Young travelers may easily navigate airports but it’s… 
…Not so easy for aging parents and old people.

Many elders are obviously not at their peak physically–with
–poorer vision,
–poorer hearing
–less energy
than younger travelers.

TSA instructions that include lifting wheeled carry-ons to a conveyer belt for inspection can be problematical for elders with weak muscles. Taking a wheeled carry-on up and down escalators challenges balance. The myriad directional signs for gates can be confusing. Long walks to distant gates wear elders out. And important loudspeaker announcements–especially made by those with foreign accents–are often not heard or not understood. 

Is it any wonder that  aging parent and old people are hesitant to visit children and grandchildren these days if flying is involved?

Easing the Stress.

1.  Wheel chairs. After complaining to a friend about the excessively long walks to boarding areas and my decision to carry on my carefully packed, overhead-size, wheeled carry-on because I dislike waiting for luggage and risking having it lost, she said “Why don’t you request a wheel chair?”

Simple answer: “They’re reserved for mobility-challenged and older people.”

Wrong! as this NY Times article, “A Few Airport Passengers Use Wheel Chairs to Avoid Airport Lines,” points out.  That said, pride and not gaming the system prevail for most. And there’s still macho in old men.

Dad didn’t use a wheel chair until he was 91; and only then because he had an excessively long wait for his small case to come down the conveyer belt at JFK the year before. He felt he was imposing on us and didn’t want a repeat of that experience. .

One needn’t be officially “physically challenged” to request a wheelchair. I’m told no one can be refused. Thus, a wheel chair eliminates walking huge distances, an elevator replaces the escalator, and the attendant accompanies the passenger through the TSA process and into the boarding area.

A TSA officer told me that should an alarm be triggered at the scanner, people 75+ in wheel chairs have a special pat-down (I wasn’t told what it is). The wheel chair attendant waits throughout and once at the gate, seniors are helped onto the plane at boarding time. A tip is in order, but not required. Well-spent money in my opinion.

2.  TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. Having TSA PreCheck expedites the check-in process with special, faster lines in the US, while Global Entry expedites the process throughout the world. (When accepted for Global Entry status [flying to other countries], PreCheck is automatically included.). Fill out the PreCheck form on-line or the Global Entry form, following instructions. (I’ve personally found PreCheck a big help in getting through US/TSA security much faster.) Both require an interview.

3.  Normal screening procedures for those 75 and over (who don’t have PreCheck): Click link for frequently asked questions and answers, applicable to those 75 and older. There are some advantages to being older!

This is getting too long. Will continue with Part 2 tomorrow—-no, Tuesday.

Related:

First Click Delta Special Needs Facts, then click “Wheel Chair Services”

First Click Airport Boarding Assistance, then click “Wheel Chair Assistance.”

Aging Parents and Airports: Happy Flying or Headache Producing––part 1 (of 2)

Check out “Newsworthy” (right sidebar). Links to timely tips, information and research from top universities and respected professionals–to help parents age well.