So I have been thinking about this a lot and since I'm still fragile 3 weeks after surgery, I will be going home tomorrow and Dr Chettawut has given me a letter to present to the airport when checking in so that I may have the advantage of wheelchair and special seating use.
Has anyone took advantage of this? If so, how did it go or what procedure did you go through? I asked Dr and the nurses:
Is the airport gonna seat me in the wheelchair and push me in time all the way to my gate and will i still be on the wheelchair while i wait for my flight?
How will they put me in the plane? And what is this special seating?
Am I gonna remain in the wheelchair in the plane? If not, how will I get back on the wheelchair when i get to my next flight stop to home?
When I land at my final destination will I be wheelchaired out to baggage claim and will they grab my baggage for me?
When will they take back the wheelchair?
All Dr Chettawut and his nurses have said is yes. So now I want to ask someone who have actually took advantage of the wheelchair and special seating. And if you did, will you be kind enough to let me know what you went through? It would give me a better insight so I know what to expect.
So...
When you arrive the driver will drop off your luggage and you at the entrance to international departures. Ideally alongside the airline you fly with. I had Thai Business - which had a separate check In than Thai economy with massive queues.
If possible identify a person from the airline and tell them you need assistance. Or go straight to business class (even if flying economy) and tell them that you can't stand that long in the queue and need a wheelchair. Give them the letter and don't look too healthy.
Once the wheelchair is sorted you will be escorted through security to the departure lounge (if open) or waiting area. Of you are lucky you could aim for access to airline lounge.
Someone will escort your wheelchair to the plane but then no further. You will need To present your letter to the aircrew as it is unlikely things were phoned through.
When yog are arriving at destination again inform the aircrew that you are requesting a wheelchair at the airport and ask for them to radio through for one. It is likely you will disembark last. Then you should be escorted to your luggage - and then to exit. After that you are on your own.
It can be nice to tip your wheelchair driver. Although it is their job they can make things nice or not...
Enjoy it. Princess for a day
They insisted on wheeling me out of the hospital. I am glad I did. I overestimate myself sometimes, and being wheeled out to the front door gave me just enough strength to walk towards my train. So if you can, spare your energy while you can. Because even after 4 weeks, I sometimes feel completely drained, while a day before I was doing fine. It comes unannounced and can completely floor me.