Long distance trips

My biggest tip regarding traveling in a wheelchair is this- arrange it yourself do not leave it up to a travel agent. 1)If you need to stay overnight speak with guest services NOT a call center. I will never allow Expedia, Priceline, or others to book my hotel stays. In the case of my visit to Denver, Colorado there were many mistakes made that would not have been, had I arranged it every step of the way. 2) Never assume an airline van is accessible just because someone says it is. At a local airport I was to take an accessible bus to Newark airport. It came and the driver had no idea about the wheelchair lift request. The airport official then insisted on calling 25 places to drive me to Newark. I asked the lady to make alternate reservations for a Denver flight. She would not listen till it was too late. Once she was given approval the only available flight was at 9:40pm (there were 2 others we missed). At my suggestion we took a local/private bus with a lift that I had previously taken somewhere before. 3) Before the plane lands make sure your wheelchair meets you at the gate. After the trip home I was to meet another accessible bus at 8:15pm. This connection involved my speeding up the stewardesses. All four people stood at the airplane exit door wishing guests a a good trip. I asked about my chair and they said it may not arrive at the gate. Then I asked for further information and was informed that it may be in the baggage claim area. Finally, a stewardess did make a follow-up call on my behalf. 4)If someone requires a wheelchair for the long walk to the gate inside the airport, make certain the call is followed up. Often calls were made to request wheelchairs for my folks but attendants did not know who to help or they just passed by. One should not need a vacation after a vacation.