Wheelchair and the airport

[2ptu/000]

This will be our first time traveling with my husband using a wheelchair. He can walk but not long distances. We have decided to take our own wheelchair so we will have it to use in Florida pre cruise. How do I manage in the airport after we get our luggage and need to get a cab? I can't push a wheelchair, pull two suitcases and manage two carryons. Are their porters to assist you? I've never noticed them. Previously, we have been very independent travelers. For short distances, we can put the two carry ons in the wheelchair and he can push that and I can pull the two suitcases. That will get us into the airport. Just concerned how to get to taxi area after we pick up our luggage on the way out.

[xxoocruiser]

Yes there are porters to assist with luggage that will take it out to the taxi line for you.

 

Though you are bringing a wheelchair you might also consider requesting a wheelchair attendant to push the chair to/from the aircraft. This might make things a little easier for you and your husband while going through the airports.

[xlxo]

A technique I did on a recent trip....

• carry on 1 goes between the legs of the wheelchair rider
  
• carry on 2 (backpack) can be hung between the wheelchair handles, or worn by the handler.
  
• checked luggage (best to try to cram everything into one) pulled by hand, other hand pushes the wheelchair. Once you get the momentum going it works great on level ground. Kinda tough on hilly conditions. Thankfully, airports are usually level, except for ramps. At times, the hand with the larger checked bag can help nudge the other wheelchair handle for directional stability.
  
• I avoid a second checked luggage piece, but I wonder if a strap can be adapted to attach to the handle of the first checked bag.
  

Edited December 5, 2015 by xlxo

[Parker1]

Under ADA airlines are required to provide assistance to the disabled. When you make your reservation let them know you will need someone to push the wheelchair. When you get to the airport, let an airline rep know you need assistance. If you're checking bags at the curb you can do this when you drop your bags off. Allow extra time, as you may have to take a seat and wait for a wheel chair pusher. Most times it works great. The pushers will help him through security and bring him right to the gate. They've waited, with my husband inside the terminal door while I waited at the curb for our cab. We always give them a nice tip. We've also had problems, so we've learned to expect the unexpected. Things have a way of working out.

[2ptu/000]

Thank You everyone for reassuring me.

[Splinter]

Under ADA airlines are required to provide assistance to the disabled. When you make your reservation let them know you will need someone to push the wheelchair. When you get to the airport, let an airline rep know you need assistance. If you're checking bags at the curb you can do this when you drop your bags off. Allow extra time, as you may have to take a seat and wait for a wheel chair pusher. Most times it works great. The pushers will help him through security and bring him right to the gate. They've waited, with my husband inside the terminal door while I waited at the curb for our cab. We always give them a nice tip. We've also had problems, so we've learned to expect the unexpected. Things have a way of working out.

 

Actually, the ADA does not apply to air travel. The applicable law is The Air Carrier Access Act. Here is a pretty good summary of what it covers: http://www.disabilitytravel.com/airlines/air_carrier_act.htm

[Parker1]

Actually, the ADA does not apply to air travel. The applicable law is The Air Carrier Access Act. Here is a pretty good summary of what it covers: http://www.disabilitytravel.com/airlines/air_carrier_act.htm

 

Interesting. I filed a complaint with both the Palm Springs Airport and American Airlines after we were unable to get wheelchair assistance to the gate last January. I received a response of a formal complaint registered with the US Dept of Transportation. Eventually American sent a formal apology stating they had failed to comply with federal law. Luckily, we'd been traveling with a spinner roll aboard that DH could handle and a back pack. Leaving me free to push the airport wheelchair.

 

If that happens again, I think I'd be politely assertive and insist on speaking with an airline, or airport supervisor. We fly again in May and will take his mobility scooter for the first time. No more wheel chair issues, but other problems can occur. It pays to keep a smile on your face and allow plenty of time to resolve glitches. When things so smoothly, we have time to relax and have something to eat after we clear security.

 

Thanks for posting the link!

[MKinBelize]

In case you didn't know, medical equipment flies free as checked baggage. We just got back from FL and bc we had medical equipment in all our checked bags, we didn't have to pay for it. Our large suitcase was even over the 50lb limit and we weren't charged.

 

 

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[searoses]

I would be careful to not put something with electronics like an apnea machine in a checked bag....l don't let anything I can't easily replace out of my sight...it does make for a more difficult time boarding and leaving the plane but worth the peace of mind....medical equipment does not count for carryon,as well...

[NMLady]

Interesting. I filed a complaint with both the Palm Springs Airport and American Airlines after we were unable to get wheelchair assistance to the gate last January. I received a response of a formal complaint registered with the US Dept of Transportation. Eventually American sent a formal apology stating they had failed to comply with federal law. Luckily, we'd been traveling with a spinner roll aboard that DH could handle and a back pack. Leaving me free to push the airport wheelchair.

 

If that happens again, I think I'd be politely assertive and insist on speaking with an airline, or airport supervisor. We fly again in May and will take his mobility scooter for the first time. No more wheel chair issues, but other problems can occur. It pays to keep a smile on your face and allow plenty of time to resolve glitches. When things so smoothly, we have time to relax and have something to eat after we clear security.

 

Thanks for posting the link!

 

Had you requested wheelchair assistance at the time you made the flight reservations? I make sure that when I book the flight I note that wheelchair assistance is needed. 99% of the time an escort is waiting at the door of the plane. Only once did I have to go to a crew member to have them call for an escort.

[ONT-CA]

The original poster indicated that the chair person can walk but not far distances. That is my situation exactly. We too take our chair with us. When arriving for departures, we load up the chair with all carry-on's, coats etc., and I push the chair like a walker to the check-in counter. A good cab driver will get you to the closest door to the airline desks. Once the luggage is taken, end of problem. On return we ask for personnel to push the chair to the luggage carrousels (carry-on's being placed on lap). And in reversing the arrivals situation we load up the chair and I push it to the taxi/land transportation which usually is nearby.

 

As indicated this works for those of us that can walk some distance but not for example through the entire airport.

Edited December 26, 2015 by ONT-CA

[Boozebabe]

The original poster indicated that the chair person can walk but not far distances. That is my situation exactly. We too take our chair with us. When arriving for departures, we load up the chair with all carry-on's, coats etc., and I push the chair like a walker to the check-in counter. A good cab driver will get you to the closest door to the airline desks. Once the luggage is taken, end of problem. On return we ask for personnel to push the chair to the luggage carrousels (carry-on's being placed on lap). And in reversing the arrivals situation we load up the chair and I push it to the taxi/land transportation which usually is nearby.

 

As indicated this works for those of us that can walk some distance but not for example through the entire airport.

 

I have done this too. I am the wheelchair user and need something to lean on if I'm not in the chair. Pushing it full of luggage has helped immensely. I can stop and lean when necessary. We do this especially at car rentals when they are in those huge parking garages. Its always a long walk from the desk to the car and from the car back outside at the end of a trip. You'd be surprised how much stuff you can pile on a wheelchair.

 

Now I have a scooter so not sure how we will navigate our upcoming cruise. I do know that a carry-on will fit on the platform between my feet. I guess we will figure it out.

[Parker1]

Had you requested wheelchair assistance at the time you made the flight reservations? I make sure that when I book the flight I note that wheelchair assistance is needed. 99% of the time an escort is waiting at the door of the plane. Only once did I have to go to a crew member to have them call for an escort.

 

Yes, we always request wheelchair assistance when we book a flight. The problem was not getting off the plane, but getting to the gate when leaving Palm Springs. When we did get to the gate on our own, there were 3 wheelchair pushers waiting at the gate for a flight not due for 45 minutes.

[2ptu/000]

The original poster indicated that the chair person can walk but not far distances. That is my situation exactly. We too take our chair with us. When arriving for departures, we load up the chair with all carry-on's, coats etc., and I push the chair like a walker to the check-in counter. A good cab driver will get you to the closest door to the airline desks. Once the luggage is taken, end of problem. On return we ask for personnel to push the chair to the luggage carrousels (carry-on's being placed on lap). And in reversing the arrivals situation we load up the chair and I push it to the taxi/land transportation which usually is nearby.

 

As indicated this works for those of us that can walk some distance but not for example through the entire airport.

 

Yes, Thank You! This is what we are planning on doing just need some reassurance that it would work

[yuvraj]

I am based in UK and just returned from a cruise holiday in Miami. Here is my experience.

 

Two members of our group required mobility assistance. We can both walk short distances.

 

Although we arrived in good time, the experience at Heathrow airport was poor in both directions. Outbound, we sat in the holding area for a very long time and were only taken to the gate when it was about to close and everybody was already seated in the plane. The buggy driver didn't even take us to the gate, dropping us off a short distance away instead. I am unimpressed and will be making a formal complaint. On the return journey, there was a ridiculously long wait again in the holding area after which a person arrived with one wheelchair to transfer two people. Overall it was a very poor experience.

 

The experience at Miami airport was much better on both journeys. It was a very long distance from gate to passport control but the transfer was quick and easy. Be prepared to tip generously as that is how it works in USA but the quality of service reflects the tipping culture.

[jpcello]

Now I have a scooter so not sure how we will navigate our upcoming cruise. I do know that a carry-on will fit on the platform between my feet. I guess we will figure it out.

 

My sister travels with her own scooter and drives it right up to the door of the plane. The airline tags it as a gate check, just like a stroller or wheelchair. The scooter is waiting for her at the end of the flight just like the strollers, etc.

[Mikeyto]

Actually, the ADA does not apply to air travel. The applicable law is The Air Carrier Access Act. Here is a pretty good summary of what it covers: http://www.disabilitytravel.com/airlines/air_carrier_act.htm

 

Actually both are applicable depending on where you are...ADA applies while you are in the Airport, ACAA applies onboard the aircraft.