The trials and triumphs of a disabled holidaymaker.

Part 1 – Flying

As a regular wheelchair traveller departing to warmer climates at least once a year, Julie, my wife and I, have become use to the rigmaroles of flying and the trials it puts before us. The last winter trip to Mexico was an excellent stay. Thompson the provider, were true to their word, putting a smile on my face. However getting on and off the aircraft at Cancun airport, the countries second largest airport, was a roller coaster ride. It left me questioning both parties eyes wide shut approach, in their duty of care to wheelchairs users.

Our trips are always planned with military precision, this departure from Birmingham was no different. The pitfall cluster of booking tickets, arranging special assistance, seating allocation, transfers in adapted vehicles, overnight accessible accommodation and a car drop off, a minefield for many disabled flyers, were thankfully despatched – by Julie,dear I say, resulting in a smooth run through check in to the departure gate.

Embarkation to the 787 Dreamliner by way of air bridge, allowed me to wheel up to the door. Lets be honest; commercial airlines were not designed with the disabled in mind, subsequently we tend to be the first on and last off brigade. It pragmatic – freeing up space and those awful,‘God I hope its not me’ stares, as you are dragged past in the straight jacket of an aisle chair. It’s also helpful as my own chair is always taken directly to the hold avoiding the baggage carousel and any potential damage. Julie makes sure it is awaiting on arrival.

The early planning meant we got a window seat. Besides of the view, it gave importantly, a degree of privacy for the journey ahead. Like many disabled people unable to walk, I like to avoid the indignity of being taken to the airline toilet. My medical condition ; Multiple Sclerosis, means lasting nine hours is a pipe dream. Having tried various forms of catheters – with unpleasant results , I’ve resorted to a 500ml bottle, always placed discretely, with the ever resolute wife giving cover. It’s not nice ,but effective in the circumstances and as usual worked perfectly at a cruising height of 41k feet.

After a faultless embarkation and flight, arriving 45 minutes early we were satisfied at a job well done. Two weeks on the Riviera Maya beckoned and with it a long awaited holiday. The plane had taxied to a halt, parking away from the terminal building, with the ground crew below, readying some air stairs for the passengers to alight.

This would mean myself and the other wheelchair user, an elderly man, recovering from a stroke, being transferred by Ambu-lift. After a 45 minute delay, alarm bells started to ring as four of the airports, ‘special assistance team’, ascended the stairs with an aisle chair, clearly for carrying me and the equally bemused, old man off the plane.

Now, I’m happy to go with the flow, but this was pushing the boat out. The Thompson stewards explanation that the Ambu-lift had been out of order for 3 years, also did not go down well, as I was strapped like Hannibal Lecter to the chair and carried precariously down the stairs, a terminal drop either side.

We should have done a bow for our everyone on the waiting bus when we got to the bottom, but the malestrom of the terminal and the Mad Max adapted taxi – it had a draw bridge, were soon upon us, as we were swept through to our destination.

Returning two weeks later, we were expectant that our concerns to Thompson would have been raised. However at the departure gate it was disappointing to note, that once again the disabled passengers, three of us this time, faced inquisition by aisle chair.

The elderly lady who had joined us for the return journey was visibly terrified as she was carried up the stairs, the two air stewards awaiting, wincing at her discomfort. In the distance, when my turn came, two Thompson Dreamliners, still sat at their air bridges, awaiting to depart.

I’m no killjoy but Cancun Airport owes its disabled passengers a little more than that – 17m people pass through it annually and investment in working Ambu-lifts would be small fry to profits. Equally, Thompson are complicit, forcing disabled passengers to face this ordeal- happening to me also the year before at Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

This procedure would not be acceptable in the UK and tour operators must stop turning a blind eye to it .They stand not only to lose customers but potentially thousands in compensation, if an accident or injury were to occur. I’ll think twice about returning to either country or using the airline for now, it’s just not the way that things should be done….now where did I put that margarita?