I thought I wrote this before but can't find it on this posting. Sorry if it's a duplicate.

We'll be leaving soon for a week in Paris- thanks to my father who wants to see Normandy again. We'll be flying USAirways non stop and I have a few questions I hope you can answer.

A USAir rep told me to call when we had made reservations to request a wheelchair. I did so, and that rep said to just request one at the airport. (?)

We've decided to rent a companion chair to take with us which has four small wheels and we have to push. Both reps said we could either check our own wheelchair or take it right onto the plane. I've read Barb's posting from 2002 when she had gone there with her brother and his chair was missing parts when they got to Paris.

If we use our chair, can we get an escort from the airport to help us get to the gate? I know when using the airport escorts and wheelchairs one gets to the elevators and the gate easier. In addition to their knowing the layout of the airport, pushing a chair and carrying our carry-ons and purse can be difficult, so we'd appreciate their help.

Also, we're sitting over the wing toward the front of the plane. When we land, to speed up our exiting, we can have my father walk to the ramp and then move to the side and get him into the chair. I'd rather do this than wait until the plane empties-all 30 or so rows behind us. He moves ok but a bit slow. There are 2 rows for exiting, so I think this will be ok. I've never gotten off quickly while in the back. Perhaps this is why.

This is our first time having to manage this situation and we'd appreciate any feedback from you veterans of travelling. Dad is a young 91 and wants to go to California and then Rio next. I hope I have a bunch of his genes and when I'm 91 my family will indulge me!!!

Hi Karen, it seems to me when I have flown and there is a passenger who needs a wheelchair that the FA advises that passenger to let the rest of the passengers debark the plane first. But maybe not all airlines have this rule. To me it would seem the most relaxing and easiest way for your father. Do have a fun and safe trip.

Hi Karen. You can find any of your posts by clicking on your name 1) at the very top of the page to the right-hand side of the Fodor's logo, next to the word "Welcome," 2) next to the word "author" in any of your posts. Fodor's doesn't explain this very well.

When I broke my leg in Germany, the airport staff as well as the airline were very helpful in getting me a wheel chair to get on an off the plane.

If I remember correctly, a special wheel chair had to be used on the plane that was almost like a dolly (to move furniture) with a seat - narrow enough to get down the aisle.

Most airlines will have you board first, with children, and leave last so as to not hold up traffic.

I see from your other posts that you are flying on US Air from Philly. The website for Philly airport is http://www.phl.org/index.html, take a look specifically at http://www.phl.org/ada.html. The website says that airlines are required to provide assistance to passengers requiring wheelchairs. Call US Air and explain that you will have your own wheelchair, but will need assistance from check-in through boarding on both the US outbound and the return flight. They should be able to note this on your reservation. When you get to the airport remind the check-in agent that you need assistance.

Before you board the plane, speak to an agent at the gate and request permission to board first. I agree with an earlier poster that it would be better to be LAST OFF the plane, as the plane will be empty, aisles will be easier to negotiate, and flight attendants will have more time to help you set up the chair, etc. However if you want to de-board first, then when you board, speak to a flight attendant and request that you and your father be allowed to de-board first or with the first class/business class passengers. If there are any empty first or business class seats, perhaps they would let your father (and maybe you) sit in these seats just for the landing, so that he is closer to the exit and won’t disturb the coach passengers who normally have to wait to exit until first and business have exited.

In France, a day or so before your return flight, have your hotel call the airline and explain that you will have your own wheelchair but will need assistance at check-in. This hopefully will already have been taken care of by your airline on the US-end, but it never hurts.

ttt for KarenAG

There may be another reason why the airlines board those that are wheelchair bound first and deplane them last. If a plane has landed and allows wheelchair bound individuals to deplane first, there would be no way to quickly clear the aisles should an emergency arise that would require emergency deplaning.

Yay! Thank you all for your help. I've learned so much from this site. Now I can check my stuff without going through hundreds of questions. Thank you all for your input. This trip will be a bit different from our others, so the more I know, the more I relax. One other ? - what is ttt?
K

KarenAG - ttt = topping. That's where a Fodors member brings the question back to the top, so other people can see it again or reply to it. You've seen how fast something goes out of the top 50, this just brings it back to other people's attention.

Hi--my brother says when he flies again, he will pack a roll of duct tape, so that the leg and arm pieces can be taped together, and hopefully not suffer a loss. I do think you are best to wait until other passengers have debarked, even if your Dad can walk a little. After sitting for 8+ hours, 5-10 minutes more won't matter, and if he should stumble while people are crowded behind him, he would probably feel pretty bad. I recently traveled with my sister, who walks with a cane and it was definitely better to wait.
I would also recommend that you have some small bills to tip the person that assists you with the chair.