29/11/2019
I still owe you posts about Barbados and Havana, but I'm currently getting ready to spend my first full day in London, England. On the schedule for today is the Tower of London, London Bridge, Tower Bridge and the Globe Theater.
But first, let me tell you a little bit about getting over here. Big shout out to Air Canada for how accessible they are. I flew from Atlanta to Toronto on a small regional jet (Embraer 175) and then connected to a 777-300ER for the flight from Toronto to Heathrow. From the moment I showed up at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the Air Canada team was friendly and helpful. At the ticket counter, when I checked in, they offered to check my small hardshell carry-on through to Heathrow for free to "make it a little bit easier" for me. I don't know if this is official policy or just the ticket agent being nice, but it was appreciated.
At the gate, the gate agent came up to me, asked questions about El Carrito as far as how far can it break down, where the neutral release was, etc, and explained that they would transfer me to a wheelchair shortly before pre-boarding me so they could take the scooter down to the plain. I also got an upgrade to Business Class, but I think that was just her being nice! She then took my boarding pass and passport to scan me in, so they could take me down as soon as they got the all clear.
The cabin crew on-board were supper nice, and when we landed, kept an eye out for the scooter and told me when it was on the jetway. Toronto was pretty much the same thing, but without the seat upgrade :)
Based on this experience, I am giving Air Canada an A+ for accessibility.
Once I arrived in London, everything was clearly marked. At Passport Control, they waved me over to a special dedicated line, and I breezed through. I had arranged for a hotel transfer using National Express, but the transfer at Victoria Coach Station got messed up, and I didn't want to wait 2 hours for the next bus, so I decided to give the London public transit a go a little earlier than I had planned.
Let me start by saying that Google Maps transit directions function, at least in London, is da bomb! I selected the "Wheelchair accessible" option for the directions, and it showed me the route I needed to take to the 38 bus, my location on the route to the bus, once I was on the bus, it showed me what stop I was at, warned me when my stop was coming up, the route to get not only to the Underground Station from the bus stop, but the entrance with a lift. It looks like very modern Transit for London bus has a ramp the driver can extend from the middle doors, and a dedicated area for wheelchair/scooters.
Once inside the Green Park Station, I found the signage to be excellent, and while the distance between lifts might be a little off-putting, there were three different lines available at the station. Directional signs to the lift, what level I had to take the lift too and what the next lift I need were all excellent, easy to locate, read and understand. There are marked handicap boarding locations indicated on the platforms, along with a dedicated area for wheelchairs and scooters. So far, Transit for London is off to a great start for accessibility.
Speaking of accessibility, I'm staying at the Holiday Inn Express London Stratford, and so far, they've got a solid B+ on accessibility. The accessible room has plenty of room to maneuver, a decent number of outlets, including 4 USB power outlets, a roll-in shower and the toilet is at a very comfortable height. Access to the building is step free, with automatic doors, and so far, everything has been step free. The only real draw back so far is that I find the room door a bit difficult to operate using a scooter, and there really isn't enough room between the tables in the dining room for me to maneuver, limiting my seating. I haven't said anything to the front desk about the door to the room, because there's really nothing they can do during my visit, but I may say something to them about the tables. I'm not sure yet. But the staff have all been friendly and helpful.
Well, I'm off to breakfast and then my first full day of adventures in London!
