COMMENT: For me, the fog has lifted

It was when we were walking to the gate that I had a ‘Road to Damascus’ moment – a sudden turning point from which I would view life differently in future. It actually made me feel guilty about society today, and the world that I live in.

Having secured our flight to arrive in Malaga that evening, we walked past the queue of people that were still to sort out alternative travel and accommodation, where necessary. The queue snaked back down the concourse and was moving very slowly – by now six hours had passed since we had originally checked-in at Gatwick. At the back of the queue were the elderly, infirm, and families with babies – the slowest to travel to the domestic terminal ticket desk. I thought that this sums up the marvellous digital age – the elderly, infirm, and those requiring assistance are at the back of the queue.

In every walk of life – from JT with their billing, online systems designed for the benefit of the corporation, tax structures that hit the vulnerable because governments are scared to tax companies – it is the powerful that are calling the shots.

Airports favour the fleet-footed – they cynically snake everyone through duty free with no thought or compassion for the elderly. They give the impression of being designed by sadists that hate the infirm with their long walks and security areas based on the principles of sheep-dip efficiency. At Jersey Airport on Wednesday – travelling to Guernsey – the building was very quiet, but I still had to snake around a barrier system to enter departures. Why? Next time my flight is cancelled I’ll be at the back of the queue helping those requiring assistance. Will you?

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