Comments on: Dealing With “Enhanced Screening” for Handicapped Travelers /1/blog/2010/12/03/dealing-with-enhanced-screening-for-handicapped-travelers/ Interesting information, reviews, and pictures in the world of accessible travel... Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:09:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.3 By: Si /1/blog/2010/12/03/dealing-with-enhanced-screening-for-handicapped-travelers/comment-page-1/#comment-11443 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:58:19 +0000 /1/blog/?p=884#comment-11443 Hi, Laura,

Many airports make wheelchairs available in their terminals and can have someone meet you upon your arrival at the airport to assist you in getting to your flight. This is usually handled by the individual airlines, but it can also be a service of the airport; check their website and see if there’s a section for “Special Needs” passengers (you can often find it by using the website’s search function and typing in wheelchair. )

For getting through the airport itself, trying calling the airport information kiosk or customer service desk first. For getting onto and off of your flight, call the individual airline and discuss your needs at least 7 days in advance of your departure. When airline reps are made aware this early, they can arrange to pre-board you long before other passengers and give you any assistance you need both before and after your flight. Also remember to do this in reverse, that is, touch base with the airport about getting to your flight home.

Hope this helps!

Si

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By: Laura Laughlin /1/blog/2010/12/03/dealing-with-enhanced-screening-for-handicapped-travelers/comment-page-1/#comment-11429 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:33:12 +0000 /1/blog/?p=884#comment-11429 I am a disabled person beginning to plan out my first domestic airplane trip and was thrilled to find this website. Since I became handicapped 5 years ago, I have often felt frustrations at accessible facilities. Check out a post in my fledgling blog. http://viewfromthehandicappedspace.blogspot.com/2011/06/for-handicapped-bathroom-suggestion-box.html. Trying to travel via air frankly terrifies me. I use a walker but may need a wheelchair in the airport. Our local airport has stairs to get up to the plane. Visiting the airline’s website is not too illuminating. Should I begin with a phone call to the airline? Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Laura

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