Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,826
The definitive word on wheelchairs & carts (subject to change post-flight)
Based on the advice given here, I gave in and called United to request assistance with my flight Sunday, since I'll be getting around on crutches.
- The only assistance you can request is wheelchair. You cannot request the electric go-karts.
- Wheelchair assistance cannot be specified for just part of your flight itin. I don't need assistance at the origin or destination, just the ORD transfer, but that's not how it works. But- you can decline assistance at the airport.
- The carts used at O'Hare have to be flagged down. Strange but true! Like hailing a cab. They have no schedule so it's luck of the draw. Past experience shows the best way to find one is to walk down the center of the walkway and within a very short time you'll hear the beep beep beep of one coming up on you from behind. My guess is that the odds intensify if you're wearing headphones. :-)
- You can request wheelchair assistance any time up to the day you're flying. Doesn't need to be called in well ahead of time.
So I'm going to play the lottery and flag down a cart, hopefully, at ORD. Worst case scenario, I still have time to make the connection at just over an hour, on crutches. But I'd rather do the cart. The CSR lady on the phone said conversations like mine were common, including the embarrassment about making the request. :-)