Elderly father in airport

[Southerndisney]

Hi,
My father who has memory problems is going to fly to meet me in Florida. He is confused easily and will not be able to make it to the gate at the departing airport by himself. Nor is it a good idea for him to get off the plane with no one to meet him untill he gets past security. Is there anyway for my sister to take him to the gate at the departing airport and me meet him at the gate in Florida? Has anyone had to deal with this? Thanks

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Contact the airline. About a year ago I had a 16½ year old greatnephew visiting me. When I took him to the airport, when he checked in I was able to get a "gate access pass" to accompany him until the flight left.

You might have your sister (or whoever is making the arrangments) talk to the airline's "Special Services Desk" for more specific information.

 

[Bill From PA]

In 2004 my then 78 yr old mom flew home a few days before our departure via Delta at MCO. I was able to get a pass for me when we checked her luggage so I could walk her to her gate, she's not befuddled, just unfamiliar with the ins and outs of modern airports, so once there, I left. I arranged for her to be met by a Delta person at Cinn., her connecting 'port, because she's got mobility issues and there's a shuttle from one terminal to another for Delta flights. All went well.

Bill From PA

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I would ask the airline if it's possible to use the same procedures they use for an unaccompanied minor, where someone meets him at the connecting airport and makes sure he makes it to his connection.

 

[vacation dreamer]

Hi,
My father who has memory problems is going to fly to meet me in Florida. He is confused easily and will not be able to make it to the gate at the departing airport by himself. Nor is it a good idea for him to get off the plane with no one to meet him untill he gets past security. Is there anyway for my sister to take him to the gate at the departing airport and me meet him at the gate in Florida? Has anyone had to deal with this? Thanks

I have been taking my Dad to the gate (and picking him up at the gate) for the last 3-4 years and my brother does the same. Different airports since my brother moves around a lot. We never have had a problem. Also if you have him in a wheelchair they will bring him to you, without you having to go through security

 

[jodifla]

Hi,
My father who has memory problems is going to fly to meet me in Florida. He is confused easily and will not be able to make it to the gate at the departing airport by himself. Nor is it a good idea for him to get off the plane with no one to meet him untill he gets past security. Is there anyway for my sister to take him to the gate at the departing airport and me meet him at the gate in Florida? Has anyone had to deal with this? Thanks

Airlines can normally give passes for nonfliers to help with the very old and the very young.

I was given a pass to help my dad to his gate the last time he was here.

And if your dad uses a wheelchair, you can also get skycap help. I had a little boy and my dad in a wheelchair, so the skycap was invaluable to us!

 

[PlutoPony]

I have been able to accompany my elderly mother to the gate at Dulles for the past several years - at the ticket counter they've given me a pass to get thru security. My understanding is that TSA doesn't HAVE to honor this pass but they typically do - but if something should happen that results in a heightened security alert you may be SOL. My mother has very low vision (legally blind) and cannot walk for long distances so I specify a wheelchair on both ends. When she arrives AT Dulles, she waits at the gate for the wheelchair and they bring her to baggage claim where I meet her. Even if your father doesn't really need a wheelchair you may want to ask for one, since the distances are very long to walk for an older person and it does get him rather safely to a meeting point. You might also check w/ the airline to make sure they have the name and phone of the person meeting him, just in case... My biggest concern with my mother is what would happen if her flight was diverted or some irregular ops happened that meant a change to her flight after boarding. HTH!

 

[Bildmouse]

My DH has taken his mother (memory issues) to the airport a few times and his brother has picked her up at the other end. They just call the airline and when checking in are given a pass to accompany her to the gate or pick her up. They also use a wheel chair because of the distance to the gates.

 

[CleveRocks]

I am a cognitive therapist. Most of my clients are folks with memory problems, as well as difficulties with judgment and decision-making and stuff like that. I have advised numerous families and individuals about just the question that the OP poses, and everyone above has given good advice.

Interestingly, my most recent experience was with a man who needed to get a Delta connecting flight in Cincinnati, the same as Bill from PA's example. The situation I'm familiar with worked out very well, also.

If you're really nervous about it (especially if you or someone you know can't be present to help), you can request wheelchair transport/escort ... that way, you know your loved one will get "hands-on" attention rather than just being pointed in the right direction. Yes, this is tricking the system, but where our loved ones are concerned, I have no problem with working the system in order to ensure safety.

 

[chamonix]

Another option is to purchase a full-fare, fully refundable ticket for yourself (and your sister). You can then go through security (as if you were flying somewhere that day) meet him, then, cancel the ticket and get your full amount of money back. (Your sister would get him onto his plane, then cancel her ticket and leave the airport)

The "cost" will seem astronomical when you book it, but as long as you get the refund, you are out nothing. This is done all the time, and I would not hesitate to do so. TBH, though, I also wouldn't hesitate to pay for a cheap ticket to accompany my family member if I truly felt they were unable, or it was unsafe, for them to fly alone.