TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Wheelchair

I've read several entries about reserving wheel chairs. How is this done? If you get it before boarding for SXM does it carry through at SXM or what's the procedure? Hubby is having difficulty now.

If flying via American Airlines you can reserve one through their app.

I was able to reserve a wheelchair when checking in my suitcase. You can also do it at the gate with the gate attendant. Usually no problem, but this time in Charlotte it was a no show....It was a struggle for me, but I made it !

I fly American Airlines and make our reservations on their website. At the same time I make the reservation for the wheelchair. it works both ways flying out of PHL and there is a wheelchair waiting for me at SXM.

Seems like more people, at least on this site, are requesting/requiring wheelchairs. This due to the longer lines at PJIA arrivals?

No. It's because we are getting older.

I hear ya. I'm 76 and can still get around but somedays it's questionable. 😉

FYI - to be perfectly honest, I absolutely hate needing wc service but due to recent surgeries and/or illnesses, it’s become mandatory if we choose to travel.

But what I hate even more is watching people who DON’T need the service but take advantage of it to get through the lines faster and easier. I’ve heard people in the airport laughing over how they use this not because they need it but because it’s more advantageous to get themselves through the lines faster. 😟😟

And on another note regarding wheelchairs and the need for them, I am so very impressed with the kindness of so many on SXM who will go out of their way to hold a door or offer an arm to one who might benefit from this. I’ve seen it all over so I don’t want anyone to think I’m being critical of other locations and peoples but I was so amazed at the kindness of so many St. Martiners who were willing to offer a hand and show patience to those who are a little slower or holding up a line.👍👍

Pat, I thought long and hard about this. I can walk. But standing for a very long time (more than 30 minutes) gives me bad back pain. Ordinarily, I wouldn't request one but I couldn't imagine standing in line for an hour or more with no place to sit.
I wish I was as spry as when I was younger. But sadly I am not.

That’s understandable and right there with you. Clearly you need the service. We’ve seen this and heard people laughing over their cleverness. So sad…….and while we couldn’t tell, I do hope they at least tipped their porter.

I am one of the people who have turned down a wheelchair that was offered,
but I have had to cancel plans after standing or walking too long---it's not always what
it looks like.
My husband is doing well, after surgery, and doesn't
appear to need one, but put him in that line for too long and he's limping again.
Maybe we should have a Senior line--LOL

There was a young man on our flight who literally jumped in and out of his window seat---but, I guess everyone feels if it's being done, they will join the crowd.
It's along the lines of putting your seat back on the plane.....

I also wish I didn’t need a wheelchair but I wouldn’t be able to travel if I didn’t use it. I struggled for a long time without it but years ago when landing in PHL and waiting in the endless immigration line I literally had to sit on the floor because my back wouldn’t support me. I then realized it was time to give in.

Thanks for the feedback.

Last trip (not to SXM) hubby was offered a wheelchair because he was walking in a shuffle. He tried to refuse and I stepped in. But at the arrive airport no one offered a chair that's why I asked.

He refuses to use a cane (how vain!) and prefers to hang onto a shopping cart.

And yes, what Ive read about arrivals at PJIA, has led me to rethink a chair. Last SXM trip everyone walked past us as he shuffled along.

To Jazzgirl: Linda how true your words about more of us getting old. lol

Time flies my Dear lol.

"It's along the lines of putting your seat back on the plane....."
Yep. I'm one of those people. If my seat reclines I recline it to my comfort level. That is why they have reclining seats.
"Maybe we should have a Senior line."
From the sounds and appearance of it that would be most of the people on this board and other Facebook sites.

Reclining doesn't bother me unless the person doing it then leans forward in conversation the entire trip. Why recline then.

And this is exactly what I witnessed a prominent SXM business owner do a few year ago. Right to the front of the line at the airport, then to his first class seat and the same in ATL to get through C & I faster,

Interesting topic. As someone who travels for work averaging about 100 flights a year (counting connections) between Asia, Europe and the US. Since the restart of traveling again since the lockdowns I have noticed a definite uptick in WC use and abuse. Just by looking at a person you really cant tell if they need a WC or not all of the time (most truly do require one). Some of the give a way's for me is when they board the plane and have a group of people go with them all carrying a ton of items to make sure they can put all of them in overhead bins I understand needing at least 1 person to help but when you have 4 or more you are abusing the system. The next thing I have noticed is having 10 WC for pre boarding and only 2 WC needed once the plane lands. Because of my airline status I always board in group 1 and 90% of the time in business class but I still put my back pack under the seat and try to use proper airline etiquette which is if I am in the main cabin I always like an aisle seat I let the person in the middle use the arm rest if the flight is less than 3 hrs. I do not put the seat back even if I'm in business class and always put the seat forward when meals are served. This unfortunately in todays world of travel this is an exception and not a rule people still crowd the gate even though they are group 7 gone are the days of polite and courteous travelers for the most part of course they are always some and it is a pleasure when I come across them . What I find interesting is that more people are rude when traveling for vacations one would think they would be more relaxed but most times they are not. I will be in SXM in 7days and I will the guy in line smiling with an occasional head shake but since we are flying business I will also have few bourbons in me . I have not always been a patient person but experience and a great life have helped me to balance the scales.

As far as walking on the plane and walking off the plane, that is a whole different situation than waiting in a half hour immigration or security line. On the AA website, you have the option to pick "i can walk short distances" or " I need wheelchair assistance onto the plane", something to that effect. I always get a wheelchair when I have to deal with immigration, but I don't need it to get on and off a plane. I can walk short distances, but if I have to walk more than that, it is extremely difficult for me, and I cannot stand for long periods of time. Even when walking, I need extra time to get onboard, so it is very helpful to me to board early, to be able to do that, without people jostling me. But I don't need a wheelchair for that.

Delta’s website is similar to AA’s. There are multiple options available, depending on the needs and abilities of the passenger.

On the topic of wheelchairs (and people’s kindness), after 25 trips to SXM, we finally succumbed and ordered wheelchair service both at YYZ and SXM due to my wife’s mobility issues. The wheelchair service was excellent, as others have mentioned. It is the kindness of people that almost brought me to tears. When we returned our rental car (Kenny’s), we found Lesley. He ran over to the car, opened the door, and asked “Which airline”? We said “Westjet”. He said “Don’t move. I’ll be back”. He ran off into the terminal, and came back a few minutes later with a wheelchair agent. Service from car door to airplane door. Wheelchair service was good, but Lesley’s help was the icing on the cake. He gave us both a hug as we left. Thanks, Lesley and Shirley.

I do remember one instance on a domestic flight where a passenger, sitting in an exit row seat, had a wheelchair waiting for him after he exited the jetway. WHAT THE H***

As an alternative to wheel chair service at the airport, we purchased two transport chairs -- light weight wheel chairs. They have more than paid for themselves over the years. The airport service has been outstanding when using our own chairs for my folks. We typically leave from JFK and often the wait for a wheel chair could be long. We found it's easier to just bring our own. The chairs are checked at the gate after boarding and always waiting for us as we exit the plane. The attendants in St. Maarten have been known to lift the chairs with my folks in them right on to the bus to the terminal which always made my mom laugh. We use the chairs while on vacation to shuttle them to the beach or out to dinner if we know we have a long walk from where we park.

Do the airport personell push your transport chairs?

Blessings and Happy Holidays !

There are airport personnel at all airports we’ve travelled who are employed by a company for just this service. In SXM I think the company may be Signature but I could also be wrong. Regardless, each time we’ve used them they have been great.
And I truly wish they could teach the transporters in MIA and JFK how to perform this service with a bit more civility.🙂🙂

those are known as “miracle flights”

That’s but one of so many reasons we love Lesley and Shirley Bruce of Kenny’s Car Rentals. 👏👏

Thanks Pat and of recent for this week , we have been having three thus far .

I actually heard a flight attendant say Jesus must have been on the flight and healed people.

In November, 2022, we were in St. Maarten. Marc was experiencing extreme back pain for most of the year. He could barely walk, and in hindsight, we probably should have stayed home.

When we departed SXM, sitting at the boarding gate, Marc had a question for the gate agent. He stood up, in obvious distress. The American Airlines agent called out to him to stop and she actually left the gate desk to talk to him in his seat. She answered his question and told him that while she couldn't get him a wheelchair at that point, she wanted us to board with the people using wheelchairs. She also insisted and arranged for a wheelchair in Miami. What an act of kindness that was! We were grateful for her kindness and compassion!

In February 2023, Marc had spinal fusion surgery (L2-L5). His surgeon said that his back was completely collapsed in that area. I'm happy to report that he is now walking 2-3 miles a day without stopping! We were in SXM in September 2023, and he had no problems walking. And we just were in Rome, where we walked 9 to 10 miles a day. We are blessed!

We will always remember the kindness of that SXM gate agent!

Alltec63 You are an angel!

Jo--thanks for the story with a happy ending!

Bluesfan -- yes, airport personnel will push our transport chairs. They look just like a wheel chair but are lighter and easier to fold and store.