Need a cane now, how does preboarding with United work?
May 9, 2018, 9:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 3
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!
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!
May 10, 2018, 4:33 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: priority club
Posts: 74
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.
May 10, 2018, 11:18 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 3
Thanks, but I'm still interested to know if I need documentation to pre-board with my cane (and not with wheelchair assistance).
May 10, 2018, 2:47 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DEN
Posts: 1,962
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.
May 10, 2018, 4:08 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 3
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.
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.
May 10, 2018, 4:36 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
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.
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.
May 11, 2018, 12:58 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
Not in my own experience, but....
travel with the least amount of carry on stuff. Wheelchair assistance is a good idea. Don’t forget to tip the person pushing your wheelchair as they are all on very low salaries.
Your cane will likely taken from you and stored by a flight attendant. I often use a telescoping cane to avoid that. It fits in my small carry on bag.
i have never been asked for any proof of need.
May 12, 2018, 5:19 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
Posts: 13,609
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: Wheelchair attendant tipping etiquette
Don’t forget to tip the person pushing your wheelchair as they are all on very low salaries.