elderly mom on Southwest

Get to the airport early...SWA seats are on a first come, first served basis

On Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:41:49 -0700, milodanger <a33d87a@webnntp.invalid> wrote:
> My mother is flying from IL to AZ the first week in August, via Southwest
> Airlines.

If she's wobbly or twice the length of the airport is a pretty good
hike for her, I'd strongly suggest asking for wheelchair service.
She'll check in her luggage and an attendent will take her through
security (most of them know the entire security drill really well and
can help her organize herself and her stuff to minimize the hassles).
If she uses a cane and has a choice of taking a metal
cane or an all wooden one, I'd suggest the wooden cane.

Other than that, pay attention to the TSA "what you can carry" list and
taking along her best sense of humor (an appreciation for the ridiculous
is quite useful) and her patience. And a bunch of small bills.

Dressing to minimize security hassles is also a big help... the fewer beeps
you make, the better everyone's patience lasts.

Kay

In article <slrng7gf05.hn1.kay@hub.fern.com>,
Kay Lancaster <kay@hub.fern.com> wrote:

> If she's wobbly or twice the length of the airport is a pretty good
> hike for her, I'd strongly suggest asking for wheelchair service.
> She'll check in her luggage and an attendent will take her through

Good advice. My wife is a childhood polio survivor; one leg shortened
and weakened. Normally she gets around very well, no cane or walker,
reasonable walking range.

But on one rushed and lengthy interline transfer on a stressful trip we
asked in advance for wheelchair service within the terminal; it was well
managed at the airport; and was a big help.

We have no desire to abuse any of these services; but I think the
disability community has enough clout and willingness to raise big
fusses that the airlines respond carefully to these requests.