wheelchair option for the mobility challenged at airports- good value

[thaibeachlovers]

For those less mobile travelling by air to terminals with long distances to walk, the wheelchair option is an excellent solution. It's free ( though I was once asked for a "tip" ) and has the benefit of fast track past long immigration queues.

To get wheelchair assistance, it is the airline responsibility, so you have to request it with them.

Wheelchairs or buggy assistance is from check in to airplane or gate, and on arrival from plane to bag pickup.

[eddysmit]

With respect, there are already many being pushed onto,escorted onto airplanes,with half a dozen others 'assisting', with all of them getting preferential treatment, it gets a bit tedious,and no, for genuine one's no problems,but I have seen many times the wheelchair ones being 'chauffeured' through all procedures, then when on the plane and during the fight walking about with no problems, and quickly off, with no assistance.

[thaikahuna]

I see both sides of this equally well. I am one who does require the assist and am damn glad it's available. I have no qualms giving over a 100 baht (or more as case determines) for the poor Thai that has to  push me through the airport. The reason you will see an "entourage" is the airline desire to board all in the party together. I can get along fine for short distances but due to  a heart condition cannot go the long trek through Swampy and other IAP like HKG, NRT or ICN. Yes, I have seen it abused too but I'd like to think the number abusing the option is small.

[BarnicaleBob]

I have had knee replacement surgery done in the States on two different occasions and needed the airline wheel chair service on my return trip to Thailand both times.  I would not have been able to transit through the airports without it.  While waiting for the wheelchairs to arrive, I have spoken with other users of this service.  I also spoke with all of my wheelchair pushers about what their average tip was.  I found that yes, a tip is expected and depending where you are how much is expected varies.  At LAX, $10.00 was the average tip, in New York they expect a bit more, up to $20.00.  Like anything else, I tip according to there level of service.  Keep in mind, it can take an hour or more to get wheeled through immigration, baggage claim and customs, then on to your next gate when entering a country. 

 

Edited May 11, 2018 by BarnicaleBob

[notmyself]

As a partial T12 paraplegic I have been using wheelchair assistance for over a decade and BKK is right up there with the best service. Also, if you are in transit then the airline lounges will also generally allow you access. LAX has the worst followed by MANchester.

[CNXBKKMAN]

The person pushing you around at BKK wont be earning much and a tip will be appreciated. I know at Manchester they try to use volunteers who don't get paid anything and as tipping isn't automatic in the UK they might not get many tips at all. The people in the wheelchair will assume its part of their job. 

[rickudon]

I used wheelchair service once last year after an attack of pancreatitis. I could walk but only slowly and tired easily. When i booked it i wasn't sure how long i could stand for. This year will need again as have back trouble - i might be able to walk from check-in to the gate, but i might collapse if stuck in a queue for an hour. I may appear fine to other passengers, but to tough it out would be dangerous. 

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎5‎/‎11‎/‎2018 at 10:05 AM, eddysmit said:

With respect, there are already many being pushed onto,escorted onto airplanes,with half a dozen others 'assisting', with all of them getting preferential treatment, it gets a bit tedious,and no, for genuine one's no problems,but I have seen many times the wheelchair ones being 'chauffeured' through all procedures, then when on the plane and during the fight walking about with no problems, and quickly off, with no assistance.

With respect, you have no idea what you are talking about. Read #7 for an idea about it. While one may be able to walk about on the plane, and quickly off, long walks, as in Swampy from domestic to international without travellators, and certainly in Heathrow where there must have been 500 people in the immigration q, it's a different story.

I can only assume you have never had a problem with mobility to be so judgemental. However, when you do have a problem, which is inevitable if you live long enough, just remember your comments on this post.

[maxcorrigan]

10 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

With respect, you have no idea what you are talking about. Read #7 for an idea about it. While one may be able to walk about on the plane, and quickly off, long walks, as in Swampy from domestic to international without travellators, and certainly in Heathrow where there must have been 500 people in the immigration q, it's a different story.

I can only assume you have never had a problem with mobility to be so judgemental. However, when you do have a problem, which is inevitable if you live long enough, just remember your comments on this post.

Exactly i can walk (stagger) about on the plane unassisted but any long distance walking is out of the question for me!

[eddysmit]

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

With respect, you have no idea what you are talking about. Read #7 for an idea about it. While one may be able to walk about on the plane, and quickly off, long walks, as in Swampy from domestic to international without travellators, and certainly in Heathrow where there must have been 500 people in the immigration q, it's a different story.

I can only assume you have never had a problem with mobility to be so judgemental. However, when you do have a problem, which is inevitable if you live long enough, just remember your comments on this post.

If you have no problem getting about you will have no problem getting through an airport,whats your problem with my comment? I already said Genuinely disabled people should be allowed to use a wheelchair when I said 'no problem' with genuine people doing it,and yes I find it very difficult making the long walk at Heathrow and the waiting,and would love to just waltz through it all,but,as long as I can walk I will do so, I would rather see genuine disabled people get the assistance they deserve,not one's looking for an easy option,some just lazy and 'Blagging' it,and I have no need to remember my comment,I'm fine with them,perhaps you 'Doth protest too much'.

[eddysmit]

4 minutes ago, maxcorrigan said:

Exactly i can walk (stagger) about on the plane unassisted but any long distance walking is out of the question for me!

Good one,and I have seen many with the same problem.

[thaibeachlovers]

8 minutes ago, eddysmit said:

If you have no problem getting about you will have no problem getting through an airport,whats your problem with my comment? I already said Genuinely disabled people should be allowed to use a wheelchair when I said 'no problem' with genuine people doing it,and yes I find it very difficult making the long walk at Heathrow and the waiting,and would love to just waltz through it all,but,as long as I can walk I will do so, I would rather see genuine disabled people get the assistance they deserve,not one's looking for an easy option,some just lazy and 'Blagging' it,and I have no need to remember my comment,I'm fine with them,perhaps you 'Doth protest too much'.

If you have no problem getting about you will have no problem getting through an airport,whats your problem with my comment?

My problem with your comment is that you obviously don't understand what it's like to be able to get about easily in a limited area and have a problem with long distances, and standing a long time.

It was, IMO, a mean spirited comment.

Just as mental health problems are not always obvious, mobility problems are not always obvious. 

 

I posted the topic as a help for some that may not know about the free wheelchair assistance at airports, and you made it into an attack on people that in your opinion are "lazy".

 

Edited May 18, 2018 by thaibeachlovers

[eddysmit]

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

If you have no problem getting about you will have no problem getting through an airport,whats your problem with my comment?

My problem with your comment is that you obviously don't understand what it's like to be able to get about easily in a limited area and have a problem with long distances, and standing a long time.

It was, IMO, a mean spirited comment.

Just as mental health problems are not always obvious, mobility problems are not always obvious. 

 

I posted the topic as a help for some that may not know about the free wheelchair assistance at airports, and you made it into an attack on people that in your opinion are "lazy".

 

If you have mental problems you should not be doing long hauls,or even flying, and if it's so bad for the likes of you travelling,and people with mental problems,why not try a bit nearer to home? as for your advice about wheelchairs with your first comment,it sounded like you were advising all to try it,wheelchairs are meant to be for disabled people,and people that have had an accident and need assistance,why not push for a separate check-in,you remind me of moaning 'Ronthai'.

[Katia]

4 hours ago, eddysmit said:

If you have mental problems you should not be doing long hauls,or even flying, and if it's so bad for the likes of you travelling,and people with mental problems,why not try a bit nearer to home? as for your advice about wheelchairs with your first comment,it sounded like you were advising all to try it,wheelchairs are meant to be for disabled people,and people that have had an accident and need assistance,why not push for a separate check-in,you remind me of moaning 'Ronthai'.

Actually, no, they were not advising all to try it.  I certainly got the gist of the post and as no one else complained, it sounds like many other readers did as well.

 

Nor did the OP mention mentally-ill people flying, but while we're on that subject, why, pray tell, should they not be flying, in your opinion?

[eddysmit]

20 hours ago, Katia said:

Actually, no, they were not advising all to try it.  I certainly got the gist of the post and as no one else complained, it sounds like many other readers did as well.

 

Nor did the OP mention mentally-ill people flying, but while we're on that subject, why, pray tell, should they not be flying, in your opinion?

With my reply to ThaiB/L, that did mention mental health problems,it was said by me because of the cabin pressure,on long haul flights it could be a problem,they do fluctuate,it might be a good idea to let genuine people with disabilities,even temporary disabilities,and one's that have had an accident, have an earlier,separate check in and assisted to the waiting area,though earlier check in,thats already available for people to do on-line,or via the self check in at the airport,oh well,'if you can't beat them join them',I might give it a go next time I go back,I have health problems and struggle with the long walk and waiting,Heathrow T5 is okay,no problems with that terminal,so, according to you and yours I'm entitled, could be half the flight in wheelchairs soon,end of topic for me,it's getting a bit boring. 

[Katia]

4 hours ago, eddysmit said:

With my reply to ThaiB/L, that did mention mental health problems,it was said by me because of the cabin pressure,on long haul flights it could be a problem,they do fluctuate,it might be a good idea to let genuine people with disabilities,even temporary disabilities,and one's that have had an accident, have an earlier,separate check in and assisted to the waiting area,though earlier check in,thats already available for people to do on-line,or via the self check in at the airport,oh well,'if you can't beat them join them',I might give it a go next time I go back,I have health problems and struggle with the long walk and waiting,Heathrow T5 is okay,no problems with that terminal,so, according to you and yours I'm entitled, could be half the flight in wheelchairs soon,end of topic for me,it's getting a bit boring. 

I'm sorry, where did I say you're entitled?  But yes, if you have mobility issues, that is what wheelchairs and other mobility aids are for.  If not for mobility-impaired people, what, in your mind, is the purpose of those devices and services?

 

The post you replied to mentioned mental illness as an example of a "invisible" illness.  It made no mention of mentally-ill people flying.  What has cabin pressure to do with mental illness?

[eddysmit]

17 hours ago, Katia said:

I'm sorry, where did I say you're entitled?  But yes, if you have mobility issues, that is what wheelchairs and other mobility aids are for.  If not for mobility-impaired people, what, in your mind, is the purpose of those devices and services?

 

The post you replied to mentioned mental illness as an example of a "invisible" illness.  It made no mention of mentally-ill people flying.  What has cabin pressure to do with mental illness?

 

17 hours ago, Katia said:

I'm sorry, where did I say you're entitled?  But yes, if you have mobility issues, that is what wheelchairs and other mobility aids are for.  If not for mobility-impaired people, what, in your mind, is the purpose of those devices and services?

 

The post you replied to mentioned mental illness as an example of a "invisible" illness.  It made no mention of mentally-ill people flying.  What has cabin pressure to do with mental illness?

You are obviously looking for trouble where none exists,but, I have had a rethink,after reading your replies and on my sixth Heineken realized you and Thai Beach something, were correct, I looked back over the years and thought, why had I struggled for all those trips, what with my heart problems,(on rat poison for six weeks then six months,now on a small pill once a day to keep me alive) and breathing problems,and wonky knee,how silly I have been, when I could have used the wheelchair assistance provided, there was silly me thinking the 'Macho' way and thought if you can walk be a man and do it,you probably wouldn't understand that,if you are as your name hints, as I said when having a few, what hit home was the time I came back through Heathrow T3,my legs were almost gone,after  the twelve hour trip thing,the following year I came through T5, piece of cake,for this trip I could just about move, and the bleeding 'moving  walkway' was broken for most of the marathon walk to passport control, then, what 'whispered' past me loaded with people like me sat on-board,one of those golf buggy type of things,so, thank you, both, I feel reborn because of your correct information and will now ask for wheelchair assistance because of your kind thoughtfulness,please have a nice day,fellow traveler.