Advice for Flying While Disabled
Apr 29, 2018 | 8:58 am
#16
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: United Airlines 1 MM, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,777
7-8 hours on the train sounds long, but I don't think you could pay me to fly 3 weeks after open-heart surgery. Just dealing with the airport hassle, discomfort on the plane, changes in cabin pressure and everything.
Apr 29, 2018 | 9:17 am
#17
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
Before planning anything, what does her doctor/surgeon say about flying at this time?
The advice to travel very light and not check a bag sounds wise. She should also schedule the flights to leave time for IROPs , especially on the outbound, and to avoid needing to rush to the airport in either direction.
The advice to travel very light and not check a bag sounds wise. She should also schedule the flights to leave time for IROPs , especially on the outbound, and to avoid needing to rush to the airport in either direction.
Apr 29, 2018 | 10:19 am
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
One would hope that OP's friend is consulting with her surgeon and the rest of her medical team as to whether she ought to travel by air and, if so, whether this can be unaccompanied.
I would stress that none of the carriers serving this market provide service beyond what amounts to a minimally-trained entry-level person who knows how to safely push a wheelchair from Point A to Point B. If the friend requires any assistance beyond that which an able-bodied pasenger would require, she will need to arrange for a travel companion who has whatever training it is that is necessary for her situation.
I would stress that none of the carriers serving this market provide service beyond what amounts to a minimally-trained entry-level person who knows how to safely push a wheelchair from Point A to Point B. If the friend requires any assistance beyond that which an able-bodied pasenger would require, she will need to arrange for a travel companion who has whatever training it is that is necessary for her situation.