Hello, All! I'm planning a trip to Berlin, and the lowest fares require a change in LAX. I've read nothing but nightmare stories about going through customs in LAX. I'm in my 60's and have arthritis and a couple pinched nerves in my spine. I can't stand for a long time with awful pain. I can walk fine as long as I sit down frequently. I'm considering requesting a wheelchair to go through customs, because I know I can't stand that long. But I'm afraid that people are going to look at me and question whether I really need a wheelchair. Do you have any experience or advice for me? Thanks!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
If you need it, request it. That's what they are there for. Who cares what anyone else thinks?
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7119 posts
"Like" button for Nancy's answer. I see lots of people in wheelchairs whose 'disabilities' are not obvious but I don't think I've ever doubted whether or not they needed the chair. If you feel you need the chair, get it - and don't worry about anyone else.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Just to agree with the two other replies. If you need a wheelchair, get it. End of story.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4412 posts
Jude, I have a few suggestions for your time IN Europe. Are you bringing any type of sport seat or portable stool to sit on? There's an awful lot of standing, in addition to walking, on a European vacation. Definitely arrange for the wheelchair!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
I believe she is talking about the whole process of changing planes in LA, whether it involves immigration or customs or both. The answer is the same - get the wheelchair if you need it.
Posted by
Denver, Colorado, USA
713 posts
I went through customs at LAX in 2007. The baggage claim area was crowded and damn near chaotic, and it seemed to take forever to get our bags. An experience I hope to never repeat. A member of my travel group had developed a foot infection during our trip and was in a wheelchair there. Honestly, I don't think anybody even noticed her in the teeming mass of humanity in that area. If you need one, get one. I have a couple of friends who because of physical impairments can't stand long, and use wheelchair service at airports although they don't need them in their daily lives. No big deal.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3255 posts
Are you talking about customs or immigration?
Posted by
Chicago
565 posts
I broke my leg in Europe last year, so I had to have a wheelchair to go through immigration. Usually, there's a line at O'Hare just for the wheelchairs, but it was closed and I got to cut in front of all the able-bodies in the non-US citizen line. We all got eye rolls and dirty looks. Not being one to really give a **** what others think, I told one particularly whiny woman from Spain I'd gladly trade places with her if she'd like the cast. She said nothing. People who scoff at the disabled are terrible people. They're not just having a bad day. They are truly awful. Ignore them. Your life will be much better for it.
Posted by
Denver, Colorado, USA
713 posts
I was on a nonstop flight from Nadi (Fiji) to LAX. I don't recall if we passed a separate immigration check before the bag claim area. The bag claim area was only for flights originating outside the US, and located within the customs/immigration area. We claimed our bags and then had to go through a checkpoint before we could proceed further. Whether that checkpoint was immigration/customs combined or just one of those, I have no clear memory. I do remember having to literally RUN with my bags down the sidewalk to get to another terminal for my connecting flight to Denver.