Living Single .... by Carolyn Stephenson
Over my many years of being single I have become fiercely independent. Of course, this also means that I am stubborn and have a strong “I can do it on my own” attitude. So, just when I should ask for help, I deny that I need it.
I travel alone, taking four trips in 2001. And I will continue to travel alone as long as I can, especially since the airlines offer so much help to allow me to travel alone. The key to the success of traveling alone is preparing well in advance. I have researched two airlines in particular. The one I personally use the most is US Airways.
The recommendation from US Airways is to “make the need for assistance known”. You can do this while making a reservation online or through US Airways Reservations or with a travel agent of your choice. All major airlines have similar assistance programs.
US Airways quotes the following Special Assistance items on their web page:
· Require a wheelchair
· Do not require a wheelchair, but have a need for transportation assistance within the airport
· Have special dietary restrictions for flights with food service (advance notice is required)
· Require a particular seat type due to mobility or other challenges
· Require adjacent seating for a personal care attendant
· Are traveling with a service animal
· Have any other special requirement
Additionally, US Airways provides the following services, as long as you give the airline 48 hours advance notice:
· In-flight medical oxygen on flights where it is available
· Transportation for an electric wheelchair on aircraft with fewer than 60 seats.
· Transportation of a wet spillable battery for a wheelchair or other assist device
unless you provide federally approved packing materials for the battery
· Use of an onboard wheelchair during a flight
If you have a Personal-Assist Device, such as a wheelchair, walker, cane, crutches or other assist device, US Airways states that these may be taken on-board in addition to up to two carry-on items. Devices that can be stowed in an overhead bin, underneath the seat or in a valet closet may be brought on the aircraft. If the aircraft is large enough, there is usually space for a folding wheelchair that must meet specific dimensions for stowage in the cabin. This space is available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of departure. You will need to inform the agent at check-in if you wish to take a folding wheelchair.To stow an electric wheelchair on the US Airways aircraft, the airline asks that you check in at least one hour prior to departure if transportation of an electric wheelchair is needed. Due to the security changes imposed since September 11, 2001, I would personally recommend checking much earlier than one hour. US Airways will disassemble and reassemble the wheelchair if necessary to accommodate it on the aircraft. But, you must provide instructions on assembly and disassembly, and special restrictions apply to transport batteries.
Continental Airlines states that the airline “is dedicated to providing convenient and comfortable service to all our customers. Every person with a disability is different, and you are the best judge of the service you require. If we’re doing more or less than you need, please speak up.” We, the traveler, are the airline’s customers, and we should expect no less than this from any airline. But, we do need to “speak up” and make our needs known.In addition to the usual wheelchairs that are available within the airport terminals, we have all seen the electric carts that travel back and forth along the concourses. These carts are for use by our semi-ambulatory customers when walking longer distances is a problem. These carts will pick up and drop off several customers throughout the terminal, but, sometimes you have to be assertive. I shuffle along with my cane, and do the carts stop and ask if I need a lift? No, they don’t. Do they always stop when you sit in one of those “disabled” designated seats. No, they don’t, because non-disabled people sit in them and waste the drivers time. So sometimes you have to listen for the carts and “flag” them down. Put assertiveness to work for you!!
Many airlines have wheelchairs designed for non-ambulatory customers to use in reaching their seat when boarding and deplaning our aircraft. Continental states that they sought the help of the experts at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research in Houston, which provided them with valuable feedback. The Continental chair features four swivel wheels, a low curved bar on the back for easier handling, a full back bar brake system, movable armrests, strategically located belt buckles to ensure a safe and secure transport and a lower seat for easier transfers to and from a customers' personal wheelchair. Most Continental stations have these chairs available in each jetway where the transfer from a customer's personal chair can be made, any many other airlines also offer this assistance.
In addition, every Continental aircraft with more than 60 seats has an onboard wheelchair. These wheelchairs are specially designed to fit the aisle their aircraft and may be used by our semi-ambulatory customers to move to and from the lavatory. In-flight personnel are trained in the use of this wheelchair and will assist you. This chair is not used outside the aircraft and will always remain onboard since the Continental fleet cannot takeoff without this equipment.
Here is one of my personal favorites! When I travel to my younger daughter’s home in Upstate New York my trip requires me to transfer to an express aircraft. I have come to dislike going up and down those little, tiny, shaky stairs. One of these days it will be very hard for me to do this, so it is nice to know that if I need assistance entering the aircraft, the airline may be able to accommodate me. For example, some Continental Express flights utilize stairs for customer boarding with no mechanical lifts established yet. In these instances boarding is arranged by utilizing a stair chair physically carried by airline personnel.
So, can I continue to travel alone? Absolutely. The assistance is available. For some of us it my mean swallowing some pride…like me…but it sure makes traveling a lot easier and far less tiring.
Oh yes, one additional item. If you are transferring from a regular aircraft to a commuter aircraft, my personal recommendation is to make absolutely sure that you have a minimum of one hour layover. Traveling from the regular airport terminal to the commuter terminal can be a challenge. Make sure to ask about the difficulty of making this terminal transfer when you purchase your ticket. If you purchase a ticket from a travel agent, as I do, and the agent can’t answer your question about this type of transfer, call the airline directly.
Here are the airline sites for US Airways and Continental:
Peaceful sailing to all,
Carolyn Stephenson
