Good morning, Laura,

First & Foremost, welcome to FlyerTalk!

As far as tipping the person who assists with the wheelchair, that is something I have never done (being a wheelie myself after a major surgery while in Florida). I do tip when someone assists with my luggage, typically one dollar a bag.

It is my understanding the individuals which assist with wheelchairs are non-tipped positions and are not at $2.13 an/hr + tips as you will find waiters at a resturaunt in the US are. When I did JAX-ATL-SDF from a wheelchair, I found it was common to be handed off to different people; i.e. one takes you from check-in to security, a second picks you up at security, and a 3rd helps you board the aircraft. This probably differs depending upon airport and location, but if you do wish to tip, I believe a couple dollars would be sufficient providing they take good care of your mother (see below about ATL).

If this is of any assistance, I was out of town in Jacksonville several years ago attending a conference for my college fraternity. I got appendicitis while in Jacksonville and had emergency surgery. I spent four days in the hospital and then one night in a hotel before returning. The hotel staff was of great assistance when I returned, knowing I had been in the hospital. Driving back to the airport and returning my rental auto was by far the most difficult and painful part of the trip (aside from the surgery and hospital bit).

Like you, I had called and notified the airline, DL in my case, that I would need wheelchair assistance. At JAX, a kind passenger who was also returning an auto assisted me with my luggage and I was able to walk across to the airport terminal from the rental car garage. Once in the vicinity of the DL counter I was immediately provided with a wheelchair and was provided with assistance.

I had to fly JAX-ATL-SDF, but this was pre-TSA. In JAX they took great care of me, including assisting me through security and to the gate. Security at JAX was extremely considerate and did a good job screening me without causing much discomfort. On the JAX-ATL flight there were two of us who needed assistance, both going to SDF coincidently. The other wheelchair passenger was seated next to me on the aircraft and we had a good discussion. She was also glad I was going onto Louisville on the same connecting flight.

Upon arrival at ATL, the individuals who assisted us and pushed our wheelchairs from gate to gate were rude and just didn't care - we were treated like an inconvienience. Once at the connecting gate we were put in a spot well back from the gate & the wheelchair pushers left without saying a word.

The lady who was connecting onward with me could not walk at all and needed some assistance after 30 minutes; with no one around to assist, I got up, purchased a drink for her to take medications and helped get a couple things out of her carry-on. It wasn't easy walking after major surgery, but I was capable of walking short distances. There was no way I could have made the connection at ATL without wheelchair assistance. While I was thankful for the wheelchair assistance at ATL, it was upsetting to be treated as an "inconvienience". There is no way I would have even considered tipping; filing a complaint, yes -- tip: no.

Finally, because of where we were left, when boarding time came DL didn't even see us and I had to get out of the wheelchair to get their attention. If I wasn't there, I could easily see DL boarding the flight and leaving this older lady behind because of where we were left. I've read reports of this happening to the disabled in the media (left behind in a wheelchair near the gate) and I'd be willing to bet it happens more often than one would think based on my one experience.

Upon arrival at SDF it was the same routine; all passengers deplaned and then we were assisted with wheelchairs and I had a family member meet me at the gate. As far as wheelchair assistance levels, I was able to get up and board the plane and de-plane from the end of the jetway. For the other passenger, they had a special wheelchair which went down the aisle. I recall this question being asked when I called DL for wheelchair assistance (whether I would be able to board the plane from the end of the jetway or if I needed a special wheelchair to get down the aisle).

It should be much easier for your mother, as she'll have you to watch after her. I don't know if you're connecting anywhere or going non-stop, but I wish you the best of luck and hopefully you will have a better experience than I did when it comes to wheelchair assistance.

Best Regards,

SDF_Traveler

P.S. When I did JAX-ATL-SDF I checked my small carry-on suitcase and only carried on a small backpack with a few essential/valuable items in it.

Get familiar with TSA website
 

Generally, people here bash the TSA for overzealous security practices, but you should familiarize yourself with their recommendations re: disabilities.

http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/e...orial_1572.xml

Get your needs into your reservation. Inform the airline. Get a Skycap, if appropriate. Get yourself screened first. Have someone else familiar there with you to wait with your child while you are screened. REQUEST private screening up front, and fully explain to screener the situation, your child's needs/abilities, etc. You have the right to remain with you special needs child during screening. Again, familiarize yourself with TSA's website and purported standard operating proceedures. You'll at least know more than they will at that point ;) . POLITELY and COURTEOUSLY work with screener. with most of them, it will help. There are a few "moat dragons" out there, but I don't think they are the ones that would be entrusted to a situation such as yours.

Practice taking shoes off/on with child BEFORE you get to the airport, if your kid is open to that. Make sure he/she has slip on shoes.

Patience, politeness, and a good attitude will help. Also, inform gate agent when you get there, and F/A when you board of any special needs. Pre-board, you're entitled.

Have a good trip.

txrus, welcome. Don't be shy about posting here, there and everywhere. Matter of fact, I recommend clicking on the "new posts" button. It's a great way to read topics from boards that you might not ordinarily think to read.

Before you know it, you'll have a couple of hundred posts under your belt. Then a couple of thousand.

Regarding tipping of wheelchair pushers, I would always have a bunch of $1 bills in hand, as well as a couple of $5's. That way if my sister was handed off to different pushers I could give each a couple of bucks. But as mentioned, often times one person pushes you to the gate and another one helps you on the plane.

Then, God forbid you have a change of planes, more pushers.

I have had some very nice conversations with these people and they are clearly low income, often borderline intelligence people who are out there employed. I have a great deal of respect for them and they clearly must rely on the tips they get.

I guess $2. if the push is only a couple of gates down. If it's all the way down to the end of a terminal, then I'd tip $5.

Best of luck.
Rita

Thanks for all of your good info. I wasn't aware of the tsa website so I will check it out asap.
I fly pretty often but never give much thought into my solo travels.
Taking my son this time is a whole new deal.
My concern is at first glance my son looks "normal". And since he is a big guy and can be intimidating I want to find out the best way to get through the process without a problem.
So I think requesting a private area is the way to go.
I don't want the tsa staff to get the wrong idea if he acts out of the norm.

I plan on having all of us wear flip flops so I hope that will forgo any slow down shoe removal. As well as keeping our carry on to basics only, so we have hands free as much as we can.

I have respect for the tsa workers I'm sure it is a thankless job.

Wish me luck!

Heidi.

Good Luck from all of us!
As to your comment on the TSA workers, rest easy.
We thank them around here on a daily basis....:).

A quick note of thanks to all who responded to my question re: tipping the wheelchair assistants as well as the warm welcomes.

Laura

While I have never flown with anyone with special needs, I have flown in & out of MCO alot.

The security lines can be very long but the TSA is very very accommodating. So much they let me up front because I would have missed my flight if I had to wait.

They are also accustomed to all types of people, from children to the elderly. After all, it is the home of the mouse. They've seen it all and are prepared for all of it.

Laura I'm a skycap at MCO, so if you have any questions on the lay out or anything just let me know i'd be glad to help...

at least at my company and most that I know you shouldn't get handed off to several pushers unless you need to go past bag claim. This is typically the end of the road for wheelchair pushing skycaps as many have to catch more flights. Most skycaps will help you as much as they can provided they don't miss any flights, but as a general rule if you need help past baggage claim then you will need to get a skycap there to help you to your rental car or shuttle. If you’re being picked up outside then most of the time they can help you with your luggage out the door.

As for the tip thing its up to you. As said before some wheelchair pushers do not make $2.13 they make min wage. Some pushers do only make 2.13 it depends if that company had them doing wheelchairs all day or on a rotating bases. In my company we make min wage...As someone said $5 is great and any pusher would be delighted. They said $5-10 in the post, I would say go over $5 only if they went the extra mile for you and really helped you out because ten is a really nice tip. :D

What kind of transportation will you be using? If your using a rent a car go online first and try to get a expeditor program (i.e. emerald isle, quicksilver, fast break, preferred) that can save you alot of time at MCO. Also i might suggest using a rent a car on site in this case because off site companies you have to take a shuttle and you can never tell if there will be someone at the other end that will be able to help you with the bags or even a wheelchair. If you do want to use an offsite renter..make sure you ask if they have a wheelchair avail once you get off the shuttle.

I hope that is of some use, if you have any questions again I’m glad to help.

Hi,

I don't think many of the posters really know what is involved in autism - a lot depends on how your son functions in general - I suspect if you are taking him on a plane he can tolerate a lot more than many people who suffer from this syndrome.

My advice would be to explain SIMPLY to the screener that even though your son looks normal he has strange responses to...... give examples eg cannot tolerate being touched, responds oddly to loud noises, may...... in response to discomfort or being startled, whatever.

Autism is not something you should expect a screener to know about - so rather than rely just on a letter (which you should have) simple explanations of what might look like "strange" behavior would be helpful. I agree that notifying the airline ahead of time is essential.

Your welcome Luara...I'll check and make sure where it is before I tell you because AA has a strange set-up here. As for secruity, there is a lane for disabled passangers after you get let into the security point. If you have a skycap then you won't need to wait in the line to get into the security zone. The skycap will take you folks to the front of the line and then into the lane for disabled passangers. I'm not aware of any kind of 1st class line but that doen't mean it doesn't exist because my airline doesn't have 1st class. I'll try and check into where it is for sure but its on....the A side, far right side (comming to check in from outside) the 3rd floor is check in. The have cubside check in if it is easier for you as well.

cheers

Thanks estnet
 

Estnet:
Thanks, yes you are so right not very many people understand Autisim. My own family have a hard time with it much less the general public.

I think I have all my bases covered. This is a new experience for all of us so we will see how it goes. If the trip down is horrible then if all else fails we'll just take the rental car home back to Virginia Beach!! :)

I have my letters from my son's doctors as well as a letter from the airline I am travelling on telling me of all the extra help they will offer should I encounter a problem with the counter staff that day.

So, we will hope for the best. As with all Autistic people there are days when things go smoothly and others that don't.
He has extra meds for the trip. We have been called crazy for trying this trip but my son's world is gets smaller by the day and all we are trying to do is have a family vacation where he is included for a change.

I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to reply with all of their good ideas and suggestions.

Heidi (aka beachlover)

Good for you, Heidi!
Hope the trip comes off very successful and that all of you enjoy it to the max.