ScarletKnight

Hi,

We want to buy tickets for my elderly Mom to visit us (EWR - IAH).

She is physically able to walk short-moderate distances. But, the big issue is she is afraid of negotiating the complexities of making one's way through an airport (e.g., checking in, going through security, finding the gate, etc). And, of course, depending upon the Gate - sometimes the distances can be pretty long as well.

What options are available to us?

I have heard of getting a Gate pass (e.g,. so that a relative could escort her to the Gate on the EWR side and we could pick her up at the Gate on the IAH side), but I don't know how that's done.

I see people in those carts all of the time at the airport. But, I don't know how to arrange it and if there is a cost.

The big issue for me (and her) is that this can't be left to chance. This needs to be arranged in advance with some certainty that whatever is in place will in fact happen. For example, can't rely on asking at check-in for a Gate pass. Or asking for an escort and find that one isn't available when we arrive.

Thanks for your help. I'm always grateful that people are willing to help out their fellow travelers.

LaserSailor

Welcome ScarletKnight


Just make sure you have her name (exactly as spelled on ID) and her 'PNR' the six character code which locates her record, go the ticket counter an hour before she is due to arrive, and ask for a gate pass to meet a traveller. You will get a 'fake boarding pass' and can then go through security ( you will need an ID just like a traveller) and leave your guns, mace, chains, rockets, and dynamite vest at home) and you can meet her at the gate, or escort her to the gate.

Only one person allowed usually. You can count on this firmly.

sinoflyer

Wheelchair assistance is available for the passenger beginning from the check-in desk at EWR, through TSA to the boarding gate, and then out at baggage claim on the opposite end in IAH. Just phone reservations after purchasing the ticket to make sure that the notations are properly in place for both outbound and return flights.

ScarletKnight

Thanks. Although, I would certainly feel better if there was a way to confirm in advance. Do you know if United would do that with the reservation?

ScarletKnight

Thanks. Not sure if she would want a wheel chair. Seniors have their pride too! But, do you know if there is a charge for this service? And, is there any risk that this wheel chair service would not be available at the time needed?

RandomBaritone

Wheelchair assistance is the way to go here. Full stop. I had exactly the same question of the DL forum a few months back, and they were very helpful. It worked flawlessly. There's no charge for it.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...r-atl-bos.html

You can confirm wheelchair assistance in advance with UA, so nothing will be left to chance.

sinoflyer

The way I explain to seniors, the wheelchair is for helping them with navigating the airport, not for walking. It's sometimes difficult to get that through (I think I might be like that myself), but it really is the best for them considering how big both EWR and IAH are.

Wheelchair service is completely free of charge. It is run on behalf of the airline by a third party, and they are generally very good. The flight attendants will have a passenger manifest that indicates the persons who have requested wheelchair assist. Upon arrival, those passengers will be looked after. Usually the assistants with the wheelchairs are already waiting on the jetway when the plane docks in.

bruceba

There is no fee for the wheelchair service, but a small tip $5 does help.
My mom did not like to ask for this service but it is very helpful. After the first time it gets easier as the passenger will see dozens of like-aged people using this service.

Syzygies

Tell her there are senior airports in Florida where if you don't claim a wheelchair, by the time you board there won't be room for overhead baggage. Seniors like to game systems too!

The last time we flew my Mom BOS -> SFO (where she is now fine but too old to travel), I escorted her to the BOS gate using my boarding pass for later travel, and my sister picked her up at the SFO gate. She found it helpful in getting a gate pass, to also request wheelchair access.

Gate passes are possible, all agents know this, and no one wants responsibility for an elderly crisis on their hands, when a gate pass is so simple. Count on it! Your fallback is always a refundable ticket, but no chance you'll need to go this route.

I used miles to put our Mom in First, which I highly recommend if at all possible. The shorter wait for the bathroom alone justifies this expense.

Kate_Canuck

I have seen enough stories in these forums, and heard from friends and family who have experienced (or had family experience) break-downs in service for disabled or elderly passengers, to say that the promise of wheel-chair (or similar) assistance at the airport doesn't always materialize. Given your mother's concerns about navigating the whole airport process, I would strongly recommend that you arrange gate passes on departure and arrival as well as arranging for wheel-chair assistance.

Silver Meteor

I have used gate passes to help my elderly mother change planes in Atlanta on both Delta and Airtran, (when Airtran was still around). Never a problem. I had her flight info with me, was very polite to the ticket counter agents, and got the gate passes right away.

However, there is no TSA Pre-check for gate passes, so be ready to go through the regular line.

ryman554

And there's the reason to get a refundable award ticket instead of a gate pass.

ScarletKnight

Thanks for all of the good advice you have provided.

PV_Premier

my 90yo grandfather travels on UA fairly often between GRR and DEN & GSO, either direct or via ORD. he drives himself to the airport and what not, but when he checks in he just requests a cart assist on the connection in ORD. the counter agent notes it in his PNR and the cart is always there awaiting him.

LaserSailor

If you arrive at the ticket counter one hour before her arrival, you will easily get through security and to her gate without worrying about refundable tickets. kISS.

It is customary to tip in NYC (whole thread on this not worth reading)

My mom and dad have waited 5-10 minutes for wheelchairs but not more. Ignore the doomsday fatalists here.

At EWR, you can sit down and wait for a golf cart to take you to your gate at multiple places. They really do serve elderly pax well. I'm still to young to take one, just south of 70, but I took one after spending all night up chucking bad Phuket fish and then commuting SFZo-EWR home. I was too weak to walk to gate so took the golf cart!