Wheelchair service at airport with rollator?

anonymousegirl

DIS Veteran

Joined

May 14, 2008

• Sep 1, 2015

• #1

I have a friend going to London and she needs the wheelchair service at both airports. BUT she is going on a cruise and needs her rollator for the ship.
I was thinking she will have to gate check the rollator, but how will she get it through the airport?
Has anyone traveled with a rollator and use wheelchair at the airport that can help with first hand advice?

Thanks!

 

SueM in MN

combining the teacups with a roller coaster

Moderator

Joined

Aug 23, 1999

• Sep 2, 2015

• #2

I can only tell you what I have seen since we travel with our daughter's personal wheelchair and when we traveled with someone else who used wheelchair service, she did not have any other devices.

I've seen people holding a rollator or Walker while being pushed in a wheelchair by a skycap. Or, another member of their group took care of the rollator.

Gate checking it would allow her to use it in the airport and to walk onto the plane, but if she doesn't need it in the airport, she could just check it with the baggage. It would not count toward her luggage allowance and she would not have to pay for it. Another option would be to gate check it, but ask for it to be brought to the luggage pickup area with the suitcases instead of being brought to the gate. Most gate checked mobility devices are brought to the gate, so she would need to make sure they tag it correctly to go to baggage pickup instead.

 

P

PlutoPony

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 5, 2004

• Sep 2, 2015

• #3

I have balanced a rolllator while riding in a wheelchair for a short ride. It can be done by resting the bottom of it on your feet but you do have to hold on with one or both hands. I wouldn't want to do it for a long time and the rollator can get tangled with the wheelchair if you don't get it positioned well and hold it there. It was a bit awkward carrying things in my lap in the wheelchair while doing this so don't plan on overloading. A large carryon bag would be a challenge unless it can be put over the wheelchair handles.

Is the collator narrow enough to get down an airplane aisle? If so, using it to transfer from wheelchair in the jetway to seat on plane could make it useful to carry through airport. If not, checking from the get go would be easier if you aren't concerned about damage. Regardless, make sure name / phone number is on it in a way that won't easily come off. A simple luggage tag may not be the best way to do that.

 

anonymousegirl

DIS Veteran

Joined

May 14, 2008

• Sep 2, 2015

• #4

Thanks for the replies, everyone. What she is worried about is checking the thing and having it get damaged or go missing. She will absolutely need it on the ship and on shore. It also cannot be replaced easily or cheaply if it does go missing. Plus, as a medical device, I am not sure it is covered by the airlines baggage loss policy (like they don't cover medications, jewelry, electronics, cash in checked bags).

 

SueM in MN

combining the teacups with a roller coaster

Moderator

Joined

Aug 23, 1999

• Sep 2, 2015

• #5

anonymousegirl said:

Thanks for the replies, everyone. What she is worried about is checking the thing and having it get damaged or go missing. She will absolutely need it on the ship and on shore. It also cannot be replaced easily or cheaply if it does go missing. Plus, as a medical device, I am not sure it is covered by the airlines baggage loss policy (like they don't cover medications, jewelry, electronics, cash in checked bags).

Click to expand...

Mobility devices are actually covered to a higher level than any other baggage.
They are required to cover mobility devices to replacement cost or repair them.
Baggage is only to a certain price level.

Another alternative would be to rent one. Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread (or look near the top of this board). Post 2 has medical equipment rental information. I know at least one of the companies listed there tents rollators.

 

S

SMD

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 15, 2004

• Sep 2, 2015

• #6

Contact the airline. If space is available, some may transport collapsible devices in the cabin. I'd also want to make sure through the airline that skycaps are available. I've been to some countries where you have to pay extra. If the rollator does have to be gate checked, remove the basket. Actually, removing the basket even if it's going in the cabin would probably be helpful. She may also want to get a cheap bungee cord to put around it to make sure it doesn't open and get banged around while the airline is handling it.

 

I Love Pluto

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 20, 2006

• Oct 20, 2015

• #7

We have traveled with both a rollator & a scooter. My daughter put some luggage on top of the rollator & wheeled it through the airport while I rode the scooter. When we boarded the plane - the baggage people met us to take both the scooter & the rollator. They gave us cards to claim our items at the end of the flight.

The seats are arranged with a narrow aisle - which acted as a rollator inside the plane. At the end of the flight - the baggage handlers brought both the rollator & scooter to us with no issues. It's really not complicated after you have done it once.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

elmoandzoey

DIS Veteran

Joined

Aug 8, 2013

• Oct 21, 2015

• #8

I just traveled through Heathrow. Tell your friend even if she thinks she can walk with the rollator and skip the wheelchair - DON'T! I have traveled through Heathrow a lot of times not handicapped but I totally underestimated the distance in the airport after all. It's huge and the lines (security, check-in and immigration) are always long and windy.

I have waited with a few elderly ladies in wheelchairs on the trip back yesterday and each had a walker with them. They just folded it down and held onto it while in the wheelchair. A bit awkward but it worked.