pbiflyer

I am bringing in the MIL and her husband to visit via Delta. They currently use walkers to get around. I am planning on requesting wheelchair assistance for their trip. I have never done that before.
They will have significant layovers in ATL inbound and JFK outbound (2.5 and 3 hours). They would like to have the walkers available during their layovers as they are somewhat ambulatory, but not enough to get from gate to gate. They don't just want to be stuck at the gate for that long without access to food/bathrooms.
Will they pink tag their walkers like they do strollers? Will they be able to somehow bring them along with their wheel chair assistance?

OHDL1

Request the wheelchair assistance. They should take their walkers with them thru TSA and to the gate. I would tell them to take the walkers onboard to stow in the closet or pink tag them so they'll be returned to them in the jetway when they are picked up in a wheelchair for the trip to baggage claim.

tentseller

With parents and in-laws with mobility issues, this has been my experience traveling with them on DL.
I always book the service when booking their tickets.

At check in the requested wheelchair service will be called.

The attendant will fold up the walker and pull that and carryon rollers to the gate.
Usually one attendant takes them as far as flight security. Once they pass security a different attendant will take them to gate/SkyClub with a different wheelchair.
Depending on them, they can be wheeled to the aircraft door during pre-boarding.
Walkers are always pink tagged and available once off the plane.
At arrival airport they will be met at the plane's door on the jetbridge by the attend at holding tablets with their names on it.
Some airport electric golf carts are used.

They will wheel them to Skyclub and later from Skyclub to gate/plane.

In US and Canada a tip is appreciated.

daloosh

Sounds like there are long layovers, but make sure to build extra time in. It can be a wait for a wheelchair.
You can request a wheelchair when you arrive at the airport, but giving Delta an early headsup can't hurt.
Definitely pink tag and bring the walkers, for the exact reason -- so they can be mobile after the attendants bring them to the gate to wait.
Atlanta and JFK happen to be airports with electric cart transportation.

pbiflyer

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate it.
And great point about the electric carts, I forgot about that.

tentseller

In my experience the electric carts are less desirable if you have walkers and carryons.

CarmenOM

flyerCO

I've never had a hand off and the wheelchair goes through security with you. Only time they hand off is if there's a difference in contracting company. Ie at JFK T1 has one common wheelchair contractor. DL will push you over from say T4 to T1 and then must hand you off to a T1 contractor agent. Otherwise never seen a hand off.

Janus777

I would second the comment about the extra time..ATL the wheelchair assistance is contracted and service can sometimes be amazing and sometimes is pretty slow...longest wait was incoming TP for my MIL and we waited 30 minutes at the gate for assistance..but other times has been great...and yes tipping is pretty much required...

tentseller

Some airports do handoff and at some airports the attendants go through with the chair.
IMHO attendant handing off is more efficient as the attendant and the chair does not have to go through screening.

CarmenOM

tentseller

Sometimes there is and sometimes there isn't.
Sometime Ma would get a chair and Pa would have to wait.

But in my parent's case, better than walking to the gate.

pbiflyer

A follow up question. At JFK there is the possibility that their arriving and departing flights are in different terminals. Is the bus the only way to get between them?

daloosh

The AirTrain runs a loop in eight to ten minutes, with no charge. Unfortunately, the AirTrain is outside security, which would be a pain. The only airside alternative is the bus between T2 and T4.

tentseller

Done T4 to T2 with Ma and Pa:
As there is no wheelchair facility on the Jitney you will be wheeled to the Jitney and picked up at the other terminal by another attendant. (2 tips)
BTW There might be a wait for a new wheelchair attendant.