As the holiday season descends, Mandy Latimore shares her top tips for road and air travel
The annual summer holiday season is upon us and as we ready ourselves to join the onslaught to various holiday destinations or just to make our way home to visit family, we should look at various important factors to ensure a smooth journey.
For local trips, always make sure that your driver’s licence is valid. Should you be travelling outside of our borders, check that your passport is valid for at least six months after your return date. All visas and permits should be in order.
Travel insurance is highly recommended, and there are several policy options available, even for local travel. So, contact your local travel agent or me for advice!
Accessible accommodation may be found on various websites – the best local ones being www.disabledtravel.co.za and www.booking.com. Be sure to put in your filters when searching for accommodation, for example a step-free shower.
Look carefully at the various pictures for the facilities that you may need. Always call the accommodation directly to discuss your individual needs. You can always access our regular accessible accommodation articles off the Rolling Inspiration website.
QASA will also assist with information on the centres that have mobility items for hire (for example, transfer boards or commode wheelchairs), and the beaches with accessible beach wheelchairs for hire.
Here are my top 10 tips for road and air travel.
Road travel
- At least two weeks before travel check that your vehicle is not due for a service during the time that you are away. Some manufacturers are quite sticky with regards to maintenance plans, and if you overstep the mileage markers for service, you will have to pay for the service. Rather book the car in early and have the service done before you travel. Also get your hand control checked to make sure that all is in order.
- A breakdown service card is a must. Your insurance company may have roadside assist, but you can also get an AA membership and card.
- The day before travel be sure to fill the car and have the oil and tyre pressures checked. Clean the windscreen and make sure that the washer water container is full.
- Check the weather conditions for the day of travel and dress accordingly. Have a jersey handy in case it’s cool, or sunglasses and short sleeves if warm.
- Plan your route and stops ahead of time. Most major brand petrol stations have accessible washrooms.
- Get enough rest before you leave.
- Have toll money, a garage or credit card handy.
- Drive within your own capabilities. Rather stay in the slower lane than feel pressured to travel fast in the other lanes.
- Eat and drink sufficient fluids. If you feel tired, find a petrol station, stop and get out of the car.
- Carry a water spray bottle within the car to cool down should the day be hot.
- Don’t forget to buckle up!
Air Travel Tips
- When making an online flight reservation, check that the dates and times are correct. Check if there are any forms to complete for assistance.
- Immediately contact the airline and confirm assistance with the call centre agent. Make sure that they know what type of mobility aid you use. It is your right to stay in your own wheelchair up to the aircraft when embarking and from the aircraft when disembarking. You may insist that the staff fetch your chair if they have sent it through to the terminal in error.
- If you are driving to the airport, contact Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) for discounted parking as most long- term parking areas are not serviced by accessible busses. Another option is to use a parking service that collects your car, store it and meets you with it on your return.
- Mark your check-in luggage with a coloured ribbon or tag for easy identification.
- Ensure that you arrive at the airport to check in 90 minutes before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.
- Ask to be taken through to the airside and stay near your boarding gate or at the allocated area for passenger aid unit (PAU) boarding.
- Leave enough time for a visit to the loo before boarding.
- Always keep your boarding pass with you. Don’t let assistive staff keep it as they may go off with it!
- Communication is the key.
Remember that forward planning makes the journey more enjoyable, and ensures that the holiday starts when you leave your home!
Happy holidays and travels.
