How do you do a wheelchair person from Orlando arrivals to ME?

[Bete]

It's been 8 years; since, I last flew to Orlando. Without a wheelchair I somewhat remember taking an escalator along the way, but obviously that's not possible with a wheelchair.

Anyway, is the route different from walking if you have a wheelchair? Are the elevators strategically placed where they need to be as with walking route?

I'll be doing arrival from Airtran. TIA for the guidance.

Also, are the trams that take you from one end of the airport to the other wheelchair ready? I don't ever remember seeing any ramp to get a wheelchair on? Is there any problems getting the wheelchair on the tram like a slightly different height between tram and waiting area?

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I can't remember using the Orlando airport as a walker. The only places where I can remember noticing that I needed to use elevators and others could use escalator was to get to the baggage claim, for that part you use the same elevators that people use to get out to the car parks.

As far as the trams go, they're same level and while there is a tiny gap, I think it's under 2" (and that's a flat horizontal estimate no up or down). I certainly had no issue with it with my manual chair. The only other thing I'd note is that there are no tie-down spots so if you're used to being able to tie-down on transportation, you have to rely on the wheelchair brakes instead.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Actually the gap between the platform and the cars for the tram is only about one inch.

And once you have left the security are and are heading toward the escalators to take you to baggage claim, if you go past the escalators you will see elevators against the wall. Level 3 is the terminal level itself; level 2 is baggage claim, and level 1 is car rental counters and buses, taxi's etc.

If the airline is providing a chair and pusher the person will take you where you need to go.

 

[SueM in MN]

Post 15 on page one of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is about air travel and includes links to maps of the Orlando airport.

Post 16 on page two of that thread is about DME, including some pictures.

As was posted, the gap between the floor of the terminal and the floor of the tram is about 1 inch, small enough that a wheel can't get caught in it.
The floor of the terminal and the floor of the tram are level, so no need for a ramp. We don't even have to tip DD's wheelchair up to get on.
When you think about it, so many travelers have wheeled carryons that it would slow things up tremendously if it was not level.

As WheeledTraveler pointed out, there are no tiedowns. That isn't a problem though - just set the brakes.

 

[Dan1]

Bete,
Just to echo the others.

I had no issues at all pushing my DD in the Orlando airport be it onto / off of the tram from the arrivals gate to the main hub.

Just make sure you put the wheel chair brakes on once you have settled into your spot on the Tram before its door close and it starts to move!

Yes, the location of the elevators pash the escalators mentioned above are what I recall.

Dan

 

[jdb in AZ]

Are the DME buses wheelchair friendly? Three years ago DMIL was in a wheelchair and DME had to schedule a handicap-equipped van for her.

 

[SueM in MN]

Are the DME buses wheelchair friendly? Three years ago DMIL was in a wheelchair and DME had to schedule a handicap-equipped van for her.

Not every single DME bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift, but we have used DME with a person using a wheelchair on 2 trips a year using the DME bus ( not a wheelchair accessible van).
There may be times when they send a van, like happened to you, but in most cases, people using wheelchairs and ECVs will use an accessible DME bus.

You can let them know when making your reservation that you have a wheelchair and need an accessible bus. Doing that will give the shortest wait because they make sure to route one for the time you are leaving the airport.

If you forget to do it ahead of time, they can still get an accessible bus for you, but you may wait longer.

When you are talking to the CMs at the airport desk whenmleaving the airport, they will also arrange for pick up at your resort at the end of your stay using an accessible bus.

There is more information, including pictures on post 16 onmpage 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.
As I mentioned in my earlier post on this rheas, there is also airport information in the FAQs thread.