Question About Airline "Escorts"

[southjerseymom]

We are staying longer in Disney than my 78 yr old Mom. We will drop her off at the airport. I learned from these boards that they will not let me past the security checkpoint to see her off at the gate. But I worry about just leaving her there. Can I arrange an escort to make sure she gets to the right Spirit Airlines gate? Thanks for any replies.

 

[NotUrsula]

If she needs physical help getting through security and to the correct gate area, you should be able to get permission to go to the gate with her. You will have to check in at the main ticket counter, show ID, and politely explain the situation. As long as it is clear that she cannot navigate the procedure by herself, then the agent should be willing to give you a gate pass.

If she is perfectly hale and healthy, but just a bit nervous, they probably would not give you a gate pass, but I'm thinking that you wouldn't be considering going to the extreme length of paying an escort fee unless she really needed help.

 

[safetymom]

I agree. If you go to the ticket counter with her you may be able to accompany her to the gate. If that doesn't work you could always buy a fully refundable ticket, take her to the gate, and then go get your money back.

 

[SB in KY]

Another option might just be to ask for a wheelchair to get her to the gate....even if she is ambulatory it can be quite a hike, not to mention standing in line at security. They will send an attendant with a wheelchair to pick her up and they will deliver her to the appropriate gate.

In the past at several airports (although never tried at MCO), when we were putting my mother on a plane they were only too happy to give me a gate pass to take her down in the WC...so it didn't tie up one of their attendents for 30 minutes getting through security (they brought the chair and I wheeled her down to the gate).