Expert tips for passengers who use a wheelchair or require special assistance

Tarita Davenock suffers from multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair, which makes it tricky to navigate airports, where the distances between gates can be measured in football fields. Airports can be challenging for many other travelers as well. A quarter of U.S. adults have a disability, and 14 percent have trouble walking or climbing stairs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The one thing we all have in common is that we want to be accommodated [at airports],” says Davenock, whose MS hasn’t kept her from flying. As the owner of Travel for All, a company that specializes in accessible travel, she has caught many flights at scores of airports.

If you have mobility or other issues (such as dementia or vision loss) that make navigating airports difficult, Davenock and other accessible-travel experts offer some tips.

1. Request assistance in advance

Many accommodations are federally mandated by laws such as the Air Carrier Access Act, which requires that airlines offer assistance to those with mobility issues, visual or hearing impairments, or other disabilities. You can (and should) request such assistance when making your reservation online (or by calling the airline’s special assistance phone line).

As you make your way through the booking process on the American Airlines website, for example, you’ll eventually see a link to “add special assistance.” Click on that link and you’ll find various options, such as “mobility” and “traveling with a service animal.” After checking one of the boxes, you’ll be prompted to be more specific, so the airline understands your particular need. If you check “mobility,” you’ll be asked to specify how much assistance you’ll need by checking another box, with options such as “can walk — need help only if there are stairs.”

Before your departure date, an airline representative may contact you for additional information. But even if you do hear from a representative, accessibility specialists recommend calling your airline a day or two before your flight to confirm that it has your request and understands your needs, and that ticket agents will be able to see the info. There shouldn’t be a problem, because your request is automatically linked to your reservation when you buy your ticket. Still, it’s always best to double-check, says Debra Kerper, owner of Easy Access Travel, who has visited more than 30 countries and taken more than 90 cruises despite facing health-related mobility challenges, including often using a wheelchair. “Everything’s easier when it’s done in advance,” she notes. “At each step, learn to be proactive.”

2. Give yourself plenty of time at the airport

“Even if travelers aren’t checking luggage, arriving in advance of the departure time is very helpful for those with mobility issues,” says Alvaro Silberstein, founder of Wheel the World, who’s paralyzed from the waist down. He and the airlines offer similar advice. “I recommend arriving two to three hours in advance of an international flight and one and a half hours ahead of a domestic flight,” he says, “just to give ample time for moving around the airport and making sure that requested accessibility assistance is in place.”

Specialists say the labor shortage created by the pandemic means that in some cases, there will be fewer wheelchair attendants, which means you might have to wait for one.

“The process itself is fairly simple and straightforward, but the level of quality is all over the place,” says Laurent Roffé, general manager of Tapooz Travel. He salutes airports in Las Vegas, Miami and Orlando as “big tourist destinations that are eager to accommodate elderly travelers with mobility limitations.” On the flip side, New York’s LaGuardia Airport has historically been harder for his clients to navigate.

3. Be vocal at check-in

When you get to the airport, promptly identify yourself to a skycap or the ticket counter agent as someone who requested help when you bought your ticket. Wheelchair assistance will then be summoned if that’s what you need, or perhaps a guide if you’re visually impaired.

By law, an attendant must tote your carry-on luggage for you if you can’t. Also, the attendant must have your permission to leave you unattended for more than 30 minutes before boarding begins for your flight, even if you’re traveling with a companion.

If anything goes wrong — if, for example, an airline employee tries to charge you a baggage fee for a case filled with and marked “medical supplies,” which should be free — ask to speak to the airline’s complaint resolution officer (CRO), a position mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation to promptly address disability-related air travel issues. If there’s no CRO on-site, you’ll be connected to one by phone.

4. Speak up at the security checkpoint

“Don’t let it be a guessing game,” says Kerper, who advises travelers to quickly identify their mobility issue to TSA agents so they can figure out the best way to help. “I’ll say, ‘I’m a double amputee and can’t walk into the screening device,’ and they’ll say, ‘Fine,’ and take me around it.”

If you have questions about the checkpoint process, don’t wait until you get to security to ask them. Seventy-two hours prior to your flight, you can get your questions answered in advance through TSA Cares (855-787-2227), a helpline for those with disabilities, medical conditions or other special circumstances.

You can also request that a passenger support specialist, a specially trained TSA agent devoted to those with special needs, personally accompany you through security. At least 72 hours before your flight, simply fill out an online form or make your request via the TSA Cares line. A specialist will contact you to arrange a time and place to meet at the airport.

Calling the Cares line and providing the TSA with sensitive information in advance — for example, identifying areas where an agent’s touch may be painful — can save you from having to explain your circumstances on-site. “TSA’s program allows you to tell them about your disability, so you don’t have to go through all the rigmarole [at the security checkpoint],” Davenock says. “They’ll pat you down, but you won’t be embarrassed and manhandled if you’ve preplanned.”

5. Request a ride to your gate, if needed

If you’re not using a wheelchair but would like help making the long trek to your gate, airlines operate courtesy carts in some airports (though not all, since they’re not required to do so by law). For example, American provides the service in cities including Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami and Philadelphia; Delta Air Lines has them in Atlanta and Los Angeles, among others. You can call an airline’s special assistance line for information about where they’re available. You probably won’t be able to schedule a time to be picked up outside security, but carts typically roam concourses continuously during the busiest times of day, so it’s just a matter of waiting for one.

Your attendant will remain with you until boarding for your flight begins and will assist you onto the plane during pre-boarding.

6. Arrange for help at your destination

If you’re mobility impaired, you can ask the airline to have an attendant waiting for you when you land. The attendant will provide a wheelchair (if you need one) and help you deplane after the other passengers have exited, assist you at baggage claim, and then stay with you as needed to the terminal exit or vehicle pickup location.

If you don’t need a wheelchair to deplane but do need help making a connection at another gate or getting to baggage claim, try asking the gate agent to call a cart for you. Just remember, cart availability varies by airport.

7. Remember to tip

Tipping wheelchair assistants and guides — who are usually contractors, not airline employees — is discretionary, but most accessibility experts say it’s commonly done, and recommend doing so. “If it’s not super far, I’ll tip $5, but if they’ve taken me to baggage claim and waited, I’ve given as much as $20,” Kerper says. “If you can afford to travel, you should be nice to the people who help you.”

Planning a trip to Antarctica requires intensive preparation, with the ideal time to visit being from November to March. Choose the right expedition, prepare for the Drake Passage, pack warm clothes, and respect environmental protocols. Travel insurance is crucial. Witness unique wildlife in this pristine and picturesque destination.

Planning a trip is always fun and exciting, but planning a trip to Antarctica is an expedition to one of the most pristine and picturesque places in the world, which required intensive planning and research. Imagine standing at the edge of the world, surrounded by glaciers, snow, and a peaceful silence that speaks louder than words. Antarctica is not just a destination; it’s a journey to a dreamland that has adventure, thrill, and peaceful silence. If you are planning a trip to Antarctica, here are some things you should keep in mind before planning your trip :

Timing - The ideal time to visit this destination is from November to March; the southern hemisphere’s summer is when the ice begins to melt, daylight stretches up to 24 hours, and wildlife is abundant. If you plan on coming to Antarctica in the early season, you will see breathtaking and flawless landscapes and majestic icebergs; if you are lucky, you can also spot whales and penguins.

Choosing the right expedition — If you are going to Antarctica, you must make sure you book your seats in advance. Antarctica is accessible only by organized tours; they are abroad ships or luxury cruises that provide you the services. Small ships can easily navigate tighter spaces and provide a more intimate experience, while large ships often come with many other services and luxury. You will get to choose if you only want to cruise or try other activities while you are there, such as hiking or kayaking.

Prepare for the Drake Passage - You must prepare yourself for the turbulent stretch of water between South America and Antarctica. It is a part of the adventure; there is a high chance of seasickness, so pack your motion sickness medicines and be prepared for a bumpy ride.

Pack Carefully — Antarctica’s cold weather is unpredictable and unexpected; you will never know when the temperature drops to -2°C. You must pack all your layers, thick thermals, sweaters, coats, and jackets. Don’t forget your essentials like a cap, gloves, moisturizer, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Experience the wildlife — you will not find Antarctica’s wildlife elsewhere. Penguins, seals, and whales are the most beautiful creatures in this untouched ecosystem. Do not forget to bring your binoculars and a good camera to capture these incredible moments.

Follow protocols - Antarctica is protected by the Antarctic Treaty; it ensures the continent remains a natural reserve. You should follow all the guidelines to minimize your environmental impact.

Have travel insurance — Make sure you have travel insurance for a trip to Antarctica. You should be extra careful and prepared here; you must ensure your policy covers emergency evacuation and medical care.

Traveling during the winter months means preparing for possible hazardous road conditions. As you prepare for your trip, please be sure to keep an emergency supply kit in your car. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Center for Disease Control suggest the following items to be included in your emergency kit:

• Jumper cables
• Flares or reflective triangle
• Bright color flag
• Ice scraper
• Blanket
• Flashlight
• Shovel
• Tow chain/rope
• Car cell phone charger
• Extra coats, hats and/or gloves
• Battery-powered radio
• Road salt to melt ice
• Cat litter or sand for tire traction

“You should have an emergency kit in your car, and this should include a paper map as well as the other various items included in the list above,” said Jessica Post, emergency manager for the U of A Police Department.

In addition to putting together your emergency kit, prior to the trip, you should also have a car mechanic check the following:

• Antifreeze levels
• Battery and ignition system
• Brake conditions
• Exhaust system
• Fuel and air systems
• Heater and defroster
• Lights and flashing hazard lights
• Oil
• Thermostat
• Windshield wiper equipment and washer fluid level

Once your trip is underway, here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Keep your gas tank full. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Do not drive through flooded areas. Six inches of water can cause a vehicle to lose control or stall. A foot of water will float many cars.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• If a power line falls on your car you are at risk of electrical shock. Stay inside until a trained professional removes the wire.
• If it becomes hard to control the car, pull over, stop the car and set the parking brake.

Listen to the radio or television for up-to-date weather forecasts and road conditions as you are planning your trip, and in bad weather drive only if absolutely necessary.

Here’s what you need to know about every airline’s cleanliness dilemma.

Frequent fliers are familiar with the many ways your body changes while in a pressurized tube at 40,000 feet: Your ears pop, your ability to taste shifts, and you may find it harder to put your shoes back on after flying. And while there are some tricks to help you combat that last problem — start with a good pair of compression socks, for one — the best advice may be just to keep your shoes on the whole time.

It turns out the real reasons you should do this have more to do with avoiding some seriously icky situations than keeping your feet cozy. Here’s the truth about every airline’s cleanliness dilemma, and how being barefoot could even keep you from flying in the first place.

Planes aren’t cleaned as often as you think.

Generally speaking, airplane cabins are not very clean — although, for what it’s worth, the air very much is.

“Cabins are cleaned prior to every flight, but that will be more perfunctory on a quick turn when there are only 15 or 20 minutes to get it done,” says pilot Patrick Smith, author of “Ask the Pilot: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel.”

That means what counts as cleaning the cabin could be as meager as tossing out the trash left behind in the seatback pockets and quickly wiping down high-touch surfaces like lavatory door handles. The reality is planes do go through deep cleaning, but not very often — the actual frequency varies by airline, but in general, this usually happens once every four to six weeks.

Otherwise, an airplane’s carpets are typically only vacuumed if time allows and spot-cleaned when necessary. In other words, whenever something — like food, a drink, or a type of bodily fluid — is spilled, the cleaning crew will eliminate the stain, but won’t necessarily disinfect the entire area, which could allow germs to spread.

“Those who decide to go barefoot might be picking up bacteria and viruses that could negatively impact their health,” says David Krause, the former owner of a business that manufactured cleaning products used on airplanes. “Likewise, the concern of picking up a fungal infection is always there as well.”

Oh, and while we’re discussing germs, the tray tables and armrests are absolutely filthy. Tray tables are one of the dirtiest parts of the plane — in addition to the bathroom handles, seat covers, overhead bins, and instruction cards — so put those alcohol wipes to good use and disinfect your space as soon as you board.

Flight attendants aren’t required to clean the restroom, just tidy it up.

Germaphobes everywhere, brace yourselves for this next part. You know those liquids on the floor in the lavatory? Flight attendants are not necessarily required to clean them up mid-flight, which means you could be stepping in urine.

Fortunately, airplane cleaning routines seem to have improved as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Krause says, adding that more disinfectants are being used to help prevent the spread of the virus. The real question is whether or not they’ve stayed that way.

According to an article by The Washington Post, staff shortages during and after the height of the pandemic have contributed to cleaning regimens becoming less thorough, as have changes in virus prevention protocol. Only time will tell if another outbreak results in cleanliness measures becoming more strict.

Being barefoot could get you kicked off the plane.

While airlines in general seem to have pretty standard dress code guidelines, being barefoot comes up in the contract of carriage when you agree to fly with a given carrier. The idea of “no shoes, no service” is actually quite prevalent in the terms and conditions of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines, and may keep you from flying at all.

Besides preventing a potentially smelly and unhygienic situation for everyone else on board, airlines need passengers to wear shoes for safety reasons, namely so they have their feet covered in the event of an emergency.

If anything, save your most comfortable footwear for your next flight or invest in some flight attendant-approved travel shoes. And whatever you do — out of courtesy for everyone else who sits there after you — don’t put your feet up on the tray tables or armrests. We’re all in this together. And come on, that’s just gross.