Airport w Mobility Issues

[Weedy]

Disney Cruise has a disabilities department available to help with anything you may need
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/guests-with-disabilities/information/

 

[LynJ]

Verify with your airlines when you check your baggage that you have a mobility device and what you need to do to gatecheck it. At least with Southwest, the baggage person does a quick initial inspection and tagging of it at the SW counter before you go through security, then the gate agent gives a second tag specifically for the gate check. Doesn't take long either time, but it is a 2-step process.

 

[jo-jo]

Late to the party here, but we got back on April 8. Wheelchair guy at Orlando pushed two wheelchairs at once. He had a lady , I'm guessing weighing about 175. We said to him, when he has a chance, we need help also. He said just a min. Got another chair. I thought for DH to rest while waiting..nooooo he pushed both chairs at once. DH is about 300 pounds. Guess he doesn't need to go to a gym to workout.

 

[DisneyOma]

Thank you for the heads up about taking my walker to the gate. It would be nice to get a push to the area of my gate but have the walker there if I need to move around - I'm not supposed to stay seated for more than an hour or two if I can help it without getting up and stretching my leg.

The Rollator would help with lines but I'll still need wheelchair help through the airport since even with the walker long distance are hard, and both of the airports I'll be dealing with are HUGE (Phoenix Sky Harbor and MCO)

Have you looked into getting an ECV? Mamabunny (I think?) has a travelscoot that works well in these situations. I just think when someone needs help getting from point A to point B, it works out more smoothly if the person has a mobility device that moves on its own and has a seat. Then you wouldn't have to depend on someone else to get you to where you need to go. My mom can tell you some horror stories about her last trip, needing a wheelchair and someone to push it at the airport.

 

[Edna Cloud]

With regards to tipping the wheelchair assistant, bear in mind that they may expect a tip per chair and per leg, ie a tip for each assistant who helps you and your wife to the lounge and the same again to the aircraft. You might want to make sure that you have enough dollars in cash with you.

I have used the assistants in the past and felt a bit “mugged” by the end of the experience. It was a relatively short distance with no undue waits. I collected luggage and pushed that while the skycap pushed my son’s wheelchair. At the last moment, he called over a colleague who literally opened one door for us and they both expected to be tipped $20 (they told me that was the minimum!).

It’s really good that some people have had much more positive experiences.

 

[jo-jo]

With regards to tipping the wheelchair assistant, bear in mind that they may expect a tip per chair and per leg, ie a tip for each assistant who helps you and your wife to the lounge and the same again to the aircraft. You might want to make sure that you have enough dollars in cash with you.

I have used the assistants in the past and felt a bit “mugged” by the end of the experience. It was a relatively short distance with no undue waits. I collected luggage and pushed that while the skycap pushed my son’s wheelchair. At the last moment, he called over a colleague who literally opened one door for us and they both expected to be tipped $20 (they told me that was the minimum!).

It’s really good that some people have had much more positive experiences.

We used them for the first time and was worried about the tipping..I had $15 in one pocket and $20 in another pocket, so I was ready . Not knowing what to expect, we really was thinking $15. (this is Phila and Orlando) But wheelchair person got us through TSA super fast both times. We didn't have to go thru the walk, stop, walk, stop, walk stop snake line. ( DH doesn't feel "safe" time wise until we are sitting in the gate. We are the people that leave home hours early). Coming off the plane, they waited for bathroom break and waited while luggage was s l o w l y showing up. We gave $20 each time.

I had looked about tipping, and never saw a minimum. At Orlando, my story with the guy pushing two chairs, the woman gave him a few dollars. No comments from the guy of any minimum.

 

[serenitynow]

With regards to tipping the wheelchair assistant, bear in mind that they may expect a tip per chair and per leg, ie a tip for each assistant who helps you and your wife to the lounge and the same again to the aircraft. You might want to make sure that you have enough dollars in cash with you.

I have used the assistants in the past and felt a bit “mugged” by the end of the experience. It was a relatively short distance with no undue waits. I collected luggage and pushed that while the skycap pushed my son’s wheelchair. At the last moment, he called over a colleague who literally opened one door for us and they both expected to be tipped $20 (they told me that was the minimum!).

It’s really good that some people have had much more positive experiences.

You should report your experience to the airline and airport . The service is free and there is no “minimum tip”. It is, of course, the decent thing to tip if you feel you’ve received good service, but is not required for wheelchair assistance at the airport. I assure you, their employer is not aware they are demanding $20 tips.

 

[katmigordon]

Not going to lie, if somebody tried a stunt like that with me they wouldn't be getting tipped at all. Tips are a socially expected way to reward good service - trying to bring your buddy in last minute to get tipped for opening a door (something tons of strangers will do for free) and then telling me how much I'm supposed to TIP is NOT good service. If I wind up feeling like you tried to strong arm me, you'll find yourself not being rewarded for the "pleasure".

I have used the assistants in the past and felt a bit “mugged” by the end of the experience. It was a relatively short distance with no undue waits. I collected luggage and pushed that while the skycap pushed my son’s wheelchair. At the last moment, he called over a colleague who literally opened one door for us and they both expected to be tipped $20 (they told me that was the minimum!).

It’s really good that some people have had much more positive experiences.

 

[Edna Cloud]

Not going to lie, if somebody tried a stunt like that with me they wouldn't be getting tipped at all. Tips are a socially expected way to reward good service - trying to bring your buddy in last minute to get tipped for opening a door (something tons of strangers will do for free) and then telling me how much I'm supposed to TIP is NOT good service. If I wind up feeling like you tried to strong arm me, you'll find yourself not being rewarded for the "pleasure".

Thank you for your thoughts on this; makes me feel better that I’m not alone in feeling like I did. It was the first time I had travelled with my son in his wheelchair without support and I was a bit stressed out by it all…

Good luck with your trip!

 

[Evita_W]

With regards to tipping the wheelchair assistant, bear in mind that they may expect a tip per chair and per leg, ie a tip for each assistant who helps you and your wife to the lounge and the same again to the aircraft. You might want to make sure that you have enough dollars in cash with you.

I have used the assistants in the past and felt a bit “mugged” by the end of the experience. It was a relatively short distance with no undue waits. I collected luggage and pushed that while the skycap pushed my son’s wheelchair. At the last moment, he called over a colleague who literally opened one door for us and they both expected to be tipped $20 (they told me that was the minimum!).

It’s really good that some people have had much more positive experiences.

Two trips ago, DH experienced a couple of them that flat out refused a tip. He is a big guy and always tips because he knows it is work to do it. But just know some of them not only don't expect a tip, but won't accept one, which was very strange to us.

On the other hand the trip before that, we ended up tipping the guy almost $60 that took him from the gate to the car rental counter, stayed with us for nearly 90 minutes, took him out to the rental car and showed us how to fold down the back seats and helped load our luggage. He went way above and beyond. Of course this was late a night, no incoming flights while we were there, but one incoming flights was delayed and he had to stay until it landed, so he had nothing else to do, but still, he could have went and found some place to sit and chill, instead he went the extra mile. He was surprised when we offered a tip, but he did accept it. I don't think he knew how much was there until after we left though.

My point is there are good attendants, there are also times where you have to wait an hour for one to show up after you land.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Some airports, MCO for example, has a shortage of pushers. A 30 minute wait is possible. Get to the airport early if you need a pusher. If someone is picking you up, or if you booked a car service, let them know.

This is very true and we get to MCO 3 hours ahead of our flight. Last time we waited an hour for 2 skycap folk to push us both. We also tip at least $10, usually more. That airport is nuts!