i think you need to take off the "way it works on paper" hat and put on the "way it works in practice" hat. i am sure you have experience with the requirement to get POA's and other documents to evidence that you really truly have consent since as I noted to HIDDY, good luck with BA making disclosures based on an oral consent.

Ok, maybe this is being lost in translation... But we are not saying that BA WILL allow consent to be made over the phone. We are both agreeing that written permission must be given, as requested by BA to the OP.

I am really lost at what you are trying to say here. As I say, maybe it is a language difference, but I am confused by your posts.

i am saying that BA, even though they would allow a person to orally cancel a flight etc. - without any written confirmation etc. - would NOT allow said same person to orally consent to disclose details of issues relating to said pax to a third party even though such oral consent would suffice under the privacy laws - that BA is hiding behind in this case - as valid consent. so please, get a little practical. make it clear that what BA is actually saying to OP is that they are going to make it very very hard for him to evidence the consent from his gravely ill wife to give BA the consent to disclose some pretty simple information to him.

as to language, perhaps you do not understand english? what the heck does that last bit you say actually mean other than an attempt to be a little condescending perhaps... which i find rather odd since you do work for an airline as cabin staff...no?

the BA privacy issue aside... which I can understand is frustrating... I'm a little confused as to why qantas is giving an upgrade to first class. most of the issues, such as not getting a wheel chair yourself (making your wife walk) and booking an indirect flight with many stopovers is your doing and nothing to do with qantas... but they have given you an upgrade?

I said in my earlier post, I left my mother at the door of the airport, sitting, while I went to get her wheelchair. I can't help but think I am much happier making sure my mother was as pain free as possible from the outset rather than enduring extended suffering and score an upgrade for the return.

the only BA issue seems to be the handling of the late arrival. the rest was caused by the person arranging the travel.

After reading all the post and letting things set in I have to wonder a few things.

First off I am a RN, I had a small side business in which I was escort people who had medical conditions from city to city on commercial aircraft. I have escorted many people who was suffering from Cancer, it is a tough diease to travel wtih, however it can be done.

As a medical professional, I would NEVER place a 17 years old in the position as being a escort for a family member on a trip this long, too many variables can happen and the 17 year old may not have the forsite to be able to handle issues that arise. Why wasn't the OP being the escort?

When traveling ALL medication need to be with the passenager/patient NEVER place medication in checked baggage, if issues arised (just like what happeend) then medication can be given in a timely manner. Why was the medication place in check luggage?

When the passenager arrived in BNE why didn't the 17 or OP get a Wheelchair for the passenager, why did they allow her to walk?

The OP is elite, he understands how things happen when traveling, and at time things go wrong. I know for fact if the OP called the airlines and explained what was happening, his wifes trip would have been MUCH smoother then what took place. When I was escorting, I would call the airlines a couple of day before and inform them of what was going to take place and never once did I have a problem, even with BA... Communication is a key and being upfront with them opens many doors.

I'm sorry that your wife had problems, but I truly beleive that most wouldn't have happened if you had contacted the airlines direct and informed them of the issue at hand.

Here in the State's we have HIPPA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) its the same as the UKs data protection law, this is just to protect your wife as well as you.

In the future contact all airlines direct and let them know what is happeneing before the your wife leaves, please do not place a minor in a position to be in charge of an adult with a serious illness, lastly work wit your doctor on getting new pain medication to help her travel great distance...

The advantage of BA EC is that you can select someone to deal with your flight issues on your behalf. I know what BA is saying all companies are the same. But there are ways around this that are very easy and more importantly you dont always need to talk to someone.

I have health issues, so i havent read all this thread as its too close to home. But I had to travel when ill, I and my family helped me out. We made more of an effort to deal with the trip. You always need to research a trip anyway, when you are ill you need to do it even more.

Maybe my view is wrong from some peoples real life. Everything else in life you research as well.

Ok, you win... You are obviously some sort of super expert in these matters and know everything about everything.

Yes, completely condescending... That is exactly what I was trying to be.
I was simply saying that maybe I was not completely understanding what you were saying at it may have been because of a language difference, or something like that. But hey, whatever...

Enjoy Christmas... :rolleyes:

It sounds to me like most of the people are providing answers and problem-solving whilst giving advice.

I don't think the poster came on here wanting your (or anyone else's) sympathies (talk is cheap, especially from a total stranger, in this regard) - they wanted to express what a bad experience they had and are perhaps seeking input to avoid the situation again?

One recommendation that I have for the poster is to take extra pain medications with them at all times so that they are always readily available. Long flight delays are always possible (can even push you into the next day), and many of these medications cannot be easily obtained in transit.
And I say that in hopes to assist.

People don't always want pity - they just may be looking for advice. Give them some credit.

Flyingfox if you read my post, you would have seen the professional advice I gave. I truly beleive that the OP was placing too much on the shoulder of the airlines to take care of his wife without the proper notification before hand.

I find it interesting we haven't heard from the OP in a while regarding some questions people have ask.

It's Christmas! Some people have better things to do than hang around on the internet at this time of year. (Although I'm clearly not one of them).

OP, I hope your wife is recuperating well or is having positive results from the treatments. It must be a gut retching time for you being so far away.

My best wishes to all of you.

As for the return flight, please do heed the advice given by LTN Phobia and Prosperos, they are seasoned travelers with BA and well versed in the intricacies of bookings.

Here to a good start of 2012.

I don't recall receiving a call from BA to seek my written authority for my 17 year old daughter to sign off on a useless 30 Pound BA voucher as compensation for an entire business class leg downgrade. These flights were booked using my credit card !! It appears the rules change to suit BA's agenda.

I expect not. I was away when my wife booked, but the question of mobility is not usually asked on the booking websites. The booking engine also did not offer any later LHR-CPH flights, so the option of a longer transit was not available.

It's pretty clear that, when it suits them, BA will hide behind legislation to avoid even looking at this issue. They must really keep the complaints stats looking good with this approach. BA has already shown its attitude to compensation with the zero value 30 pound voucher. Why on earth would I spend more on a phone call than BA has provided in so-called compensation. Best to just take BA's efforts for what they are worth and let the world know about it on as many of these sites as possible.

I know it is frustrating... but the same token you do not apply the same logic to your wife's travel as you do to BA.

you claim BA avoids you when it suits you... but you only accept advice from people when it suits you. so it's a little bit same same non?

the only really issue here seems to be the bad connection at London, the rest of the things were within your control.

you know for example that the compensation for the short flight is not directly related to the cost of that individual sector. that sector is priced as an add-on... not a full fare one way ticket. so the difference between economy and club Europe for that sector does not apply, it will be some lesser proportion.

you say, for example, that your wife made all the bookings. but then on the other hand all of a sudden your wife is not capable of supervising your daughter's interaction with BA over the compensation... I know it was a very long flight, but that was a result of the original booking and multiple sectors adding many hours more than required.

on one had you say your wife cannot sit up... but then on the other you say that sitting upright on a domestic flight is fine... it seems there are many things which are not ok when someone else does something, but similar things are ok when you have organized them.

I am only being hard because you have taken what might be considered an unfair stance against BA, and you are making an effort to chastise BA on a public forum for the world to see.

the advice by flightnurse seems invaluable. will your wife contact BA to ensure a smooth transfer at London on the return, and to authorize her assistant to speak on her behalf to make all arrangements? is there an earlier flight for example to give more connecting time? has the assistant got clear instructions on how to get a wheelchair at Copenhagen airport from the door of the terminal? have you confirmed with qantas that the upgrade to first class can only be accepted if two seats are available? (you mention you don't want your wife having to shout down the aisles). and that the first class upgrade can only be accepted if the seat is close to the toilet? (I'm assuming seats in business class next to the toilets have already been locked in?)



I am not an airline apologist... but sometimes