Jetstar refuses to board Wheelchair passenger BKK

[cimboc]

A WHEELCHAIR-bound man felt humiliated at a foreign airport when Jetstar refused to let him on board because he couldn't walk.

Glen McDonnell, 36, had travelled with the budget carrier from Darwin to Thailand via Singapore.

But when he was boarding the plane at Bangkok for his return flight, Jetstar staff told him they were unable to take him home.

Speaking from Bangkok airport yesterday, Mr McDonnell told the Northern Territory News that he felt humiliated.

"They told me I'm not allowed on the plane," he said.

"I think it's very discriminating."

Mr McDonnell, who was left paraplegic after a motorcycle accident when he was 15 years old, travelled by himself to Thailand on December 2 for a two-month holiday.

His trip turned into a nightmare when he faced staff at the boarding gate in Bangkok.
Your Say
Seems like the same quality of service i've always experienced with jetstar flying domestic here. I've even had reps tell me to my face "you cant expect much from a bu...
(Read More)
Adam of adel


"I checked in my luggage and went through customs and all that," the psychology student said.

"And then the station manager asked me if I could walk at all. I said no and he said I wasn't allowed on board.

"He was quite arrogant about it."

Mr McDonnell, who lives in Wagaman, said that he had to check out again and wait for his luggage to return.

However, he said that after his "making a fuss" the airline booked him on another flight last night and gave him a $150 voucher for a hotel room in Singapore.

Jetstar Asia failed to return calls from the Northern Territory News last night.

The airline's Australian sister company came under fire for similar incidents in 2005 when two Hobart sportspeople were told they could not travel on a Jetstar flight because they were wheelchair-bound.


Man in wheelchair not allowed to board Jetstar flight in Bangkok | Travel News | News.com.au

[hunter]

A WHEELCHAIR-bound man felt humiliated at a foreign airport when Jetstar refused to let him on board because he couldn't walk.

Glen McDonnell, 36, had travelled with the budget carrier from Darwin to Thailand via Singapore.

But when he was boarding the plane at Bangkok for his return flight, Jetstar staff told him they were unable to take him home.

Speaking from Bangkok airport yesterday, Mr McDonnell told the Northern Territory News that he felt humiliated.

"They told me I'm not allowed on the plane," he said.

"I think it's very discriminating."

Mr McDonnell, who was left paraplegic after a motorcycle accident when he was 15 years old, travelled by himself to Thailand on December 2 for a two-month holiday.

His trip turned into a nightmare when he faced staff at the boarding gate in Bangkok.
Your Say
Seems like the same quality of service i've always experienced with jetstar flying domestic here. I've even had reps tell me to my face "you cant expect much from a bu...
(Read More)
Adam of adel


"I checked in my luggage and went through customs and all that," the psychology student said.

"And then the station manager asked me if I could walk at all. I said no and he said I wasn't allowed on board.

"He was quite arrogant about it."

Mr McDonnell, who lives in Wagaman, said that he had to check out again and wait for his luggage to return.

However, he said that after his "making a fuss" the airline booked him on another flight last night and gave him a $150 voucher for a hotel room in Singapore.

Jetstar Asia failed to return calls from the Northern Territory News last night.

The airline's Australian sister company came under fire for similar incidents in 2005 when two Hobart sportspeople were told they could not travel on a Jetstar flight because they were wheelchair-bound.


Man in wheelchair not allowed to board Jetstar flight in Bangkok | Travel News | News.com.au

Great PR.

[kingwilly]

I'm astounded, they still do this shit? Jetstar is an australian company, I wonder if he can take them to court back in Aus?

[Muadib]

^ It appears that Somchai didn't get the memo...

[BugginOut]

People in wheelchairs should pay double.

[Marmite the Dog]

People in wheelchairs should pay double.

Especially if they're fat and in a wheelchair.

[kingwilly]

what about spastics, should they pay double too?

[Rural Surin]

I'm astounded, they still do this shit? Jetstar is an australian company, I wonder if he can take them to court back in Aus?

Cannot a business practice as they wish? And set company policies as they see fit?

[mrsquirrel]

what about spastics, should they pay double too?

Depends if they are the sort who flail around a lot and need more room for the limbs and drool.

[Rural Surin]

what about spastics, should they pay double too?

.....and people afflicted with Tourette's? Where do we classify them?

[kingwilly]

Cannot a business practice as they wish? And set company policies as they see fit?

you mean discriminate?

nope. (within reason)

[kingwilly]

Depends if they are the sort who flail around a lot and need more room for the limbs and drool.

exactly,

and what about ones with pet monkeys?

[Agent_Smith]

Cannot a business practice as they wish? And set company policies as they see fit?

Nope.

[Marmite the Dog]

Cannot a business practice as they wish? And set company policies as they see fit?

No. Incredibly, civilised countries have consumer protection laws in addition to general laws to protect the right of every citizen to be treated equally and fairly.

[Rural Surin]

Cannot a business practice as they wish? And set company policies as they see fit?

you mean discriminate?

nope. (within reason)

I come from the ideals to practice free and independent. Without all the fabricated PC shite.

[mrsquirrel]

equally and fairly.

Unless you are in the UK then you have more rights as an asylum seeker or a chav than the general public

[Rural Surin]

Cannot a business practice as they wish? And set company policies as they see fit?

No. Incredibly, civilised countries have consumer protection laws in addition to general laws to protect the right of every citizen to be treated equally and fairly.

Even though such things don't exist. Only in idealic illusion.

[blackgang]

what about spastics, should they pay double too?

I don't think so as then you would never be able to afford to go anywhere.

[kingwilly]

what about spastics, should they pay double too?

I don't think so as then you would never be able to afford to go anywhere.

I just knew you were not gonna fail me !

*straight over to the BG classics thread!*

[Marmite the Dog]

equally and fairly.

Unless you are in the UK then you have more rights as an asylum seeker or a chav than the general public

The Labour wankers will be gone soon, so hopefully that will be re-addressed.

[goostewart]

I am curious as to why they actually refused him boarding. If it was on the grounds that he couldn't walk then surely this rules out babies (or maybe we could devise some kind of walking aptitude test?). This really does fly in the face of all rational and reasonable thought. No walking + no getting on planes. How the hell are all those disabled people supposed to travel? Shall we just cease the Para Olympics now?

[Nawty]

I am curious as to why they actually refused him boarding. If it was on the grounds that he couldn't walk then surely this rules out babies (or maybe we could devise some kind of walking aptitude test?). This really does fly in the face of all rational and reasonable thought. No walking + no getting on planes. How the hell are all those disabled people supposed to travel? Shall we just cease the Para Olympics now?

Disregard this train of thought.....just look at the common sense angle and see that it was in Thailand and they could see he flew here with JS...but not ok to go back.

Maybe just a new tourism drive from TOT to increase visitor nights for the next few months.

[billy the kid]

Disgusting. Will make sure these jetstar people don't get my dosh. A bunch of mad dogs trying to get as much dosh as they can from the public and f--- people who have mobility problem. Been told on good authority that old people in Bangkok are not allowed on the buses unless they can hop on and off at stops. Plus don't see many old people walking the streets of Bangkok as they would surely break their ankles on the first broken pavement. The root of all misery.

[Agent_Smith]

I come from the ideals to practice free and independent.

Sure, anarchy, great alternative.

[Muadib]

Cannot a business practice as they wish? And set company policies as they see fit?

It appears not...

Passenger Sues Continental For Discrimination - Houston News Story - KPRC Houston

I am curious as to why they actually refused him boarding. If it was on the grounds that he couldn't walk then surely this rules out babies (or maybe we could devise some kind of walking aptitude test?). This really does fly in the face of all rational and reasonable thought. No walking + no getting on planes. How the hell are all those disabled people supposed to travel? Shall we just cease the Para Olympics now?

You mean, like shutting down the main international airport during high season???