Here is a useful website which people who frequent this forum might want to consult from time to time:

Accessibility - Equal Access to Transportation

http://www.dot.gov/citizen_services/disability/disability.html

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Thanks OttoGraham. Very interesting reading. I have to travel with my sister and it would be great not to have to pay my own way.
But I don't think that would do, since I would then need to get back home.

So, for example, this Friday I will accompany Christine to Detroit, and return home to Boston a day later. Then two weeks later my sister-in-law will accompany my sister to Minneapolis (and return to Detroit alone) after which (2 weeks later) I will fly to Minneapolis and pick Christine up.

I can't imagine the airline giving me the trips gratis.

This is very interesting and thanks for posting. I often travel with my senior mom (I am her caregiver after a series of strokes) and we fly often -- sometimes I even bring her with me on biz trips because the stimulation (and exercise) is good for her and her recovery. With her mental disability, she requires someone (me) to always be with her during travel.

I'm glad to see this new forum to share travel thoughts and ideas on caregiving travel and making the process smoother. So far nothing bad to report -- good experiences with AA and UA so far and our treatment.

First of all, thank you for posting resources for those who are disabled. Secondly, thank you for this forum. I'm glad that there is a place to share experiences.

I am currently awaiting a reply from Northwest/Mesaba airlines regarding my mother's Christmas visit to my home. For the third time in a year, her wheelchair has not arrived with her flight. This time it only arrived about 12 hours later than she did. The airport had no folding wheelchairs that we could take as a loaner. I was picking her up alone so it was therefore difficult getting her home without the wheelchair. We were offered the delivery of a loaner wheelchair but it would take it 3 days to be prepared and delivered. Luckily, they delivered her wheelchair later that evening with a "sorry about your luggage" coupon attached to it. The other times it arrived days later. I wrote to them previously and they responded with frequent flyer miles as an apology along with the DOT contact information. Considering that this has become a habit, I don't want frequent flyer miles. I want change. I am therefore considering contacting the DOT this time. In my letter, I also cited the inconsideration of the cart drivers at MSP airport who transported her a portion of the way to her gate, then made my mother get off of one cart so that she could board another. The reason? The first cart driver was only allowed to go "so far" in the airport and therefore she had to transfer. Considering the challenge of the situation, I would hope that drivers could make an exception for those who are disabled.

Am I asking too much?

My apologies for the length of this post, but I suppose it's my frustration.

Thanks

Sorry to hear about your bad experiences, I can understand how frustrating that must be. Ive only traveled UA with my mom, never had any troubles. This week we are on NW and going to see how that goes. I was abit nervous with the carts in MSP, Ive never been on them - but, Ive seen them in the past shuttling around. I hope our experiences are better and I certainly hope that your situation gets better and resolved.

Hi and thanks. I do hope that your experiences are better. As far as the carts in MSP, you should be fine as long as you are not trying to get to or from the gates in Concourse C that are higher than C8 (?). I may be incorrect on the gate number, though. Carts will take you a part of the way. At that point you will have to get off and wait for another cart to transport you the remainder of the way.

Unfortunately, we were trying to get from the C gates where her flight was canceled to a new gate for the rescheduled flight. Needless to say after hours at the airport, it had been a tiring day. The cart issue just added to the 'joy'.

Good luck in your travels.

Thanks