Flying AA with a disability

[kwitcherkicken99]

Post #3 - you mentioned a problem with a pat-down, and 'baggage' - I took that to mean she had issues with that as well, sorry if I read your post the wrong way.

Imagine if you couldn't see and had random people's hands all over you!! It's tough to have someone walk up and handle you without them saying what they're doing... not a very comfortable situation if you ask me! Even with a little practice, it never prepares her for being searched - she does a lot better when people vocalize what they're doing during the pat down, not just having a go.

We are both planners, look at every possibility of things that can go right and for things that can go wrong. The better we prepare for anything, the more comfortable she'll be with the situation when she's faced with it.

All of the notations for accomodations, situations, flight info, travel documentation, etc. are all things I'm looking into and I thank everyone for their input sincerely. Again, this is a huge step for her towards acheiving full independence... regardless of how nervous I'll be!

WheelTraveler - Whoa! Thanks for that head's up. I have already talked to her about the electric carts and she doesn't want to use them - doesn't feel it necessary to ride when she's capable of walking. I'll have to do some digging to make sure she doesn't have to use them if that's the way they want to make her go.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Imagine if you couldn't see and had random people's hands all over you!! It's tough to have someone walk up and handle you without them saying what they're doing... not a very comfortable situation if you ask me! Even with a little practice, it never prepares her for being searched - she does a lot better when people vocalize what they're doing during the pat down, not just having a go.

Maybe remind her to tell security that if she needs a pat down (she may not if she can walk through the scanner on her own and doesn't have any metal on her body when she does so) that she needs them to verbalize what they're going to do. As a wheelchair user a pat down is how I get checked and they always tell me what they're doing so hopefully they'd do the same for her, but it doesn't hurt to ask either.