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Making decisions about air travel when traveling for medical help?

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Mar 9, 2018

Traveling by air can sometimes be stressful and logistically challenging. It can be even harder when you’re also dealing with a health issue.

Mayo Clinic, Rochester International Airport, and Rochester’s Destination Medical Center are interested in hearing about the decisions you make when you travel by air. Your input will help us make informed decisions about how we serve our visitors and community members.

Thank you for sharing your preferences and insights by taking the survey. The survey is now closed, but the discussion can continue.

Let’s talk and share in an open discussion here about what’s important to you and your travel experiences. To start us off, I’d like you to think back to your most recent air travel experience, or one you’re currently planning.


  • What would you like to improve about that experience?

  • What types of resources, information or assistance could have made that experience better?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Visiting Mayo Clinic Support Group.

tnraemae | @tnraemae | May 11, 2019

I flew round trip from my local small airport to Minneapolis (connections in Atlanta) a few weeks ago. I only fly Delta so I can only speak of my experience with them. I booked my tickets online and then called their disability assistance line. I told them that I had mobility issues and that I would need wheelchair service from the time I arrived at the airport until I got to my rental car. I told them I had someone flying with me to help me on the plane and to drive, but that she couldn’t handle my luggage and hers. They said no problem and meant it. There was some one waiting to help me get in the airport, through security, to my plane seat and waiting with a wheelchair for connections. They took care of my carry on and everything. Everyone was super nice and I didn’t have a single problem. I would suggest not waiting until you arrive at the airport to book wheelchair services. It just speeds everything up to have it noted on your booking in advance of your arrival. I also highly recommend signing up for TSA-precheck. It makes the airport experience easier to handle for those with mobility and disabilities (keep shoes on!).

REPLY
1 reply
sheim | @sheim | May 18, 2019
In reply to @tnraemae "I flew round trip from my local small airport to Minneapolis (connections in Atlanta) a few..." + (show)
@tnraemae

I flew round trip from my local small airport to Minneapolis (connections in Atlanta) a few weeks ago. I only fly Delta so I can only speak of my experience with them. I booked my tickets online and then called their disability assistance line. I told them that I had mobility issues and that I would need wheelchair service from the time I arrived at the airport until I got to my rental car. I told them I had someone flying with me to help me on the plane and to drive, but that she couldn’t handle my luggage and hers. They said no problem and meant it. There was some one waiting to help me get in the airport, through security, to my plane seat and waiting with a wheelchair for connections. They took care of my carry on and everything. Everyone was super nice and I didn’t have a single problem. I would suggest not waiting until you arrive at the airport to book wheelchair services. It just speeds everything up to have it noted on your booking in advance of your arrival. I also highly recommend signing up for TSA-precheck. It makes the airport experience easier to handle for those with mobility and disabilities (keep shoes on!).

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It's good to know Delta is so helpful. We are flying Delta and when I booked my flight I also got the wheelchair for the return. Knowing they will also help with the carry on is GREAT to know. We will travel as light as possible for for 2 weeks we both will need carry on and personal bag (backpack). TSA precheck would be nice but not for $85 each. Maybe if we flew a lot TSA does have someone that will help us through but it sounds like it depends how busy the airport is.

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