SWA/Being on crutches

[canwegosoon]

My DH hurt himself skiing this weekend- he is now on crutches and is in a leg brace. He has an MRI scheduled for Friday-it seems like a torn ACL- and will not be able to have surgery for a while. Problem is Monday he is on a flight from ALbany NY to Las Vegas(direct), his flight back is on Friday.

Dr. has started asprin to thin the blood, he is very worried about the flight.
Can he preboard? Should I notify anyone? How do you arrange assistance in Vegas?

This will also affect out trip at Easter-but he might have had surgery by then.

Thank you for any help-
Terri

 

[Gumbo4x4]

He can pre-board. Just needs to check in at the counter.

 

[seashoreCM]

...Should I notify anyone? How do you arrange assistance in Vegas?

Definitely ask at the gate podium for preboarding, but it is not necessary to hustle or otherwise behave differently if you are denied.

You might seek out roving chauffeurs with motorized carts to carry handicapped folks.

An open question is whether a person with a cast or brace on a limb should go around with the pants leg or sleeve torn off so any metal parts can be seen easily by security. It can be covered with a dancer's "leg warmer" when out in the cold. Young folks have been known to do this, including at school.

 

[SilverMickey]

If he will need assistance in the airport before boarding SWA can arrange a wheelchair for him. You can go into his reservation and ad that information on his booking. (Just read the page and at some point you will see the place to ad this) If he is flying solo a wheelchair might work well as they will wheel him from check-in to security to the gates. at the gates ask for a blue pre-board sleeve. Ask for the pre-board sleeve with or with out the wheelchair. If there is a wheelchair on the other end waiting they will help get to baggage and to transportation. Very often when you pre-board you may be the 1st on but you might also be the last one off.

(Don't forget to tip you wheelchair pusher) I hope his legs will be ok.

 

[canwegosoon]

Thank you everyone- he is traveling alone for work- and is also arranging a scooter at the hotel for his convention. I have warned him that he might need an extra hour getting around the airport/security etc.

Silvermickey- Any idea what an appropraite tip would be?(Thank you)

 

[SilverMickey]

Thank you everyone- he is traveling alone for work- and is also arranging a scooter at the hotel for his convention. I have warned him that he might need an extra hour getting around the airport/security etc.

Silvermickey- Any idea what an appropraite tip would be?(Thank you)

I'm always troubled with that. When they helped my Aunt they did her bags and everything so I gave them a $10. For my father in law it was just him, no carry ons or anything. I gave them $5 as it was much less work.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

An open question is whether a person with a cast or brace on a limb should go around with the pants leg or sleeve torn off so any metal parts can be seen easily by security. It can be covered with a dancer's "leg warmer" when out in the cold.

Not a problem; these types of medical appliances are usually plastic these days, not metal, and can be worn over pants.

OP, you need to call SWA ahead of time and request wheelchair assistance at check in and landing. I agree with SilverMickey about tip amounts.

 

[kaytieeldr]

An open question is whether a person with a cast or brace on a limb should go around with the pants leg or sleeve torn off so any metal parts can be seen easily by security. It can be covered with a dancer's "leg warmer" when out in the cold.

Absolutely not. In addition to lost*in*cyberspace's extremely intelligent and lucid response, above, there is zero reason for anybody to destroy perfectly good clothing for the convenience of airport security. There's a different, extremely effective, well-known way of making security aware of any medical support device made of any material.

Tell them. Say, "I have a ____ on my _____".

Cutting my slacks open to display a brace is equivalent to cutting my leg open to display the plate and screws supporting my femur.