nippa&pippa
2nd May 2008, 03:56 PM
Recall someone asked me to let her know how I get on with domestic flight as disabled person (in my case as deaf person)
Went to Auckland from Christchurch last week monday with two youngest kids (7months old and 26months old, left my 4 years old at home with his daddy :D ). After drop my luggage, two car seats and pushchair, I was told to go to boarding gate where I will meet by Air NZ ground staff who take care of me and another disabled person. We were told to wait where she was till the plane is ready for boarding (would be nice if there was some seats to sit down while we were waiting!!)
Once the plane was ready, the ground staff took us to the plane and she inform the air staffs (privately) about us. The air staff then took us to our seats and inform us we have plenty of time to get ourselves sort out into seat which it was helpful because she was free to helping holding baby while I put bags away, get my 26 months old strapped in etc. It was another good 10mins before rest of passengers turn up!
Once all passengers seated, one of staff came to inform me that the emergency informations to showing on screens (good job it got the subtitles on it :raebanana ) then staff came back to check if I am ok for take off.
The flight was quick because I was so occupied with kids, gave us nibbles and drinks. Same staff came to inform me that we are about to landing and need to put seatbelts on. Again checked later if I was ok for landing.
Once we were landing, I just went with rest of passengers :) to find my sister waiting for me at the main areas.
On the way back to chch wasn't good as the check in areas in ALK airport was unbelieveable busy even it was this week monday afternoon, so by the time, I finally reach the check-in 30mins later, my plane was already boarding!!! So you get idea with two kids, gave very quick goodbye to my sister but my 26months decide to threw tantrum about leaving her auntie behind:o while we rushed to have bags & ourselves searched. With two tired and grumpy children we did boarded the plane with having to miss the meet with ground staff. Because of flight details, they already aware of me and gave me same attention as on the way to AKL. On arrived chch, ground staff offered to assist to my OH with children but I was ok to go by myself. (Just I didn't wait around while she collect another disabled person and minors and I was very keen to see my OH and eldest son)
Went to Auckland from Christchurch last week monday with two youngest kids (7months old and 26months old, left my 4 years old at home with his daddy :D ). After drop my luggage, two car seats and pushchair, I was told to go to boarding gate where I will meet by Air NZ ground staff who take care of me and another disabled person. We were told to wait where she was till the plane is ready for boarding (would be nice if there was some seats to sit down while we were waiting!!)
Once the plane was ready, the ground staff took us to the plane and she inform the air staffs (privately) about us. The air staff then took us to our seats and inform us we have plenty of time to get ourselves sort out into seat which it was helpful because she was free to helping holding baby while I put bags away, get my 26 months old strapped in etc. It was another good 10mins before rest of passengers turn up!
Once all passengers seated, one of staff came to inform me that the emergency informations to showing on screens (good job it got the subtitles on it :raebanana ) then staff came back to check if I am ok for take off.
The flight was quick because I was so occupied with kids, gave us nibbles and drinks. Same staff came to inform me that we are about to landing and need to put seatbelts on. Again checked later if I was ok for landing.
Once we were landing, I just went with rest of passengers :) to find my sister waiting for me at the main areas.
On the way back to chch wasn't good as the check in areas in ALK airport was unbelieveable busy even it was this week monday afternoon, so by the time, I finally reach the check-in 30mins later, my plane was already boarding!!! So you get idea with two kids, gave very quick goodbye to my sister but my 26months decide to threw tantrum about leaving her auntie behind:o while we rushed to have bags & ourselves searched. With two tired and grumpy children we did boarded the plane with having to miss the meet with ground staff. Because of flight details, they already aware of me and gave me same attention as on the way to AKL. On arrived chch, ground staff offered to assist to my OH with children but I was ok to go by myself. (Just I didn't wait around while she collect another disabled person and minors and I was very keen to see my OH and eldest son)