Alaska Airlines & Princess

[trbarton]

Anyone used Alaska Airlines using a walker?  I’ve looked at their website & they only talk about wheelchairs. Nothing about a walker. It also wasn’t clear about going from the curb at the airport through security to the gate. 
 

I'm on another trip using United & it’s very clear. 
 

Thanks!

 

Tom😀

[Arizona Wildcat]

6 minutes ago, trbarton said:

Anyone used Alaska Airlines using a walker?  I’ve looked at their website & they only talk about wheelchairs. Nothing about a walker. It also wasn’t clear about going from the curb at the airport through security to the gate. 
 

I'm on another trip using United & it’s very clear. 
 

Thanks!

 

Tom😀

With a walker you are on your own getting to the gate.  Mother used a walker with United and American to name two.  At larger airports it was easier to get a wheelchair.

If you are asking if the walker can be taken on board - absolutely yes.  It is a medical device and allowed according to Federal rules.

Edited October 15, 2023 by Arizona Wildcat

[cr8tiv1]

How comfortable are you with a walker from ticket counter to gate?  If it is too long a stretch, request a wheelchair and they will hang your walker on the wheelchair.  Once at the gate, are you able to walk down the jetway?  Otherwise, they will wheel you down.  You leave your folded walker at the end of the jetway and pick it up for your next flight or destination.

 

I am all for asking for wheelchair assistance.  I do it several days in advance either by calling (wait times can be as bad as Princess), messenger on their social page, contact info on their webpage.  Push comes to shove, you can request one at the gate, but it won't have "your name" on it...and take a little while.  

 

If you have a connecting flight, they will wheel you to the next gate.  You can always decline once ordered.

 

My Air Canada pusher told me that AC was the only airline to use their own staff.  All other airlines use a third party concessionaire.  

 

I am able to do the walk, slowly.  But with carry ons and up/down ramps, I'm much better off with some assistance.

 

Every airline I have been on has the same basic "what do they do with my walker".  You could check your walker through without additional cost, but I would not recommend that option.

 

OLDness has its benefits.  Request early boarding.

Edited October 15, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[trbarton]

20 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

With a walker you are on your own getting to the gate.  Mother used a walker with United and American to name two.  At larger airports it was easier to get a wheelchair.

If you are asking if the walker can be taken on board - absolutely yes.  It is a medical device and allowed according to Federal rules.

Yes I’m aware that I can bring my walker onboard but having a wheelchair at the airport but I was trying to find that someone be there at the airport at SFO from Alaska Airlines when I arrive & will take me through security to the boarding gate & when I arrive they meet me at the gate, take me to baggage claim, & outside where I can get a Uber/Lift ride. It wasn’t clear to me on the Alaska website as they kept talking about wheelchairs & one person mentioned that nobody at the airport never showed up & the person that they were traveling with had to wheel them through the airport. I’m traveling solo so I won’t have that as an option. 
 

Any help, especially with Alaska Airlines appreciated. 

Tom😀

Edited October 15, 2023 by trbarton

[trbarton]

12 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

How comfortable are you with a walker from ticket counter to gate?  If it is too long a stretch, request a wheelchair and they will hang your walker on the wheelchair.  Once at the gate, are you able to walk down the jetway?  Otherwise, they will wheel you down.  You leave your folded walker at the end of the jetway and pick it up for your next flight or destination.

 

I am all for asking for wheelchair assistance.  I do it several days in advance either by calling (wait times can be as bad as Princess), messenger on their social page, contact info on their webpage.  Push comes to shove, you can request one at the gate, but it won't have "your name" on it...and take a little while.  

 

If you have a connecting flight, they will wheel you to the next gate.  You can always decline once ordered.

 

My Air Canada pusher told me that AC was the only airline to use their own staff.  All other airlines use a third party concessionaire.  

 

I am able to do the walk, slowly.  But with carry ons and up/down ramps, I'm much better off with some assistance.

 

Every airline I have been on has the same basic "what do they do with my walker".  You could check your walker through without additional cost, but I would not recommend that option.

Yes I can walk down the gateway with no problems.  I was trying to find that someone be there at the airport when I arrive from Alaska Airlines at SFO that will take me through security to the boarding gate & when I arrive they meet me at the gate, take me to baggage claim, & outside where I can get a Uber/Lift ride. It wasn’t clear to me on the Alaska website as they kept talking about wheelchairs & one person mentioned that nobody at the airport never showed up & the person that they were traveling with had to wheel them through the airport. I’m traveling solo so I won’t have that as an option. 
 

Thanks with all of your suggestions. Yes like you I can walk slow. 
 

Any help, especially with Alaska Airlines appreciated. 
 

Tom😀

Edited October 15, 2023 by trbarton

[cr8tiv1]

7 minutes ago, trbarton said:

Yes I’m aware that I can bring my walker onboard but having a wheelchair at the airport but I was trying to find that someone will take me through security to the boarding gate & when I arrive they meet me at the gate, take me to baggage claim, & outside where I can get a Uber/Lift ride. It wasn’t clear to me on the Alaska website as they kept talking about wheel chair & one person mentioned that nobody ever showed up & the person that they were traveling with had to wheel them through the airport. I’m traveling solo so I won’t have that as an option. 

Tom😀

 

First, do you have TSA Pre-check?

 

A wheelchair will take you from the ticket counter (sometimes from the curb), through security, on to the plane.  Then in reverse, off the plane (someone will be waiting for you on the jetway), through immigration, to baggage, and out to curb.

 

With a walker, the airlines will consider you an independent passenger and not assist you.  

 

As a wheelchair assist passenger, you are first to board and last to disembark.  I usually move up to the first class section when everyone is leaving.  Much more comfortable waiting area.

 

With fixed knees/metal, I always set off alarms at TSA Pre-check and they have to move me over to the x-ray machine.  The wheelchair gets inspected and we meet up on the other side.

 

Every airline that I have flown, have basically the same procedure.  

 

 

[cr8tiv1]

Do give yourself some extra minutes in this process.  It may take some time to find a wheelchair with your name on it.

 

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/accessible-services/specialservices-wheelchair

 

 

https://www.flysfo.com/passengers/services-amenities/accessibility/at-sfo

 

 

Edited October 15, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[trbarton]

3 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

First, do you have TSA Pre-check?

 

A wheelchair will take you from the ticket counter (sometimes from the curb), through security, on to the plane.  Then in reverse, off the plane (someone will be waiting for you on the jetway), through immigration, to baggage, and out to curb.

 

With a walker, the airlines will consider you an independent passenger and not assist you.  

 

As a wheelchair assist passenger, you are first to board and last to disembark.  I usually move up to the first class section when everyone is leaving.  Much more comfortable waiting area.

 

With fixed knees/metal, I always set off alarms at TSA Pre-check and they have to move me over to the x-ray machine.  The wheelchair gets inspected and we meet up on the other side.

 

Every airline that I have flown, have basically the same procedure.  

 

 

Yes I have thevTSA Pre-Check. Wouldn’t travel without it. 
 

The Alaska website was not clear about any of that & someone mentioned about the person traveling with them having to wheel them. I’m on Alaska Airlines. I’m on another flight with United Airlines where it’s very clear but not clear with Alaska. They kept talking about wheelchairs. 
 

Hopefully someone will have used Alaska Airlines defore. I’m aware I can also call the airlines. 
 

Thanks for everyone’s help & suggestions. 
 

Tom😀

[donswife]

You don't have to be a wheelchair user in the community to request wheelchair service at the airport.  What kind of walker do you use? You can fold a FWW and hold it on your lap, or hold the handles of a 4WW and push it while the w/c escort pushes you 😃.

[trbarton]

13 minutes ago, donswife said:

You don't have to be a wheelchair user in the community to request wheelchair service at the airport.  What kind of walker do you use? You can fold a FWW and hold it on your lap, or hold the handles of a 4WW and push it while the w/c escort pushes you 😃.

It’s a simple walker the folds up with just wheels in the front. I could hold it in my lap but I’ve also been told that it could be put on the back of the wheelchair as they can hang things there. 
 

As I’ve already said the Alaska Website wasn’t very clear about getting a wheelchair & having someone push me from the front of the airport to the gate. 
 

I'll call Alaska to see what they say & post what I find out. 
 

Thanks!

 

Tom😎

[trbarton]

15 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Do give yourself some extra minutes in this process.  It may take some time to find a wheelchair with your name on it.

 

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/accessible-services/specialservices-wheelchair

 

 

https://www.flysfo.com/passengers/services-amenities/accessibility/at-sfo

 

 

Thanks for the video. Extremely helpful. 
 

Tom😀👍

[kokopelli-az]

We travel on Alaska a lot.  Last month we were at the airport (PDX) and the Alaska people were outside the door of the terminal and asked if we needed wheelchair assistance (this was about 4am).  From the front door!  We've never been asked that before; we've always checked in at the counter, have them take our luggage, and they direct us to where people are waiting for wheelchair assistance.   We didn't even talk to the people at the counter.  Our luggage was left at the luggage self-checkin place and off we went with the wheelchair pusher.   We'll be on Alaska again next month so I hope the Alaska personnel are outside of the terminal again.   (They can hang the walker on the back of the wheelchair.)

But unless the Alaska personnel are outside the terminal, you will need to speak to the first Alaska representative you see.  You may also see where the Alaska passengers needing a wheelchair are waiting and can go over there and talk to whoever is coordinating things so you can get on the list.  Make sure you've requested wheelchair assistance on your reservation. 

 

At your arrival airport, the wheelchair pushers will be outside your plane when it arrives waiting for passengers who have requested wheelchair assistance to deplane.  We have always had the pusher take us out to the taxis, Ubers, etc.   Also, they will take you to and wait for you at the restroom, baggage claim, etc.   Tips are appreciated.

 

So to answer your question, "someone be there at the airport at SFO from Alaska Airlines when I arrive & will take me through security to the boarding gate & when I arrive they meet me at the gate, take me to baggage claim, & outside where I can get a Uber/Lift ride", the answer is yes (assuming you have requested wheelchair service).  

 

You have seen this, correct?   https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/accessible-services/specialservices-wheelchair