Airline policies on special needs

06/13/99 -- Copyright (C) 1999 The Washington Post [Article 343432, 43 lines]

                                 Special Needs
                               By Frank Swoboda
 
  The major airlines, for the most part, have similar rules for handling the
special needs of air travelers. Requirements that are out of the ordinary
generally are handled on a case-by-case basis on each airline. Here are the
rules for some special services:
 
SERVICE FOR THE DISABLED
  All airlines offer free wheelchair service from the moment a passenger
arrives at the reservations counter. There is no requirement for advance
notice, although the airlines recommend passengers request a wheelchair when
they make their reservations to speed up service. Individuals with their own
wheelchairs are usually required to check them at the gate and use a special
airline chair to board. Some airlines, such as Northwest, also provide oxygen
service for passengers who must give 48 hours' notice and use oxygen provided
by the airline. Northwest charges $75 for each leg of a trip for the oxygen.
Passengers are responsible for providing their own oxygen whenever they are
outside the aircraft.
  
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
  The rules for travel by unaccompanied minors are basically the same for all
airlines. No child under 5 years of age can travel alone on any of the major
airlines. Children ages 5 through 7 can travel on direct flights, including
flights with one stop that do not involve a change of planes. Children ages 8
through 11 may fly alone on connecting flights. Service for unaccompanied
children ages 12 through 17 can also be requested. In each case the airlines
charge a fee, generally $30 for each leg of a trip up to $60 for a one-way
flight. Some charge more for additional legs. If unaccompanied service is
requested, the adult escort must show identification and verify the name,
addresses and phone number of the person meeting the plane at the child's
destination. The child will not be released to anyone other than the person
named by the parent or responsible adult at the start of the trip.
  
ALLERGIES
  For most airlines, peanuts are still the allergy to deal with; the rest are
up to the passengers. Passengers with peanut allergies can at least get
airlines to give them pretzels. Some airlines -- notably Northwest and
Southwest -- will pull all the peanuts off a flight if they get advance
notice. Other airlines, including US Airways, will try to add some pretzels if
a passenger gives 24 hours' notice. American says it has solved the problem by
simply eliminating peanuts and serving pretzels instead. If you have other
allergies that aren't food-related, however, you're essentially on your own.

----------
End of Document

-- 
TNET Mail-To-News Gateway Version - 1.6
For information about this gateway email programs@tnet.com