Airport advice

[jlcw14]

Due to time constraints and weather issue possibilities, we are considering flying to WDW for our next trip. Both of my children have autism, so we have always been a little leery of flying down. My DD would do well - she loves an adventure and hits every thrill ride at WDW, or anywhere, for that matter. My DS is the one who we worry about, particularly dealing with the chaos that is MCO. We usually drive around 23 hours from Northern NY (we're about an hour south of Ottawa), split over 3 days, and the kids do very well with this, and even enjoy it, but DH just started a new job and won't get as much time off as usual, so the luxury of six days on the road, round trip, is not possible.
One thing we have considered is flying Allegiant out of Plattsburgh, which is a small airport, into Sanford, which seems to be another smaller airport, although I have never been there. Does this seem like a good plan, or am I nuttier than a Payday bar? Any advice from anyone who has used either airport, or Allegiant, would be appreciated.

 

[chicharitta]

Looks like you have been doing your homework. Sanford sounds like a good option for your family. Contact the airport and/or airline. They may be able to arrange a pre flight tour and dry run so your children can get acquainted with the security and boarding procedures.

 

[babyberger]

I haven't used the airline or the airport, nor have I been through MCO lately but I can tell you that we had a very successful trip between FLL and JFK with my DS who is on the spectrum. I called the airline and the airports ahead of time to find out what I should do to make the trip as easy as possible. The best advice I was given to tell people exactly what I needed. Believe it or not I found the nicest TSA agent that I ever met at JFK, once I told her that I had an autistic child she escorted my family to the staff security line and we whizzed right through. We also pre-board to alleviate the bumping of people and then on the flip side, wait til most people are off the plane until we get off.

The other helpful thing was to split up at baggage claim, DH usually goes by himself to get the bags while I find a much quieter spot to wait with the kids.

I also used a few different special needs websites to show my DS videos regarding airports and flying.

Good luck!!! I know it is scary but it can be done

 

[jlcw14]

Thanks so much for the great advice! I like the idea of a walk through, and the videos and calling the airport. We are thinking about a social story, and he does well with a schedule, so a "flight plan" just for him might work well. Pre-boarding would really help, so I'll definitely ask about that. Thanks again!

 

[disney david]

Thanks so much for the great advice! I like the idea of a walk through, and the videos and calling the airport. We are thinking about a social story, and he does well with a schedule, so a "flight plan" just for him might work well. Pre-boarding would really help, so I'll definitely ask about that. Thanks again!

this is from tsa website

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm


this is the toll free number for tsa cares you can call and ask them questions

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/disabilityandmedicalneeds/tsa_cares.shtm

 

[Cheshire Figment]

From Sanford you would probably have to rent a car, as it is over 50 miles and taxi fare would be about $120 + tolls + tip each way. SFD does not have Magical Express and using Lynx buses would require four transfers and about three hours.

 

[jlcw14]

Dave, thank you for that information! I'm going to show it to DH as he is particularly worried about the security check. He thinks DS might complain about removing his shoes. I think he'll be fine as long as DD and I go first. I probably ought to make it fun and make him put a wager on it!

CF, that is the downside to Sanford, isn't it? I sooo wish we could go into MCO. He absolutely LOVES the Disney transportation buses and would probably swoon at the DME! I think flying in wouldn't be so bad; it would be leaving and having to get through that gnarly security checkpoint!

 

[AJKMOM]

Just so you know, the last time my DS, age 23, with autism, flew out of MCO, the lines were 45 minute to get to the first stand where you show your boarding pass. That won't happen every time we go, but it could happen.

So, DS got upset about waiting and threw up in a garbage can.

Better that than on me! Allegiant didn't work for our next trip, but since we always rent a car, I would consider it if I could. I have heard good things about their service.

 

[disney david]

Dave, thank you for that information! I'm going to show it to DH as he is particularly worried about the security check. He thinks DS might complain about removing his shoes. I think he'll be fine as long as DD and I go first. I probably ought to make it fun and make him put a wager on it!

CF, that is the downside to Sanford, isn't it? I sooo wish we could go into MCO. He absolutely LOVES the Disney transportation buses and would probably swoon at the DME! I think flying in wouldn't be so bad; it would be leaving and having to get through that gnarly security checkpoint!

here a video of tsa giving their agents some real life training and helping some kids with autism get through security and onto the plane.


http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2011/02/26/candiotti.autism.flight.cnn

 

[peemagg]

When we were at MCO in January, they had a line just for the handicapped. My Mother and I went thru that line, while the rest of the family went thru the regular lines. We got thru it much faster than the others. The line for the handicapped was all the way over to the left.

 

[JennyDrake]

I fly out of MCO 3-5 times each year. The lines can be ANYTHING, but there is ALWAYS a line at security, a rather long line. The special needs and big family line over on the left can also be really long and slow. If you kids can handle waiting and having lots of people in their space, they should be fine. I have found TSA there to be very nice for the most part. They do have signs now that kids (under 12?) do NOT have to remove their shoes, if that is of any help.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Dave, thank you for that information! I'm going to show it to DH as he is particularly worried about the security check. He thinks DS might complain about removing his shoes. I think he'll be fine as long as DD and I go first. I probably ought to make it fun and make him put a wager on it!

Children 12 and under do not have to remove their shoes, so this might not be an issue, depending on your son's age.

 

[tambam28]

hi
I am travelling to SFB from London Gatwick in September.
I havent travelled so far with my autisic son so this is going to be real experiance.
I just wanted to know, in the previous comments, there is mention to contact the TSA, but if i am coming from the UK would I be able to contact them as I am concerned about the wait at Sanford through security as I dont think my son will wait for long. Or should I contact Gatwick and hope they pass on the information to SFB.

Any advice will be welcomed.

thank you

 

[SueM in MN]

Post 15 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is about air travel. It includes most of the links that disney david posted, plus some others that might be helpful to you.

Many people prefer to take a non-stop flight because they won’t have get off and reboard another plane. Others find a break works better for them than a non-stop flight.

If you choose to pre board, you may end up on the plane for 30 minutes or more before it takes off. We have to pre board because DD can’t walk and we need to use an aisle chair. One of the things we’ve noticed is that you might get bumped by people’s bags as they go down the aisle to get to their seats. There may also be some eye contact with other people as they look for their seats, just so you can be aware of and prepare for it.

 

[jlcw14]

Wow, thank you for all of the great advice! I really appreciate it, and will be looking into the FAQ's thread. Unfortunately, DS is 17, so they'll probably make him take his shoes off, but I think he'll be fine as long as we practice, have a social story, and maybe some helpful icons on his ipad.

Tambam, I believe the pp's were discussing the long lines at MCO; I believe SFB is a smaller airport and security isn't quite as harrowing, just to ease your mind a little . The TSA website is www.tsa.gov, and there is contact information there if you wish to call or email them.

Thanks again for all of your advice/ experience!

 

[bookwormde]

we pick on of the last couple of rows in the back to reduce the confusion and bumping and keep our AS DS in a middle or window seat.

 

[jlcw14]

That's a great strategy, too! My parents will probably be flying with us as well, so we were thinking we would put a parent and a granparent on either side of each kid! My DH will be with DS, as he is an RN and we will also have a prn (light sedative, probably ativan tab as he has successfully taken it a few times for pre-op sedation) for an absolute worst-case scenario. I'm thinking - and, of course, hoping - it won't be necessary, but after 17 years of living with ASD, the phrase "always be prepared" is one we live by!!

 

[disneyfool_1202]

I'm not sure what airline you'd be flying but Jet Blue has a program implemented in Boston called Wings for Autism. I'm not sure if flying from Boston would be an option for you, or if Jet Blue offers this at any other airport but here's some basic information.
http://blog.jetblue.com/index.php/2012/05/21/wings-for-autism-takes-flight-for-third-year/

We used it last year for our son. We were escorted to a special security gate, where the TSA agents were prepared for any type of reactions (luckily we did fine and had no problems), and then they let us preboard. He had a special pin on so the flight crew could also identify him without having to ask.

 

[babyberger]

I'm not sure what airline you'd be flying but Jet Blue has a program implemented in Boston called Wings for Autism. I'm not sure if flying from Boston would be an option for you, or if Jet Blue offers this at any other airport but here's some basic information.
http://blog.jetblue.com/index.php/2012/05/21/wings-for-autism-takes-flight-for-third-year/

We used it last year for our son. We were escorted to a special security gate, where the TSA agents were prepared for any type of reactions (luckily we did fine and had no problems), and then they let us preboard. He had a special pin on so the flight crew could also identify him without having to ask.

This looks AMAZING! It always warms my heart to see companies that care and get it. I hope this program is rolled out nationwide.

 

[CaliKT]

Just a suggestion for you (or anyone who is reading this thread): one of my friends whose son is on the spectrum had a problem when he was younger with checking bags. He was very anxious about having to part with their luggage at check-in. If you think this might apply to you, you should definitely cover that part of the trip in a social story beforehand. Alternatively, you can allow your child to take a small carry-on suitcase on board the plane with all their things in it. We've flown a lot with my son and have always allowed him to do this, and I think it's been very helpful.