How to fly senior citiezens help?

[argentina_usa 5]

My grandma always flies on wheelchairs. She has no disability whatsoever and does not need the wheelchair. We have her use it just to make sure she gets to the right place when she flies alone. The airlines that we use have never charged us extra for this (LATAM, COPA)

Edited October 21, 2018 by argentina_usa

[lierre 224]

I agree with the wheelchair. Also, most airlines would be accommodating with elderly. Especially since they would always try to accommodate people with special needs. I would check if they can have someone on the plane who can translate for her. There shouldn’t be additional fees but clarify for sure.

 

i don’t think this is a ridiculous concern. Clearly, we’re all capable of communicating in English here. But it’s a world of difference for a generation who didn’t grow up with technology and didn’t travel as much. 

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

I don’t believe any airline would charge extra for a wheelchair. Bear in mind though that some nervous people, and an elderly person flying the first time, might feel very worried being the last person left on the plane and worrying that she’s been forgotten, I know this is an issue for some people with anxiety.

[Alabamak1 688]

10 hours ago, janet3 said:

Must be nice to live in a land of black and white (and grey isn’t an option).....where inference isn’t assumed. Because what I derived from the post is completely different than what you did.....I see someone concerned about how their loved one is going to make the journey.....and you see it as there’s not a question mark at the end of a post.

going aside than the obvious....i would assume that all here are grown ups here and would think that a senior would have certain problems to get through big airports.  ......help? (is not a specific question). As myself i have been in Moscow, Russia and neither did I speak the language and the airport had little to no English signs. I still made it out of there

[Boiler 43,430]

Certainly with my Mum she travelled a lot after she retired. Now she did need a wheelchair later and yes she would be last off but from what I can gather went very well.

 

Not sure what is meant by technology and its relevance but my Parents did not go beyond a DVR and travelled.

[James D 39]

11 hours ago, chi6488 said:

My mother in law might get a b2 visa.  She cant read or write english and has never traveled by air.

I have flown internationally maybe 6 times a year for 25  years, usually to countries where I did not speak the language.  Not knowing the local language is a little disorienting but I never had a language problem. But English is an international language with directional signs in every airport. How old is she? Younger aged mother-in-laws and moms can manage better than older ones, especially if there is a connection. If it is a non-stop flight and she has a name, address, and phone number written down of who she will meet and where she will be staying, there should be no problem with US immigration plus it will probably help her feel less intimidated. A phone number also would make her feel more secure. Be sure she doesn't pack any of your favorite food in the suitcase! Good luck!

[Boiler 43,430]

Some years back flew into Washington, and there must have been a plane coming in from S America, anyway kept Customs and their sniffer dogs very busy and I had no idea what some of the foodstuffs they were finding were..

[James D 39]

37 minutes ago, Alabamak1 said:

As myself i have been in Moscow, Russia and neither did I speak the language and the airport had little to no English signs. I still made it out of there

Once I arrived in Moscow without a visa and needed to change airports. Company business. Hehe. Been there, and like you said, still made it out of there,  but was in a holding room with no one talking to me for two hours and hoping my company's driver hadn't given up on me.

 

[Alabamak1 688]

1 minute ago, James D said:

Once I arrived in Moscow without a visa and needed to change airports. Company business. Hehe. Been there, and like you said, still made it out of there,  but was in a holding room with no one talking to me for two hours and hoping my company's driver hadn't given up on me.

 

sorry, i grinned there for half a second. I was there as a tourist and being a dual national....my second nationality is a lesser known for tourism in Russia, so the IO made me almost poop my pants as they asked a supervisor on the phone and later came by to check my passport.  The only thing I was allowed was to enter Visa free with my first citizenship. 

[lierre 224]

10 hours ago, Boiler said:

 

Not sure what is meant by technology and its relevance but my Parents did not go beyond a DVR and travelled.

 

My parents did not have a DVR and travelled.

 

My 90 year old grandparents however are a different story. They grew up in war torn Times in a third world country. Going up escalators are something they would rather avoid. Flying gives them a lot of anxiety.

 

What i’m saying obviously is not everyone’s family had access to many countries & had ability to travel or access technology as they were growing. Let’s not go on judging people’s grandparents from other countries just because our generation had a well-traveled life.

[Boiler 43,430]

My other was in Coventry when it was flattened, hence the German term Coventrated. As were my Grandparents, different times, no safe places.

[chi6488 93]

Mother in law was approved for visa.  Simple 3 question interview

 

Who is paying for trip??  Me

Who is she staying with??  Me and her daughter.  She still has two children in VN

Has she ever been outside of vietnam? NO, could not afford it.

 

Now I have to get the flights

Edited October 22, 2018 by chi6488

[Boiler 43,430]

Congrats, Travel Insurance is also important.