Flying Hobart - Melbourne Return Virgin with Elderly Passenger requiring Wheel Chair

[Water]

I am flying with my Grandmother from Hobart to Melbourne this week on Virgin in Business and then return as she requires the a wheelchair to travel anything other than a real short distance we will be taking her wheel chair with us, as I have never done this just wondering if others can assist with the following?

(1) What happens with secuirity with the chair and does she need to get out of the chair and walk thru? she could walk thru but would require her walking stick is that allowed?

(2) Departing Hobart I assume they transfer her from her own chair to a Virgin chair and then load her chair, when they take her to the plane and the lifter in Hobart to I go out and board with her?


(3) On Arrival in Melbourne do they retreive her Chair from the hold and deliver this to the gate? if not what happens


(4) Departing Melbourne I assume again they transfer her from her own chair to a Virgin chair and load her chair?


(5) Do I Board with her in Melbourne?


(6) In Hobart on Arrival what happens with disemarking do I do this with her? What will happen with her chair?

Anyother help would be appreciated as well.

Thanks in advance just want it all to go smooth

Cheers

 

[mannej]

Have you checked the Virgin site? I would imagine that this information would be available from there.

I would hazard a guess you will need to contact them before hand, as it may be a case of checking your grandmothers chair for the flight, and using an airport one for the time in the airport.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Re: Flying Hobart - Melbourne Return Virgin with Elderly Passenger requiring Wheel Ch

Agree with no 2 post,talk to Virgin

 

[Water]

Re: Flying Hobart - Melbourne Return Virgin with Elderly Passenger requiring Wheel Ch

Hi Have checked Virgin Site and spoke to Virgin and have been told 3 totaly different things hence the reason for the post.

 

[straitman]

Re: Flying Hobart - Melbourne Return Virgin with Elderly Passenger requiring Wheel Ch

magnum,

I have done this for my mother though it was from CBR - MEL so slightly different.

At checkin DJ provided one of their chairs so the walker was sent on its way as baggage. We wheeled to the lounge via security. Just did what ever they asked at security which was not very onerous though I cannot remember the exact details.

On arrival in MEL we were last off the a/c and again using their wheel chair. I had pre arranged with the lounge so I wheeled mum to the lounge and they looked after her whilst I got bags and then the car. As I was returning with the car I rang them and they (Peter) wheeled mum out to the kerb to meet me.

A very easy and totally stress free arrangement. ( I can PM you the MEL lounge number if you want it)

 

[nitrocdh]

Re: Flying Hobart - Melbourne Return Virgin with Elderly Passenger requiring Wheel Ch

Hey Magnum,

I cant guarantee any of this since I have only done SYD-MEL-SYD about 7 times with my mother and Hobart may have slightly different rules.

You should call up them up and make sure they know that your grandmother is in a wheelchair and they should add it as a note on the flight booking

If it is a standard chair (fold up) then you can take it to the gate and have it put in cargo once your grandmother transfers to a virgin chair (isle transfer chair).
If it is a motorised chair... generally they like to check it in at the oversize baggage counter and will have your grandmother placed in a virgin wheelchair.

When you initially get your tickets at the check-in counter make sure that an isle transfer chair will be at the gate for when your grandmother boards. They should then place a baggage ticket on her wheelchair as that will be stowed under the plane once she hops out of it at the gate. They will most likely ask for the weight of the chair so do try and find that out before you go.

TIP: Take the pillow off if she has one and carry that onboard otherwise it may end up damaged.

1) She should be able to remain in the chair and they will either wheel her around the scanner or just go through it and give her an additional security check (with the wand). She should not be required to stand but she may have to take her shoes off.

2) If it is a standard wheelchair then you can take it to the gate and have it put in cargo once your grandmother transfers to a virgin chair (isle transfer chair). They will do this for you!
Be sure to be at the gate early as you will be the first to board.
You will be with her at all times

3) On Arrival in Melboune you will have to wait till everyone else has left the plane (remain seated) and then they will bring in the isle transfer chair and once you are off the plane your grandmothers chair will be waiting for her to sit in!

4) It will most likely be the same procedure as what I have mentioned above if it is a normal wheelchair.

5) You will board with her (first passengers on the plane).

6) Same process as the answer to question 3.

If you have any further questions dont hesitate to ask and I will try my best to answer them for you!

Hope you have a stress free flight!

 

[Water]

Re: Flying Hobart - Melbourne Return Virgin with Elderly Passenger requiring Wheel Ch

Hi Straitman and Nitrochd

Thanks both your your assistance greatly appreciated.

Have a great Xmas

Cheers