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Old 23 Aug 19, 12:55 AM  
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#31
Merryweather
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I was there in May and had assistance both arriving at MCO and was met at the DME on the way home. I have always had to wait until the other passengers are off before I can regardless of where I sit but I didn’t find the wait time too bad!
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Old 26 Aug 19, 10:51 PM  
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holidayrep
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No offence to your gf but she simply has no idea what or who might actually need special assistance and it's the fear that people look at us this way which stops many asking for it.

I have ADHD, severe anxiety and clinical depression. My ADHD makes standing in line far far more stressful than for the average person, I become very stressed, anxious and start to feel physical pain at the thought of standing there any longer.

I am entitled to a blur badge shortly but if I do choose to get one I will hide it from most people and not use it where I may see ppl I know due to stigma. They simply won't understand.

So yes I might also run off the airport, in fact I always do and even if I pre-book special assistance I would be too nervous to think it might not arrive and I may have to stand in line for 2 hours so might dash off.

If you met me you would have no idea of what's happening behind my smile but on the inside I am someone who spent most of my last trip in the house as I was too anxious to leave it.



Originally Posted by Kraken View Post
Please don't flame me here - I am merely repeating some comments my girlfriend (a Virgin Flight Service Manager) has made about some - note the use of the word "some" special needs requests, particularly on the MCO route.

She says the requests fall into two general categories. First is the passengers who need it 100% and quite clearly have very complex special / medical needs / mobility issues / have contacted Virgin special assistance in advance to log their details. (Anything requested in advance appears on the crew tablet devices so all the crew are aware of special needs passengers onboard).

The second is the passengers who have heard that requesting special assistance gets you through immigration faster in the USA - and often only request it on the day, at the airport.

Apparently more than a few of the passengers in the second group fall into the "Lourdes Jet-bridge" category - they insist on priority boarding at Manchester as they have special needs. Then upon arrival in Orlando they are all but running off the aircraft and not waiting for their pre-booked special assistance so they can get a better immigration queue. In 9hrs or so their requirement for special assistance has suddenly vanished as they are seemingly healed.

Please note, this is not my personal observation, but that of my girlfriend. She flies MAN-MCO at least twice a month, often three times a month. It's fair to say her observations are probably more informed than many people on here.

And just to clarify - even the Virgin crew are not 100% happy with the refitted 747's used on the MCO route. Pre re-fit, the downstairs Premium Economy was 3 or 4 rows, with a bulkhead then two rows of Economy. This created a very small and private mini-cabin in Economy which was great for Virgin special assistance to allocate seats to passengers with serious medical conditions / anxiety etc. They were in a relatively quiet and private area where medication could be administered with privacy - not like now on the planes after their re-fit (about 6yrs ago).

I am guessing this is merely yet another instance of some people trying it on to the detriment of those who really need the help. Very sadly it happens everywhere (look at supermarket disabled / parent & child car parks over here in the UK). Whilst I'm not 100% au-fait with US discrimination laws, I'd put good money on there being one that says you have to treat everyone the same wherever possible, irrespective of any disability, hence why everybody queues the same.

Having said the above, I do agree that it is not fair for passengers requiring special assistance to have to wait until last to disembark, then join the back of a very long queue for US immigration.

Quite simply put it's a no-win nightmare. The airports / airlines / special assistance operators will never please everyone.
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