Daffodil Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 Last week a friend had a horrid experience travelling through different airports , hitting cancellations and delays Just trying to get home. So what you may think, that happens all the time. Thing I should she has a BI and noone helped her. She didn’t book assistance , didn’t require or want any but when she then needed help as the day wore on she’s couldnt get it. I was no stranger to air travel pre my SAH but the noise, intensity and general airport chaos means I find it very hard now and that’s before the flight even. Airport travel is hard on a good day but when it goes wrong having a way to get help and out of the noise could be important. Good news though is apparently there is a little known scheme in the U.K. airports for people with Invisble disability who want to travel independently... so if this applies to you then you might want to arrange yours for next travel. I expect you could also use the Headway card if you have one which would also help. Asking for help in these situations is important but can be hard to do when you are already struggling and often by the time you realise you need help then it can be tricky to be logical. I will be sorting mine for our Next family trip but will also be taking my stick, sunglasses and hat which often sees me pulled out of queues too. This is copied from Birmingham airport site but I think all London ones offer it as well and probably others too. Not sure about US and others places , anyone know? Quote Travelling with a Hidden Disability Do you have a hidden disability but want to be independent through the Airport? If you or someone you are travelling with have a hidden disability and feel you may need additional support as you travel independently through the Airport. OCS our Special Assistance Provider will be happy to provide you with a lanyard which will discreetly identify you to Airport staff as requiring additional support. These lanyards can be collected from the OCS Helpdesk on the ground floor of the Terminal Building opposite Spar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 EMA have a certificate you fill in that you show when requiring assistance, suspect it is much the same as having a lanyard. I have never filled one in and have never needed one.My assistance is always prebooked at the time of booking a flight or holiday and it has never failed me yet. I am well known to the assistance staff at EMA, I travel so often they have remembered me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman23 Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 We took a monk back home to Burma from maryland after he had a stroke in 2010. Very nice monk but he s non compliant with meds and diet. That s the problem with older generation. It was me, hubby and two other people. We bought three seats for him so he can lie down. It was from Maryland, New York, Germany, Singapore and Yangon. We had all paperwork filled out. He can’t walk so someone had to take him with special chair into the plane. When we got to the jfk airport in New York, Singapore airline counter hasn’t open yet. There are no chairs to sit but they are taking away his wheelchair because the time is up. They say we can go sit at food court. Yes but how is he going to be back to the gate. He can’t walk. I had to argue and they let us keep the wheelchair. Germany airport was just a transit and they were helpful. We stayed and rested at a hotel in Singapore . Again airport gave us issues saying he can’t get on the plane because we don’t have enough “documentation.” Of course they hear from me about how other airlines were ok and let him thru and the flight from Singapore to Home is only a few hours. I was upset and I might have even said I ll sue them. They finally let us go. I think we called US and someone faxed the airline a letter also. I forgot now that it s been so many years. But it was not easy even we filled out paperwork in advance. Now I m glad there are flights from Dulles , dc to Korea and then Home. Make things much easier. I would fill out paperwork and prepare since I feel that airport staff is already overwhelmed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahLS Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 Thank you for this information, currently the only trips we have planned are from our local airport (Norwich) and as this only has about 5 flights a day so even on the busiest days the terminal doesn't get too full but I was dreading having to fly from a bigger place. Knowing that there is some discreet help available if things get too much is another (currently non-existent) worry off my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winb143 Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 Thanks for that post Daffs and Super, it was quite helpful, if I felt like a seizure coming on I used to run to the bar and get 2 wines, well my Sis used to lol. It seemed to last me on the trip home and I know I shouldn't have drunk while on pills, but it was a one off and it got me home safely. xx XXXX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffodil Posted June 5, 2018 Author Share Posted June 5, 2018 Hope this does help. Booking regular assistance is good and recommended especially if you have mobility restrictions but what i think is good about this scheme is that staff in theory should keep an eye out and maybe offer help. Also you can then approach, say in the case of a delay and ask for some quiet space...I like it, it’s a bit like the Headway card scheme but for travel . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 Ronnie asked me if I wanted Airport Assistance when we go away and I said no, as can manage but now thinking the crowds maybe. thanks Daff for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Useful to know Daff, thank you. I have temperature sensitive medication (growth hormone - my body no longer produces it after my pituitary gland was damaged in the coiling after SAH. If I don't have it I get extreme fatigue) that has two ice packs that keep it cool. Manchester Airport has caused me more problems than anywhere else in the world on going through security. Even when I explain as I approach, they have opened the pack as it goes through the x-ray and then left it open until they are ready to swab it. This can take several minutes during which time my medication is open to the ambient temperature. I have a letter from the NHS explaining but it makes no difference to the security people. I always complain. I have no objection to the security measures, after all, we all want to be safe. It's just the way they do it that irritates. All I ask is that they undo the zip at the relevant time and do it up again when they have done their action. On one occasion they separated the ice packs from the medication and I went nuts at them and demanded the supervisor. They clearly did not understand the significance and I had to explain my medication would be ineffective if it was allowed to go above the require temperature. That would mean them having a potentially unconscious person on their hands when there is no need for it to happen if only they would listen. I always put my complaints in writing when I get home but I still have never had an answer and the procedures remain the same and I continue to get angry when I go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Macca, funny you should say that about Manchester Airport, I hate it, always have problems getting through security, especially Terminal 1. Always want me to walk through the scanner when I fall over without support, they just don't get it. The full body scanners, well, I once had to have a security person and the passenger following me hold me upright, that was demeaning. Another time they were trying to bend my walking frame to make it fit through the pushchair scanner whilst I was sat in a wheelchair, I had to shout to the person trying to do it to stop because if they broke it I was stuffed. Another time my rucksack was rejected, emptied and searched 3 times and there was nothing in it. After the 3rd time I blew and they did let me have it saying that it must be my folding sticks that were an unknown quantity. I must say I find Terminal 2 slightly better and more understanding. As you, I have no objections to security being tight, it is for our own good. I am always patted down and I don't mind. They do need to use some common sense though. At Manchester, a couple of years ago, my hairdresser was made to remove his shoes and socks at security whilst a party of about 8 behind him wearing full hijabs were just waved through. Another thing that makes me wonder is how can a face be matched to a passport when all but the eyes are covered. Do the people doing the checking have x-ray vision? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Hi there Just thought I'd add a bit about this assisted travel its taken Ronnie 3days of calling the airport on and off when he had time about this today he got though to be told this should have been done through the travel agent when booking the holiday 1. we booked online 2. we didn't know a thing about it till Daff posted on 5th June again Thank-you Daff. Keep telling myself this will be worth all the hassels I seem to be having in the last week.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 Louise, contact the airline or the tour operator you have booked with and they will sort it out for you. I often do flight only and the airline always books it for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahLS Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 On a similar note to this discreet assistance at airports I was very pleased to get an email from The Kia Oval earlier stating that there was a dedicated desk you could go to for a band that indicates to staff at the ground you have a hidden illness or just might need some extra help. This seems to be their standard way of operating and not a special thing for an international cricket match. They also have a fully accessible, disable adult changing loo on site. I was pretty nervous about going to a large event there tomorrow but just knowing they've thought about this has made me feel calmer and more relaxed about our outing. Now to hope that the cricket is good and that it doesn't cause my blood pressure or adrenaline levels to rise too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Hi Another update after getting intouch with the tour op via Email asking about assisted travel through the airport because Id had a SAH (worded it fully) have a balance problems in large crowds, and walk with a crutch. Got a reply back yesterday one week after sending Email, saying they're delighted we're travelling with them, With regards to your query, if you only need to ensure your crutch is with you on your flight, I am happy to advise you that no arrangements are needed. Did I ask that NO!!! If I require further assistance please contact ect: So this isn't going to happen ah well I tried... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Contact the airline you are travelling with. If you have no joy just make sure you get to the airport earlier than the check in opens and go to the airport assistance desk. They will tell you to check in and go back to them. As well, when you check in tell the check in person on the desk you need assistance in and around the airport as well as to the plane door. In actual fact you will be much better phoning them and talking to someone to explain your needs. Who are you travelling with and from to where? I will try to find some information for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Aw Super thanks, but I was at the hairdressers yesterday when I got the Email, so I forward it onto Ronnie so he messaged them phoneing seems not to work they doesn't seem to answer I've just checked his Emails and he has replied to them so we'll see if they get back to us before we leave next week. The thing that got me was I only said I used a crutch I wasn't asking what I do with it, or anything its almost like they don't read what's there porbably just me. Edin-Alicante Jet2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Mario Posted June 22, 2018 Share Posted June 22, 2018 Right Louise this what you do, taken from their website " Subject to prior booking, we are able to arrange for mobility assistance to suit your needs. Sometimes the level of assistance may vary depending on what the airport is able to provide. Jet2.com generally relies on specialist 3rd parties to provide this assistance, who are invariably appointed by the airport authorities themselves. It is important that we know your requirements 48 hours in advance to ensure these are communicated effectively and you are provided with the appropriate level of assistance to meet your needs. Jet2.com is able to offer three levels of assistance. Assistance from check-in to the top of the airbridge/bottom of the aircraft steps (WCHR) Assistance from check-in to the door of the aircraft (WCHS) Assistance from check-in directly to your seat in the cabin (WCHC) Should you have any queries, please contact our dedicated Assistance Team: +44 (0) 800 408 5591" I use Jet2 on a regular basis and found their assistance 2nd to none. Ring them and hang on, they will answer eventually. The last time I rang a couple of weeks ago I had to hang on for 20 mins which is unusual. They are open until about 8pm so keep on trying, it is a free phone number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 Daff, after you telling me last year about travelling through airport with a hidden disability I saw this today from Headway... https://www.headway.org.uk/news-and-campaigns/news/2019/sunflower-lanyards-take-off-for-passengers-with-hidden-disabilities/?fbclid=IwAR2oP0xe5NfQHu3qD90mkqiL4n9K0gdPwenDurqCGAEotOFNHQlcfMVxkNA Hope its ok Mods I can share this?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClareM Posted June 19, 2019 Share Posted June 19, 2019 That looks really interesting Louise. I may look into getting one for me self as I struggle with all the airport noise. Clare xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffodil Posted June 19, 2019 Author Share Posted June 19, 2019 Louise. Well done for sharing This! I found my experience using sunflower lanyard was amazing ; i and family were pulled out of queues for passport control and security checks so I didn’t have to stand in queues and it just generally helped, I will be wearing it this July when I head off through Birmingham again. Great to see Scheme use spreading , Interestingly I shared with a friend whose brother in Australia had a bleed and they contacted Sydney and think they have also started or triallled doing a similar scheme...would be good to know if similar exists in other countries and if it doesn’t why not get in touch and ask them to do it!!! Let us know here..Help spread our wings a little x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffodil Posted June 19, 2019 Author Share Posted June 19, 2019 This is the lanyard. Just go to the assistance desk and ask them if they offer the scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffodil Posted July 23, 2019 Author Share Posted July 23, 2019 Travel for this years holidays went well and again the lanyard use at Birmingham really helped me, they were so kind and helpful . That said the staff at Menorca and airline we flew with were brilliant so no queueing at all for me this time. Makes a real difference so my energy doesn’t get wasted dealing with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swishy Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 Hoping the US catches up to you...Flying in a couple of months and it does cause me distress to be with all the people rushing around pulling bags...lots of overhead announcements...I am slower walking and if anyone bumped me I think I would topple (not sure if I would but feel like I would)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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