Skycap wheelchair assistance at the airport

[Mazzy]

Has anyone had a Skycap push the wheelchair at the airport? If so, how much did you tip them?

Thanks

 

[Nanajo1]

A few years ago I was traveling solo on business. The skycap at Boston's Logan pushed me from the door to the gate, at O'Hare from the gate to baggage claim. I tipped $5 each.

 

[ReneeQ]

I broke my left thigh in March, while on vacation. I was stuck there for 2 weeks in the hospital. I had to fly home in ALOT of pain. (My husband had flown there to be with me in the hospital and bring me home). We flew Delta and they were wonderful. We had it put on my ticket that I needed a wheelchair and that I couldn't go up or down stairs. The skycap was wonderful and I think my husband tipped him $5.

Two months later we went on a family reunion vacation and had to fly again. The guy with the wheelchair that time was more interested in talking to his girlfriend, so my husband just told him that he could push me himself. We had enough family with us on that trip that they carried our stuff (that my husband was carrying).

One note - IF you need assistance getting on the plane, they will want you to board first. I couldn't stay in the same position for very long, and I was miserable boarding first, then everyone else boarded. I was literally in my seat one full hour before we actually took off. On the next flight I requested to board last, and it was much better. BUT if they need to put you in the wheelchair to get you onboard, this wouldn't work. But being first on and last off makes for a LONG time in that seat.

Good luck!

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by ReneeQ
One note - IF you need assistance getting on the plane, they will want you to board first. I couldn't stay in the same position for very long, and I was miserable boarding first, then everyone else boarded. I was literally in my seat one full hour before we actually took off. On the next flight I requested to board last, and it was much better. BUT if they need to put you in the wheelchair to get you onboard, this wouldn't work. But being first on and last off makes for a LONG time in that seat.

Sometimes, they don't ask anymore if someone wants/needs to board early (this has happened to us and I've seen other people post about it). So, if you need extra time or space to board, do ask.
We always ask to preboard when we travel with DD and her wheelchair because it is a lot easier to get on, but the wait is sometimes pretty long, like you mentioned. I'm not sure about boarding last and gate checking a wheelchair. I (and DD, who makes me watch out the window for her wheelchair to be loaded) feel more comfortable knowing the wheelchair will be loaded if we preboard.

 

[Mazzy]

Thanks everyone for your replies

I won't be using a wheelchair at the departure airport as I will be able to get to the gate in fits and starts which will be better for me than sitting in a wheelchair as I have sitting as well as foot problems So, this will work out better as I really don't fancy sitting on the 'plane for an extra hour!

BUT I will need a wheelchair when I arrive at MCO, as I remember from our last visit how much walking and standing around there was and also we need to move at a certain speed to get the baggage etc, so thanks for letting me know how much to pay the skycap.

 

[Nanajo1]

Mazzy,
Just remind the airline stewards that you need a w/c at MCO and that you need assistance getting to the baggage claim. Even though I also reminded the sterward before landing there was no chair waiting for me to deplane. A minor irritant when you are the last off the plane and still have to wait for a w/c.
Have a great trip!

 

[ReneeQ]

Be sure to have them put the wheelchair request on your ticket.