MCY to teach TSA new tricks?

[drron]

Edgars Lakis has a pacemaker and is unsteady on his feet, even when supported by the crutches that have kept him ambulatory since a hip operation. As he approached the security screening point before noon on Tuesday his son, Maris, pointed out to ISS security staff his father's condition and that with a pacemaker, he would be unable to go through the screen.
Mr Lakis was required to remove his shoes, jacket, belt and hand over the crutches and was then subjected to a body scanning .
While he stood trembling, his trousers were threatening to fall from his hips.

Man, 87, 'treated like terrorist' | Sunshine Coast News | Local News in Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast Daily

Both QF and VA get a serve.

 

[Mal]

There's a few things interesting about this article.

Firstly, when a journo starts it with "DOES this frail 87-year-old look like a terrorist?", I know to bring out some tissues to ensure I can wipe away the tears the emotive and one sided story will create.

All I see with the article is a) Someone who feels wronged during a standard security screening and b) someone who feels wronged during the boarding process. And the supporting facts don't seem to add up.

In particular, the bit about how he boarded the plane seems very strange. If special assistance was requested, then I can't see how this would occur.

... Or, like a lot of these cases end up being, did the passenger book the wrong type of ticket (no special assistance required), and now it's everyone else's fault?

 

[drron]

But surely we cant judge the general travelling public by AFF standards.Did they know they could request such assistance.
I am a little surprised though because in my experience the VA staff at MCY usually do go the extra mile.

 

[Mal]

But surely we cant judge the general travelling public by AFF standards.Did they know they could request such assistance.
I am a little surprised though because in my experience the VA staff at MCY usually do go the extra mile.

But surely an airline can't be poorly judged either if they offer a service that is spelt out well on the website and a customer doesn't read what they are purchasing. Or have we accepted that society is so dumb these days that everything needs big flashing lights and signs?
Baggage Meet and Assist | Virgin Australia

The passenger did have a very poor experience - but I suspect that the story isn't even half of what actually happened.

 

[amaroo]

As someone that has passed through security at MCY well over 200 times I've found the staff to be polite, considerate & take the time to assist & not rush elderly passengers. Can only comment on what I've experienced & seen.

Even as a first time user it's not difficult to work out that MCY is a regional airport with zero air-bridges & therefore, if you have mobility issues you're going to need assistance. Maybe the family could have helped themselves a little more here!

 

[drron]

But what if for example the ticket was booked through FC.Would they neccessarily have been told.
So if they didn't go to the website how would they have seen the page you link to?
And yes I go through MCY frequently.Never a problem with airline staff but there is 1 woman on security that can be a tad touchy.