Help. Airport troubles

[iuki]

That's a little different, and sucks to have to wait, but in all honesty, if you can't be left alone safely in public for an hour or two, perhaps travelling with a companion is a better option. I know that limits a person's ability to travel, but there's also a level of personal responsibility, isn't there? My mom sat at the departure terminal for 2 hours, (plane delayed) and she texted me her butt was numb, and I told her to stand up (she can stand and walk, just not across an entire airport) and move a bit. She was afraid people would think she was faking and didn't need wheelchair assistance. When she didn't get assistance from the arrival terminal to the ground transport exit she panicked as well. We had a long talk later about her issues and her lack of independence. She won't fly alone (I tried to talk her into getting an ECV) so I either have to fly down to her, or she will get a companion to fly with her (most likely her best friend) if she ever comes back up here.

I am so happy since getting my EWC. Makes shopping, going to the doctor, and traveling so much easier. Hopefully you’ll convince your mom to invest in one.

 

[AprilsZoo]

On one of our flights on United Airlines, just at the start of the pandemic, the pilot pushed me to the next gate because there were so many passengers in wheelchairs and not enough staff to help. Believe it or not, I know a woman who brags about using airline wheelchair service saying “It’s the only way to travel.” Makes me wonder how many people abuse this service.

Idk if I’d say I’m bragging: but once I finally swallowed my pride and began requesting a wheelchair to get thru the airport, I had the same feeling—
I should’ve done this a long time ago. Finally, I could make it thru security and get to my gate without as much stress. And in airports like SeaTac, SLC, or LA where the gate areas are always full, I don’t have to wonder about whether I’ll find a chair. I no longer worry about tripping going down the jetway (uneven floor surfaces are tricky for me).

So yeah, I can see myself saying something like “It’s the only way I’ll fly.” I’ve even joked with the porters that I love getting their VIP service… a personal escort thru the airport. For me, I guess it kinda lightens my mood & diffuses the feelings of self-consciousness & embarrassment that still try to creep up inside me. Humor and silliness help me quash those feelings. I always say: I can laugh or I can cry… in my experience crying rarely does any good. Laughing may not help much either, but it definitely feels better. So I choose to laugh.

I bet there are some who have thought I’m a faker, or comment thst I experienced a “miracle at 30,000 feet” when I decline a wheelchair upon arrival at my home airport. It’s so tiny though, that I’d be surprised if the distance from the gate I most often arrive at to baggage claim was 75 yards. And there are plenty of chairs all along the way if I do need to sit. It’s just not the kind of situation where I normally need extra assistance— even though I did need it in a different airport just a couple hours earlier.

My MiL has said she will probably never fly anywhere again in her lifetime, because the last two times she has has had a fall. Once, getting off an escalator … and once because she got bumped into walking thru the concourse which caused her to lose her balance. So now she is terrified to go thru an airport again, but she still will not consider getting a wheelchair, because she says she can walk, so she feels like everyone will think she’s cheating somehow…. . She’s 75 y.o. and she’s worried someone will judge her if she uses a wheelchair.
I’d rather someone think I‘m faking, than be the center of attention because I fell on my face. (And when *I* fall… I do it spectacularly!

 

[SueM in MN]

That's a little different, and sucks to have to wait, but in all honesty, if you can't be left alone safely in public for an hour or two, perhaps travelling with a companion is a better option. I know that limits a person's ability to travel, but there's also a level of personal responsibility, isn't there? My mom sat at the departure terminal for 2 hours, (plane delayed) and she texted me her butt was numb, and I told her to stand up (she can stand and walk, just not across an entire airport) and move a bit. She was afraid people would think she was faking and didn't need wheelchair assistance. When she didn't get assistance from the arrival terminal to the ground transport exit she panicked as well. We had a long talk later about her issues and her lack of independence. She won't fly alone (I tried to talk her into getting an ECV) so I either have to fly down to her, or she will get a companion to fly with her (most likely her best friend) if she ever comes back up here.

I don’t know how many of the people were flying alone. The wheelchairs were all lined up practically touching each other in a vacant area right next to the gate with a partition behind them.
There was no seating anywhere close, so anyone with them would have had to sit far away or stand in front of the wheelchairs. My family preboarded before any of them, so I don’t know who had companions board with them to help with bags, etc.

……or comment thst I experienced a “miracle at 30,000 feet” when I decline a wheelchair upon arrival at my home airport. It’s so tiny though, that I’d be surprised if the distance from the gate I most often arrive at to baggage claim was 75 yards. And there are plenty of chairs all along the way if I do need to sit. It’s just not the kind of situation where I normally need extra assistance— even though I did need it in a different airport just a couple hours earlier……

…….feels like everyone will think she’s cheating somehow…. . She’s 75 y.o. and she’s worried someone will judge her if she uses a wheelchair.
I’d rather someone think I‘m faking, than be the center of attention because I fell on my face. (And when *I* fall… I do it spectacularly!

There are many reasons why someone might use wheelchair assistance to get on, but not to get off. One reason might be distance, like you mentioned.
Another might be that arrival is home airport that they are familiar with and departure was an unfamiliar airport.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of people judging what they don’t know. Doesn’t happen as much on this board as some other places, but a recent thread was full of judging. Ironically, a lot of people say ‘I have an invisible disability, so no one can judge me,’ but then go on to say they ‘know’ other people are cheating because they don’t have anything visible to mark their disability.

 

[iuki]

Idk if I’d say I’m bragging: but once I finally swallowed my pride and began requesting a wheelchair to get thru the airport, I had the same feeling—
I should’ve done this a long time ago. Finally, I could make it thru security and get to my gate without as much stress. And in airports like SeaTac, SLC, or LA where the gate areas are always full, I don’t have to wonder about whether I’ll find a chair. I no longer worry about tripping going down the jetway (uneven floor surfaces are tricky for me).

So yeah, I can see myself saying something like “It’s the only way I’ll fly.” I’ve even joked with the porters that I love getting their VIP service… a personal escort thru the airport. For me, I guess it kinda lightens my mood & diffuses the feelings of self-consciousness & embarrassment that still try to creep up inside me. Humor and silliness help me quash those feelings. I always say: I can laugh or I can cry… in my experience crying rarely does any good. Laughing may not help much either, but it definitely feels better. So I choose to laugh.

I bet there are some who have thought I’m a faker, or comment thst I experienced a “miracle at 30,000 feet” when I decline a wheelchair upon arrival at my home airport. It’s so tiny though, that I’d be surprised if the distance from the gate I most often arrive at to baggage claim was 75 yards. And there are plenty of chairs all along the way if I do need to sit. It’s just not the kind of situation where I normally need extra assistance— even though I did need it in a different airport just a couple hours earlier.

My MiL has said she will probably never fly anywhere again in her lifetime, because the last two times she has has had a fall. Once, getting off an escalator … and once because she got bumped into walking thru the concourse which caused her to lose her balance. So now she is terrified to go thru an airport again, but she still will not consider getting a wheelchair, because she says she can walk, so she feels like everyone will think she’s cheating somehow…. . She’s 75 y.o. and she’s worried someone will judge her if she uses a wheelchair.
I’d rather someone think I‘m faking, than be the center of attention because I fell on my face. (And when *I* fall… I do it spectacularly!

I understand what you’re saying. Like I said, I know the woman. We’ve been on cruises with her. She has no problem shopping all day in port without mobility assistance. She walks all around the ship without mobility assistance. The only time she uses wheelchair assistance is at the airport and loves the fact that she gets to board early. Don’t get me wrong, I love this woman like a sister and she has many good qualities. I just wanted to state that this does make me wonder how many others abuse the wheelchair service. She travels on Southwest Airlines with first come first serve seating.

 

[Lilsia]

I understand what you’re saying. Like I said, I know the woman. We’ve been on cruises with her. She has no problem shopping all day in port without mobility assistance. She walks all around the ship without mobility assistance. The only time she uses wheelchair assistance is at the airport and loves the fact that she gets to board early. Don’t get me wrong, I love this woman like a sister and she has many good qualities. I just wanted to state that this does make me wonder how many others abuse the wheelchair service. She travels on Southwest Airlines with first come first serve seating.

I imagine that there are a few people that fly SWA that do that. I know that I have seen some, one of which I posted about earlier.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I imagine that there are a few people that fly SWA that do that. I know that I have seen some, one of which I posted about earlier.

Yes, I've also seen them on Southwest and it makes me so mad. DH and I laugh about "the miracle" when someone in a wheelchair gets up and walks with no trouble.
BTW, for the person who said "I don't know how many people who need wheelchair assistance travel alone". I do, about 90% of the time I travel-and I can barely take a step unaided.

 

[midwestdee]

S

I understand what you’re saying. Like I said, I know the woman. We’ve been on cruises with her. She has no problem shopping all day in port without mobility assistance. She walks all around the ship without mobility assistance. The only time she uses wheelchair assistance is at the airport and loves the fact that she gets to board early. Don’t get me wrong, I love this woman like a sister and she has many good qualities. I just wanted to state that this does make me wonder how many others abuse the wheelchair service. She travels on Southwest Airlines with first come first serve seating.

since you’re so close with her, I’m sure you’ve expressed your opinion of her choices. Kudos for having such a forgiving heart. We certainly can’t say you set the bar too high of acceptable behavior from those you love like a sister.

 

[AprilsZoo]

I understand what you’re saying. Like I said, I know the woman. We’ve been on cruises with her. She has no problem shopping all day in port without mobility assistance. She walks all around the ship without mobility assistance. The only time she uses wheelchair assistance is at the airport and loves the fact that she gets to board early. Don’t get me wrong, I love this woman like a sister and she has many good qualities. I just wanted to state that this does make me wonder how many others abuse the wheelchair service. She travels on Southwest Airlines with first come first serve seating.

Guess she doesn’t realize that you don’t need be in a wheelchair to pre-board. You only need to “identify yourself as a person with a disability & express your need for additional time or assistance to board, stow accessibility equipment, or be seated.” They must allow you to pre-board. You may have to wait while they take the passengers using aisle chairs (and sometimes wheelchairs in general, depending on how many, and how ambulatory those passengers are… for safety they try to not clog the jetway with wheelchairs, so they may need to take them down a few at a time if there are a lot of them). But they have to allow you to pre-board even without the chair.

Of course, it sounds like she just likes the attention she feels like she gets in the chair, in addition to thinking she has pulled a fast one to get on the plane sooner… that’s a whole other issue.

See: https://wheelchairtravel.org/airlines-preboarding-passengers-disabilities-access-law-violations/
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/Preboarding Notice Final_0.pdf

 

[AprilsZoo]

Yes, I've also seen them on Southwest and it makes me so mad.
DH and I laugh about "the miracle" when someone in a wheelchair gets up and walks with no trouble.
BTW, for the person who said "I don't know how many people who need wheelchair assistance travel alone". I do, about 90% of the time I travel-and I can barely take a step unaided.

I’m one of those who may seem to get up & walk with no trouble as long as I only have to go a short distance … but if I had to walk thru TSA screening, all the way to my gate, and stand around waiting to board, I wouldn’t be. Instead, I’d be at risk of tripping from foot-drop that shows up when I’ve walked any real distance…
But, I can do fine to walk from the door of the plane to my seat, and probably look relatively normal doing so.

And as I mentioned earlier, I usually decline wheelchair assistance on arrival at my home airport… even though I utilized it to get to my gate in, for example, Seattle (or in LA or SLC). The difference is that you can fit the nearly the whole Tucson airport in the space of the ticketing & bag claim areas of a single terminal of most other airports. Even counting the farthest out gates, it’s maybe an extra 50 yards, tops. And there are generally seats available along the way if I need to sit. Luckily for me, the Delta gates are the closest to both security and bag claim. So it’s typically a really short walk.

For what it’s worth, I much prefer when people laugh *with* me rather than *at* me. As a matter of fact, I love to laugh. But I don’t like thinking that anyone is laughing at my expense.

 

[AprilsZoo]

I don’t know how many of the people were flying alone. The wheelchairs were all lined up practically touching each other in a vacant area right next to the gate with a partition behind them.
There was no seating anywhere close, so anyone with them would have had to sit far away or stand in front of the wheelchairs. My family preboarded before any of them, so I don’t know who had companions board with them to help with bags, etc.

There are many reasons why someone might use wheelchair assistance to get on, but not to get off. One reason might be distance, like you mentioned.
Another might be that arrival is home airport that they are familiar with and departure was an unfamiliar airport.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of people judging what they don’t know. Doesn’t happen as much on this board as some other places, but a recent thread was full of judging.

Ironically, a lot of people say ‘I have an invisible disability, so no one can judge me,’ but then go on to say they ‘know’ other people are cheating because they don’t have anything visible to mark their disability.

I’ve lived with my disability for 20-odd years. At first, I would hear how I wasn’t “old enough” to have the issues I had. Even now in my 50’s, I apparently do not look as old as I feel (which some days feels like I’m a *hundred and fifty.*)…
Couple that with the fact that my condition consists of unpredictable flare-ups and can I suddenly find myself in a world of misery if I over-exert myself. So I have to conserve my energy while I’m feeling “good”.

It is pretty remarkable how many people with less visible disabilities can’t seem to give others the same benefit of the doubt that they want others to give to them.
Luckily, there’s also quite a few people who are able to empathize & offer support and advice.
I am grateful that, for the most part, this forum allows us all to share & discuss our viewpoints and the experiences that shaped them. It is a pretty unique and wonderful place in that way.

 

[iuki]

Guess she doesn’t realize that you don’t need be in a wheelchair to pre-board. You only need to “identify yourself as a person with a disability & express your need for additional time or assistance to board, stow accessibility equipment, or be seated.” They must allow you to pre-board. You may have to wait while they take the passengers using aisle chairs (and sometimes wheelchairs in general, depending on how many, and how ambulatory those passengers are… for safety they try to not clog the jetway with wheelchairs, so they may need to take them down a few at a time if there are a lot of them). But they have to allow you to pre-board even without the chair.

Of course, it sounds like she just likes the attention she feels like she gets in the chair, in addition to thinking she has pulled a fast one to get on the plane sooner… that’s a whole other issue.

See: https://wheelchairtravel.org/airlines-preboarding-passengers-disabilities-access-law-violations/
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/Preboarding Notice Final_0.pdf

You got it. She does love attention. But she has a good heart.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Investing in a travel ECV was the best thing we ever did. I use it at the airport and it gives me the freedom to go where I want, when I want. When we rent a car, I have my own ride to get me there. When we use Mears, we have to get our luggage before heading over to their bus location.

When DME still existed, my sister was flying solo and did not have an ECV for the airport and would need wheelchair assistance, (she can barely take a few steps), I spoke to the driver when they picked her up, asked him to call so a person with a wheelchair would be there for her at drop off. I let him know we expected to tip well for the service. They came from the outside luggage service and were waiting for her. They wheeled her to SWA where someone else took her the rest of the way. She tipped the first attendant very well and thanked them before continuing with the second attendant.
Off topic…By the way, I’m ALWAYS shocked at how many people don’t tip the people who help us with luggage and wheelchairs at airports and with Mears luggage placed under the carriage. It’s really sad.

 

[DonMacGregor]

On one of our flights on United Airlines, just at the start of the pandemic, the pilot pushed me to the next gate because there were so many passengers in wheelchairs and not enough staff to help. Believe it or not, I know a woman who brags about using airline wheelchair service saying “It’s the only way to travel.” Makes me wonder how many people abuse this service.

At 58, I am able-bodied (if getting up there a bit in age, LOL), so I am not even remotely qualified or entitled to critique anyone in any way, and this is ABSOLUTELY not a criticism of anyone who relies upon the use of a chair or other mobility device. Having said that, I have traveled a reasonable amount for business over the past 25 years, and I have seen a CONSIDERABLE increase in the number of both pre-board and wheelchair passengers over the past 3 or 4 years. On one flight out of Miami a few months ago, there were a total of 14 wheelchairs lined up at the gate, for a flight on a 737 that seats about 130. That's over 10% of the entire plane, not including accompanying passengers. When I boarded (after pre-board and military) it looked like half the plane was already filled. I've seen an equal number several times in Las Vegas as well, and also Houston and New Orleans. One flight actually left almost 20 minutes late due to extended boarding.

I certainly understand that certain locations may be home to a larger percentage of older, less mobile passengers (especially warmer climates), but the demographics of many of these flights definitely didn't skew to an older population, and the numbers of people accessing early boarding for whatever reason has definitely risen considerably.

I will say I can't help but raise an eyebrow when someone half my age, that's been standing next to me in the terminal for 45 minutes, backpack on their back, joins the pre-board line because they need additional time down the jetway.

 

[iuki]

Investing in a travel ECV was the best thing we ever did. I use it at the airport and it gives me the freedom to go where I want, when I want. When we rent a car, I have my own ride to get me there. When we use Mears, we have to get our luggage before heading over to their bus location.

When DME still existed, my sister was flying solo and did not have an ECV for the airport and would need wheelchair assistance, (she can barely take a few steps), I spoke to the driver when they picked her up, asked him to call so a person with a wheelchair would be there for her at drop off. I let him know we expected to tip well for the service. They came from the outside luggage service and were waiting for her. They wheeled her to SWA where someone else took her the rest of the way. She tipped the first attendant very well and thanked them before continuing with the second attendant.
Off topic…By the way, I’m ALWAYS shocked at how many people don’t tip the people who help us with luggage and wheelchairs at airports and with Mears luggage placed under the carriage. It’s really sad.

My friend does tip well. And before I got my Hot Wheels, we also tipped well. I recognize not all disabilities are visible and don’t presume they are faking. The only reason I mentioned that particular woman is because I’ve known her since I was 18 years old. I just feel so bad for those who really need a wheelchair at the airport and can’t get one due to someone using it and doesn’t need one. Oh well. Such is life.

 

[RoseGold]

My mom sat at the departure terminal for 2 hours, (plane delayed) and she texted me her butt was numb, and I told her to stand up (she can stand and walk, just not across an entire airport) and move a bit. She was afraid people would think she was faking and didn't need wheelchair assistance. When she didn't get assistance from the arrival terminal to the ground transport exit she panicked as well. We had a long talk later about her issues and her lack of independence. She won't fly alone (I tried to talk her into getting an ECV) so I either have to fly down to her, or she will get a companion to fly with her (most likely her best friend) if she ever comes back up here.

I'd try to get her to a mobility store to see the modern options. You heard about these new chairs, and wow. Go check out what's available. And you did hear, because I am telling you about the Whill Ci. The modern power chairs are not what people think they are.

 

[DisneyOma]

I'd try to get her to a mobility store to see the modern options. You heard about these new chairs, and wow. Go check out what's available. And you did hear, because I am telling you about the Whill Ci. The modern power chairs are not what people think they are.

She has a mini-golf cart she putts around in at her retirement trailer park. She's very obese, so would need a heavy duty ECV that would be able to hold over 275 lbs (she's only 5'2") One of the models goes up to 300 lbs, but would the battery last all day?

 

[Lewisc]

She has a mini-golf cart she putts around in at her retirement trailer park. She's very obese, so would need a heavy duty ECV that would be able to hold over 275 lbs (she's only 5'2") One of the models goes up to 300 lbs, but would the battery last all day?

The maxima scooter is rated for up to 500 lbs.

 

[SueM in MN]

She has a mini-golf cart she putts around in at her retirement trailer park. She's very obese, so would need a heavy duty ECV that would be able to hold over 275 lbs (she's only 5'2") One of the models goes up to 300 lbs, but would the battery last all day?

for that weight, I think she would need a heavy duty ECV

I think most of the newer more portable foldable power wheelchairs may only go to 250.

 

[Evita_W]

Just got home from Florida on Sat. (Not Disney). Flew Delta. Returned car to Alamo. I can not walk without severe pain for very long.Also have COPD. Returned car at Alamo. Walked to terminal and asked for assistance. NO one would help us. No one would call for help, unless we were flying with the airline. We asked people that were not connected to a airline, and they would not help. We put luggage on cart, so I could lean on it. I was in tears. We ended up walking all the way to the Delta counter, where they finally helped us. Had to use inhaler. The next day I woke up and could not walk. It took most of the day moving slowly to get the pain out of my leg. I am retuning to Florida in 3 weeks to go to Disney with my daughters family. We were going to use sunshine flyer, but I can NOT walk that again. My daughter will also need assistance, but flying Suncountry. What can we do. Don’t public places have to help people with disabilities? It’s making me not wanting to go! Help

Sunshine Flyer is great about mobility devices and disabilities, you don't need to worry with them.

The long walk issue is one of the things that finally drove DH to getting his own scooter, we waited for something like an hour for someone to get him from the gate one time. The other issue was when local theme parks out here in CA started charging $100+ per day for rentals (no deposit and not Disney). Between all of that, he bought a Victory 10.2 from Gold Mobility and it made a world of difference, especially in MCO. Last time he went, he flew on Southwest and he said he saw both the pilot and copilot end up pushing people to their next gate just so they wouldn't miss their connections. He was talking with the flight attendants while waiting and they said Orlando and Phoenix are two of the worst when it comes to wheelchair service.

Yes, he had to wait for his scooter to be brought up, but at least it wasn't an hour+, I think he said it was about 15 minutes or so.

An option if you don't have your own device is to rent locally and take it with you and return it when you get home.

But, if you don't bring your own device, you should notify your airline that you will need assistance now and if you do bring your own device, let them know that now as well.

 

[Evita_W]

On one of our flights on United Airlines, just at the start of the pandemic, the pilot pushed me to the next gate because there were so many passengers in wheelchairs and not enough staff to help. Believe it or not, I know a woman who brags about using airline wheelchair service saying “It’s the only way to travel.” Makes me wonder how many people abuse this service.

DH says he thinks he met that person on his flight home last time.........so annoying when people abuse the system and make it harder on those who do need assistance.