Coping with walking problems at Airports - any advice please

kentishlady

Hi everyone. Should like to pick your brains for tips with coping with the endless walking needed at airports. Do any of you have any special tips you can pass on please. I find the walking such a problem. Many thanks for your time. Beryl

mike26

hi Kentishlady


when my dad went on holiday with mum and sister & husband
thay paid for extra help from airport staf, and they used a wheelchair and walk him to and from plane,and to the waiting car.
he didnt have to walk at all.
worth asking about this service..mike26 good luck..

barbara12

Like mike say ask for help, I had a wheelchair and was taken to the plane and put on a lift so I didnt have to climb the stairs, when you book the plane it usually say is assistance needed..its well worth doing.
And if you take your own wheelchair they usually board you first.
Are you going somewhere nice Beryl...or am I being too nosy x

stickywicket

Please use special assistance, Beryl. Lots of people need to do so who don't normally use a wheelchair. Exactly how it operates depends on the airport so contact them well in advance to sort it out. It's very simple and you'll speed through check-in and security as will whoever's with you.

I always check with the airport before I fly home, too, as some are better than others at remembering.

Mike, you shouldn't have to pay for this service. It's free.

RosieGlow

Hello Beryl,

As Barbara says, if you book your flight online, there`s a bit on the form which asks you if you have any special needs. Fill that in. Otherwise state at the time of booking that you require assistance. I usually ring them a day or so before I travel, to make sure they have me on the list.

I couldn`t believe how well I was treated. Only had short walk to the check in desk, and even then there was a special counter for those using assistance. Then it was wheelchair all the way. Front seats, with extra leg room, once on the plane. When we arrived at our destination, a wheelchair was waiting, and I was taken right up to the luggage carousel. Also, there was no extra cost involved. It makes all the difference to me as to whether I fly or not, because as you say, there is such a lot of walking otherwise.......Rosie x.

kentishlady

Thanks for all your replies. Guessed that some of you might suggest a wheelchair. Had to succumb and use one at Zurich airport last year the Boarding Gate is over 20 minutes walk from BA check-in (beware if any of you use that airport) - Rome is another dreadful one! Trouble is I just hate having to use a wheelchair and feel so embarrassed and self-conscious, which is stupid I know as when I see others using them I think nothing of it. Also hate having to 'give in' and admit that I can't manage the walking. Think that is the problem I've somehow got to get over somehow

The other problem is that I hate flying (which is another story). Are there any others who feel the same? If so, how do you cope? Admittedly, I am not as bad as I was and will now actually get on a plane. However, it's a case of 'bribery' really. My Son books us on all these lovely cruise holidays which we both love going on knowing full well that I certainly won't say "No", but some of them are either fly/cruises or, as our next one on Queen Mary 2 is (Christmas/NewYear Caribbean cruise) at the end of the year, is mostly cruising but entails flying back from New York. I just wish I could get over how I feel about flying. I love travelling but flying is such an ordeal for me.

Hope you are all managing to keep warm and take extra care if you have to venture out in this ghastly weather.

Beryl

stickywicket

We all feel embarassed and self-conscious when we first use a wheelchair. At least you didn't have to do it with a chatty 4 yr old on your knee asking any other wheelchair occupant if it was their first time too :roll: I promise you, in a busy airport the only people who will notice you are those envying you.

Fear of flying is another matter. I believe there are course one can go on but clearly your fear isn't so bad that it stops you. Statistically it's a very safe form of transport.

bubbadog

Hi Beryl, As you may know my OH & I are regular cruise holidayers! And I use a wheelchair, We have to do our fair share of flying as well as going from Southampton. Our recent cruise over Christmas was flying from Heathrow to Miami. I do get stressed at airports although I do make sure we have assistance at both ends of the traveling meaning destination airport. A fortnight before we go on the holiday I will phone the travel agent and make sure all the assistance is set up for both ends of airport and for leaving and returning journeys.
The 1st thing we do when we arrive at the airport for start of holiday is (after the OH has had a smoke) find where the assistance for disabled area is and we go and get registered in.
When we 1st traveled with me in a wheelchair I did feel self-conscious, but the way some people are on cruises, that soon disappeared!! As for flying! I suffer from vertigo and always make sure I'm not on the window seat, and I try and get myself totally chilled (meditating) once I'm in my seat and while I'm doing that my OH puts my seat belt on. By the time we take off I'm usually asleep! I slept 7hrs of the 81/2hr flight home from Miami!!

kentishlady

Thanks for your replies. Didn't know you were another cruise-a-holic Bubbadog. It's fabulous isn't it. My Son travels quite a lot in conjunction with his work but we have both always loved travelling. We got the 'bug' 6 years ago when Stephen took me on Queen Mary 2 to New York for my birthday present. We have also been on Queen Victoria but QM2 is our favourite. From then on we have both been completely 'hooked'. We have visited so many places I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever see. It is ideal for both of us as Stephen can do all the energetic shore excursions (climbing up Vesuvius etc) and I can do all the ones with minimal amount of walking, although we do some together. On board we hardly see each - we bump into one another occasionally - except for meals and theatre in the evenings as he goes to all the sports competitions and lectures whilst I tend to be lazy but enjoy all the less energetic things to do. It's a great holiday for anyone with mobility problems as you can do as much or as little as you like. Truly luxurious and I hate getting off!

When are you off again, and where are you going to. Do let me know. Should love to hear from you.

By the way, whereabouts do you live? You aren't anywhere near me are you?

Hope your day is going as well as possible. It was lovely to hear that someone else has the 'cruise bug'.

Beryl xx