Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Airlines Should Address Wheelchair Fraud


We have all seen it.  Wheelchairs at airports to assist travelers who are truly unable to walk and navigate their way to/from gates and security lines.  For this group in genuine need, the airlines and airport authorities must do everything they can to assist.  However, an ever-increasing number of "savvy" travelers, have gamed the system to demand wheelchairs to expedite their processing as they go to the head of the line for check-in, security, and boarding.  Such highly sought after amenities create the perfect situation for able travelers to cheat the system, robbing the truly needy by compromising the service, and putting extra burdens and costs on airlines and airports.  Miraculously, these cheating passengers spring to their feet when the flight lands and the line of wheelchairs waiting in the jetways are sent back empty.
So what should the airlines do?  If they do get a request for wheelchair assistance, make the passenger sign a document attesting to the genuine need of assistance.  They should have their luggage checked in.  It will also be important to tag the seat of the wheeled passengers so they remain in their seats until all the other passengers disembark.  Since there is an additional cost to airports and airlines, perhaps a service fee should be charged and the arrangements must be done in advance. www.premieretravel.com

Friday, August 1, 2014

CDC Issues Ebola Warning

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel warning for Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.  This Level 3 warning is due to the increasing risk and spread of the Ebola virus in the region.
“This is the biggest and most complex Ebola outbreak in history. Far too many lives have been lost already,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “It will take many months, and it won’t be easy, but Ebola can be stopped. We know what needs to be done. CDC is surging our response, sending 50 additional disease control experts to the region in the next 30 days.”.  The warning is to avoid all non-essential travel to the region and take extra measures of precaution such as screening travelers to avoid the spread of the disease. www.premieretravel.com