Wheelchair assistance in Toronto Airport?????

[Jaime]

Has anyone had wheelchair assistance at Toronto airport? We only have 50 minutes to pick up our luggage and clear customs. I am 6 months pregant and travelling with 3 toddlers and am afraid that I will find the rush just to much on me. Air Canada suggest wa. A friend of mine said when they used wa they said they waited on the plane until everyone cleared and then they were escorted to the back of the plane and taken to customs by bus. Has anyone else had this experience? Will it take to long causing me to miss our flight?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Mortlives]

If you're flying Air Canada, you have a better chance, I think, but I wouldn't feel comfortable trying it. They are good with wheelchairs, though: Last Feb, DS broke his leg right before we were supposed to leave for WDW. He was in a full leg plaster cast, and wasn't strong enough to lift the thing, so we had him in a wheelchair. As we were wheeling him in the direction of Express checkin, and AC rep asked us if we were checking in for Air Canada. We said yes, and he headed us towards the special services counter. They checked us in, handled our luggage, and wheeled DS through customs and to the gate, expediting the process the whole way. They are really good about helping people with special needs. The way back was similarly expedited, but it still took us about 35 minutes (no bus out the back, though, just wheeled through the front, maybe things are different if you have a deadline).

I have to say, 50 minutes between flights, especially when one is international and the other domestic, is not a good window under ideal circumstances. When you think about how people react when a plane lands, it won't be possible to take a wheelchair off the plane first, so you're looking at about 15 minutes on the ground before you get off the plane. Immigration can be quite swift in YYZ, but that's not the sort of thing you want to bank on. Then you have to grab your luggage, and go through customs. The fact that you have a connecting flight won't make you exempt from a random check, so that could happen as well.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but can you book a later connecting flight?

Good Luck,
Mort.

 

[Mortlives]

I just noticed on another thread that this is going to MCO, not from (don't ask me why I assumed from). That might make a difference. AC got us to the gate from the special services counter in 10 minutes. If, at your point of origin you tell them about the connecting flight, they may be able to hold your luggage and put it on last (I wouldn't even ask about this in Orlando, their security setup probably wouldn't even like the question). You might want to tell everyone involved at all points along the way, and I would really recommend carry-on luggage only. But, as the saying goes, "It's crazy, but it just might work".

Good Luck,
Mort.

 

[Jaime]

Mort,
Sorry I didn't say it was on the way to MCO. I have alot of time to get back home. I thought about all carryon luggage but there is no way we would manage. It would be to diffcult carrying all of our luggage, car seats and trying to push a stroller.

I really don't think we will make it. There is a flight leaving about 8 hours later but I really don't want to wait that long. That would be time gone of our vacation. I'm so unsure if we have better chances to catch the flight with or without the wheelchair. It would be alot easier on me with a wheelcahiar but I don't want to miss my flight.

Thank you for your help.

 

[FatCow]

I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!!!

I have lower back, shoulder and ankle problems. I can walk slowly and short distance only. Sitting for too long make things worse (total of 24 hours flight time from Indonesia to Canada with only one transit in HongKong).

The wheelchair helper saw me (I look that much younger 6 years ago) and saw me walking (without limping or such) and actually said "you can walk, why are you wasting my time?"

and he had the gall to ask for a tip at the end.

 

[Jaime]

Fatcow,
Thats awful! You are the one who knows if you need it. I know I can walk. But after being on two flights and being under the stress of making my connection it would be better for me. Even though I think I am going to forget the hassel and just walk.
Jaime

 

[caspertwo]

hi there, when are you traveling ? I have had wheel chair assistance on air canada a few times and they have been great. What terminal are you landing in and takingoff in? Have you registered for wheelchair assistance for Orlando? In the past whenI have traveled on a wheel chair if I was on connecting flights and the planes were delayed the stewardess made an announcement asking if there were any people needed to rush for another plan to identify themselves and we were escorted off first wheel chair and all? Have you lookedinto wheeled transit for the rest of the family? If you do not need a wheelchair but can stand up and take the motorized cart , this way they can arrange for your whole family to arrive at customs at the same time.. Besure to clarify your needs once you get to the airport.. I will be using wheel chair assistance in both Toronto and Orlando. shortly. OS if your trip i s not for another month or two I can tell you how it goes

cherylann

 

[Jaime]

Hi cherylann,
Thanks for your help. We are leaving on Wed and because of the time of year I am not sure if will make our connecting flight. I can stand up and walk but I just can't rush or walk really long distances. So your suggestion on the mortorized cart sounds like it would be a good idea. We are travelling in a group of 4 adults and three toddlers. We arrive and leave at term 2 and have to go through customs and catch our flight to Orlando. When I check in for our flight I will ask then about the mortorized cart. Right now I have a wheelchair requested and I requested that my family stay with me.
Have a great trip and I hope everything goes smooth for you as well.
Jaime

 

[caspertwo]

Jaime , you are welcome... Try and talk to your travel agent before you go and request the cart for your family.. if you cant do that then make sure when you get to the airport for your first flight that you ask for them to arrange to meet your plane in Toronto. IF you have already asked for wheel chair asssistance then they should be prepared to meet your plane anyways..

good luck and have a great time....
CherylAnn