yonatan

I am set to fly IAD to LHR on the 122 daytime flight in a few weeks, and return TLV-EWR-DCA. I sprained my left arm/shoulder badly a month ago and am not certain if it will be fully healed by the time I fly. I'd hate to.postpone even if UA will waive the change fee as I got an amazing fare that seems to have subsequently been pulled, and assume that any rebooking would cause a re-fare.

For the most part, I think I can manage without assistance. The one thing I'm worried about is my ability to grab my bags off a moving luggage belt on arrival at LHR, EWR, and DCA. Will UA provide assistance with that (would they even have staff around in the area who can do that?) and is that something I shou!d request in advance of travel?

Aussienarelle

I have seen people in wheelchairs receive assistance at the baggage carousel, so you may need to request a wheelchair, albeit it is your arm and not your leg that has been hurt.

seat38a

Regardless of ability to walk, asking for medical related assistance seems to trigger a wheelchair. Even for asking for my grandmother to be escorted to the gate, someone shows up with a wheelchair. Kind of drives her crazy everytime.

narvik

There should be staff available at the baggage carousels (definitely at EWR).
Those won't be United staff though, but rather airport staff.
They'll be happy to help you, but would appreciate a tip, I am sure.

And if they aren't available, I am convinced some passenger would help you with removing luggage from the carousel if you ask...

eng3

I assume that simply using the right arm won't work?
If all you need is for someone to help pull your bag off the belt, you can ask any one (staff, passengers) and I'm sure you will get help.

tarheelnj

I had a trip shortly after surgery which, without going into details, required I not lift anything heavy for a while. I found people all along my journey happy to help lift my carry-on and checked bags, including a TSA agent at Precheck, my seatmate on the plane, and someone standing next to me at baggage claim.

zip10001

4 years ago I broke the radius (left wrist) on a Saturday night, got surgery Sunday. Flew Europe to US with a cast 2 days later (in business).
Crew and other travellers were very friendly and helpul with luggage and everything else, my seat neighbor even helped me putting the noise cancelling on my head LOL

Safe trip and speedy recovery to you.

fotographer

If you ask for help.. most people will be more than happy to help....
would not worry about it.... have a great flight

Badenoch

Is your arm in a sling? If not put it in one for the trip. Someone will offer a hand.

Collierkr

or an arm ;-)

lhrsfo

Unlikely that there would be staff at LHR, but other passengers are always friendly in these circumstances, especially if you arrive after a day flight when people might not be in a red-eye induced coma.

quitecryptic

I think the point has been beaten in by the point, but the answer is simply ask someone for help. Most people would be happy to help you, myself included.

corporate-wage-slave

Assuming you can't get it through checked to Newark, at Heathrow you can engage the services of a porter who are specifically employed to take luggage off carousels and on to a taxi or whatever. Ł20, more if you have a lot of luggage. If on a connection recognised by the airline, LHR will through check luggage for up to 24 hours as scheduled. Having said that, if you try and stand near to someone who looks helpful and not in a hurry, I'm sure they will give you some help if you are pleasant and polite to them. At Newark you have no choice, it will have to be custom checked there, so there's no avoiding the carousel.
https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airp...rvices/porters

bballdad175

There is zero chance that you will have to do this yourself or ask for special services. I traveled with my arm in a cast and with it in a sling. If you ask politely, anyone around you will help you, FA, Other travelers, etc.

dont worry about about it for one second!!

but I will add that travel In economy (you are not) is really uncomfortable with broken arm/arm in cast/sling. I would not wish that on anyone and paid for upgrade to business personally....

yonatan

Thanks for all the advice - I will plan to bring my sling along to wear off the plane (it's actually better out of the sling when I'm sitting on the plane so I can stretch it out, but when moving around the sling is good to have anyway as it keeps people from bumping into it and also reminds me not to do anything with that arm that I'll regret!). E+ on the outbound although the daytime flight seems to fly out at least 1/2 empty in coach midweek in the off-peak season so not too worried about space to stretch it out, and Polaris on a 77W on the return. Still a few weeks for it to hopefully get better and otherwise I'll use the time to practice making my most pitiful face so I'm ready for the luggage belt .