Accessible Transportation from Fort Lauderdale to Miami

[Evita_W]

We are going to be cruising out of Miami and Southwest just changed our flights to where we only have a 40 minute layover in Austin. That seems like too tight of a squeeze to make the connection with a scooter or needing wheelchair service and still preboard, which we need to do as we have paid for an extra seat and need the three together.

Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of time options to get us from Austin to Miami, so we are looking at changing to Fort Lauderdale, 2hich has better time options, but we already have a hotel in Miami, so we need a form of transportation from the Fort Lauderdale airport to our hotel in Miami that can accomodate a Pride Victory 10.2 scooter if we went that route.

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions? Or is there a better option that I am overlooking? We are flying from Long Beach, California of that helps.

 

[SteveMouse]

I live in Austin. I also have very significant mobility issues snd use mobility equipment.

Southwest‘s gates in Austin make for a very easy transfer, most likely under 300 feet (really).

40 minutes is a bit tight to wait for your scooter to come up from the hold, use it to transfer, and still be in place to preboard. (Austin’s ground team is usually pretty good about getting equipment up quickly- on more than one occasion, the cockpit team has helped them bring equipment up).

If you need wheeled assistance and can use a regular wheelchair, I‘d be tempted to request one for the transfer. Unfortunately, there are not usually unused wheelchairs just sitting in the boarding area that you can just grab.

You might also ask the cabin crew on your first flight if they can radio ahead and ask that a row on your second flight be blocked for you.

I also grew up in Fort Lauderdale, and am pretty familiar with the airport and environs.

if your scooter will fit in the back of a regular minivan, and you can get in a regular van seat, a minivan taxi is a readily available alternative. No reservations are needed. If you require a fully accessible taxi, you will want to make a reservation and, unfortunately, cross your fingers that it shows up on time. I bat about 50% that it’s within 30 minutes of scheduled reservations.

Depending on where you’re going in Miami, TriRail is an alternativ. you’d take the free, accessible shuttle to the TriRail train.

Brightline does not serve Fort Lauderdale’s airport.

safe travels!

 

[SteveMouse]

I just glanced at Southwest’s changed schedule, and it looks like almost all Austin to South Florida flights require at least a stop, if not a change in planes.

There are two afternoon nonstops from Austin, one each to FLL and MIA, both arriving in the evening.

 

[Evita_W]

Yeah, like I said, we are coming from Long Beach, ca, so we don't have to go through Austin (or original flights were through Denver, but Austin is better at least)

 

[Lilsia]

There are private town car companies that you can use from the Fort Lauderdale airport to your hotel in Miami. You can look some up and call and ask to see if they can handle your requirements.

 

[Evita_W]

There are private town car companies that you can use from the Fort Lauderdale airport to your hotel in Miami. You can look some up and call and ask to see if they can handle your requirements.

Haven't had much luck with private companies

 

[SteveMouse]

Your scooter should be able to be collapsed, which means it should fit in the back of pretty much any minivan and many larger SUVs, unless the user needs to ride it into the vehicle. A minivan taxi should have no problem and the driver will help you load/unload; an UberXL probably would work, but the Uber driver is under no obligation to help you load or unload.

 

[Lilsia]

Haven't had much luck with private companies

Unless you rent a car, all companies are privately owned. I doubt that you want to take a bus. There are no other options to get from the airport to your hotel then to use someone. Rent a car, ride share, taxi, or town car service are your only options. There are lots of companies out there. Do your research on them, check reviews, and call them and speak to them ahead of time to make sure that they can transport your ECV.