Please admit it, we women travelers sometimes need help. We don’t always feel comfortable asking for help. Ask or not? Tip or not?
Requesting a wheelchair for the airport is common. Since 1986 US law has required wheelchairs in US airports. There is no needed proof of disability, some able bodied travelers take wheelchairs in order to skip lines. This makes wheelchairs scarcer.
Procedure: call your airline at least 48 hours before departure. (Some airlines have a request link on their site). Specify where you need it: at the curb? at check in?
Before the flight, call to double check. You might be instructed to text on arrival at the airport. If you don’t see help at the arrivals curb, ask your driver to go inside the terminal. Failing that, ask any airport/airline staff walking by. If you can enter the terminal, look around for anyone in a uniform. This moment is a worrisome. (In our case, my husband had to hold onto a wall while I ran around getting help).
If traveling alone, be familiar with airport maps and where wheelchairs are stored. PS they are usually NOT stored near the airport entrance or near check in. Arrive extra early . Once successfully delivered to the plane, tip your attendant $5-10. A tip is expected not required. Some rules: you may not be left alone for more than 30 minutes unless you agree. You should also get help with bags.
Let’s say you cannot move around the plane. Here the law is fuzzy. Ask the wheelchair attendant to deliver you to a bathroom en route to the plane. Then ask if your plane has an ‘aisle chair’(a mini wheelchair). Larger planes might; most do not. Failing both, staff might or might not help you stand up and maneuver. Our experience is they do help, at least to get you to a lavatory. Tip not needed; write to your airline and compliment by name and flight number, the actual staff who helped.
Who will lift luggage into the overhead rack? For a few $$ checking heavy stuff is smart. Airline staff will NOT lift an overhead bag. Ask for help from anyone near you. Staff WILL nudge a bag into the overhead but not do the actual lifting.
Departing a train is tricky with luggage because of the steep drop to the platform. First you need someone to help you put your bag on the multi tier racks. Then you need help to get it off and onto the platform. Line up a strong person when you board. No tip here, just thank the good samaritan.
At the hotel, luggage is the porters’ job. Are they available when you arrive? Not always, porters might be dealing with a rush of guests. Get your bag out onto the sidewalk, wait there. Do not leave bags unattended on the street or in the lobby. (Yes we experienced a robbery in a hotel lobby). Only let uniformed staff take your cases. Ask for a name.
There might be street side porters and hotel room porters. Don’t be afraid to ask who does what. Tip the appropriate one or both if unsure: $4-5 each. Here is a good tipping list for US hotels.
In your hotel room will porters put luggage where you want? Baggage racks are low. Put it on the desk for easier access. Make sure the zipper faces you; often porters place a zipper towards the wall forcing you to swivel the bag.
Have your list of questions for the porter: wifi password? enough pillows? breakfast times? device outlets? (You do not want to move furniture to plug in your devices). More questions: how to unplug the clock alarm? turn off the tv? know where the emergency exit is? open the window?
Travel Tips from The Women’s Travel Group, a tour operator for small group tours for women. Our specials are list on https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/tours/ and we are at 646 309 5607/ https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/contact/
