In this episode:
Are you a woman who likes to travel but wants some help going solo or independent:
Give a listen for guidance.
FAQ is: I’m going to retire soon, and I don’t like traveling by myself. Can you give me some pointers for doing this?
Today’s Special Destination is: Wheelchairs and travel
Today’s Mistake- Skis that disappeared from the truck.
Travel Advice:Rent your vehicle with caution
I hope you enjoy this episode.
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Clubhouse: Travel Best Women
Answer: Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. There are many
people who wish they could retire, but are delaying it because of finances or
circumstances.
For you, maybe you want to start on a small trip that would be one or two
days only by yourself and find out how you like this kind of travel. You would
go somewhere and spend the night, but drive home the next day and not know
anyone at the place you visited. It’s a big step for a lot of people, seriously.
However, once you try it, you may
find that you really enjoy your own company, your own schedule and your own
quirks. So if you want to rise early and get a jump on the next day, you can do
that! If you want to sleep late, you can do that, too. Or you can take a nap in
the middle of the day if you want. See what I’m getting at? You don’t need to
be on someone else’s schedule and you may love that! This is step 1 solo
travel, and it’s an adventure, YES it is. I give specific advice in my soon to
be released book on how to, what to, where to, etc. In the meantime, I hope you
have some great first steps and let me know how it went.
Today’s special episode is on: Wheelchairs and travel
Wheelchair dependent travelers need to know that their chairs will be
handled well when they travel.
Planes present issues for many wheelchairs. It’s a bumpy ride for many
in a wheelchair.
Buses and trains accommodate wheelchair customers, but planes have separate
legislation.
Tiny lavatories are hardly for full bodied passengers. Those with less
abilities are frustrated. They don’t strap down chairs. They have to transfer
to a skinny airplane aisle chair and remain seated for a long flight.
DOT handles this responsibility.
Mishandled chairs are more common than you think.
Disability rights advocates want to speak out about this issue.
Baggage handlers should be smart about these items.
Scooters and Motorized wheelchairs are often damaged, leaving the
passenger helpless to get around.
Source: The Middle Seat, Scott McCartney, WSJ Dec 3, 2021
What are airlines doing? Creating special lifts, aisle chairs are only 18
inches wide. Bruises hips. Getting off and on the toilet is had and takes
several crew members to shield for privacy.
All Wheels up raising money to research carrying chairs on airplanes,
Strapping down wheelchairs. Evacuation tests for the 90 seconds. Cabin
floors may not be strong enough for the 400-pound customized chair plus
occupant.
Safety, comfort,
Dignity.
To prepare for the trip:
Call ahead and add the wheelchair added to the reservation, including dimensions,
weight, and special handling instructions, remove everything possible, like cushions,
controls, etc., have an extra key, mark the lift points as well as where not to
grab.
Use the front closet for storage.
Tape instructions on the chair for rolling operation. How to unlock, put
in neutral and engage power movement, label the type of batteries on the chair.
Today’s Mistake-Skis that disappeared from the truck.
I was in Sun Valley, Idaho for a week of fantastic skiing and on the way
to the airport, my ski bag was lost. It was missing and never found. I don’t
know how that could have happened, as I’ve been skiing a long time and never
heard of this. I hope whoever got my skis had fun with them. Do know that you
could lose them and so be prepared if that happens to you. The good part was it
happened at the END of the trip, not at the start. This could happen to anyone,
and I hope it’s not You.
Today’s Travel Advice- Rent your vehicle
with caution
If you are renting a car, be careful of extra fees. These days, when you
rent a car, you find that there are more extras than ever before. If you have
good auto insurance, you don’t need the extra coverage they try to scare you to
purchase. Watch out for hidden fees at the end of the purchase, before you check the box. Some firms give you a
discount, but the charge is not refundable. So if your plans change, your
flight is cancelled or you get delayed, you could lose your money. Look
carefully at the bottom line and the small print. The buyer needs to be more
aware than ever.
Connect with Dr Travelbest
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group
Clubhouse:
Travel Best Women
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