Disabled tourists booted off SAA flight

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Aphrael

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A group of Dutch tourists are seeing red after being stranded for 15 hours because SAA could not accommodate their electric wheelchairs on the plane.
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SAA does not differentiate between manual and electric wheelchairs, Chalmers said.

"Both types handled by SAA in the past have either been able to fold or have been easily dismantled and placed in special packaging.

"We also regularly handle wheelchairs made around the world, but have unfortunately never come across this type."
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Full article here...

I have an electric wheelchair. It cannot fold and we prefer it that it does not be dismantled. We have flown British Airways with it, without any hassles.

And this is not the only time SAA have had problems with wheelchairs.
SAA lose Van Dyk's wheelchair - again.

I find it hard to believe that SAA are so incompetent and in both cases (to my knowledge) did not offer any monetary compensation.
 
And they didn't think to ask whether the chair could be dismantled / folded or not. That should be one of their standard questions.
 
i think ppl overseas need to understand this is africa

not sure why they chose to fly SAA, when could have flown BA
 
SAA just do not give a ****. They treat their customers with the same disdain that Telkom does.
I personally refuse to fly SAA, either internationally or domestic.
 
Hubby and I always fly BA. I had a service dog and SAA refused to allow her in the cabin. She had to fly in the cargo. Surprisingly enough, my friend, who is blind has not had the same problem with his dog.
 
Just scandalous, fits in with the rest of the mental attitude and ability. Its only Africa and will forever remain just that!
 
Okay, why do ppl keep flying with SAA? Especially Ernst van Dyk?

They know SAA has a terrible reputation with disabled ppl. Screw them, I say!
 
timgaul said:
Okay, why do ppl keep flying with SAA? Especially Ernst van Dyk?

They know SAA has a terrible reputation with disabled ppl. Screw them, I say!
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Unfortunately for old Ernst, SAA are a major sposnor of our disabled athletes. I heard an interview with him, and he reckons he was told by management not to rock the boat and to keep it quiet the first time it happened:sick:
 
Not surprising considering its SAA, they're a government proxy so they don't really care, so sick of them. Just wish they'd be privatised so they could either pull themselves together or go bankrupt.
 
I stopped flying SAA a while back because of the way that they run their business, after reading stuff like this I'm glad I did.
 
I know it's not the same, but SAA managed to loose my bicycle three years in a row after the Argus. Wrote a letter to the MD at the time and he just said sorry. He didn't seem to give much of a **** either. SAA is a dinosaur.
 
i use an electric wheelchair 2 and about roughly 8 years ago i wasnt allowed 2 bord the plane because i am disabled!!!!!!!
 
McSack said:
Unfortunately for old Ernst, SAA are a major sposnor of our disabled athletes. I heard an interview with him, and he reckons he was told by management not to rock the boat and to keep it quiet the first time it happened:sick:
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I don't know why they aren't dropped as sponsors. According to Ernst they have cost him R500 000 :eek: This year in lost winnings! He could sponsor himself with that extra cash...
 
killadoob said:
damn they sponsor disabled ppl but dont cater for them on planes

clever company that one is
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Except for the fact that no one is going to remember they sponsored some disabled athletes - everyone is going to remember their abysmal treatment of disabled people. Ha!
 
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