Disabled passenger considers legal action against BA
08.09.08
A disabled passenger is considering legal action against British Airways after claiming he had to ‘beg’ for his wheelchair to be delivered to a plane bound for Aberdeen Airport, the Press & Journal reports.
Greg Smith accused BA of ‘incompetence’ after getting into a row with airline staff as he prepared to get off a flight. The 31-year-old, of Aboyne, had arrived at Aberdeen Airport on a flight from Brussels via Heathrow. He told the newspaper his wheelchair, which was tagged ‘deliver to aircraft’, should have been ready as he left the plane with the aid of a lift platform. Instead the former financial analyst’s chair had been sent to the baggage carousel in the main terminal at the airport.
He told the Press & Journal: ‘I had beg for my wheelchair. The pilot threatened to carry me off the plane. He insisted I should be pushed through the airport to the baggage carousel to collect my wheelchair. My wheelchair is my legs and I’m a very independent person so I’m not willing to be pushed through an airport when I’m quite capable of doing it myself.’
Mr Smith, who has used a wheelchair since a motorbike accident 2 years ago, said he had a longstanding issue with BA, which had in the past sent him 10 letters of apology and £500 worth of vouchers. In the end Mr Smith’s wheelchair was taken from the carousel to the plane.
He has now contacted his lawyer about taking legal action. A spokesman for BA told the newspaper that the complaint was being considered but was unable to comment on the matter.
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