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Disabled travellers advise please

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the2ofus


Joined: 13/02/2008
Posts: 637

Message Posted:
21/06/2008 11:19

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Message 1 of 14 in Discussion

Morning all

I am hoping someone will be able to offer advise - i have some elderley family coming out in Sept from Stansted with Pegasus. They are all quite frail and 1 in particular has serious walking and breathing problems.

They will be ok with their luggage at Stansted as they will be assisted by nephew. I know they can get a wheelchair there to take into departure lounge and to the plane. But they are the old wheelchairs and none of them will have the strength to push it for long. Also i have been trying to arrange a wheelchair to meet them at Ercan (through Pegasus) and they just keep saying get the cabin crew to arrange it - well they have never been able to sort it in the past !! Also there is the problem with them getting their luggage off conveyor/onto trolley and pushing it through !! The same will apply on the way back - especially as i have been told that the walk is a long one fron plane to passport control and then luggage collection at Stansted.This is likely to be the last time they will be able to fly so i want it to be as smooth running as possible as they do fret !!!

Does anyone know of anyone (at the airports or flight company)i can contact that will arrange assistance at both ends ? Surely there must be some facility for disabled passengers - musn't there ????????!!!!

Thanks



simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
21/06/2008 11:32

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Message 2 of 14 in Discussion

hi the2ofus , at stanstead there is no problem someone will ferry them around in a motorised buggy along with their cases , i'm sorry i don't know at ercan but someone will i'm sure

good luck , simbas



joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
21/06/2008 11:44

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Message 3 of 14 in Discussion

Hi the2ofus I posted some info on the villa owners BB



Pools



Joined: 22/04/2008
Posts: 164

Message Posted:
21/06/2008 12:21

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Message 4 of 14 in Discussion

are you going to travel direct or with a travel company? travel company usually give an assistance.



brighty


Joined: 07/06/2008
Posts: 23

Message Posted:
21/06/2008 21:45

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Message 5 of 14 in Discussion

Hi the2 ofus



Try not to worry I'm sure you will get assistance when you reach Ercan. they will see they are Elderley people and that they need some kind of support but I do think Pegasus should contact Ercan Airport.

Good luck.



the2ofus


Joined: 13/02/2008
Posts: 637

Message Posted:
21/06/2008 23:33

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Message 6 of 14 in Discussion

Thanks everyone.

I am worrying because when they came 2 years ago it was horrendous. We all tried to sort it out beforehand but (albeit CTA then ) there was NO help. Even though tru out flight they kept reminding cabin crew that they needed assistance ( very little provided at Stansted - just the ancient w/chair they had to push themselves !!) on landing - all that they ended up with was 2 airport porters trying to pick up Mum and carry her down plane steps - at the bottom (of the plane i hasten to add !!!) they then wanted to carry her into arrival/passport etc !. needless to say noone , especially Dad , was too impressed - it just was not working !!! The scenario on return to S/sted was not as bad - just they had to walk for over 45 mins (for abled person maybe 10 - 15 mins ) before w/chair found outside toilets that they "borrowed" and then pushed to passport control etc !!

From the response i have had from Pegasus so far me thinks (worries ) they are taking same stance as CTA - responses seem to be the same - Problem yok !!

I will try and get in touch with S/sted direct to see if they can help .

Thanks again anyway for your ideas/help and if anyone form Pegasus is reading this HELP !!!



Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
22/06/2008 09:57

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Message 7 of 14 in Discussion

When I left Ercan in March, 4 people were being ferried out to the CTA plane in wheelchairs but how arrangements were made I dont know obviously.

Checkin?



brighty


Joined: 07/06/2008
Posts: 23

Message Posted:
22/06/2008 23:33

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Message 8 of 14 in Discussion

Hi,

Still think you need to put more pressure on pegasus most airlines hve things like this in place as a lot of people who are frail do travel even disabled people.



If you are still getting problems contact the north cyprus Embassey in london and complain

once again good luck



the2ofus


Joined: 13/02/2008
Posts: 637

Message Posted:
23/06/2008 23:30

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Message 9 of 14 in Discussion

Yhanks everyone.

Went to pick up kids at Ercan so decided to go to Pegasus desk/kiosk and see if i could sort something !!!!! No chance - chap just shrugged his shoulders and said he only sold tickets !!

Have rung their Nicosia office who dealt with original booking - they just said sort it out at check in at Stansted !!! Am going to go into a Pegasus agent in Girne area to see if , as they prob speak better Turkish than me , they can help (despite it was a direct booking and not through them ) if that fails i will go to Nicosia office !!

Hey ho - welcome to Cyprus !!!! But not if you are disabled !!!!

Thanks everyone.



davidjames


Joined: 24/08/2008
Posts: 4

Message Posted:
25/08/2008 06:28

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Message 10 of 14 in Discussion

If you book with a tour operator such as Direct Traveller, then they can arrange this for you, and it should get done, as you will have someone accountable in the Uk for this



thanks



DJ



TOMARiDEAS


Joined: 11/07/2008
Posts: 87

Message Posted:
25/08/2008 11:56

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Message 11 of 14 in Discussion

Have just read your posting today re. help for less able visitors coming to see you in September 2008, and your difficulty in arranging for airport wheelchair transportation within Ercan Airport, We cannot unfortunately help while your relations are within the airport, only once they are clear of passport control and emerge through arrivals.

We would be surprised if wheelchairs cannot be arranged for use within the airport, surely someone at customer services should have the knowledge to advise you which dept. to call.



However, where we may be able to help is for the duration of the stay of those concerned, we are a new concern that has MANUAL & POWERED WHEELCHAIRS and small & larger MOBILITY SCOOTERS plus WHEELED/BRAKED WALKERS/ROLLATORS available for rental.



If this is of interest please reply by email or phone me on 0542 872 51 98, I suggest that if it is of interest that any required booking be mad sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.

Regards

Tom Deas



ENABLE HOLIDAY MOBILITY

Alsancak

Wheelchair & Mobility Scooter Hire North Cyprus

Mobility Equipment Rentals North Cyprus



The Number One Holiday Mobility Scooter Hire Company

in

North Cyprus



flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
25/08/2008 13:00

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Message 12 of 14 in Discussion

I would be very surprised if the airline can't help on this.



If there is any ultimate problem at Ercan then I'm sure Pegasus will help. You must ask at Stansted check in. Where they will also get the BAA help arranged.



I assume you have not booked through an agent - who would probably have the facility to alert the airline too. We have and would do so as I'm sure would the other responsible Pegasus agents who frequent Cyprus 44.



Tom

http://www.flightholiday.co.uk



the2ofus


Joined: 13/02/2008
Posts: 637

Message Posted:
25/08/2008 22:00

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Message 13 of 14 in Discussion

Thanks again everyone.

Update is that there is no prob at Stansted - new Disability Charter makes things much easier both travelling out of Stansted and pre bookable help on way back into Stansted. Helpers right from drop off before check in - how good is that !

Pegasus are still causing problems for any help at Ercan !!! I have phoned them (several times) - been to their desk at Ercan - emailed them . Their latest response was on the phone from Nicosia - they have highlighted families details to show that they are disabled BUT have told me that w/chair assistance is available at Ercan (providing they - Ercan or Pegasus they are not sure who !!!- has enough wheelchairs and staff on the day !!) HOWEVER there is a £40 charge (non refundable) each disabled traveller for both the in and the out journey. So as it is at the minute i have 1 who will definately need assistance on/off plane and w/chair - 1 who may very well need w/chair (totals £160 !!!) and 1 who may not be able to offload luggage off belt and sort out trolley as well as look after the other 2.

I have given up - parents will ask at Stansted if staff can arrange assistance this end - if not i have told Dad (who is able bodied but is quite weak re picking up heavy items/suitcases etc) to just ask fellow travellers at baggage conveyor to help and to ask Customs staff to help him push trolley out. If it were possible to cancel and get a refund i would and then would rebook into Larnaca !

Maybe they will surprise us and it will alll be sorted - fingers crossed. x



joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
26/08/2008 12:27

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Message 14 of 14 in Discussion

Hi the2ofus



Unless this is a new policy by Pegasus (ie charging for assistance) then I am sure you will have no problem at Ercan. We found the staff there to be very helpful to my Mother-in-law. I just went in ahead and asked at the check-in desk and a very nice gentleman went and got a wheelchair and then made himself available at every stage to wheel her through passport control and then onto the plane ahead of other passengers. Whenever I have flown out of Ercan there has always been at least one person in a wheelchair. I wouldn't pay them in advance I would take my chances.



Good luck.



Jo



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