I'm due to fly to Lanzarote on Sunday and in a chit chatty conversation with a Jet 2 Customer Advisor (ringing about car hire) about the fabulous place I'm going to stay (blow-out because I am Stage 4 palliative care, not my usual bog standard hotel), the conversation quickly changed tone when I told her why I had picked that place. All of a sudden she announced I needed to complete a 5-page medical form, which my GP has to sign (haven't seen him/her since well before I was even diagnosed) or I would be turned away at the gate. I am really upset about this, couldn't find any information about this on any of my booking docs or on the website.
Asked to speak to a manager, was told 30 days was the wait time, have requested a copy of the policy that states people living with cancer need to obtain clearance to fly with Jet 2. Nothing. This is my second holiday this month with Jet 2 (I'm going all out, since I have anywhere between 1 & 2 years to live). There is some vague reference on the website that if you have any special medical condition that you may need assistance for, you can call them and they may ask you for this. But I am completely independent, I don't need any help to function at all. In fact, apart from wearing a mask on the previous flight, I just want to feel normal, I want no special attention, I want to be treated like everyone else just for one flipping week. I was so furious, I hammered out an email to the Equality Commission on Friday night. Today is a Bank Holiday so I won't get any response from my GP until tomorrow at the earliest and I don't see my oncologist until the 19th of June. Am I over-reacting? Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks, I need somewhere to vent x
Hello Sarah (SarahH21)
Yes, I agree with everything you have said in your post. Alcohol - why folk can't go for a few hours without a drink is beyond me. We have had the same, a passenger on his way to Turkey, refused alcohol by the staff and refused admission to Turkey. Escorted off the aircraft here by armed police (and they don't mess about).
Look after yourself and enjoy your next holiday - we are back home on 12 November having been here since 13 October (I don't like the cold anymore).
Kind Regards - Brian. xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
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I’ve been on another flight where passengers were clearly intoxicated at the boarding gate but were still allowed to board. Then the cabin staff decided they shouldn’t have been allowed on, and of course everyone was delayed while their bags were located and they were ejected-we were still on the runway, and had a 2 hour wait because of this.
More recently we were on a flight where there was an elderly man with a family member who was allowed to board, and the cabin staff decided he looked very frail. Despite the family member’s insistence that he was fine, he was asked to disembark. I did feel really sorry for them, but they had to leave.
I struggle even getting to the loo on the plane, and with stomas I do need to go when I need to go! No staff ever try to assist me, same with trying to get to the seat with my cabin bag, but they have told me that they are not allowed to offer help when I queried why they just stood and watched.
Apparently it is up to me to ask them to help, in which case they will. Now that I know that, only because I asked, I make sure I speak up. I cannot stand in a line for the loo for example, but I have a toilet card, and I let the staff know I can’t queue. I’ve found them very understanding, as are the other passengers.
Travelling as a disabled passenger can be extremely stressful and on occasion even distressing, but I refuse to let it stop me.
Hope you’ve been having a wonderful time-I don’t like the cold either so I’m very envious of your ability to have longer trips when you go. That would be my dream!
Sarah xx
Hello Sarah (SarahH21 )
I used to enjoy the journey to/from a holiday, but now to me it's just a way of getting somewhere. I do feel for the old and infirm travelling and I think they are brave folk still doing so,
Lorraine has suffered badly a couple of times from guillain-barre syndrome which has rendered her in a wheelchair but it's not stopped us travelling - thankfully she's a better walker than me these days!!
As you may be aware I had an indwelling catheter for 10 months and travelled as normal during that period. Even with a sunflower lanyard, being escorted away from security by two strange men, going to a windowless room, showing the catheter is in my penis and then having to wipe my urine bag with my hands and then being drug swiped isn't the best start to any holiday!!
Like you - I don't let cancer define me and next month is the end of my 3 years of hormone therapy - in theory, that's me done - but with my high initial PSA I don't think it's the end of my journey.
We were lucky we bought our place in Turkey when properties were cheap (we couldn't afford to but now) and do enjoy the long breaks - having 4 adult children, 3 grand children and one on the way - we just could not live here full time!!
You take care - I love your passion for supporting the Community - one day, you never know - that long holiday may happen.
Kind Regards - Brian xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
Strength, Courage, Faith, Hope, Defiance, VICTORY.
I am a Macmillan volunteer.
