Clearance to Fly with Jet 2 just because I have cancer! I know I need to calm down!

Hi Crafty Caroline 

Oh my goodness-I’m so sorry you’ve been put through this. I’ve flown many times with Jet2 and other airlines since my cancer diagnosis almost 5 years ago. I require special assistance at the airport, which I’ve always had and I’ve taken a free extra bag of medical supplies. Never once have I been asked to provide any further information, far less been asked to complete a 5 page medical form. I once took a letter confirming my medical supplies and was never asked for it, nor did anyone look in my extra bag. I usually go to Lanzarote. 

I have never seen a rule that says you have to tell them you are living with cancer to get clearance to fly. How would they even know you had cancer if you hadn’t told them on the phone? Therefore how could they have turned you away at the gate? Many people must travel with cancer without even having a diagnosis. I have always just made sure I had my relevant insurance in place, though I can appreciate that they may require a “fit to fly” letter from your doctor/consultant. I’m not on palliative care but have had extensive surgery.  

Have you been sent this form? Or have you been told where you can find it? Otherwise how can you have it completed? Having cancer makes travel difficult enough for us without adding extra hurdles to the process. I don’t think you’re overreacting at all, but it must be very stressful for you just before you’re due to travel. You’ve travelled with them before, so why are then suddenly making an issue out of it?

I really hope you can get away without this worry hanging over you. Good luck!

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah, thank you so much for replying, I just needed someone to acknowledge my feelings about it and I cannot put in words how grateful I am for your reply. I just want to be normal for a week, not the 47-year-old with Stage 4 incurable cancer. Just me. I was in tears and still on the phone with Jet 2 when the email came through with the attached form.

The Customer Advisor just refused to listen when I said I was fine to fly. My family are wonderful but only people living with such a crappy disease and all it brings can understand the need for normality, not being identified/ singled out because you have it. I'm just sick of being identified by my health and a holiday with my husband and kids gets blown out of all proportion. I feel vindicated by your reply xxxxxx

I completely get your feelings. I have to use a wheelchair, and often an ambulift for boarding and disembarking the plane-many people do, but I hate the thought that I’m being treated differently. However my overriding feeling is why shouldn’t I travel? Never once have I been asked why I use a wheelchair either here or abroad at the airport. I’ve found all the staff discreet (I have 2 stomas) and respectful.

A customer advisor at Jet2 will likely have no idea about living with cancer or how “normal” us cancer patients actually are! 

Sarah xx

Whatever their formal policies around medical clearances for people with cancer, it is outrageous that you should have to wait 30 days to speak to a manager.  I would be filing a complaint with their head office on that basis alone.

Hi 

what happened did u need clearance to fly, I’m in the same position rang for some assistance at the airport and are now saying I need fit to fly, it’s my honeymoon and my cancer doesn’t define me, you wouldn’t know I have it by looking at me 

Hi All

I am from the Prostate Cancer group.

Last summer I had 2 holidays both flying from Manchester to Dalaman in Turkey. At that point on my cancer journey I was fitted with an indwelling catheter and urine leg bag.

I spoke to the airport at Manchester on the telephone a couple of weeks before my flight asking about travelling with liquids (urine leg bag) and a lovely lady told me "check in as normal, call at the disability desk - we have one in each terminal - and we will give you one of our sunflower lanyards - just go through all the special assistance gates".

At each step of the way at both airports I was treated with respect and courtesy and had no issues whatsoever (I did have a private examination and drug swab each time but hey ho - again with very much respect).

I hope this helps anyone thinking of travelling with a catheter - or any other disability.

Best wishes

Brian.

Hi Millibob 

This has been my experience at multiple airports, travelling with 2 bags for colostomy and urostomy. I never even thought about me travelling with liquids! One of my flights last year was from Manchester and they were very respectful and discreet there. 

Sarah xx

Hi 

I found your post as we have literally had the Same happen today 

we fly Sunday husband has stage 4 bowel cancer and is on clinical drug trial

i rang to just ask where best place is to put medication and painkillers for flight 

soon as I mentioned cancer their time changed Thai was today Friday at 3pm said I needed to get this form completed by oncologist !!

I emailed the hospital and they have done their best and I have forward that to them just have everything crossed now that sorted as nobody works in clinical trials at the weekend 

Im Fuming there was no compassion at all 

Is he terminal? She asked very matter of factly err no thanks for asking 

I agree though it feels like discrimination to me if other conditions aren’t treated the same 

fingers crossed we get on that flight Sunday 

sorry for the rant 

Karen 

Hi Karen

So sorry to hear of your issues, I just don't understand how people, airlines, travel insurance companies, yes even the general public think we cancer patients are some form of "aliens".

We are humans with an issue - and it's not a big issue - we know what we are doing, for goodness sake if we were unfit to travel - well we would stay at home!!

I hope all goes well for you and you have a fantastic holiday - like "ordinary people" you are entitled to it, and never mind ranting, that something we are all here for - it's a place to vent your feelings.

Best wishes and enjoy.

Brian.

Husband has stage 4. We are going on our honeymoon and Jet2 have asked for a medical form to be filled in. dr said they can’t fill in the form but will provide a fit to fly letter. When husbandspoke to Jet 2 they were not happy but said send it over and we let you know ‍♀️when who know when they come back to us and we fly in 2weeks. I’ve never been asked this before. His cancer is under control flown with other airlines this year and no issue? What happens if he refused? Will they sell his seat to someone else and what about refunding us? We not cancelled it’s them. We will obtain a fit to travel letter from GP so this should show he ok to fly.