Escorting Elderly Parents to Gate?
 

Next year my elderly parents will be flying from LAX to SYD with Qantas, so from Tom Bradley Terminal. They have never flown before (they are getting here be cruising from Australia to USA), and are understandably nervous. I wol dliek to be able to escort them all the way to the gate, and am wondering if Gate Passes still exist, especially for international flights. Also, what other options are available?

Buy a refundable domestic ticket. At LAX, you can clear security for any terminal if you hold a valid boarding pass for any other (clearing security at T4 when TBIT security lines are a pain is a favourite trick of mine).

So holding a domestic ticket will get you to an international departure gate?. Not sure how?

In US (most) airports no such thing as international or domestic departure gates. They are not physically separated. You just need to go through security. Is very different to Australia and most countries.

LAX has this policy where you can access any terminal, if you hold any same-day boarding pass for an LAX-departure flight

and at LAX, TBIT (Tom brady int'l) & T4-T8 are physically connected airside anyways



not all airports have this policy

If you check in with them and explain the situation to the Qantas check-in desk, you can probably obtain a gate pass, especially if they have a disability of some sort or appear to be frail. I don't know about Qantas in particular, but other airlines at TBIT do give out these passes.

I have been able to get through security when escorting a minor airside. You should be able to get a "day pass" or whatever they called it.

That said, I'm going to move this thread over to the Qantas forum for airline-specific input to your question. Please follow the thread as it moves to Qantas

Years ago you needed 24 hour notice to get this "gate pass" as you had to be vetted for the no-fly list etc. ... presumably this process is faster now and maybe in real-time. AA would give a pass for Admiral Club access if you had meeting room booked at most airports, for example. Not sure if QF does this or not, it is a hassle for the staff and not all airlines at TBIT participate. Buying an Admiral Club day pass for $50 may be good value as it gets your parents access to the QF J lounge.

You could simply book mobility assistance via QF which is free.

They will look after them from check in to the gate and for boarding and disembarking.

+1 on this. The service at LAX is pretty good. The escort stays with you from check-in all the way to the gate and then on board. (If you have lounge access they will drop you at the lounge and pick you up in time for pre-boarding.)

Thankyou for the responses.

My parents, although in their early 80's, by no means could be considered to need mobility assistance. I was more concerned with just being with them through security and finding their gate. I know this is straight forward, but also know they are worried about it.
I am interested in any experience about obtaining a gate pass. I would inquire directly with Qantas, if I could somehow reach the LAX counter by phone. Recent experience with the SA based "help" center has not led me to believe they will even know what I am talking about.

If they are mobile enough to walk comfortably but not good enough to easily navigate an airport, I agree that the gate pass proposal will be the path of least resistance ( and least stress for both them and staff ). If they become cranky easily, being pushed in a wheelchair will be hell for all.

Mobility assistance doesn't mean requires a wheelchair. QF, and other airlines, are used to supporting older people. They would help them and walk with them if required, or in some cases a golf cart.

I had a family member who is older who isn't immobile but gets tired walking long distances. The F host at LAX arranged a golf cart from the lounge to the gate.

My point is when you present at check in they will double check your requirements and assist accordingly.

Arrange a gate pass with the airline but do it in advance; don't just show up and request one.

My sister and I do this with my dad whenever he comes to visit me. She takes him to the gate and puts him on the plane and I meet him at the gate when he gets off. Only once have I ever had any difficulty (when I arrived at the airport to pick up the gate pass the agent gave me a hard time but ultimately gave me the pass - and after a sternly worded email to the airline we got a flight voucher as an apology).

Don't engage in silliness about purchasing and refunding air tickets. QF can simply issue you a gate pass which looks just like a boarding pass, but does not contain flight information. That and your valid photo ID will get you through the checkpoint with your parents and to the gate. If they have lounge access, you will be their guest if they have a guest.

It is not a problem and carriers much prefer it to mobility assistance when the assistance is not required and all you are providing is social company.