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Mom using a wheel chair at the airport.
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 3:28 pm
by Capn Dan and Ruby
My mother is coming ( a newbie!!! she is so excited to be making this trip!
) to St. John our 2nd week. She is 81 and will be using a wheel chair to help her around in the airport. She will have cary on only ( my daughter will be helping her get stuff in the bin, but will have her own bags. Mom also has portable O2 machine. When you do the wheel chair thing what do you do about bags?
Do they automaticly help, or will we need to hire a porter? We will be meeting her, but didn't know about her trip from the plane to where we are.
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 4:02 pm
by Pia
You need to let the airline know.
She will exit the plane via the "lift" that loads the food/drinks onto the plane. I believe they will have porters just like at the Stateside airports who will wheel her into the baggage claim/arrivals area. I have almost always witnessed the wheelchair assistants/porters receive a tip in the States.
Pia
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 4:14 pm
by samoka
We travelled frequently with a wheelchair - our expereince at STT was what Pia said - they had a lift he rolled onto and then down to the ground - they typically offer to push the chair (especially if it is their's) - I usually took all of the bags and helped him push - he could a bit on his own - it was quite a production! - some will accept a tip others not - so feel free to offer - my husband was always ready with cash - and we were always treated very well - she will be the last one of the plane though - so expect it to take a while before she exits the plane- they let me stay with him - good luck = we found STJ to be more wheelchair friendly than I expected
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 4:36 pm
by liamsaunt
You probably already checked on this, but make sure it's OK for her to bring the oxygen tank. Some airlines (Jet Blue is one off the top of my head), won't let passengers board with oxygen.
Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 10:38 pm
by Capn Dan and Ruby
liamsaunt wrote:You probably already checked on this, but make sure it's OK for her to bring the oxygen tank. Some airlines (Jet Blue is one off the top of my head), won't let passengers board with oxygen.
She is getting one of those things that produces O2. We did check with the Airlines.
Thanks for the info about disembarking, I did not know and that info will really help!
I am glad to hear how Wheel Chair friendly STJ is. She will not be in a chair on island, but will have a sturdy cane. She has always wanted to come and this is our chance to fulfill a wish!