Ft Lauderdale airport
Apr 26, 2014, 9:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 19
Ft Lauderdale airport
Hi
I am new here and new to disability issues
I have a progressive neurological disease that is weakening my legs. In June I am flying into Ft Lauderdale on Southwest. How big is the airport? How far will I need to walk? I am not sure what my abilities will be then but now I believe I could negotiate a small airport ( like Providence) but not a big one. I would prefer to act like a regular passenger for as long as I can where I can
Thank you for any advice!
I am new here and new to disability issues
I have a progressive neurological disease that is weakening my legs. In June I am flying into Ft Lauderdale on Southwest. How big is the airport? How far will I need to walk? I am not sure what my abilities will be then but now I believe I could negotiate a small airport ( like Providence) but not a big one. I would prefer to act like a regular passenger for as long as I can where I can
Thank you for any advice!
Apr 29, 2014, 6:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SEA, ATL
Programs: DL MM, AS Gold, Marriott Plat, SPG, ICH
Posts: 98
Here's a map:
https://www.broward.org/Airport/Maps.../Overview.aspx
It says that Southwest arrives in Terminal 1, Concourse B, but doesn't show which gates. It also doesn't show the distances, but Concourse B looks similar to Concourse D (which is what I'm used to)--my recollection is that the longest walk in Concourse D is probably 500-600 feet to the exit. (don't quote me).
The thing about FLL is that they ARE very accustomed to assisting passengers; lots of wheelchairs meet lots of planes down there. So it can take a while to disembark and get wheeled to baggage claim, but they do it hundreds of times a day and it's usually pretty efficient. (There tend to be a lot of people who ask for wheelchairs who end up not using them.)
https://www.broward.org/Airport/Maps.../Overview.aspx
It says that Southwest arrives in Terminal 1, Concourse B, but doesn't show which gates. It also doesn't show the distances, but Concourse B looks similar to Concourse D (which is what I'm used to)--my recollection is that the longest walk in Concourse D is probably 500-600 feet to the exit. (don't quote me).
The thing about FLL is that they ARE very accustomed to assisting passengers; lots of wheelchairs meet lots of planes down there. So it can take a while to disembark and get wheeled to baggage claim, but they do it hundreds of times a day and it's usually pretty efficient. (There tend to be a lot of people who ask for wheelchairs who end up not using them.)
May 11, 2014, 3:53 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
You can always request the service and tell them that you're having a good day upon arrival if you deem it a distance you're comfortable walking. Or if you arrive and see it is too far for your comfort you can request it then but you will probably have to wait a bit because of the large population of older travelers out of FLL.
I completely understand wanting to walk when you are comfortable with the distance.
Good travels.
I completely understand wanting to walk when you are comfortable with the distance.
Good travels.
May 22, 2014, 1:54 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3
My husband requests a wheelchair because he has some difficulty walking. He could do it, but this saves his strenghth. Fort Lauderdale has enough of a distance that I'd use a wheelchair and use my energy for other things. We have flown between Fort Lauderdale and Providence a number of times. Providence is a lot easier distance-wise than Fort lauderdale.
Jun 14, 2014, 4:55 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 19
Thanks again everyone. Thought I would follow up here. Concourse B which is the southwest area turned out to be pretty small although it was very crowded. I chose to walk and was ok. Arrived at the closest gate, left at the furthest. Both were far closer than the other end ( providence)
And security lines looked daunting but went very quickly so all good
Thanks to all who answered!
And security lines looked daunting but went very quickly so all good
Thanks to all who answered!