will be taking with her) due to normal "lady issues"

Couldn't make this up

That’s beyond a joke. They need shaming for this regardless of how it pans out, pathetic.

[kiethton]

djc206 said:

kiethton said:

Thanks have done and am in discussions via twitter.

The sticking point is the lower acuity traveller needs iron supplements (which she has and will be taking with her) due to normal "lady issues"

Couldn't make this up

That’s beyond a joke. They need shaming for this regardless of how it pans out, pathetic.

Tell me, they've asked for my phone number - let's hope this is resolved and my extended family are jetting 2 us on Monday...

[djc206]

kiethton said:

Tell me, they've asked for my phone number - let's hope this is resolved and my extended family are jetting 2 us on Monday...

Good luck!

[PurpleFox]

You would like to think that you were iust unlucky in that it was just a particularly useless / thoughtless person that phoned with regards to follow up the special assistance request and not reflective of the airline as a whole.

My father is paralysed and needs oxygen too for sleep apnea, when mum and dad have flown with Jet 2, it has been mixed, sometimes they can't do enough and sometimes they are treated like animals. Sadly, it just depends on the staff on the day.

Its just extra stress you can really do without, traveling must be difficult enough for your family without all this on top, compounded by being last minute and over a weekend. Fingers crossed it works out for you all.

[kiethton]

Many thanks, and likely due to the twitter post recommendation, they phoned my MIL early the next morning and they'll be joining us tomorrow - result as we'll have some childcare for a week!

[djc206]

kiethton said:

Many thanks, and likely due to the twitter post recommendation, they phoned my MIL early the next morning and they'll be joining us tomorrow - result as we'll have some childcare for a week!

With an apology?

Well done for your efforts and enjoy your trip

[kiethton]

djc206 said:

kiethton said:

Many thanks, and likely due to the twitter post recommendation, they phoned my MIL early the next morning and they'll be joining us tomorrow - result as we'll have some childcare for a week!

With an apology?

Well done for your efforts and enjoy your trip

Thanks, no apology unfortunately!!!