Priority lines at PHL

[chmurf]

Hi

Does anyone know how things work at PHL for international arrivals ? Are there priority lines for disabled passengers at immigration, and then at TSA ?

I am not a US Citizen, and PHL will be my point of entry, so I'll need to go through immigration before getting onto my connection. I'm also familiar with the whole procedure, but this is gonna be my first trip as a person with special needs.

I do not require or need a wheelchair. My disability is not "visible" nor obvious, and I can walk, but can barely stand in line. It's the standing still and slow walking through lines that's the most painful. Using a wheelchair is barely an option since after 8hrs+ on the plane I'll need to stretch my legs. So I need to find that delicate balance between stretching my legs in between flights, and avoiding lines as much as possible.

I have a priority card, issued by my country (france), basically it allows me to cut lines everywhere (stores and stuff like that), but I doubt this card has any validity in the US (anyway it's not even written in english)
I have the European Disabled Parking Permit placard which is no longer accepted through reciprocity by many US States, but it still bears the blue wheelchair icon. And I may (or may not) have the red temporary Florida parking tag (depending if the tax office is able to send it over to France - it's all a matter of postage fees, and I'll only be sure in a few days)


So, in your opinion, what is my best option ? knowing that, on top of that, my tickets where changed to a tighter connection time (1hr45 min)
Is there any priority line at immigration at PHL, and do my documents entitle me to go through such line ?
Will I need to arrange with the airline (US Airways) for wheelchair help once we deplane and have some airline attendant wheel me through the process ?
Can I go through the disabled lines without any visible signs of disability and with foreign documents proving my disability ?

Is there someone I can contact at PHL or CBP or anyone else, to arrange for this

I must say I'm getting pretty worried, because I've never been through PHL, and I've never had such a tight connection
Last february we went through newark, I did not have my "documents" yet (lots of medical exams to get them) my condition was the same, but the lines were so thin it was managable (at best) as there were only 5 parties in front of us at TSA. Immigration was more painful, with 20 minutes waiting in a slow line. There was nothing I can do about it, but I would prefer to avoid that on our upcoming trip, since that immigration line took a hefty toll on me and was still affecting me several hours later.

Any thoughts ? advice ?

PS : changing to a direct flight, as suggested in the sticky is a big no. There are no direct flights between Paris and Orlando (except for one running 3 times a week, but not operating around our dates)

TIA

 

[disney david]

Hi

Does anyone know how things work at PHL for international arrivals ? Are there priority lines for disabled passengers at immigration, and then at TSA ?

I am not a US Citizen, and PHL will be my point of entry, so I'll need to go through immigration before getting onto my connection. I'm also familiar with the whole procedure, but this is gonna be my first trip as a person with special needs.

I do not require or need a wheelchair. My disability is not "visible" nor obvious, and I can walk, but can barely stand in line. It's the standing still and slow walking through lines that's the most painful. Using a wheelchair is barely an option since after 8hrs+ on the plane I'll need to stretch my legs. So I need to find that delicate balance between stretching my legs in between flights, and avoiding lines as much as possible.

I have a priority card, issued by my country (france), basically it allows me to cut lines everywhere (stores and stuff like that), but I doubt this card has any validity in the US (anyway it's not even written in english)
I have the European Disabled Parking Permit placard which is no longer accepted through reciprocity by many US States, but it still bears the blue wheelchair icon. And I may (or may not) have the red temporary Florida parking tag (depending if the tax office is able to send it over to France - it's all a matter of postage fees, and I'll only be sure in a few days)

So, in your opinion, what is my best option ? knowing that, on top of that, my tickets where changed to a tighter connection time (1hr45 min)
Is there any priority line at immigration at PHL, and do my documents entitle me to go through such line ?
Will I need to arrange with the airline (US Airways) for wheelchair help once we deplane and have some airline attendant wheel me through the process ?
Can I go through the disabled lines without any visible signs of disability and with foreign documents proving my disability ?

Is there someone I can contact at PHL or CBP or anyone else, to arrange for this

I must say I'm getting pretty worried, because I've never been through PHL, and I've never had such a tight connection
Last february we went through newark, I did not have my "documents" yet (lots of medical exams to get them) my condition was the same, but the lines were so thin it was managable (at best) as there were only 5 parties in front of us at TSA. Immigration was more painful, with 20 minutes waiting in a slow line. There was nothing I can do about it, but I would prefer to avoid that on our upcoming trip, since that immigration line took a hefty toll on me and was still affecting me several hours later.

Any thoughts ? advice ?

PS : changing to a direct flight, as suggested in the sticky is a big no. There are no direct flights between Paris and Orlando (except for one running 3 times a week, but not operating around our dates)

TIA

I will look later to help you but I am at work if you want you could go on cbp.gov and Tsa.gov I know Tsa dose but no sure about cbp. I look into when I get home sorry for the delay.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I don't have specific experience with going through immigration at PHL, but very few US airports do any sort of priority line for people with disabilities through border control/immigration unless the lines are incredibly long. Even then, they'll only do it for people who have obvious disabilities (pretty much if you're in a wheelchair, either your own or one of the airline ones). Your best bet is to ask for assistance through the airline and plan on knowing that you may have to spend some extra time seated unless you want to wait through the lines standing. The US doesn't issue any sort of priority cards like you're describing so your citizenship doesn't make a difference, it just doesn't exist. You may be able to get an idea of how long lines may be by looking for other international flights that get in around the same time as yours does. The worst lines I've been in anywhere have been when 2-3 large international flights arrive at the same time.

Is there any way for you to change your flights so you have a longer layover? I'm a wheelchair user and my general rule is that I always allow at least 90 minutes for a connection that doesn't involve border patrol and at least 120 for a connection that does involve it. I've come close to missing flights otherwise (not counting flights I have missed due to delays). My experience with PHL, in general, has been that the people who work TSA there are not fast and can get confused easily so I wouldn't expect quick moving through anything. Even if immigration goes quickly, TSA may not.

Also, if you can when on the flight, get up and walk around some. That should at least help you not stiffen up quite as much while flying. An 8 hour flight should give you enough time to get a couple short walks in.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I also would suggest having the airline provide a wheelchair. They will get you to and through all checkpoints. Once you get to your gate normally they will park you in the chair and return just prior to boarding to take you down the ramp to the plane's entrance. You can tell them you do not need assistance down the ramp which will release them and they will assist you in transferring to a regular chair. At that time you can then walk around near the gate and when the plane is boarded you can be "preboarded" to get to your seat without severe crowding or slow lines.

Additionally, you can talk to your airline and they could offer you different flights with a different transfer airport which would allow for more time between flights. I had this happen to me on my European trip a few months ago when my connection time dropped. And the flight change was at no charge due to their having changed the connection times.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

You might want to look into finding ways in dealing with this without needing help or alikes from others. Why? Because a million things can come up, even just with the travel that can easily result in long waits. And yes, that can easily include all. And not in the least part; whenever dependant on outside sources for things to fit your needs, you run a risk of things not being as needed and then what?

Being 32 nowadays, I can't remember my dad any other way as not being able to stand still, sit for a long time etc. etc. Never been something that would stand in his way nore would result in him even considering a need to look outside of himself to take care of it. He simply takes care of things himself by looking at what he can do. Dealing with customs, border checks and whatever? No biggie at all.

First up; shift your look on things. Focus on what you can do and built from there instead of what is not. Sitting down is not an option? Why not? Moving around apparently is not a real big problem, so you can easily counteract the sitting down in flight by getting up very regularly and walk around the plane. Makes a HUGE difference. Be aware that you can alter your seating assignments to make this work better. That can already open up one option; using a wheelchair. Also again; looking on what is possible would result in finding an option in that chair, realising that a wheelchair does not come with the warning "stay put at all times or else we well blow your feet off". Yet another option; use a rollator. A walker with a seat. Can be brought along free of charge and does not count towards your baggage limitations. Not only will give it a place to rest if need be, it will also automatically result in having space to "walk in place" when in line if need be.

Again; things can easily go wrong. One small computer crisis or higthened security alarm and see there; even what should be a "expedited" line can result in long waits. Flight schedules can change unexpected leaving you in situations of long waits where you will have to find a way to somehow deal with it. Having your own resources you can fall back on will be a much better safety blanket than needing to fall back on others. Esp. if things do happen out of the "ordinary" it can be a lot harder to get accomodations in place because of a multitude of reasons also including there being a higher demand itself.

No experience with PHL, have entered the US both Dublin, Detroit, Houston, NewArk, MCO etc. Even if there are priority lines, that does not mean they are always in use. Like Wheeledtraveller says, I've also never seen them used by other passengers than those with mobility aids and even then most of the times only if using assistance (as in; the sooner those employees can get the passenger to their destination, the sooner they can help other passengers that need it). Even if they are in use, that does not equal all that quick of a get through. And even then. I'm a 24/7 wheelchair user and without assistance don't even get of the plane. The regular rule goes into affect for me; first on, last off. Obviously that results in entering the CPB area after all my flight fellow guests. Almost always I will get "expedited", most of the times directly linked to the assistance worker arranging so with CPB officer. What that comes down to in reality? Most of the times having anywhere from 5-8 other wheelchair assistance using passengers in front of me. As with anybody with needs the process can actually take longer because of certain needs than it would take if the need was not there. For instance if you are in line behind me, you will have a longer wait than being in line behind my mom.

DUB was a bit of a different experience, but then again; very few folks clear there. Combine that with the fact of me being last of the incoming flight from AMS and it taking quite a while for me to deplane and it was no wonder that the CPB area was almost already fully cleared.

As far as your connecting time; do not sweat it. Should be more then enough, even when using assistance the way I do and not having the luxery of going "takes me to long before assistance shows up, let's get moving ourselves". A connection of 1.45 should be more then enough. Might likely find the second flight already begun boarding if things take long but that does not equal about to leave. And let's say things do get bad. You miss your connection. I'll be blunt; your need will not be the direct cause of that but more likely simply a combination of a (much) delated arrival of the transatlantic flight, real long CPB-lines etc. etc. That will result in any and all onboard that flight going on the same connecting flight to miss the flight. Also been there, done that. Nobody made it.

Seeing how you booked a legal connecting time, the airline will simply book you onto the next available flight to MCO with no cost for yourself. With you then being within the US, that is no biggie at all. Enough flights to get to MCO normally. If you don't know what to do; just talk to anybody you can find working for said airline and they will direct you to the right desk to get booked onto the next available flight directly or if need be as standby.


Another option; when was the schedule changed? If it was recently enough and you did not actively accept the change, most airlines will have no problem to switch you to another flight with a schedule that fits your likes more if the change is big enough. I have found airlines to be even more accomodating on this when it comes down to need based changes, but have to be honest and second Wheeledtravellers experience that this is another area where obvious visable needs and need for assistance get another level of service.

Same goes by the way for airport assistance. Be aware that if you do decide to ask for it, that you are not the number one priority. They will do their silliest best to accomodate each and every one, but when in a pickle of having one worker availablee, they will decide to let guests that have a "lower need" waiting and attend to those with the "highest need of assistance" first. If I remember correctly, you are travelling with others right?? If so, that also is a factor in those priority ranks. Solo passengers with a same "level of assistance needed" will be first attended to if the sh*t hits the fans so to say. Again; it is not a norm experience to expect to have to wait longer for assistance than regular, but just a forwarning that if demands does exceed the supply I have found they start to work by prioritizing. (and/or if need be combine passengers, so one assistance worker juggling 2 guests needing assistance)

My personal opinion and experience? In your case I would not go for airport assistance. It does not add that much that you can not (better) take care of yourself, but it can easily add negatively. Even if "just" the "last few ones of the plane" part. In your case I would opt for getting more active in flight to counteract the sitting, bringing along a rollator from home as carry on. Most can be folded to such an extend you can store it in the overhead compartments. Those would be the ones to look for, because it would result in no need to depend on gate checking etc. Use the rollator after deplaning. Sit down on the seat if need be. Keep walking "in place" behind it if need be. Alternate between the two as needed and done. Big positive you can score by this; not having to wait to be one of the last ones of the flight and thus having all those passengers in front of you at CPB.

 

[chmurf]

Thank you for your answers and insights.

I will need to think this over, but ultimately I might go the "old fashioned way".
After all, I've been to the US on several occasions and, at some point, I was in a worse shape.
When I was 100lbs heavier, my "disabled person status" was not recognized yet (still being assessed by the medical authorities here) and I eventually managed to do it like any other passenger. So I guess I'll be fine anyway.

Now I guess, the main difference is that in France I have access to "privileges" (I hate that word, but lack a better one) and was asking if the same would apply in the US. Looks like the answer is no. So be it.

Your answers pretty much confirmed what I expected and assumed, so thank you, I can see the picture a little more clearly now.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

My only advice is to request wheelchair assistance from your airline. I have seen PAX in wheelchairs wheeled to the front of the passport control lines at a number of airports, both in the US and other countries. Your quick trip through passport control/customs should give you time to stretch your legs walking to the gate, or walking around after you get to the gate.

I think your 1 hour, 45 minutes connection is a problem. This could be too tight if your flight is late and passport control lines are long.