I'm thinking about flying into Miami from Knoxville, TN with my handicapped child and was wondering if it would be worth it. We will be flying in the day before the cruise, booking the flight myself and I'm trying to figure out how to handle all the luggage we will have since there will be only me, and I will be pushing his chair. Are there people to help in situation like this? We will have to change planes in Atlanta, and was wondering about how to handle that. Also what should I take for his ears, I know that some people have problems with the taking off and landing, and not sure if it would bother him or not. I know that I will have to get a note from his doctor about the two rods in his spine, in case the alarm go off when we go through security. He has a feeding pump which I'm going to do as a carry on, should I get a note for that also, don't want to pack it with the checked luggage, it would be really hard to replace it, and we got to have it. What about his can food, it is like ensure, but is in cans, not bottles, would I have a problem there?As you can tell I have not flown with him and this will be a big learning experience, should I drive by myself to Miami or fly.

 

mayle:

Are there people to help in situation like this?

I am not sure wo you are flying with but most airlines have porters. You may also want to call the airlines and see if you can line up some help in advance.

mayle:

We will have to change planes in Atlanta, and was wondering about how to handle that.

When you change planes you only have to worry about your carry on. The rest of your luggage will be handled by baggage handlers with the airlines.

mayle:

I know that I will have to get a note from his doctor about the two rods in his spine, in case the alarm go off when we go through security.

You may want to save the energy on getting a card from your son's dr. I had my hip replaced and got a card from my dr and nobody seems to care about that card. When the alarm goes off i tell them i have a metal hip and they give me the hand held wand twst.

mayle:

I know that some people have problems with the taking off and landing, and not sure if it would bother him or not.

Can your son chew gum ?  I find that if i chew some gum on take off and shortly before landing it helps with the blocked ear thing that i get from time to time.

I wish you luck and smooth flying or driving with your approaching trip.

 

CUJO:

 

mayle:

Are there people to help in situation like this?

I am not sure wo you are flying with but most airlines have porters. You may also want to call the airlines and see if you can line up some help in advance.

when you are dropped off there are people there to help. They will push the wheel chair all the way through security if needed all the way to the boarding gate. You will board first.

mayle:

We will have to change planes in Atlanta, and was wondering about how to handle that.

When you change planes you only have to worry about your carry on. The rest of your luggage will be handled by baggage handlers with the airlines.

If you need assistance getting off the plane they will have someone there to meet you as you leave the plane. The gate attendant will either push a wheel chair or if there is a long way to go between gates, have the electric cart available to take you. Don't worry about the transfers like CUJO wrote.

mayle:

I know that I will have to get a note from his doctor about the two rods in his spine, in case the alarm go off when we go through security.

You may want to save the energy on getting a card from your son's dr. I had my hip replaced and got a card from my dr and nobody seems to care about that card. When the alarm goes off i tell them i have a metal hip and they give me the hand held wand twst.

Hubby had both knees replaced and asked for a card. TSA said that anyone can forge a card so as you go through the metal dectector they will have you go to a special "corral" and wait for additional screening. the hand held wand.

mayle:

I know that some people have problems with the taking off and landing, and not sure if it would bother him or not.

Can your son chew gum ?  I find that if i chew some gum on take off and shortly before landing it helps with the blocked ear thing that i get from time to time.

I wish you luck and smooth flying or driving with your approaching trip.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise. Everyone is very helpful.