knav2013

How did you infer the 'only'?

'help?'...as in when you ask someone for directions and they help you? I think you are confusing helping someone and performing a duty. CC perform a duty.

knav2013

I think ignoring guidance and lapses of duty, either consciously (deliberately) or unconsciously (due to lack of training) are two sides of the same coin. The outcome for the less-abled traveller is the same. A crappy experience.

'lapses of duty' may sound a bit more rosier than 'ignoring the guidance', which is probably how come you've used it here. Semantics really. At the end of the day BA has ignored the guidance/had a major lapse in their duty owed to the passenger.

zitsky

In some cases literally. ROTFL.

Babou

I am very sorry to hear your story, but my first reaction was "take this in your own hands". While not as serious as yours, childbirth has left me quite incapacitated in this area and while it is better now, the first year was touch (for example going down long flights of stairs or down a hill was a no no)

You said yourself "Unfortunately, about 90 minutes into the flight, I needed to use the facilities at the rush, not wishing to cause too much of a fuss, I initially proceeded aft to the WT toilets (787 so no toilets in WT+, but it was just after the initial food Service and the queue was 8 deep, and despite having a sunflower lanyard, no CC were available to assist (they were in the galley which was not easy to get to)"

You had a sunflower sticker on your shoulder but you are a grown man and can simply go to the front on the line and say "I am terribly sorry but I will have to cut lines for medical reasons, thank you all for your understanding", not easy, yet not as mortifying as having a grown man needing the flight crew to assist him to day the same thing. If people react badly (which they would not) you can get help from the crew. People are very kind and understand such situations, just like a baby with a poop explosion up his back or someone with nausea and will step aside. And the .....y ones will get the eye from the other proper persons.

Also the flight crew is not always available so... there... self accountability

Also, instead of chocolates, a change of clothes and even some adult protection would have had you take charge of the issue and not delegate it to others. I know I wore protections for a few months and I am not ashamed. Best of luck

knav2013

FIrst and foremost, Welcome to the forum.

Going forward I think you should read the Original Post (OP) carefully and properly. IF you had done so, you would see that CC was available on this occasion and actively engaged (shouted) at OP (original poster).

Quote:

... some adult protection would have had you take charge of the issue and not delegate it to others.

delegating it to others would be if OP did something like this:
https://nypost.com/2019/01/21/flight-attendant-says-overweight-passenger-forced-her-to-wipe-his-butt/
which he didn't.

Cris L

https://worldairlinenews.com/2019/09...ibility-needs/

British Airways has made this announcement:

• Airline announces next phase of multi-million pounds investment for customers requiring additional assistance with introduction of 20-strong team of accessibility experts
• Team will assist more than half a million customers with disabilities who fly each year – their enquiries were formerly handled by airline’s general customer service team
• New direct phone line now connects customers straight to specialist team
• Part of British Airways’ £6.5bn investment for customers and follows the launch earlier this year of airline’s new staff training programme to improve assistance for customers with hidden and visible disabilities

In the latest phase of its £6.5 billion investment for customers, British Airways has launched a dedicated customer care team for travelers who require additional assistance to ensure every journey they take with the airline is as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

The hand-picked team of customer service professionals received specialist training* to enable them to answer any questions customers have when they get in touch via phone or email and will help them understand what to expect during their journey.

navylad Looks like you have had a big impact on BA.

zitsky

There is always a first time? Should the OP have known to take adult diapers and extra clothes? Maybe he just didn't expect it to be so bad.

Yes he should cut in line next time.

USA_flyer

I also have Crohns and what happened to the OP is one of my greatest fears. I have nearly been caught out several times but have fortunately made it to the toilet in the nick of time.

All I can suggest is badger your gastroenterologist to see if there is a medication that can help. I take Colesevelam and Loperamide every day and have gone from a 15x a day problem 1x or 2x. Keep on at them until they find a solution.

TIGA31328

I was thinking exactly what you said. I can have issues sometimes with meds I am out on. I always carry a change of clothes in my personal/carryon bag,

Patrick

DeathSlam

At the risk of taking the thread off a BA topic, was your GP Ok with this and is it well tolerated? I might suggest it for myself for similar issues. I take it when travelling (to avoid OPs issues) and it works really well but have thus far avoided a constant diet.

navylad

Fantastic news, we just need to ensure that they live by the commitment.

Off the record I have been told that my case was discussed in a meeting at the most senior level, followed shortly by a released internal video filmed at Waterside on supporting hidden disabilities which was released within a few hours of my email reply from Carolina and this announcement is most welcomed AFAIAC.

With reference to those talking about specific medical treatments, the greatest of respect this is probably not the forum to do so and risks for any treatment should be carefully explored with your GP/Specialist. In particular, I would hasten to point out, given they are available over the counter, Loperamide at the such like can carry greater risk in IBD (not saying that risk isn’t appropriate in the case of anyone using them, just that people should seek appropriate professional advice in such circumstances before taking them).

USA_flyer

My GP signs my prescription on a monthly basis so I would hope so! I take 8 capsules a day and have been for about 8 years with no ill effect thus far.

corporate-wage-slave

Just to welcome you to Flyertalk and to also welcome you to the BA forum Babou. Thanks for the post, you have been a member for quite a long time so I'm glad you got around to your first few posts. I also don't think there is any hierarchy here, in terms of seriousness, you too have had to contend with the issue of hidden disability and this just manifests itself in all sorts of ways.

I hope your flying experiences begin to improve, as I'm sure they will to navylad.

zitsky

I think it's always good advice to check with your doctor. But I think most people want to share info. What worked for you sort of thing. I think most people use common sense.

DeathSlam

Not to be too gushy but many people in this thread have been sharing experiences that they normally wouldn't. It's been a great benefit for me and I presume for many others. Of course I wouldn't make a long term change to my care plan without consulting my medical consultant. But he's an idiot too, so understanding what fellow sufferers are going through is a big plus and helps both of us.