Need a cane now, how does preboarding with United work?
 

Hello to all,

Apologies if this has been asked and answered elsewhere, but I wasn't able to find a similar thread by searching.

So, due to being a person and living life, I've reached a point where I now need to walk with a cane and I'm a lot slower than I once was. I have been doing so for about 6 or 7 months now, but I'm about to fly for the first time since becoming disabled.

I'll be flying with United (domestic USA travel), and I am wondering if I need to bring any documentation with me to show the gate agent in order to take advantage of pre-boarding? Their website doesn't say much. Do I need a doctor's note? Handicapped placard? Something else? None of the above? I just want to make sure I've got myself covered and that I'm prepared. That said, I'd prefer not to travel with my placard because losing + replacing it would be a pain.

Any advice on how to "properly" preboard with United would be much appreciated. My husband will be with me to help with getting bags into the bin, etc so I'm not anticipating needing additional help or wheelchair aid at this time. Thank you!

Although you may not feel you need it call United and request special assistance, It can be a long walk to the gates and a wheelchair or buggy is a lot easier and will also get you the pre-boarding and seats near the front of the plane.

Thanks, but I'm still interested to know if I need documentation to pre-board with my cane (and not with wheelchair assistance).

No, you do not need any documentation.

That said, I pretty much take my placard with me everywhere I travel. In the domestic US, placards from other states are honored (almost) everywhere. Internationally, a placard can be used in a pinch for parking (not necessarily legal, but usually honored) or as a proof of disability in countries where the disabled are expected to have such proof.

Thank you! Good to know about the placard's use overseas too, I hadn't thought of that.

Agreed. My parking placard from Canada is honored without question in the US. I also have a wallet size card (it comes with the placard) that I carry as well.

Not in my own experience, but....
 

If not, we've found that an informal request to the gate agent allows us to preboard. After all, it's in the airline's interest - stops blocking the aisles.... in the same way you tip flight attendants? It may be worth reading through this thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/disa...etiquette.html