Australia`s cheap airline Jetstar came under fire for allegedly discriminating against people with disabilities, but Jetstar said it was not a matter of discrimination, but rather a request from airlines.
(photo source: daily Mail)
According to the Daily Mail, after attending the Australian Tennis Championships, James Hall-Thompson took a flight JQ459 from Ballina to Sydney, in the north of New York, but on the plane, he had a troubling incident.
To give his legs more space, Thompson spent more money on an escape exit location, but stewardess told him, "Sorry, you need a change of position. You`re healthy, but we notice you have a disability in your arm."
(photo source: daily Mail)
Thompson thinks this request is very rude, he often sits in the exit position, no one has ever made the request. "I know what they mean," he said. "I`m afraid if the plane goes down, I can`t open the 15-kilogram door, and a 60-year-old can do it better than I can."
(photo source: daily Mail)
In fact, they all underestimate Thompson, who is not only a good tennis player, but also holds CASA`s first-class medical license.
"there`s nothing wrong with my right hand, it`s just my left hand is defective, and I go to the gym three times a week for intense training, and they don`t think about my abilities," explained Thompson. "this is the first time I feel disabled."
(photo source: daily Mail)
After that, Thompson filed an e-mail complaint with Jetstar, on which the company`s customer representatives spoke to Thompson.
The customer representative told him, "I need your consent that this is not a case of discrimination, but a request from the airline, and we are trying to meet the passenger`s seating requirements, but the request will change for operational and security reasons. We are not sure that you will be able to sit in the seat of your choice.
Thompson was frustrated with the answer, but before long, Jetstar sent a follow-up email apologizing for it.
