Wheelchair experience at MEL, SIN & LHR?

[cgichard]

Worsening osteoporosis means that I need to think about assistance with my upcoming June/July flights MEL>SIN>LHR & return, all on SQ. On my last visit to the UK in 2019, I accepted the offer of a wheelchair at check-in returning from LHR, and almost regretted it, for I was taken to a "holding-pen" with many others in wheelchairs and had to wait there for somtheing like 25 minutes until it was my turn, and then had difficulty persuading the person pushing me to take me to the Silverkris lounge (I was travelling in J), rather than to the gate, although I had plenty of time in hand. I think I had to make my own (long) way to the gate when boarding was due.

Since then, it has become harder for me to stand for a long time or walk any distance, though I can manage stairs with a handrail slowly and I'm still managing day-to-day without any aid other than occasional use of a cane. Travelling in J again, I shall want to avail myself of the SQ lounges, but I'll be catching the same 22.05 flight from LHR on the return and woud like to avoid the sort of delay I experienced previously. Any suggestions?

On the day of my arrival at LHR, I've booked into the Hilton Garden Inn at T3; is there any possibility the wheelchair pusher could take me all the way there? Or is it outside their remit because not exactly within the airport? And what about from the hotel to the Central Bus Station?

 

[ZigZagWanderer]

I have found Heathrow to be the very worst of all. Do leave plenty of time for departure and even arrival. Sitting about is common. I have even had one who wanted a tip, and got quite grumpy when I ignored the attempt.

They will normally take you to the car park. I'm not sure where the hotel is, but they will probably take you there if asked nicely.

Melbourne and Singapore are fine in all ways, I found.

I've been taking my wife for years, needing a wheelchair. Now I'm getting a bit wobbly after 14 hours sitting down, so get one on arrival. That way I get fast access through immigration, so don't have to stand around for ages, which isn't at all comfortable for me any more.

 

[cgichard]

I have found Heathrow to be the very worst of all. Do leave plenty of time for departure and even arrival. Sitting about is common. I have even had one who wanted a tip, and got quite grumpy when I ignored the attempt.

They will normally take you to the car park. I'm not sure where the hotel is, but they will probably take you there if asked nicely.

Melbourne and Singapore are fine in all ways, I found.

Thankyou for confirming my suspicions about wheelchair assistance at Heathrow. It would be a pity to miss out on the Silverkris lounge, but I'm travelling up from Wales by train via Reading and may have no flexibility to arrive super-early. I had understood the wheelchair pushers were strictly not alowed to accept tips: were you asking anything out of the ordinary of that person?

 

[ZigZagWanderer]

Thankyou for confirming my suspicions about wheelchair assistance at Heathrow. It would be a pity to miss out on the Silverkris lounge, but I'm travelling up from Wales by train via Reading and may have no flexibility to arrive super-early. I had understood the wheelchair pushers were strictly not alowed to accept tips: were you asking anything out of the ordinary of that person?

No, just taking my wife to a car in the car park. He was a grumpy sod, anyway. Most are really pleasant.

 

[Quickstatus]

@cgichard

This is the LHR number for assistance requests (all terminals) : 020 8757 2700 "to arrange for support from your vehicle or drop off location"

Also this is the LHR website for passengers requesting assistance
Mentioned is the service provided: "Wilson James, our service provider, will ensure that the assistance you require is made available. Assistance can be provided from your arrival at the airport to your airline lounge (if eligible) and then to your departing aircraft. On your return from your plane, you will be met and accompanied by your waiting friends and relatives or your onward transport. All assistance is provided free of charge."

Maybe try ringing them and discuss re assistance to/from airport to departures/central bus station?. Alternatively the hotel concierge? or lastly a cabbie?

They do mention the importance of making an assistance booking via your airline at least 48hrs prior to your flight in the FAQ

 

[cgichard]

@cgichard

This is the LHR number for assistance requests (all terminals) : 020 8757 2700 "to arrange for support from your vehicle or drop off location"

Also this is the LHR website for passengers requesting assistance
Mentioned is the service provided: "Wilson James, our service provider, will ensure that the assistance you require is made available. Assistance can be provided from your arrival at the airport to your airline lounge (if eligible) and then to your departing aircraft. On your return from your plane, you will be met and accompanied by your waiting friends and relatives or your onward transport. All assistance is provided free of charge."

Maybe try ringing them and discuss re assistance to/from airport to departures/central bus station?. Alternatively the hotel concierge? or lastly a cabbie?

They do mention the importance of making an assistance booking via your airline at least 48hrs prior to your flight in the FAQ

Thanks, @Quickstatus. I thought I had read all the info about special assistance at LHR but missed that specific reference to "your airline lounge and then to your departing aircraft". [Incidentally in the next sentence, I think it should read "to your waiting friends", not "by".]

I have already requested wheelchair assistance within airports from SQ. Also arranged an earlier arrival at LHR on my departure day. Now just wondering about getting a wheelchair from the hotel to the Coach Station, and from the Coach Station to check-in for departure, as I do know that's a long slog, despite the travelators and lifts.

 

[Guvner]

Wheelchair experience at DXB...

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www.thenationalnews.com