In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was condemned to roll a massive boulder up a steep hill, only for it to roll back down every time he approached the summit.
I laughed when I read your annoyance with airport assistance. My husband hates it when I agree to it, but I have found it so helpful, especially in new airports. Not only do they know the easiest paths, but they have the airport passes that let them use routes that are forbidden to us mortals. And as far as yelling "wheelchair", it's much better that rolling up behind people who are blocking the way and saying politely "excuse me". I sometime want an airhorn.
But I also laughed because I think it's also the difference between women being more than willing to ask for directions and men wanting to get lost on their own.
In regard to your question about how much assistance in the airport, I would take this as a question as to how much assistance anywhere. As you said, every person is going to be different - how about the staff ask the person how much assistance they would like? It really is pretty simple and can apply to all areas - presume competence but respectfully ask if there is any thing they could assist you with (which really they should ask anyone being that they are in a service industry).
I had a I had a similar experience on Lufthansa Airlines some years ago while I had a layover in Frankfurt. They had a lounge set aside just for Lufthansa customers with disabilities and they were very insistent to escort me there during my two hour layover.
That's a nice feature to have and surely appreciated by many, but with any layover I want to explore the airport, use the bathroom, find something to eat, etc. — independence, freedom, self-determination, that's what airlines should be trying to maximize.
I laughed when I read your annoyance with airport assistance. My husband hates it when I agree to it, but I have found it so helpful, especially in new airports. Not only do they know the easiest paths, but they have the airport passes that let them use routes that are forbidden to us mortals. And as far as yelling "wheelchair", it's much better that rolling up behind people who are blocking the way and saying politely "excuse me". I sometime want an airhorn.
But I also laughed because I think it's also the difference between women being more than willing to ask for directions and men wanting to get lost on their own.
In regard to your question about how much assistance in the airport, I would take this as a question as to how much assistance anywhere. As you said, every person is going to be different - how about the staff ask the person how much assistance they would like? It really is pretty simple and can apply to all areas - presume competence but respectfully ask if there is any thing they could assist you with (which really they should ask anyone being that they are in a service industry).
I had a I had a similar experience on Lufthansa Airlines some years ago while I had a layover in Frankfurt. They had a lounge set aside just for Lufthansa customers with disabilities and they were very insistent to escort me there during my two hour layover.
That's a nice feature to have and surely appreciated by many, but with any layover I want to explore the airport, use the bathroom, find something to eat, etc. — independence, freedom, self-determination, that's what airlines should be trying to maximize.
How to make an videechat because I'm a paid memeber
Hi Carrie, I've just sent you an email with information on the calls for founding members!