Frank Gardner, a British journalist who lost his legs in a 2004 attack while reporting on the war, recently faced a humiliating ordeal on a LOT Polish Airlines flight. While returning from Warsaw, Gardner needed to use the toilet but was told by the cabin crew that the airline did not provide onboard wheelchairs. This left Gardner with no choice but to crawl across the floor of the plane to reach the restroom.

Gardner, a seasoned correspondent for the BBC, expressed his frustration on X (formerly Twitter), criticizing the airline for its lack of support for disabled passengers. In his post, he stated, "Wow. It's 2024, and I’ve just had to crawl along the floor of this LOT Polish airline to get to the toilet during a flight back from Warsaw as ‘we don’t have onboard wheelchairs.’ It’s airline policy. If you’re disabled and can’t walk, this is just discriminatory."

Despite the challenging experience, Gardner acknowledged that the cabin crew was both apologetic and helpful throughout the flight. However, he emphasized that the responsibility lay with the airline itself. "Not their fault, it’s the airline. Won’t be flying A LOT again until they join the 21st century," he added.

Gardner’s post quickly garnered attention online, sparking outrage from the public. Many users expressed disbelief and anger over the airline's treatment of a disabled passenger. One user commented, “Good lord, Frank, that's horrendous. At least the crew did their best, but just astonishing that you had to crawl.” Another wrote, “Absolutely DISGRACEFUL. So sorry, how can an airline in this day and age treat a disabled person like that? Beggars beyond belief!”

Several people suggested legal action, recommending Gardner pursue a discrimination case under EU law. “How hard would it be to have a fold-up wheelchair? What if you had to evacuate the plane?” another commenter asked, pointing out potential safety concerns in such situations.

Gardner, who has worked as a BBC correspondent for many years, has reported from some of the most dangerous regions in the world. In 2004, while on assignment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Gardner was attacked by Al-Qaeda gunmen, an ambush that resulted in the loss of his legs and partial paralysis.

The incident on the LOT Polish Airlines flight has renewed attention to the ongoing challenges that disabled travelers face, even in the modern era. Despite technological advancements and increased awareness around accessibility, Gardner’s experience highlights that many airlines still fall short in accommodating passengers with disabilities. Gardner’s story is a stark reminder of the need for inclusive policies and better support systems for disabled individuals, particularly in essential services like air travel.

Reference:

1. Gardner, Frank. 2024. “BBC’s Frank Gardner forced to crawl to toilet on plane.” BBC News. October 1, 2024. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7490n4rnkpo.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/)