My 83 year old mom had a great experience with Air Tran out of BWI. I got a gate pass no problem, the wheelchair man was helpful and waited while I helped her in the restroom, and the wheelchair guy was waiting for her at the destination airport as well. I recommend calling ahead for your escort gate pass, getting the wheelchair on the other end just so the traveler does not have to make decisions about how to get to the airport exit, and mailing the clothes back US mail so there is no baggage complication. Mom called me from her home that night and sounded so proud of herself about travelling "solo" -- you would have thought she had flown the plane!