MCO - Special Assistance for Medical

[Lemmonie]

SO, flying into MCO for the first time (previously done Sanford) with an Autistic 10 year old boy.

Previously we used the disability immigration queue at Sanford no problem. I am aware though that MCO have restricted their disability immigration queue (is this right?) and even though I have made the Airline aware and booked special assistance at Gatwick with them how oes it work on arrival at MCO?

I have trawled their website and the TSA website and it has such poor information its unreal!

Anyone gone recently and can give me some reassurance?

[mushumadness]

We go into the international every year with our son who’s 8 with autism and adhd
It really depends who you drop on
As to if you get moved to the right line
Some of the staff are helpful and some give you the and so? Attitude till said son kicks off then they’re interested

[Kev Harrison]

This is the response I received from MCO.. I have followed all of the process and all is in place.

"Hi there! Thanks for reaching out to us. You are correct, the lines were recently removed by CBP. We still have ambassadors that provide assistance in the lines if necessary or requested. If you would like assistance going through the customs hall, this would be the information we would need from you:

Please send us your names, the name of your airline, date & time of arrival and your flight number. We will forward that information to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and to the appropriate Station Manager for your airline. On your arrival please approach one of our Airport Ambassadors (they wear black slacks or skirts, white shirts and gold vests); advise them of your concerns & they will lead you & your family to expedite your processing.

On your return flight, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a special program in place (TSA Cares) that assists guests flying out that need assistance. It is a wonderful program; if you contact them about your trip home in advance, (whenever that might be) it will make your trip home stress free as possible.

TSA CARES is a toll-free help line (1-xxx-787-2227) available for passengers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances to get the latest information on screening.

You may call from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Communicate information about you & your family’s specific needs at least 72 hours in advance of airport arrival to allow TSA to prepare for individual requirements at the US airports you will be departing from.
TSA Cares: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support"

And the response..

"This information has been forwarded to the proper team and they will do their best to accommodate your family needs, Kevin. Have a great day and thanks for reaching out to us."

[mushumadness]

Fingers crossed that it works and you get a decent person who know what they’re doing
My sister flew in two days ago unfortunatly the helper person they suggest when you give them the details on the email
Could t have cared two hoops and she proceeded to have to be in the standard line
Maybe it’ll get better

[Merryweather]

Can someone please advise if this is now required for all airport assistance? I’ve arranged wheelchair assistance through Virgin from Glasgow to MCO and back.

[BirdsluvDisney]

We traveled this year with my Grandson whom has Autism and Sensory overload disorder.
We flew from Gatwick with Virgin. At Gatwick my son in law was given a lanyard, This was so know questions were asked they could see the lanyard and know our Grandson had needs. They also gave my Grandson a badge, This this not say Im special or anything like that, That told him because he was so great would he like a special badge to wear. So without him knowing this highlighted to staff who the person traveling with us had the additional needs.

When we arrived at Orlando, We had an ambassador waiting for us at the plane door, She walked us through a simple route along the outside away from the crowds, She then escorted us through customs through to baggage, it was very calm and well organised.

My Daughter did carry a letter with my Grandsons diagnoses and his card that shows he has Autism. This was never asked for.

On return to Orlando Airport we was told to find an ambassador. Once we spoke with a ambassador we was escorted through baggage and then through security.
The whole experience was also made very easy.

When we got to the gate we showed our lanyard that we got from Gatwick and we was boarded first, On arrival at Gatwick we was once again collected and taken through security and into baggage.

The whole experience and the way they where so organised in the UK and USA led to a very positive experience for our Grandson.

Before we left the UK we emailed Gatwick through their special assistance link and the lanyard was all ready for us. We also contacted Virgin special assistance team.

We also contacted MCO and told them of the flight we was arriving on and gave our Grandsons name and what assistance he would need.

I hope you have a positive experiance as we did.

[thatdavieguy]

Sure i've read here in the past few weeks that there's no longer a special assistance line at MCO, everyone now being put into the same queue.

All because of the number of people abusing the line, for example getting taken through in wheelchairs then making a miraculous recovery once they get to their baggage.

[mushumadness]

wheelchairs are now required to be in the normal que i believe

[Scaramouche]

Originally Posted by Kev Harrison

This is the response I received from MCO.. I have followed all of the process and all is in place.

"Hi there! Thanks for reaching out to us. You are correct, the lines were recently removed by CBP. We still have ambassadors that provide assistance in the lines if necessary or requested. If you would like assistance going through the customs hall, this would be the information we would need from you:

Please send us your names, the name of your airline, date & time of arrival and your flight number. We will forward that information to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and to the appropriate Station Manager for your airline. On your arrival please approach one of our Airport Ambassadors (they wear black slacks or skirts, white shirts and gold vests); advise them of your concerns & they will lead you & your family to expedite your processing.

On your return flight, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a special program in place (TSA Cares) that assists guests flying out that need assistance. It is a wonderful program; if you contact them about your trip home in advance, (whenever that might be) it will make your trip home stress free as possible.

TSA CARES is a toll-free help line (1-xxx-787-2227) available for passengers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances to get the latest information on screening.

You may call from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Communicate information about you & your family’s specific needs at least 72 hours in advance of airport arrival to allow TSA to prepare for individual requirements at the US airports you will be departing from.
TSA Cares: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/passenger-support"

And the response..

"This information has been forwarded to the proper team and they will do their best to accommodate your family needs, Kevin. Have a great day and thanks for reaching out to us."

See more...

Hi!

Who do I send the details of our flight to please? I won’t have a wheelchair at immigration, it will be packed in the hold so I will be on crutches only and suffering.

Thanks!

[Kev Harrison]

Sent you a message