Mango airline makes you wait for the wheel chair. Demand it immediately!

On 13 June a friend and I flew to Johannesburg on Mango JE 258 at 11,40 am. from Durban I had to email a personal MRI scan to Mango to confirm that I have a disability. At the airport the check-in official said that she 'had requested the wheel chair'. I am forced to use a wheel chair when ever I fly as I am unable to stand or walk very long or far without suffering excruciating pain.

We could see the wheel chair bay and a number of staff but they would not come over even after we spoke to the Mango official THREE times. Then another passenger told us that MANGO does not bring the wheel chair till you are about to fly. However we needed to get to the excellent FNB Slow Lounge immediately as we had not had breakfast. After waiting over half an hour I finally managed to speak to another official who was kind enough to apologise and get me the wheel chair immediately.

Sadly, the person who then came over with the chair was less than polite and tarried too long asking questions as we tried to get to the Lounge. He also came over early to get us out of the lounge and over to the boarding gate.

At the gate he would not let us board until all the passengers were on board. However the other wheel chair passengers were not so delayed.

This meant that our cabin luggage could not be stowed in the usual overhead compartment near us on the plane. This added to our nervous strain as we had precious items in our cabin luggage.

I am a senior citizen who has experienced more than his fair share of horrific Apartheid hell. Mango airport staff need to show more care when dealing with those who help pay their salaries.