Our journey by way of life just isn’t at all times on a street that’s clean, straight and easy. What as soon as was a simple and sometimes inconsiderate activity — comparable to getting by way of the airport — can turn out to be what seems like an insurmountable feat.
At some level, many people might, for a wide range of causes, discover ourselves in a state of affairs the place the spirit is wholesome and the angle is constructive, however the physique is reluctantly challenged by age, sickness or damage. We not too long ago had the privilege of touring with a member of the family that falls into that class attributable to a severe well being drawback that occurred final 12 months.
While she will be able to carry out on a regular basis chores and transfer about at dwelling at her personal tempo, her mobility is considerably restricted, which means something past her typical degree of bodily exertion — like navigating by way of a big, busy airport — may be troublesome.
So, how does her expertise of flying with a wheelchair evaluate to ours — and what do you have to concentrate on should you’re new to touring with a wheelchair? Here’s all the things to know earlier than you arrive on the airport.
Related: These are essentially the most wheelchair-accessible cities world wide
Requesting wheelchair help
When we determined to plan a household trip to see fall foliage in North Carolina and Tennessee this previous October, we regarded for wheelchair help choices when reserving our flights.
While the precise course of varies by airline, usually, requesting wheelchair help on the provider’s web site is feasible in considered one of two locations. You might have the choice to request “particular help” through the reserving course of itself. If the request can’t be made as you e book, chances are you’ll as an alternative discover a technique to ask for further help throughout the journey particulars part of your airline account after your reservation is finalized.
Should you want to keep away from navigating airline web sites to seek out the suitable place to make your request, you can too decide up the telephone to request a wheelchair or different help out of your chosen provider.
Like my relative, you don’t want to repeatedly use a wheelchair at dwelling to benefit from this service. While you are welcome to carry your individual wheelchair and obtain help utilizing it, you can too make the most of one offered by the airport.
Sign up for our each day e-newsletter
Additionally, you’ll be able to customise how the airport’s employees assists you when submitting your request. When we put in our request, we requested that help be offered in any respect concerned airports, from the terminal arrival to the boarding gate after which once more from the departure gate to the terminal exit. However, relying in your specific state of affairs, chances are you’ll not want as a lot help. If that is the case, observe how a lot help you are on the lookout for when making your request so the airline and airport are conscious.
Related: Here’s what my dream journey day would seem like as a wheelchair consumer
Using wheelchair help
As we entered Houston‘s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), we shortly discovered our airline’s wheelchair storage space and its attendant. The website was adjoining to the check-in and baggage drop-off space on the principle flooring of the terminal.
At IAH, it appeared that every airline within the terminal had an analogous setup. The attendant greeted us and was already conscious of our request for wheelchair help, so after scanning my relative’s boarding go and checking her ID for verification, he helped her right into a wheelchair, loaded her private gadgets and proceeded to push the chair towards the airport’s safety screening strains.
All members of our celebration had been suggested and inspired to remain collectively as a gaggle, and we quickly discovered ourselves at a particular wheelchair entry level on the entrance of the safety strains. We primarily obtained precedence passage to the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint and subsequent scanning course of.
The airline consultant remained with the wheelchair and our relative all through the process and helped safe private belongings and baggage from the conveyor belt after every merchandise exited the X-ray machine. He then pushed the wheelchair to our departure gate and requested if we wanted to cease for meals, snacks or a restroom break alongside the best way.
At the gate, he ensured all the things was OK and that we had been snug earlier than leaving to help others.
We had solely been on the boarding gate for a brief interval earlier than the gate agent approached and requested if we wanted assist getting down the ramp to the aircraft. Our journey companion declined, saying she thought she may make it on her personal. We had been then suggested that we may board early when the agent known as for “those who would possibly want further time within the boarding course of.” Once once more, our group of three was advised to remain collectively. This proved helpful and important, as we may assist carry gadgets and retailer them within the overhead bin for our journey companion.
Related: 7 air journey ideas for wheelchair customers
After a cushty two-hour flight from Houston to Atlanta, we waited to exit the plane till everybody else had deplaned, as we had been suggested that this could be the very best plan of action to facilitate the method for the opposite passengers. As we exited the now-empty plane, a smiling aide with a pill displaying my relative’s identify was ready with a wheelchair. She scanned the boarding go for the connecting flight, and up the ramp and into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) we went.
Similar to our expertise on the smaller Houston airport, we had been supplied time to get refreshments or use the restroom as we made our approach by way of the a lot busier Atlanta airport. Our subsequent flight was departing from a distinct concourse, so we had a a lot farther journey this time that required traversing two concourses and catching the Plane Train, the airport’s automated individuals mover.
Our aide knew the place we had been going, so we adopted her lead. It virtually felt like having a private information main us by way of the airport.
Since we would traveled fairly a substantial distance by this level — 956 steps, plus an escalator, inside ATL alone — our journey companion opted to make use of the wheelchair all the best way to the aircraft’s door. We as soon as once more had the choice to board early, giving us ample time to get seated and settled earlier than the common boarding course of started.
At our ultimate vacation spot, Chattanooga, Tennessee, there was once more a wheelchair attendant prepared and prepared to assist us make our approach by way of Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA). Before lengthy, we had been exiting the airport to start our leaf-peeping journey in Tennessee and North Carolina.
1 of 3
BUDDY SMITH/THE POINTS GUY
Tips for touring with mobility points
In addition to requesting wheelchair help at airports, there are different methods to make journey a bit simpler if mobility is a problem or concern.
Those utilizing rental automobiles ought to keep in mind to carry their incapacity parking placards from dwelling if they’ve them. This perk can show invaluable in decreasing the space that needs to be traversed at eating places, retailers, sights and extra.
Additionally, when reserving lodging, be certain that to request a room that’s by an entrance, on the bottom degree or near the elevator if the primary flooring just isn’t an choice. Every step saved will be the distinction between expertise and an disagreeable one.
Also, know what you are able to dealing with and keep away from overexerting your self. My relative observed her power was low at one level throughout our journey, so she opted to take a day without work from actions to recharge on the lodge. This stress-free down day went a great distance in retaining her snug for the remainder of our trip, because it made positive she may absolutely take pleasure in and partake in all the things else we had on our itinerary.
Related: Planning an accessible journey? These journey assets can assist
Bottom line
Traveling with mobility points might require a bit extra effort, however with cautious planning, it’s, with out query, possible. Airports throughout America supply free wheelchair help so that you (or these in your journey group) can get from level A to level B with out encountering too many challenges.
Sure, there could also be points you come throughout alongside the best way, as no system is ideal, however you’ll be able to relaxation simple figuring out you may have assist from a staffer who is aware of the ins and outs of the airport you are traversing. By profiting from all of the assets out there to you, it can save you power and be extra current whereas out exploring your chosen vacation spot.