Here’s the situation: Grandma is coming to visit - by air. But can Grandma get on the plane by herself?
This is a question facing many families these days - is their beloved senior citizen physically and
mentally up to the challenge of navigating a crowded airport and getting through the rigors of security?
If you’re not sure, we have some strategies to you can use to help them.
In a perfect world, you invite your grandmother to come out and visit you and she hops on a
plane. But what if your grandmother is 90 years old? Maybe she’s still as sharp as ever, but
a 90 year old will probably have some physical limitations. A traveling companion would be
ideal. Or you could come out and escort grandmother yourself. But sometimes that’s not
possible.
Enlist a friend to escort Grandma to the airport - and maybe, to the gate. Unfortunately, most
airlines will not allow someone to escort a senior through security as is standard for children
- though some people tell us they’ve had success by “begging” a ticket counter agent for
permission. DO NOT COUNT ON THIS.
Start out by making Grandma’s reservations - and be sure to buy tickets for non-stop flights
only. If non-stops are unavailable at the nearest airport to Grandma, drive her to the next
closest airport that can accommodate non-stops.
When you reserve Grandma’s plane ticket, be sure to tell them she will require an escort with a
wheel chair (even if Grandma is ambulatory, she may not realize how far she has to walk in most
airports). You can do this over the phone, or on the airline’s website (in the search box,
type “senior” or “special needs”). NOTE: BE SURE TO REQUEST THE ESCORT SERVICE FOR THE ARRIVAL
AND DEPARTURE SEGMENTS OF BOTH FLIGHTS.
Call at least once before the flight to remind them you will need that escort and wheel chair.
Better yet, call twice.
Use a reputable limo company that provides door-to-door service for Grandma’s trip to the
airport and be sure to exchange cell phone numbers with the driver beforehand. Typically,
you pay for this service via credit card (including the tip) so tell the driver in advance
he’s not to accept money from Grandma.
If you can’t find a friend, hire someone Grandma knows (a responsible college kid who does
chores around her place, or someone from the local senior center); this friend will ride to
the airport with Grandma - and then, while the driver stays with the car, the friend helps
Grandma with curbside check-in, and waits with her for the airline wheelchair escort. If the
wheel chair escort doesn’t arrive, the friend can approach a Skycap or the ticket desk,
and get the situation resolved (be polite, but persistent).
Make sure both the friend and Grandma have numbers for you, the airline, Grandma’s doctor and
anyone else you think would be appropriate.
Before heading off to the airport, the friend can help Grandma with last minute packing: has
she got her medications/hearing aid batteries/eye glasses? Also, have the friend pick up a
sandwich for Grandma, who may not be aware that planes don’t serve food much anymore.
If your senior flier’s medical or mental condition is such that they require an onboard escort
to fly with them, it might be wise to enlist a medical professional. There are several
organizations on the internet that provide these services, but they do not come cheap. At this
point, it might be wiser for Grandma to stay home, while you go visit her.