Flying made harder for elderly
Jetstar passengers will soon have to pay extra for customer service at the check in counter at Australian airports. The decision prompted protests from many people who are against the idea, accusing the airline of creating a “discriminatory policy”, and making it particularly more difficult for elderly passengers who may need face-to-face assistance rather than going to ‘check-in’ booths.
Jetstar passengers will soon have to pay extra for customer service at the check in counter at Australian airports.
The decision prompted protests from many people who are against the idea, accusing the airline of creating a “discriminatory policy”, and making it particularly more difficult for elderly passengers who may need face-to-face assistance rather than going to ‘check-in’ booths.
Vision Australia general manager, Maryanne Diamond, told The Courier-Mail that the proposal to charge up to $10 extra for people who may need face-to-face assistance was discriminatory.
“Airports are complex environments and navigating touch screens, check-in booths, security gates, locating departure gates, negotiating through to the air bridge and finding your seat can be difficult for people with disabilities, including those [older people] who may have vision loss,” Ms Diamond said.
“The self-service kiosks used by airlines are inaccessible as they utilise touch-screen technology and have no text to speech output,” she said.
Her concerns were echoed in reader comments posted after the story was published yesterday (Tuesday, 24 May 2011).
Some readers suggested the move was unfair for those without access to technology.
“I fear it penalises elderly Australians who are not used to technology. Why should they pay extra for the fact that they cannot handle technology,” Tessa of Brisbane wrote.
Jetstar announced the “small fee” would apply to people who sought staff assistance to check-in as the budget airline moves towards a completely “self-service check-in”.
Jetstar chief Bruce Buchanan said the new self-service check-in was expected to be used by up to 90% of passengers and would take effect on 1 November this year.
Do you think Jetstar’s over-the-counter check-in fee will be unfair to elderly passengers travelling alone?
