SFO airport: "golf carts" for disabled passengers
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Silver, UA Silver, AMX Plat, Carlson Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 188
SFO airport: "golf carts" for disabled passengers
I will be arriving at SFO with my mother, while not technically disabled, she would have a difficult time walking any long distance in the terminal. At my home airport, MSP, there are 'golf cart' shuttles running routes throughout the terminal. Hop on, hop off. Very handy.
Does SFO have anything like this? If not I will order a wheelchair from DL to use at arrival.
Thanks in advance for any info.
Does SFO have anything like this? If not I will order a wheelchair from DL to use at arrival.
Thanks in advance for any info.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DEN
Posts: 1,962
I don't know that they don't exist, I'm just thinking better not to count on them. Sometime when you request wheelchair assist from the airline, in fact what you get is a golf cart. Ask DL when you call them.
I can't get excited about the difference between wheelchair with pusher and the golf cart - but some people seem to think it's very important to get one rather than the other (assuming we're talking about a person who can climb into the cart, etc). Either way you're getting an assist with a long distance walk.
I can't get excited about the difference between wheelchair with pusher and the golf cart - but some people seem to think it's very important to get one rather than the other (assuming we're talking about a person who can climb into the cart, etc). Either way you're getting an assist with a long distance walk.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Silver, UA Silver, AMX Plat, Carlson Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 188
You guessed correctly. For my mother, a golf cart ride is VERY different than a wheelchair. In the golf cart she doesn't "look like an old lady". She is 80! LOL
#6
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DEN
Posts: 1,962
I'm sure there are a lot of older people who feel the same way. For once, I can sympathize with the airline/airport - must be frustrating for them to have people insisting on the carts if someone is standing there with a wheelchair for them.
#7
Moderator: Mileage Run, United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The City/Honolulu
Programs: UA 3MM; Hyatt Glob*****; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,472
I will be arriving at SFO with my mother, while not technically disabled, she would have a difficult time walking any long distance in the terminal. At my home airport, MSP, there are 'golf cart' shuttles running routes throughout the terminal. Hop on, hop off. Very handy.
Does SFO have anything like this? If not I will order a wheelchair from DL to use at arrival.
Thanks in advance for any info.
Does SFO have anything like this? If not I will order a wheelchair from DL to use at arrival.
Thanks in advance for any info.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,659
ON DL check in or ticket page you can request mobility assistance, there are different level of assistance require.
Just check what she requires and it will be ordered. Also her needs of assistance will be noted in her PNR and boarding passes. There might be a wait when you check in at your first location for the assistance (they have no idea when you will be there). All intermediate stopovers she will be assisted from her plane to the next gate and from the gate at destination to baggage claims or beyond.
A benefit of mobility assistance is bypassing the long lineup at checkpoints. As her travel companion you will be entitle to the same express lane service.
Just check what she requires and it will be ordered. Also her needs of assistance will be noted in her PNR and boarding passes. There might be a wait when you check in at your first location for the assistance (they have no idea when you will be there). All intermediate stopovers she will be assisted from her plane to the next gate and from the gate at destination to baggage claims or beyond.
A benefit of mobility assistance is bypassing the long lineup at checkpoints. As her travel companion you will be entitle to the same express lane service.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Silver, UA Silver, AMX Plat, Carlson Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 188
Thank you all for the answers
Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful replies. I will order the assistance on the website and then confirm via phone the day before.
^
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#10
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,720
Just flew out of SFO last month, and there were some sort of carts zipping around the terminal that Jet Blue flies from. I'm not sure if they were for pax or not, but I did see (and was almost run over by) carts in the terminal.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Silver, UA Silver, AMX Plat, Carlson Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 188
I have nearly been run over by the carts at IAH! The drivers at MSP are a good balance of careful to walkers but quick for the riders. I did confirm with DL today that a wheel chair is requested. Can't specify that I only need it at SFO, since MSP has the carts. Oh well.