The Friendly Times

If Peter Pan needed a wheelchair, he’d probably end up grounded too. Travelling as a powered wheelchair user is like playing a game of “What’s the Worst That Could Happen?” Spoiler: The house always wins.  For many of us, flying is an anxiety-inducing circus. Will our wheelchairs arrive intact? Will they arrive at all? Will we be stranded without essential equipment? And heaven forbid nature calls mid-flight—aircraft toilets are about as accessible as the dark side of the moon, leaving us to dehydrate ourselves just to avoid the indignity. Airlines and airports should provide stellar service to ease these fears. Things go wrong—sometimes spectacularly—but how staff respond makes all the difference. They can’t always fix the problem but can listen, consult, and maybe even pretend to care. That human touch matters. My recent winter escapade to Malaga, Spain, with my wife was supposed to be a relaxing getaway. Instead, it was a masterclass in Murphy’s Law. Our journey started at Luton...

Donald Trump’s recent comments linking diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives to the tragic plane crash in the Potomac are as reckless as they are dangerous. He claimed that previous administrations' focus on DEI led to the hiring of unqualified air traffic controllers, suggesting that these policies prioritized diversity over competence. Trump stated, "I put safety first. Obama, Biden and the Democrats put policy first," implying that DEI efforts compromised safety standards. He further alleged that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aimed to hire individuals with various disabilities under DEI initiatives, though he provided no evidence to support these claims. Blaming diversity for a tragedy distracts from real safety concerns—outdated infrastructure, mechanical failures, and systemic underfunding. The aviation industry operates under strict hiring and regulatory standards that ensure safety above all. Here’s why Trump’s rhetoric is deeply flawed and why ...