Flying with Passengers with Special Needs
In recent airline news, there have been number of cases that involved disabled passengers that are not allowed to travel or even enter the plane. The most recent of this happened in the United States when a local airliner disallowed a family to travel because a child has down syndrome.
It is a down right insult to the family and discrimination to people with disability. Is it the person with special needs’ fault to be that way? Such a shame to the airliner even the passenger with special needs is accompanied by the parents.
For passengers accompanying someone with special needs, here are some tips, precautions and instructions how to handle airline personels who defy human rights and to prevent any commotions that may lead to alterations in defense of their loved ones.
- Always bring the physicians letter every time you travel. Most airlines accept this kind of letter to know the extent and description of the passenger with disability.
- Check the requirements and needs if you and the passenger with disability will be bringing medical equipment. most of the airlines does not allow oxygen tanks and other hazardous medical materials to their cargo or carry-ons.
- You can request from the airlines or arrange by yourself additional assistance upon your arrival. If you are going to do the arrangements, be sure that it is allowable by the airline’s rules and regulations. Consider requesting for aisle seats. It will be more comfortable for you to assist and move your companion with disability.
- You must bring light bags for carry-on that contain all necessary needs of the patient. if the person disability has food restrictions, bring necessary food for them to eat. Airlines never offer meal options. But special meals may be allowed if you placed the order during your reservation.
- Notify attendants and clerks for assistance in boarding. You may also do this for connecting flights.
- You should have a longer time allowance for your arrival and check in procedures. You need to ask the personnel to assist you and make the appropriate help and service for you.
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