Adult airline transfer assistance

[Aquagirl]

I have a question. My adult brother has Down's Syndrome and travels approximately 2 times per year to visit my father who lives on the other side of the country. He used to be able to receive adult transfer assistance from the airlines (for a fee of $100 each way ), but as of December 2008 they have discontinued adult transfer assistance. I believe that according to the FAA disability act that airlines must provide assistance, however when speaking to the airlines and TA's we keep hearing that they no longer provide adult assistance. We were finally able to book a flight for him with United after fighting with them that they are required to provide assistance. They stated that they noted it on his reservation, but that they would have to put that he needed a wheelchair in order to receive assistance. He has to change planes in Chicago and I am worried that he is going to be stranded there. If anyone could provide any guidance or assistance on where I can find any information on receiving assistance for my brother, tips or advice about this situation, etc. I would really appreciate it!!! I would prefer not to have to fight with the airlines every time my brother would like to fly to see my father and I don't feel that we should have to.

 

[nanadeb]

We were finally able to book a flight for him with United after fighting with them that they are required to provide assistance. They stated that they noted it on his reservation, but that they would have to put that he needed a wheelchair in order to receive assistance. He has to change planes in Chicago and I am worried that he is going to be stranded there. .

My DH and I just went through O'Hare on a United transfer. It was absolutely horrible. There is no way your brother would be able to do it on his own. The only assistance they give is to the wheelchair bound, and they will transfer him from the plane with a wheelchair, to an electric airport cart, to his destination gate. To be safe, ask for the help at each airport gate. For safety's sake, place his itinerary with a "Please help me" note in a clear pouch around his neck. Make sure you have his flight number prominently displayed so that they can check in case of gate changes.

It also wouldn't hurt to call the United desk in the O'Hare airport the day his flight is supposed to go through.

HTH

 

[Aquagirl]

Thanks nanadeb!!! I will pass those tips on to my mother. I like the idea of having him "wear" his itinerary.

This is what the United website states...
Cognitive and developmental disabilities
United will provide assistance to individuals who may need guidance within the airport. However, an escort is not available to remain with the customer. Passengers who require personal or continuous attended care will need to provide their own attendant.

My brother will be fine once he is at the gate. Ohare is such a large and confusing airport, there is no way he would be able to figure out where his next gate is. Hopefully United will stick to what there website says and provide him with an escort. I don't know why the airlines discontinued the adult escort program, they were receiving an extra $200 per round trip ticket just to walk someone to their next gate.

 

[nanadeb]

I don't know why the airlines discontinued the adult escort program, they were receiving an extra $200 per round trip ticket just to walk someone to their next gate.

Maybe I can explain that one from some observations at O'Hare. Wheelchair "guests" were transferred from the airplane door through to the gate door by United people. Once at the gate, an entirely different company, presumably contracted by the airport, provided "mobility assistance" via multi-passenger electric carts that took the passengers either to the proper gates or to transfer them to yet another assistance cart. Their responsibility ended when the passenger got to the gate, but they would check to make sure that the passenger got a wheelchair.
They give no other help unless you are wheelchair bound. My DH and I were both using canes, and were given no assistance at all. It took us over an hour to get to our gate at the other end of the airport. We were told that only wheelchair bound passengers received assistance!
Needless to say, O'Hare has never been our favorite airport, even before we developed our mobility issues. Make sure your brother is coached to say he does need the wheelchair help.
Glad to be of some help.

 

[Aquagirl]

Thanks again nanadeb! I agree with you about disliking O'Hare. My flights always seem to get canceled there and the staff has not been helpful.

My mom has already told my brother that when they bring the wheelchair not to say that he does not need it, just sit his butt in it and not get up .