Transfer assistance from local terminal to international terminal in Dallas airport (low cost, bridge)
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We have some elderly guests (from a different country) (aged ~65) who need to transfer from a local terminal of DFW (Dallas) Airport to an international terminal in the same airport to catch their international flight. They would be flying from Raleigh to Dallas. After coming out of the flight reaching Dallas, they basically need assistance to go to the baggage area in order to pick their luggage, and from there go to check in counter of their international airlines.
DFW airport is quite a big one and sometimes one need to take train to transfer between terminals. So, they are quite anxious about making this transfer right.
They won't be requiring any assistance after reaching the airline check in counter as the airlines would take them to the gate after check in, but would need some assistance to get to that point.
They have language barrier (can only read English) and are not used to airport atmosphere in general. So it might be challenging for them to make the change from terminal to terminal.
Is there any assistance or services that one could get from airlines or airport for situations this?
If their pride allows it, contact the first airline and set up wheelchair assistance for their flight arrival into DFW. Even if the domestic flight is on a low cost carrier, there are disability laws that mandate the service be provided upon request. (And if you do that route, note that common American custom is that the wheelchair pushers 'skycap' be tipped after the wheelchair service is completed.)
Write instructions in both English and their native language for the skycap to follow.
We have some elderly guests (from a different country) (aged ~65) who need to transfer from a local terminal of DFW (Dallas) Airport to an international terminal in the same airport to catch their international flight. They would be flying from Raleigh to Dallas. After coming out of the flight reaching Dallas, they basically need assistance to go to the baggage area in order to pick their luggage, and from there go to check in counter of their international airlines.
DFW airport is quite a big one and sometimes one need to take train to transfer between terminals. So, they are quite anxious about making this transfer right.
They won't be requiring any assistance after reaching the airline check in counter as the airlines would take them to the gate after check in, but would need some assistance to get to that point.
They have language barrier (can only read English) and are not used to airport atmosphere in general. So it might be challenging for them to make the change from terminal to terminal.
Is there any assistance or services that one could get from airlines or airport for situations this?
Thanks.
My Aunt who is 83 years old changes planes at DFW a few times a year including international connections. We always pre-order wheelchair assistance for her through the airlines. They have a wheelchair waiting for her when the flight lands and they get her through the entire process including gate/baggage/security or whatever other assistance she requires. Even if only one person gets the wheelchair assist the other person can follow along with them. I accompany my Aunt on her international trips, we both fly in from other airports and meet at DFW.
Your guests will want the wheelchair option through out the airport as this will give them the most guidance. My Aunt typically tips $20 for the wheelchair assist. We have been doing this for a few years at my insistence. It was taking my Aunt so long to get around the airport due to her mobility issues and she got lost a couple of times in the terminal.
Order the wheelchair assist through the airlines. While your friends are on the plane ask them to confirm with the flight attendant there will be a wheelchair waiting at DFW. It will make DFW less intimidating and they won't have to remember a lot of instructions.
I don't know specifically about Dallas, but most airports (including Houston) have ground staff that will escort them through everything, regardless of airline. No advance notice is needed -- when they see me coming with my white cane, they come running. They even whisk you through TSA.
It’s best to pre-arrange the service through the airline. They will meet the travelers on the jetbridge when the plane lands. There will be no need to wait on assistance.
It’s best to pre-arrange the service through the airline. They will meet the travelers on the jetbridge when the plane lands. There will be no need to wait on assistance.
Yes, I should have mentioned that it's best to pre-arrange. But don't worry if you didn't, your passengers will be well taken care of.
Thanks all for the suggestions. They were really helpful in making the decision.
We booked the tickets for them and they would be traveling in April. While booking the ticket, it gave an option to select special assistance request.. On selecting that, it provides multiple options out of which I chose "Can walk - need a wheel chair to / from gate"..
Is this good enough or should I still call the airline and give them specific instructions on where they should be dropped after reaching Dallas airport? Would customer care be able to make a note anywhere and provide it as instructions to the people who assist with wheel chair? Or should our guests just carry a print out and show it to the airline people on the day of travel?
I would not count on a "note" in your PNR (Passenger Record) getting to the Contract wheelchair pusher.
Yes, a note in English (and Spanish if possible) with instruction, with your phone number.
Make sure they have money to "Tip"
Is the entire trip on one ticket? If so you should be able to check the bags straight thru, and they go from gate to gate.
Personally I've never seen a wheelchair pusher, do what you are asking for. Pickup at one gate. Take them LandSide, Wait/get bags (you would need to get/tip a porter) take them to different terminal, and do check-in for a different airline, then take them thru security to a gate. That is alot to ask for.
I would not count on a "note" in your PNR (Passenger Record) getting to the Contract wheelchair pusher.
Yes, a note in English (and Spanish if possible) with instruction, with your phone number.
Make sure they have money to "Tip"
Is the entire trip on one ticket? If so you should be able to check the bags straight thru, and they go from gate to gate.
Personally I've never seen a wheelchair pusher, do what you are asking for. Pickup at one gate. Take them LandSide, Wait/get bags (you would need to get/tip a porter) take them to different terminal, and do check-in for a different airline, then take them thru security to a gate. That is alot to ask for.
Thanks.. the entire trip is not on one ticket.. different tickets. They certainly need to change the bags by ourselves.
Whoever assisting them from American airlines just need to drop near the counter for different airline after picking up the bag (only one). They don't need to check them in or assist further with security. From that counter, international airline will take over their assistance to their international flight.
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