first-time traveler

[lilshawn]

no, not the game time traveler.

i will be flying from my home in canada to orlando for a weeks vacation in December, and was wondering if anyone had any tips or info for a first time plane traveler?

there is 2 adults and 2 children, one child in a wheelchair. how does having a wheelchair work? i know we can't take it on the plane, but do we take it up to the doors and i would guess "transfer" to a plane seat from there? does someone throw it under the plane for us?? or how does it work, anybody know?

i will be leaving Edmonton with a 3 hour stop and to change planes in Toronto, then on to Orlando Florida. during this time do we have to pick up our luggage again or do they transfer it to the next plane automatically?

any packing tips? i know there is an extensive list of things you can't take with you, stuff that can't be checked but can be carried on, and so on, but anything i should avoid? (besides napalm and plastic explosives)

like i said, i have never even been to an airport... let alone flown.... i've lived next to one before (never again) thats about it.

and advice or tips will be welcomed - thanks in advance!

lilshawn

[Ginsu Victim]

Maybe change the title to "first-time traveler"

I totally thought this was going to be about time travel.

[newkillergenius]

xanax

[Dr Zero]

Depending on the disability the person in the wheel chair has you might want to rent or borrow a travel wheel chair, the wheels on the side are smaller and the handles are usually different since they are made for more pushing, and it is usually pretty compact.

Here are some examples






My aunt had to use a chair for awhile and we got one similar for when she was travelling, they just stuck the folded unit near the front but heck that was years back, and when we got home we used her regular chair.

Here is an article that might help also http://www.disabilitytravel.com/accessible-travel-tips.htm] [url]http://www.disabilitytravel.com/accessible-travel-tips.htm[/url]

http://www.flyingwithkids.com/travel_tips.htm
http://www.uptake.com/blog/family_vacations/air-travel-with-a-toddler-10-tips-and-observations-from-a-recent-survivor_2975.html
http://www.momsminivan.com/article-flying_with_kids.html

I like to carry some small bills and quarters for vending machines and games along the way also  

[Benevolance]

Typically when I've flown, the airport calls all the disabled people to board the plane first. Then when they are settled, regular boarding commences. The process is reversed for debarking. And every airplane I've boarded had a lineup of wheelchairs in the boarding tube, which made me think that the airport provides a 'loaner' chair so your own chair can get stowed, but I'm not really sure about that.

Also, my wife and I have never travelled with kids, but we're fans of the One Bag philosophy. We've done several month long trips with only a single carry-on each. At some airports, we can be through customs before the baggage handlers have even unloaded the luggage into the roundabouts.

[JMB]

Not sure how old your kids are but if they are young be sure to bring things to keep them entertained, Nintendo DS, books, portable DVD player, etc. Also pack chewing gum. The chewing helps kids to equalize air pressure.

[lilshawn]

thanks guys, i'll have to sit and read those sites when i have some time to myself tonight.

my youngest is a year and a half so she is entertained easy (sometimes) and my daughter who is in the wheelchair has cerebral palsy, and is rapidly approaching 5yrs soon. she loves playing the DS, and it also helps with her fine motor skills in her hands. She is unable to walk, so otherwise I will have to carry her.

i'm thinking gravol and packing a spare shirt in my carry-on for the potential vomit fest is probably a good idea.

[JeepMonkey]

Definately bring things to entertain the kids, DVD, DS, MP3.  Snacks, maybe pillow or blanket in case it will help them sleep.

[RayB]

Bring lube so going through security won't hurt so much.

[lilshawn]

Bring lube so going through security won't hurt so much.

so when your done, you have to throw it away because it's bigger than 100ml/3.4 floz

wah wah wahhhhh

[HaRuMaN]

You all have your Canadian passports I hope?

[lilshawn]

You all have your Canadian passports I hope?

absolutely. fresh off the printer 

Yeah, they've just added full body scanners here and everyone goes through them or gets molested.

you know, i could go either way... i'm not exactly ashamed with what i have, i'm just worried that i might raise a few eyebrows behind the desk. 

[Mikezilla]

Bring something to eat too. I dont know exactly how long the flight is, but dont expect the airlines to provide anything for you, and if they do, it will be too outlandish for a family of four.

I was chosen "at random" cause my last name is german, and I was going from Japan back to the states. Made me take my shoes off, pat down, asked me who the president was, all kinds of questions. Hopefully that doesnt happen to you, cause that would suck harder than a toothless hooker.

Like everyone else said, bring something to entertain the kids. Noisy kids on a flight is a nightmare for all, so dont be that guy. 

[lilshawn]

asked me who the president was

good lord , they better not ask me who the prime minister or the premier is, cause I have no frigin clue! 

[RoyalScam]

Every time I've flown, I've only taken one bag and traveled alone. So I won't be of much help in regards to what to expect.  But I see that you're planning on staying in Orlando for a week and figure you'll be doing all the touristy attraction things which is great!  It's a fun town.  But face it we're all pretty much techno oriented geeks here, and I couldn't resist telling you about my favorite spot.  There's a surplus outlet called Skycraft, it has to be seen to be believed. Surplus electronics, military, and what not.  It's on Interstate 4 and Fairbanks, right at the exit. Perhaps 30 minutes from Disney.  I live in SW Florida, it's about a 2.5 hour drive for me, but I have family there.  On each trip I visit and come home with many new treasures much to my family's chagrin. I wouldn't recommend trying to get that Military issue  Tektronix Spectrum analyzer into your check in luggage. Homeland security boys might not like it. If you have the time all I can say is you'll love this place.

Regards,
Scam

http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/
The website is pretty much rubbish, the good stuff is on the floor, holding up shelving, piled in corners, etc...

[Kevin Mullins]

how does having a wheelchair work? i know we can't take it on the plane, but do we take it up to the doors and i would guess "transfer" to a plane seat from there? does someone throw it under the plane for us??

I would assume it would be the same as having a baby stroller..... you will check it at the door of the airplane and they will take it from there and load it on the plane. When you get to your destination they will unload it and bring it to the ramp by the door of the airplane for when you get off. If the wheelchair folds up then all the better and easier.

Best piece of advice I can give is ASK the people at the counter as soon as you get to the terminal area and make the arrangements right then and there while you are waiting to board the plane. (after you have gone through security and all that) Don't wait on anyone to just up and help you out.

And like others have said, bring stuff for the kids to do. Your flight won't be extremely long, but pack an "entertainment" carry on for them.
(my last flight was a 1 hour hop and then 9 hours international with a 3 1/2 year old)

Pack as light as possible to accommodate your needs. The less stuff you have to juggle the better. (a couple larger checked bags and a couple smaller carry-ons)

Make the security checkpoint as painless as you possibly can (will still suck) by having as little in your pockets and such. We usually empty our pockets, slip off my belt, whatever and just throw it in her purse because that will just be run through the scanner anyways. Once you get through that you can get your wallet, keys, or whatever back out at the terminal while waiting on the plane where it is a bit less hectic. Once again, the less stuff to physically juggle will get you through faster.

Other than that...... have fun.

[JMB]

I'm going to assume you are going to be going to Disney. Do some research ahead of time to have a general idea of what you want to do in the parks. I think we have been 5 times in the last 8 years. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

One recommendation is to go to Wal Mart or some other store and buy water and snacks. Disney parks allow you to bring in food and drinks. I highly recommend taking advantage of it. We would bring water, snacks, and sandwiches. We would just buy treats like ice cream, popcorn, etc in the parks They don't rape you as bad as some places but it gets pricey if you are buying lunch for the whole family.

Take a look at this website  http://touringplans.com/ some good info even if you only use it to tell what days the parks are the most crowded. Also http://forums.wdwmagic.com/ is good.

Disney trading pins - Your going to get roped into it. Do yourself a favor and buy some on ebay before going. You can buy them in small lots cheap and then use them to trade in the parks.

Have a great time!

[lilshawn]

yeah, we are doing the whole disney, universal studios, seaworld (plus a bunch) thing. we mostly have everything figured out by someone for us.

Best piece of advice I can give is ASK the people at the counter as soon as you get to the terminal area and make the arrangements right then and there while you are waiting to board the plane. (after you have gone through security and all that) Don't wait on anyone to just up and help you out.

duly noted, thanks i'll be sure to do that.

One recommendation is to go to Wal Mart or some other store and buy water and snacks. Disney parks allow you to bring in food and drinks. I highly recommend taking advantage of it. We would bring water, snacks, and sandwiches.

not common you see that at a park these days, what with the $5 bottled water and all, I will definitely be taking advantage of that! thanks!

[lilshawn]

Also, I will be taking cash (american) with me... Uhm, how much is "too much"

[Kevin Mullins]

I believe we were limited to $5000 US ...... international flight.
(not that you should need to bring that much)

[CheffoJeffo]

Security at Pearson in Toronto is abysmal, but not everybody has to go through the full body scanner. Having said that, I am always tagged for either it or the more personal body search (which got rather personal and I much rather would have had a female agent perform that degree of groping!).

I can't really add anything to what you have been told so far. Kevin's advice is particularly good (I have two special needs kids and getting everything set up in advance of boarding is a good thing).

OK, I can add something ... we did a trip to Orlando in September and it was great. If you are going to do the theme parks your little girl with CP is going to ride (or even if she isn't), you should make a stop at Guest Services at each park you go to -- they can typically give you a pass to either skip the lines or at least to reserve a place so you don't have to actually stand in line (which, in our case, worked out to the same thing anyway). Ask when you first enter the park and the staff will point you to guest services. We were able to get those passes validated for multiple days and for other parks in the chain (so, one pass for Disney that we used over multiple days at multiple parks).

And, yes, those Disney pins are an expensive nightmare, which we avoided.

[BobA]

Hardest thing to do is collect your luggage in Toronto and take it through US customs in Toronto.   Hope you have lots of time. I did that flight years ago before all this security and the travel agent said the bags would be transfered. WRONG  You have to pick them up and clear them yourself.  I had only a little over an hour and was minutes away from missing the flight.  Now days you probably need several hours or more depending on the time of day.

You can get a wheel chair in the terminal that get you to the boarding area so you can stow your own chair as special handling luggage.  It is easier if you call ahead and make arrangements for a wheelchair passenger before your flight.  They will even meet you with a golf cart and move your party thru the terminal if you make arrangements ahead of time.

Have fun.

[lilshawn]

Hardest thing to do is collect your luggage in Toronto and take it through US customs in Toronto.   Hope you have lots of time. I did that flight years ago before all this security and the travel agent said the bags would be transfered. WRONG  You have to pick them up and clear them yourself.  I had only a little over an hour and was minutes away from missing the flight.  Now days you probably need several hours or more depending on the time of day.

i think we will be okay with the US customs in Toronto, we have a 3 hour wait until we have to leave. I'm hoping we have plenty of time.

It is easier if you call ahead and make arrangements for a wheelchair passenger before your flight

i'll be sure to do that. but i am wondering, Is there a particular person (customer service for the airline?) I should contact? Will I have to contact the one in Toronto for the same arrangements too as well? it is with the same company (westjet) maybe I can get them to call ahead to Toronto? also: how far in advance should i make these arrangements? when i arrive at the airport? few hours before arriving, day before?

[BobA]

2 or 3 days before is good.  One agent should be able to arrange the details for a wheel chair on all your flights.  Do it on the phone before you even get near the airport.  You want it all arranged before you hit the terminal.  When you call Westjet I don't know where their main office is located but it should not matter if you make all the arrangements for your flights with one person.

[lilshawn]

2 or 3 days before is good.  One agent should be able to arrange the details for a wheel chair on all your flights.

for sure, thanks. I'll check up on it when I get there too, you know how people are theses days.

[Dr Zero]

Now that you have had time to recover how was the trip?

[lilshawn]

it was actually not too bad, it was colder than we would have liked. the last day we where there the temperature was near freezing in the morning. but all in all a positive experience.

we had everything arranged ahead of time. we had arranged an airport greeter guide us through all the airports at each of our stops so we didn't get lost, so bonus 

when we checked in we asked for a tag to be attached to our wheelchair and a double stroller we where using for "gate delivery". it's something anybody can request. we early boarded... we rolled all of our stuff right to the door of the plane. very pain free.

my wife was "randomly" selected for additional screening at US customs in Toronto. And by random I mean there where several S's printed on the corner of the boarding ticket. so if you find "SSSS" on the corner of your boading pass... get your bum ready. 

there was no real crazy security or anything, basic metal detector thing. push your carry-on junk through the machine. excuse us while we bombard your laptop with x-rays...should be good. the security had a separate lane for disabled, so it's a relatively short wait time.

while waiting to leave Florida at the end of the trip some dude got "sick" i guess and couldn't fly... had to wait for an hour while they dug his luggage out of the plane. coughterroristbombplotcough. 

but i'd have to say the airport greeter that accompanied us through the airports was a godsend, it would have taken us hours to try and navigate through where we needed to be. at one point in Toronto we took some short cuts through some "airport staff only" doors... probably shaved 20 minutes off of our walking.

[Vince839]

Lilshawn I am VERRRRY interested in picking up on of those Jukebox MP3 converters...

Vince839@aol.com