Originally Posted by
dwugson
Have you ever used the so called 'assistance' at LHR - that's a thread unto itself and a fiasco at LHR . I've experienced it when travelling with my husband who needs it, but when on my own can manage my carry on except if expected to take my light carry on up a very steep set of steps into the plane. Added to that when flying in First I would also anticipate someone at the foot of the steps ready to assist (and also other older passengers). As others have mentioned, other countries and airports offer some assistance in that situation and not only for those travelling up front.
So staff should be expected to lift heavy bags up and down stairs just because you won’t? No, that’s what ambulifts are for, it means the infirm and doddery can be literally lifted - with their bags - up to the aircraft and no one risks a strained back.
BA did experiment with exclusive buses for F/J pax a few years ago, and they weren’t universally popular. They got a fair bit of negative feedback for sending half empty buses across the airfield, delaying boarding for everyone else and belching out diesel fumes unnecessarily. Damned if they do, damned if they don’t.