6 Tips for Using Airport Assistance

I’ve been living with chronic pain for 7 years now, during that time I’ve been on holiday 5 times and I only used airport assistance twice. If you take anything away from this post at all on my 6 tips for using airport assistance, the first tip is to actually USE airport assistance. I would have enjoyed myself, recovered faster, and have been able to do so much more during those 3 other holidays if I just accepted that I needed assistance and asked for it.

It goes by many names, Airline, Airport, Special Assistance and it’s for passengers who are disabled, have reduced mobility or an illness/condition that would make social interaction difficult, like dementia, ADHD and other similar conditions. It’s completely free support that makes your time getting through the airport and getting onto the plane easier and hopefully less stressful.

You Are Valid

Whether it’s a new chronic pain issue, or you’re struggling with deciding if you ‘really’ need the help. You are completely valid and please book airport assistance. The first year I went on holiday I felt like I was going to collapse in the airport. I spent the entire plane journey in soaring pain and it really impacted my feelings towards travelling. It definitely didn’t make me want to travel more, all because I didn’t think my condition was ‘bad enough’ to ask for airport assistance.

Book in Advance

Although there are specialist teams at every airport, you do need to book airport assistance in advance. This is just so there are enough wheelchairs and people on hand to help. Now I’m a wheelchair user things are a little different but depending on the level of help you need, you can simply go and ask for a Sunflower Lanyard. This will allow you (and the people you’re travelling with) to skip the queues and board first.

If you need more specialist help, for example, you’re travelling alone and you’ll need help with a mobility aid and luggage, this can also be arranged and someone will come with you through security and checking in.

If you need more specialist help, for example, you’re travelling alone and you’ll need help with a mobility aid and luggage, this can also be arranged and someone will come with you through security and checking in.

If you’d prefer to use a wheelchair to get through the airport but travel at your own speed with the people you’re with, that’s an option too. We did that the first year I had airport assistance, a wheelchair helped my pain levels, we still got to board first, and they’ll use the Ambi-lift to board and deboard you on the plane. If for whatever reason the Ambi-lifts are all in use (for example you’re at a smaller airport) and you CAN walk but not well, I’ve actually had someone walk next to me holding my arm to make sure I was okay, which on aircraft steep stairs was really appreciated. Obviously, things cannot always be helped but if you could not walk up the stairs at all, you’d simply wait until they could get an Ambi-lift there.

Talk To Your Travel Companions

Ableism and internalised ableism is unfortunately still a thing that many of us have to put up with from our own friends and family, and even though they don’t mean it, it can be hurtful. If you’re struggling with getting your travel companions to understand how great airport assistance is, then try looking on Youtube for some walkthroughs, I actually have one on my Instagram Highlights too. Not only does airport assistance make travelling much easier for the person who needs assistance, but it’s also faster and easier for your travel companions too.

Skipping queues, boarding first, who would say no to that? Plus if you’re ever late off the Ambi-bus for whatever reason, your luggage will be waiting for you and they’ll be staff to make sure you get everything and leave the airport, happy, safe and assisted.

Picking Your Seats

Usually, Ambi-bus lifts will attach to the back of an aircraft, which is why I always book the back row of seats. This makes getting on and off so much easier as we can do it at the same time as everyone else, without having to wait for other passengers. There’s no rush to the baggage areas as we’ll be escorted there.

Be Prepared

If you are travelling with a mobility aid like a transit wheelchair or power chair then you need to be prepared and check the guidelines for that airline. I’ve only travelled with my transit chair and I was worrying so much. I had my name and details sellotaped to my chair to make sure it wouldn’t get lost, I stared at it out of the window as it was loaded onto the plane, and at the last minute I got out a canvas bag as I had planned to ask if I could take the legs off as they were the thing that would be most likely to get damaged, of course, this was absolutely fine and took my partner seconds to do.

I had complete peace of mind that way and everything was fine.

When I’m next able to go on holiday I’ll be taking my power chair and things will be different that time. I will have clear instructions in both English and the language of the country I’m visiting on how to handle my chair. It’s a special type that folds up a bit like a Transformer, so it isn’t obvious at all. I’ll then have my details along with all the battery information that is needed for it to fly. It’s worth asking other people with similar aids what they’ve found best to do.

Learn the language

A couple of key phrases in the language of the country you’re visiting can really go a long way. I have learnt how to talk about my wheelchair (silla de ruedas) in Spanish, ask where it is, that I need one, that I can walk through security if it’s easier. It’s really helpful to learn just a few important things to make sure you’ll get the exact assistance you need.

As you can probably tell, I can talk all day about this. Airport Assistance is so important for me, it’s made me excited to travel again and I can’t recommend it enough!

About the Author

Georgina Grogan is a Disabled Plus Size Fashion and Beauty Blogger based in the UK. She is the mother of 3 cats and is normally found in or around water. You can find her on her Instagram where she shares her daily life and lots of cat videos.

Website: https://www.shemightbeloved.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georginagrogan_/