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

And van, not ban. Hate this keyboard!😄

15 mins!

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!

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.

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 .

I'm able to lift my usually 18 kilos suitcase. Couple of trips ago reached the luggage belt when a young man arrived at the the side of me to place his own suitcase on and just lifted mine on to. I thanked him and he just said a bit of help now and again doesn't go amiss. Sure if you asked someone would help. I find in eastern Europe, far east, staff are almost on the look out for older people to help.Enjoy your trip.

I was also going to say: travel light.
Wear any heavy clothes, take the lightest suitcase possible, pack and repack after removing half your stuff, etc. 😆
Good luck with the assistance.

I thank you for your information. It seems we have been doing it wrongly for 30 years and should’ve been going to assistance first and then checking in. As DD2 has been a full-time Wheelchair use for 30 years now, we are, of course, fully aware of arriving early - 3 hours.
She is a frequent flyer, monthly on internal flights, as well as flying overseas several times a year and knows the Newcastle assistance staff quite well now.

Georgesgran

That’s interesting CV2020.
I feel we’ve been doing things wrong for 30 years, as we always check in first, then go to ‘Assistance’. It’s getting increasingly difficult with suitcases when I travel with DD2, so we’ll try that next time.
Thanks for the information!

I go to assistance first, but then I need to check in my rollator, then it goes to Outsized Baggage, and they always ask if I have luggage to check in, but I always travel hand luggage only ( I can do 4 weeks!) I always see people with check in luggage being taken to check in.
Just go to Special Assistance first, and they’ll sort you.

Why not just go and hour earlier to the airport if that's what makes the difference?

Georgesgran

Humiliating if they refuse b&j and believe me, it does happen.

"Humiliating"??? Not in the least, just means they are unable/unwilling. Perhaps some invisible disability but no need to feel HUMILIATED by refusal. Thank them and move on.

Ask the next ablebodied person.

Humiliating if they refuse b&j and believe me, it does happen.

Just ask the person standing behind you in the queue.

So simple.

I think I must look frail and elderly as some kind person always steps up to help me with my luggage without being asked.

I use special assistance at Manchester and Liverpool airports and they always help with the suitcases even though it's my husband that requires the special assistance as a wheelchair user. They always help at the destination airport as well and on return to the UK. They take us right to where to taxi is waiting for us and help with all the suitcases although I am fit and able. I just struggle with two lots of cases. I'm surprised they were not more helpful at Gatwick. I do make sure we are there early but not ridiculously so.

I contacted Gatwick customer services before my last holiday and they assured me that every special assistance customer is entitled to help with suitcases. They advised me to use the ‘help’ phone on arrival. I tried that, but was told I would have to wait 45 minutes for someone to attend.

What to do? I don’t want to have to get to the airport an hour earlier. Any advice please?

It sounds like you pre-booked the assistance before your flight, which is good as they will have your name and requirements on their list at the airport.

We've used passenger assistance many times with different family members, travelling with a wheelchair and a mobility scooter.
We had to allow extra time to check the mobility scooter in.

The help is there. However you need to be prepared to take their advice.
You need to make yourself known to the assistance team as soon as you arrive at the airport.
They will take you to the check-in desk and through security.
They'll arrange where to meet you when it's time to board your plane and you will be in the group who get on first.
On landing your group will be met on the plane and will be helped off, after the other passengers, and taken to the luggage carousel.
They will take you to arrivals and whoever you are being met by.

If having that help means allowing extra time, that's what you need to do.

I find lots of people willing to help me.
I have decided I must look a bit pathetic!

That’s interesting CV2020.
I feel we’ve been doing things wrong for 30 years, as we always check in first, then go to ‘Assistance’. It’s getting increasingly difficult with suitcases when I travel with DD2, so we’ll try that next time.
Thanks for the information!

If you are going away for a considerable time a heavy suitcase is unavoidable but is just for a shorter trip try to pack light.
I have a friend who looks at the weight allowed for a suitcase and makes sure she packs up to that weight, and will pack several pairs of shoes and very many different toiletries and outfits for just a weekend break, her husband despairs.
Am sure you have thought of this but do see how you can cut back even more if you can just in case that helpful burly young man isn’t available to lift your case.
But do try to ask someone to help, my DH is disabled and I have various physical difficulties so we have been impressed at times by the kindness of strangers.
All the best.

I use Special Assistance. I go there first before check in and the assistant takes me and my luggage to check in. They lift my case onto scales and then onto the conveyor belt for me. Never had an issue doing this.

Apologies OP
I omitted to say that when I booked airport assistance for first time this year. I requested help with suitcase.
My case was lifted off conveyor belt at Madeira airport and on my return journey .

I find most men love being asked to help (brings out their manliness, helping a poor little lady🤣 ) When I pulled a muscle in my shoulder I couldnt comfortably get my incabin suitcase down the stairs so I appealed to the nearest man who not only got it down the stairs but insisted on taking it right out to the tarmac for me When I got in the plane I asked the nearest guy if he could help me get it into the overhead locker and he did and then as we were getting off he dashed up to get it down for me and took it down the stairs although I hadn’t asked for that bit
So find a bloke, look helpless, smile kindly and bingo they ll love showing off their extra strength

luvlyjubly , may I ask how you manage with the suitcase at home and at your destination? I do understand your dilemma at airports as the conveyor/scale is rather high than ground level as it would need to be because of the mechanics. Might you be able to position the case with its long narrow edge against the very front of the conveyor and ‘lever’ it on? Yes, it might take some effort but certainly not as strenuous as lifting the case entirely.

If you carefully read OP you will see Airport assistance is already booked!

Book Airport assistance through travel agent or when booking flight online