Escorting Elderly Parents to Gate?
Nov 25, 2016 | 7:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 223
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?
Nov 26, 2016 | 12:21 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,394
So holding a domestic ticket will get you to an international departure gate?. Not sure how?
Nov 26, 2016 | 12:26 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,948
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.
Nov 26, 2016 | 3:49 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,699
and at LAX, TBIT (Tom brady int'l) & T4-T8 are physically connected airside anyways
not all airports have this policy
Nov 26, 2016 | 3:55 am
#6
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,710
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.
Nov 26, 2016 | 8:10 am
#7
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,177
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
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
Nov 26, 2016 | 3:44 pm
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,593
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.
Nov 26, 2016 | 4:38 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,665
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.
They will look after them from check in to the gate and for boarding and disembarking.
Nov 26, 2016 | 5:20 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,541
+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.)
Nov 26, 2016 | 11:07 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 223
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.
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.
Nov 26, 2016 | 11:18 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD BXG
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,664
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.
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.
Nov 27, 2016 | 3:25 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,665
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.
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.
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.
Nov 27, 2016 | 9:30 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA 1P
Posts: 545
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).
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).
Nov 27, 2016 | 9:56 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
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.
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.