I'm going on holiday on a plane for the first time in years and need advice

happyman
happyman Community Member Posts: 105 Empowering
in Transport and travel

I am worried about the long distance from checking in my baggage to the airport departure lounge. there is no way I am going to be able to walk that distance in the short time I have.

And what is worrying me is this new EU's Entry/Exit System (EES).  I have heard of the horror stories and see the videos. There is no way I can stand on my feet for long periods of time. I am off to Malta and worried about the way back as well.

I am fine getting on the plane, that's not the problem, it is the walking that is the problem for me. I don't want to be taken on the plane just help getting to the departure lounge at the airport in the uk and on the way back to get from entrance of the airport to the departure lounge to come back home.

can anyone give me advice please

Comments

  • Kiki23
    Kiki23 Community Member Posts: 327 Empowering
    edited July 20

    You can ask for airport assistance by getting in touch with your airline provider.

    Anyone with a visible or non-visible disability, reduced mobility, advanced age, or a temporary injury qualifies for free airport assistance (such as wheelchair service, buggy transport, or guidance). You do not need to provide medical proof, but you need to pre-book this support with your airline at least a week before your flight

    I hope you have a wonderful holiday 😊

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Community Member Posts: 8,985 Championing

    You can ask for Assisted Travel to plane steps.

    You'll be pushed in a wheelchair to the plane steps.

    If they are short staffed, you might get the next level of assistance which is to be taken onto the plane.

    I did this last year it was absolutely brilliant, couldn't have managed without it.

  • gabrielhowells
    gabrielhowells Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    I hope your trip goes smoothly. If walking long distances is difficult, it's worth contacting your airline or the airport in advance to request special assistance. Most airports can arrange wheelchair support or a buggy service from check-in to the departure gate and again when you arrive. That can make the journey much more comfortable and less stressful.

  • happyman
    happyman Community Member Posts: 105 Empowering

    Went and it was a bit of a nightmare. Not many seats on the way or on the way back, so it took a long time to get there. Decided against airport assistance because I thought it would be better for people who have more health problems than me. With all the walking involved, dont think I will be doing it again very soon. Caused too much pain

  • CarNineSix
    CarNineSix Community Member Posts: 32 Connected

    As my nan used to say, "Don't ask, don't get".

    Give the airport a call and see if they have a system in place like the Golf cart things.

  • Kimi87
    Kimi87 Community Member Posts: 8,985 Championing

    It's a shame you decided against assisted travel, and suffered as a result.

    All kinds of people use it, there isn't any threshold etc.

  • Stellar
    Stellar Community Member Posts: 561 Trailblazing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1144593#Comment_1144593

    you should've accepted it. seems you have a lot of internalised ableism you gotta work on.

  • MrHappy2
    MrHappy2 Community Member Posts: 40 Contributor

    Special assistance for disabled passengers is completely free of charge at all UK and EU airports but there are also commercial 3rd party VIP services located at many airports which offer extra stuff like meet and greet, personal shoppers, speedier access through passport control and security etc.

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