A little help... anyone who flys regularly

Hi. My mom wants to get to California to see her sister and
wants to leave NY two days after Christmas.

She is basically blind so I need to have a direct flight to LAX, connections would be too much for her.

Anyone here have a websight for cheap rates? I normally only fly east of the Mississippi and book Southwest-good carrier, no frills.
They do not have anything direct to California.

I have in the past booked mostly with travel agents to get a car and some other perks in package deals. This time I only need a ticket round trip for her.

Thanks

www.travelocity.com
www.orbitz.com
www.cheapseats.com
www.sidestep.com
I find the 1st 2 the best-I fly all over 4-6 x per month

Southwest DOES fly to LAX......check their site www.southwestairlines.com

Thanks Bleed. I've used Travelocity once. They had a good rate to Reno, better than anyone else including Southwest.

Can't do connecting flights though. Mom can't see. Did you see a direct flight? I might have missed it.

They are usually set up to help people with special needs - they'll make sure she get's to her connecting flight, as long as they are aware of her needs!

Morgan1 said:

Thanks Bleed. I've used Travelocity once. They had a good rate to Reno, better than anyone else including Southwest.

Can't do connecting flights though. Mom can't see. Did you see a direct flight? I might have missed it.

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What is your origination airport?

Could be either JFK or LaGuardia, would prefer JFK, just better all around.

Don't recall if any of the majors (American, Delta, etc.) fly out of Islip MacAuthur.

I use www.expedia.com they are usually pretty good with cheap tickets.

On travelocity ATA, American and Continental all have non-stops
Laguardia to LAX for @ 320$ Make sure your mom includes a Saturday night stay.

Bleed, everyone, thanks, have a little homework now.

My pleasure.

Morgan1

All of the major airlines have programs for adults with special needs. Find your best flight but then before you book it at one of the consolidator web sites like travelocity, call that airline direct and ask how their program works. Some charge a modest fee, others don't. The programs essentially assign your mother to airline staff to ensure that her travel is trouble free. The airline staff actually hand her off like an olymopic torch, and have to sign for her as they do so. This is especially important in the case of any schedule irregularities. They will then make sure that she is not left alone and that alternative arrangements are made for her. Even with a direct flight there can be occasional irregularities. If your mother is sight impared and not a frequent traveller sign her up for this progam/service. It will give you both peace of mind.

Re: Morgan1

VA MadDog said:

All of the major airlines have programs for adults with special needs. Find your best flight but then before you book it at one of the consolidator web sites like travelocity, call that airline direct and ask how their program works. Some charge a modest fee, others don't. The programs essentially assign your mother to airline staff to ensure that her travel is trouble free. The airline staff actually hand her off like an olymopic torch, and have to sign for her as they do so. This is especially important in the case of any schedule irregularities. They will then make sure that she is not left alone and that alternative arrangements are made for her. Even with a direct flight there can be occasional irregularities. If your mother is sight impared and not a frequent traveller sign her up for this progam/service. It will give you both peace of mind.

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Thanks VA. That's what I need. She has macular degeneration and a fair amount of arthritis so it's pretty hard for her to get around. My biggest worry is she wouldn't make a connecting flight so that's why I was thinking about direct to LA. I can escort her through security and after she's on the plane just need someone on the other end to watch her in case her sister is late picking her up.

Glad to help

A direct flight is easiest, but with this program even a connection is workable. In the case of a connection your mother would be accompanied/escourted by an airline staff person at the connecting airport from door to door. Check ahead to see what you need to get a gate pass at the airport you use - that is what allows you to go beyond security w/o a ticket.

The way this service works an airline employee would accompany your mother through security (perhaps not if you are there with a pass) then someone at the assigned gate signs for her, they then place her on board the aircraft first and a member of the crew again signs for her. At the destination airport the same thing happens in reverse until she is turned over to the indicated party, in this case your aunt.

It works very well. More people should take advantage of it. You would be surprised how many relatives just drop off a family member with special needs at the ticket counter without making arrangements like this. It is not unusual to see elderly disabled travelers essentially wandering around an airport unescourted. I find that to border on neglect on the part of the relatives.

Glad to see that you are thinking ahead and looking to book flights now. The holiday weeks are always busy and the cheaper fares will go fast.

Re: Glad to help

VA MadDog said:

You would be surprised how many relatives just drop off a family member with special needs at the ticket counter without making arrangements like this. It is not unusual to see elderly disabled travelers essentially wandering around an airport unescourted. I find that to border on neglect on the part of the relatives.

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VA, thanks again. Definitely will work this out before she hits the airport. Something we don't often think about. I for one don't like to think about how much more she needs to rely on me and my sisters these days to get around. Always hard to watch our parents get old.

Family support

Yes - but with your help she can continue to feel that she has some measure of independence. We will all get older some day and for many of us our "systems" will start to fail. Lets hope that we all have good kids like you and your sisters or good friends that will help us when we need a hand.

It is not easy - many seniors resist the very help that they need, but if you are persistent and compassionate in your giving it will probably be received with appreciation.

These giving opportunities and relationships with family and friends is what offers real satisfaction in life. We often chase "stuff" but find that we are still not happy once we get more/better/bigger/faster "stuff". I'm convinced that happiness comes from the heart and that positive and healthy relationships are a core thing that we all need to feel good about our situation in life.

Good luck with your planning. You can tell your mom that there are now a bunch of "big, dumb" bbers and "hot" fitness babes thinking about her and wishing her well. THAT should be an interesting conversation!

Thanks for the thoughts.

I find it very amusing that I can barely take care of myself at times and yet in turn need to take care of my mother. Life and Karma, LOL.

BTW, dumb has never entered my vocabulary, and especially not with anyone who has spent their valuable time educating me about diet and exercise. I have found in the past two years some incredible stimulating conversation and a level of intelligence that is quite refreshing, most of this coming from people half my age.

Stereotypes

I just use the "Big, Dumb" in jest. IMHO anyone who is a serious BBer and who understands all of the science behind the nutrition and training is far from dumb. "Dumb" people will not get very far in this sport and would certainly never do well in a competition.

It is really too bad that the majority of people do not appreciate the amount of knowledge and dedication that goes into this sport.

For many of us, I bet that even our spouses or significant others fail to appreciate what goes into attaining your goals. Unfortunately, and for some legitimate reasons, the use of A/S clouds everyones view and brings with it some criticism. That is one of the reasons why I like the natty approach - it takes away many of the issues that others can be critical about.

And yes you are right, there are a lot of interesting and intelligent people who are members of boards like this one.