I’ve not flown commercially for a couple of years. We usually take a small RV.
My Parkinson’s symptoms have worsened. Fluctuating motor issues, more slowness, more tremor, and balance problems.
Wondering how to plan ahead with airline. I can’t see myself running to get to the next gate on time,😜. Your suggestions are welcome.
The first thing is to request a wheelchair when you make the reservation. That way you have it if you need it. If you are feeling up to the walk you don’t have to use it, but it is available for you on either end, and if you are up to walking on and off the plane, you do not have to wait to be the last off, but should still have one waiting for you on arrival. The second thing is to pre board. I try to get on before the wheelchairs at the gate since I can walk on, but cannot stand in line. Usually they have you check in at the gate to get your boarding pass changed to pre boarding. I also make sure that my husband is seated on my left because that is my bad side that I need more help with. Hope this helps, good luck!
Julie is right about the wheel chair. No waiting in long security lines. I always arrange for one. Not happy about it, but hey, why fight the crowds.
Getting a direct flight with wheel chair service if you can works better. If you can afford a seat in the front of regular class it can make things easier and then just stay in the seat until most of the people are off then they will probably have the wheel chair there at the gate for you. When you have to get out and there are a lot of people in a big hurry and you are trying to get your stuff and carry it out it is not that pleasant of an experience.
All of the previous replies plus, try to sit near front to be near toilets. I also make sure to arrange a wheelchair curbside to take my husband into airport as sometimes if can be a long walk to check in
.
Fast track to toilets would have been nice too, for people with overactive bladder and chronic constipation.
You should inform the airline while you're booking your trip that you will need an assistance. You and all the members of you group will have a priority luggage check in ( just skip the line nd ask the operators to call for assistance service)and priority boarding...
I am chiming in about using available help in airports. Remember to arrange assistance at the very first point of departure. If you ask for assistance in an airport without prior arrangement it is very difficult for the airline to adjust their personnel. I recently completed a trip from DFW to Austria on Lufthansa. It was before my diagnosis; I was not yet medicated and was feeling bad. I was genuinely impressed with how well they took care of me - with kindness, understanding, and a little bit of light humor.
I have to fly solo so trips require extra planning. First class is a must,?wheelchair at either end. I don’t have a carry on bag because it’s a problem to haul it around the airport.
plan ahead. Definitely ask for the wheelchair. I travel with a service dog and it can be a nightmare. Last trip took by plane was last year and I promised myself I would ask for the chair next time. Also when booking the flight tell them the kinds of assistance you need. They will also usually accommodate assigned seating without you having to pay extra. Airline personnel will also help with carryon.
We travel 4 times a year so 8 flights. Special Assistance is great. We book it with the flight, take our own transit wheelchair. Taxi drops us off at the airport at the Special Assistance kiosk in the airport carpàrk. Phone them. They puck us up and help with the luggage.
fly non stop or attach a wheel chair request to your travel itinerary. I finally bit the bullet. My walk has deteriorated and I’ve thrown in the towel on E-7 to terminal 4 Gate A17.
I was reluctant to ask for a wheelchair because I don’t use one in everyday life and my pride - but the last time I flew they met me at the airport door - I had forgotten that I had asked for assistance! It was a game changer!! TSA didn’t cause me anxiety and I got a window seat because I boarded earlier.
I was solo so the airline had an employee push me - not sure what happens when you have a long flight delay?
all good suggestions. The only thing I would add is to take your medications with you on the plane just in case your checked luggage gets lost.
Always!
My recent trip was great. I had a companion who travelled free and we booked first class. We also took advantage of the free wheelchair service and had a chair waiting at each flight, and assistance to deplane, and get to connecting flights.. Talk to available airlines about what they offer to disabled flyers.
My recent trip was great. I had a companion who travelled free and we booked first class. We also took advantage of the free wheelchair service and had a chair waiting at each flight, and assistance to deplane, and get to connecting flights.. Talk to available airlines about what they offer to disabled flyers.
In many airports, you can request a ride to the gate. The airlines use golf cart like ride aboard shuttles and an airport employee drives you to the gate. It’s awesome. My sister needed one for a trip we took together and I got the luxury of joining her. Super.
I always get wheelchair access they take me to the gate me put my bag for me and push me through a shorter passport so it's a very pleasant experience. I also take my walking stick mostly I use this as it warns people that I'm not drunk I'm not stupid. I have an issue as I'm only 60. I think people think I'm drunk when I stagger or walk about so ttevstick is helpful. After falling on the escalators a few years ago, I promised my son I would never travelwithout wheelchair again.
20 months ago I backpacked around the Philippines and Bali with my and we had 17 flights and it was all easy I had a wheelchair but because there was less people around it made the much easier and my sons were with me.
Has anyone taken their own folding lightweight wheelchair? Perhaps it’s even more flexible and independent to take your own?
This is my own personal experience...not saying it's for everyone. First thing I had to do was swallow my pride and admit I would do better with help, so I called airline and requested wheel-chair assistance for all flights. (I am not wheel-chair bound, but knew I could not handle all the walking, running from gate to gate, etc.) They met me at curbside, took my ticket, and I never did another thing! We avoided all lines, went places I never knew existed in the airport, took elevators when needed, and all the time I NEVER STRESSED one minute, which is unusual for being in the Atlanta airport! I did not even have to go through customs on the return flight! (One person is allowed to accompany you.) I never made one decision or asked any questions, just had pleasant conversation with my helper! I could write pages about this experience, but all you need to do is get started and you will understand! JUST DO IT!! Happy travels!
My HWP and I love to travel and when he started not to be able to walk far we bought a little scooter called the Gypsy. It's made by EV Rider and is TSA approved. It folds up and goes right into the overhead! We get to board 1st, (which helps so we have a few minutes to fold it up before getting on the plane-he rides it right down to the door) and we dont have to wait on wheel chair assistance. He flies through the airport on it for connections. BEST INVESTMENT WE EVER MADE!!
Sounds like great idea!
We LOVE it. We would not be able to travel without this... Well I guess we could with the wheelchair assistance program but we never did that so I guess we spoiled ourselves ahead of time haha. The other thing that really makes it absolutely amazing is that when you get to your destination you have it for all of your activities that require a lot of walking.
Interested to hear more about your Gypsy scooter. It sounds like it’s light enough to lift into the overhead bin, do you take the battery out for this! Do all the airlines allow the scooter in the cabin, or have you been asked to leave it at the door so they can put in the hold?
Absolutely!. So for the longest time we kept the battery in it until somebody let us know that it could cause a fire. So yes now we take it out. I put it in my pocketbook (I carry a big pocketbook on the airplane) It does fold up and go into the overhead. I do have to have help. Just somebody to lift the other side. I could probably do it myself if I had to. A man could definitely lift it alone. Here is a picture. They have a newer version now than we have but we love ours. The funny thing is almost no worker at any airport has ever seen one. They ask about it but usually don't give us a hard time when I tell them that it's TSA approved and goes with us in the overhead. Some have been buttheads and want to check it but I'm like "No way! That's why we bought this thing. It's TSA approved to go in the overhead!" " It can't be thrown around" The only one time we had to check it is when we were on a tiny plane that it wouldn't fit in the overhead. It turned out okay. It is a pretty penny but like I said well worth the investment if you like to travel. Plus once you get to your destination, it's a big help there too because when you're exploring you again have it at your disposal... Let me know if you have any more questions 😊evrider.com/product/gypsy/
thanks, worth looking into!
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