Walking cast/ moon boot and Int. Airports

[Milboo]

Wondering if anyone has had recent experience in this area.

I am stuck in a moon boot at present (to knee) due to tendon injury (vs fracture). I have a short trip to NZ next week on Air NZ and am a little apprehensive of navigating SYD and AKL airport given the distances to be covered.

I am pretty mobile but long distances are tiring. I am travelling alone.

Does anyone know of either airport run the golf carts to/ from gates? Or is there a short cut from security to the Air NZ gates/ lounge?

Any other tips for travelling with it on?

Thanks.

 

[cove]

Just call the carrier and arrange either a wheel chair or a buggy ride. We had to do this when Mrscove ripped her knee.
We found the carrier to be very helpful which was SQ in our case.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

We did a RTW trip with me in a moon boot ( 5 fractured bones right ankle and leg ) and all the carriers were excellent. Had a wheelchair and pusher most places - it was pre booked by our TA. Where there were lots of people needing pick up on arrival occasionally there was a large cart. Just allow for extra time at both ends because you are first on and last off. Last off is not necessarily bad as we were taken to either a special immigration line or fast tracked.
Also try and keep you leg raised as much as possible on the flight as you foot will swell A LOT !!
And if you are using a walking stick take it with you, as it is great for when you need to rest a minute and take the weight off your leg.

 

[Pointcollector]

My last few trips were in a moon boot, I feel your pain. I'm 3 weeks out of the boot now! Don't stress, everyone will help. I went MEL SYD LAX LAS and return and a couple of domestic trips. Inform the airline before you go over the phone. At check in they have a wheel chair to take you all the way through security and to the departure gate. On arrival they will also have a chair at the gate.
I was a bit reluctant (embarrassed ) at first to take the chair as I was mobile, but as you say it gets tiring very quickly.

It's amazing how many people go out of their way for you.

Speedy recovery to you

 

[Milboo]

Thanks everyone.

Slightly more apprehensive now - just tried speaking with NZ and they were extremely unhelpful. Apparently medical reason is not sufficient reason to let me have a bulkhead or a seat block in lieu - and ignoring dual gold FF status (VA and Star Alliance).

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Hopefully they will be more helpful/sympathetic on check in. Good luck !!

 

[NZflygirl]

Thanks everyone.

Slightly more apprehensive now - just tried speaking with NZ and they were extremely unhelpful. Apparently medical reason is not sufficient reason to let me have a bulkhead or a seat block in lieu - and ignoring dual gold FF status (VA and Star Alliance).

They've probably just made a distinction between what is "nice to have" eg seat block bulkhead (which, if the plane has lighter loadings I'm sure you'll be able to move or they may allocate it to you at check in), vs what is "necessary" ie your dr would have needed to do some medical paperwork for the airline. At least that's my experience. There is a difference between what people think they need, and what they actually need. I don't believe status enters into this equation.

Chin up its a short flight! Sometimes my feet swell a bit but it goes away on the other side!

 

[flychrisfly]

Thanks everyone.

Slightly more apprehensive now - just tried speaking with NZ and they were extremely unhelpful. Apparently medical reason is not sufficient reason to let me have a bulkhead or a seat block in lieu - and ignoring dual gold FF status (VA and Star Alliance).

What about wheelchairs? Did the airline arrange them for you?

 

[pippen_2k]

I think requesting specific seating like you have is asking a bit too much. Your initial request about the buggy/wheelchair should be doable.

 

[Milboo]

They've probably just made a distinction between what is "nice to have" eg seat block bulkhead (which, if the plane has lighter loadings I'm sure you'll be able to move or they may allocate it to you at check in), vs what is "necessary" ie your dr would have needed to do some medical paperwork for the airline. At least that's my experience. There is a difference between what people think they need, and what they actually need. I don't believe status enters into this equation.

Chin up its a short flight! Sometimes my feet swell a bit but it goes away on the other side!

Might be a short flight but I can't actually sit for 3 hours with my foot flat on the ground without reasonable discomfort. And not enough room under the seat in front to rest boot on its heel - which is the position I need it to be in.

I've already moved myself into J for outbound but inbound is A330 so Y only.

 

[NZflygirl]

Might be a short flight but I can't actually sit for 3 hours with my foot flat on the ground without reasonable discomfort. And not enough room under the seat in front to rest boot on its heel - which is the position I need it to be in.

I've already moved myself into J for outbound but inbound is A330 so Y only.

I'm 5'7" I'm thinking you might be taller. I'm guessing you're not driving when you land so I'd pop a lot of pills prior to the flight. My uncle has to use compression stockings, could you get one of those to help lessen the potential swelling and discomfort? Maybe ask at the chemist?

I'm guessing you mean A320 on return, so head down the back of the plane, I reckon better chance of seat free next to you although if it's the last flight of the day to Syd they can get full depending on the day you're flying. Swap to earlier or next day if seat map looks full? I've done that on the Air NZ site before and cost maybe $1 fare difference with $30 change fee I think but I'm not sure how that works if you bought via VA.

Could you swap to 2 flights with PE there and back rather than J and Y? or is it a 767 without PE?

If the above doesn't work and if you think you will fly that route again and you bought via VA do they let you travel bank it to use some other time and you could either fly EK J to SYD or route via BNE or MEL on a widebody with PE then to SYD on a shorter 1 hr flight? You'd get more sc's! That's if time allows.

Put on a bit of a painful face at check in just saying it's painful having it down and you're hoping for a short flight etc, but not too painful where they say - you can't get on the flight you need to be checked by a doctor and then you miss your flight! Just to increase chances of maybe a seat spare next to you.

They should be able to assist with airport wheelchairs as there always seem to be people in these. There was an article in the news of someone being let down by Air NZ but statistically speaking you should be ok with that side of things.

Those are things I would do if I were in your moon boot!

And pills!

Just had another thought, if it's your left leg then try for an aisle seat on the right side of plane A320 and vice versa (I think I have that the right way round), but then you can stick your leg out into the aisle when people aren't going back and forth. No falling asleep though or someone will trip over it and that will cause you pain!

 

[windycityf]

3 timer here and man I am sorry. I actually cancelled trips the first time, I just could not face the whole travel experience. 2nd and 3rd time, I was a pro, but going on a beach holiday, not my smartest idea. My foot was HOT.
In any case, order the wheelchair and try your luck at the airport at checkin. I found that when they could actually see I was injured they were a little bit more willing to accommodate.

If you are successful another suggestion is one of those travel pillows. I found any sort of elevation was better then none.

Good luck and don't be afraid to ask for help.

 

[Milboo]

Thanks! I am pleased to report I survived the first flight! Unfortunately cancelling was not on the cards as it was a work trip, nor was changing flights due to travel policies.

Ground staff in Sydney were awesome and made me realise I was being stubborn thinking I could manage so I got the wheelchair treatment at both ends! They also seat blocked for me in J and my domestic Y flights.

 

[Milboo]

In case anyone circles back to this thread in the future, am pleased to report Air NZ were fantastic in their service.

Wheelchair was organised for all 4 airport transfers, seat blocks in place, cabin crew excellent.

I am pleased I took the transfer option - people do like to stare though!

 

[marki]

I have flown Air NZ many times for retrieval purposes and they are one of the best in the world for such help never have I had any issues only remarkable help!

 

[windycityf]

In case anyone circles back to this thread in the future, am pleased to report Air NZ were fantastic in their service.

Wheelchair was organised for all 4 airport transfers, seat blocks in place, cabin crew excellent.

I am pleased I took the transfer option - people do like to stare though!

Let them stare! I learned to put my pride aside trying to navigate ORD with broken foot. But I think they were staring because I decorated my boot with flowers.

Glad it all worked out!