worrying about return flight of relatives

foreignpaddy

My father/mother are coming to visit us in Ireland and neither of them speaks english (and they are both rather old) and it's their first flight anywhere. They are worried that they may get lost on their return flight after going through security. I've reassured them it's not difficult and they just need to look the gate up on the screen and follow directions to the gate, but as asking for help within the airport isn't easy because it's unlikely they will bump into staff speaking our native language, I was wondering if there is any paying service we could pay to ensure someone would take them to the right gate? (n.b: they are not invalid, so the golf-cart thingy isn't an option, me thinks) any advice you could give me in advance would be great. They are flying aerlingus, btw!

Thanks!

Dublin airport have a concierge service. I have never used it but seen it advertised.
http://www.dublinairport.com/gns/at-the-airport/Dublin-Airport-Travel-Services/Concierge.aspx

foreignpaddy

Many thanks wextext! That's handy. I'm just wondering how it works when, for example, the gate isn't on the screen

coylemj

foreignpaddy wrote: »

Many thanks wextext! That's handy. I'm just wondering how it works when, for example, the gate isn't on the screen

If the gate isn't yet on the screen then it means they don't want you going to the gate because an earlier flight (departing from that gate) hasn't finished boarding so you just hang around in the terminal by the shops and bars keeping an eye on the departure screens. There's usually plenty of seating for people in that situation unless there's a general delay affecting all flights like adverse weather.

Take note that if you turn up too early for a flight, you can be guaranteed that you'll be hanging around waiting for the gate number in a busy airport so if you don't want them getting all anxious wondering where their gate is, don't dump them in the airport two hours before their flight unless they're flying to the US.

That concierge service says that you will be 'escorted to the gate', I assume that means that they will stay with you if there's a delay to make sure that you eventually make it to your gate.

athtrasna

Dublin airport offer a concierge guide service but it's not cheap at €39.95 per group of up to six people. https://prebook.dublinairport.com/public/flow.htm?_flowExecutionKey=_c85669B69-BB6D-DC43-5417-735AEA904055_k380A32A0-59C6-006D-FF38-3F95CB710667

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Oops someone beat me to it but I left the post for the pricing info

Berberis

When my elderly Father flew, the security use to allow me or my sister accompany him to his departure gate and wait with him untill it was time to board.
Mind you it was a few years ago, the last time around 8 years or so ago.

athtrasna

Berberis wrote: »

When my elderly Father flew, the security use to allow me or my sister accompany him to his departure gate and wait with him untill it was time to board.
Mind you it was a few years ago, the last time around 8 years or so ago.

13 years maybe? This was discontinued after 9/11

Berberis

athtrasna wrote: »

13 years maybe? This was discontinued after 9/11

Your probally right there.
Jaysus where have all the years gone. Time flys (excuse the pun)

JuliusCaesar

If they are elderly or unused to travel, you can organise Assisted Flying for them. You go with them to the airport and go to the desk in the terminal. They'll be brought with a driver in a buggy all the way to the gate. They'll skip the queues at security, and be accompanied at every stage. Just phone the airport in advance.

I went with one of my elderly parents (wouldn't have been able to walk the whole way) and it was an eye-opener. I'd nearly bring one of them with me for the convenience at airports!


PS - it's free of charge.

http://www.aerlingus.com/i18n/en/htmlPopups/special_request_information.html



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anne burnell

check out the airport genie.... they have a chaperone service...it's E40, but might be worth it for peace of mind...

athtrasna

anne burnell wrote: »

check out the airport genie.... they have a chaperone service...it's E40, but might be worth it for peace of mind...

Mentioned twice above