How to get help putting suitcase on the conveyor belt at airport check-in

I would ask whoever is behind you in the queue if they would be kind enough just to lift your case on for you .
If like me , you don't like to ask and needs must , roll your case up close to the belt , handle up and tip it on then nudge it forward , don't lift it . Take your time , you'll find a way but like others have said , ask and I'm sure someone will oblige .

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions.

I have been to the special assistance desk first only to be told I need to check in first.

I am travelling with a friend who has similar issues and we meet at the airport as she is coming from a different part of the country. We have booked the holiday through Saga which includes a taxi pick up from our respective homes. I guess we could ask Saga to send the taxi an hour earlier if possible.

I always try and minimise the weight of the case. Must try harder! We are going for 2 weeks. As for asking someone in the queue at check-in to help, last time there was nobody else there. My friend lifted the cases onto the belt which was risky.

It’s a shame the airport don’t have sufficient staff to run a more efficient service. We always travel out of season. I think having to wait 45 minutes for assistance on arrival is unreasonable really. Maybe I am being unreasonable though.

There’s no problem at home as my neighbour helps me.

When we booked special assistance at Heathrow (DH in wheelchair) we had arranged Meet and Greet also, we rang on arrival and q5 mins later someone came and loaded our suitcases from the ban onto a trolley and off we went. Put them in the belt for us at check in.

Problem started when we went to security and were told 'Computer says no' to our boarding passes. Flight cancelled! Assistance took us back to check in, but then came to end of shift and there was no replacement available!

15 mins!

And van, not ban. Hate this keyboard!😄

To keep luggage as light as possible, but any toiletries at your destination then ditch them before you return.

Just get there early to ensure you get assistance. I think that is the least you could do, 45 mins is nothing. Better that than impose on the kindness of strangers, some 'fit young men' may have invisible medical issues that they wouldn't want to compromise, but may feel obliged to help. Rely on yourself plus the official assistance, don't be an imposition.

I have Assistance and worried about this having lifted the case myself the first time. It was no problem at Heathrow at tte Assistance Desk, a man was called 'whose job it is' and he did it. Likewise the return flight from a smaller airport. This was BA

Many people who need assistance would struggle to get to the airport yet another hour earlier.
If the Assistance or Meet and greet wont help, I would just ask someone near you to help. Most people are happy to help and if not, they might have a good reason, just ask someone else.

PS. Have you heard of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme? Google it but here is a summary:
"Almost all major UK airports (including Heathrow, Manchester, Gatwick, Stansted, and Edinburgh) recognize the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme.
Wearing a free lanyard or badge signals to staff that you may need extra time, care, or understanding, though it does not automatically grant fast-track or VIP services."
Not just airports but lots of companies recognize it. Doesn't have to be obvious, just so the staff can see it or you show them.

Good luck.

Many people who need assistance would struggle to get to the airport yet another hour earlier

I don’t see why this follows.

Are you talking about carry on luggage or checking in?
If the former , travelling as light as you can possibly make it is essential, and I found to my cost this year travelling on Eurostar and TGV that a case with a handle on the LONG side is much easier to manhandle (granhandje?) than just at the top.
Other than that I each time I needed help eg getting a case downstairs on the TGV or off the Eurostar, I identified a likely looking ‘ nice young man’ and asked politely for «un coup de main» . They were each time only too willing to help- there are advantages to white hair after all. Getting my case on to the rollers at Customs was another matter-everything was rush, rush, busy, busy but again I usually got offers of help.

Aldom

Definitely ask a young man.
Twice, on train journeys, when I was much younger, in my sixties, young men have picked up my suitcase and done what was necessary, without being asked.
There are lots of kind people out there. Try not to worry.
Travel safely and enjoy your holiday.

Yes, people can be very kind.
Faced with a long flight of steps at Vauxhall station, when I’d just come by train all the way from Dijon, I was so very grateful when, without a word, a random kind man just picked up my suitcase and carried it up for me.
Bless you, whoever you were.

I would purchase an arm sling, wear it when you get nearer to the check in desk and look helpless! There will be someone who will be more than willing to help out and then you just give them a grateful smile and say thank you. Job done !!

I specifically do not take overhead locker luggage now as I know I would struggle getting it up into the locker. I wouldn't mind asking for help at the luggage belt as an easy pull but not an overhead lift. Would be concerned I'd get an attitude of you are old and expecting other folk to do things for you.

But when you were younger and fitter would you think twice about helping someone who was struggling? I certainly wouldn't have.

I just asked at check in and they had no issue lifting my case onto conveyor belt for me

I too struggle lifting my case on to conveyor belt. I attempted to lift it but couldn’t manage it. I turned around and smiled, 2,strapping teenage girls gladly helped. My experience is that most people are only too happy to assist.

Strong handsome young men are your best bet. And Gay Men are very entertaining. I am very surprised that Gatwick is not that good with Special Assistance. Seeing it the biggest outside Heathrow.

I would book special Assistance with a Wheelchair Failing that. I presume you get out of a taxi on arrival when you get to the Airport Concourse

At Manchester Airport. Terminal Two which is massive and a nightmare.

There is a whole line of luggage trolleys parked outside the entrance of the terminal. Get you taxi driver to get you.one.

Let him put your suitcase on it. Give him a small tip. Then you push the trolley over to the entry door and go and sit in the Special Assistance Area.

Hope this helps.

Happy Holidays.🤞

There’s always some polite young strong passenger who will be only too glad to help if you ask.

Well my sister and I always get the taxi driver to help us with our cases but last year at the check I. I managed my case but my sister had a problem I had gone to the toilet . She noticed 2 jet 2 Woking staff and asked one to help her with her case and the two men said they were greeters not there to lift cases fortunately am man in the queue helped her

Definitely, if all else fails, ask a young man. In my experience they love showing off their muscles!

Special assistance at Gatwick is ground floor with a waiting room and helpful staff. I use it frequently and allow an extra 30 minutes for the wheelchair to arrive. Always friendly people they will deal with all the check in stuff, suitcase on conveyor and hand over passport etc. then wheel you to the cafe and come back for you when it’s time to go to the departure bit. Just add a bit longer on your arrival time and let them assist you as they can, they even wheeled me to a loo.

I have used assistance at airports. We had fun at Heathrow when the time between flights was very small. The lady pushing me set off assuring me we would get there on time. She shouted "coming through" every time an obstruction was threatened. Formula One assistance. We did make it on time.

I once met a man who'd previously worked as an airport assistant. He told me he'd had to give up the job as he'd found it too stressful. The pressure of getting the right person to the right plane really got to him. Sad really as he was a nice man who I thought would be good with people. Maybe his airport was understaffed.

Clearly in the wrong job!