I recently wrote about my first experience with airline special services for my handicapped child when I flew alone with my special needs child to Park City. With the extra assistance from getting through TSA to boarding the plane, and on the destination side where we were helped all the way out to our rental car, we definitely felt like VIPs. The skeptic in me kind of wondered if it was too good to true, and how it would work on our return trip home.

The return experience with airline special services was the same

Pulling into the rental car return was the first test.

I asked the rental car agent about special services. I’m not sure if he didn’t understand me or didn’t care, but he provided no help.  Somehow I was going to have to get 2 bags, a backpack and car seat from the rental garage to the ticketing counter by myself – all while pushing V in her chair. With little options available, I strapped her car seat to one of my wheel bags, put on the backpack and started making my way across the parking lot, pushing V while pulling the two bags and teetering car seat. Halfway across the garage I saw a baggage cart, but I was kind of afraid to stop while I had momentum. Just then a business man came running up, offering to help us to the ticketing counter. He took our bags and car seat and led the way through the garage, across the street and to our counter.

I continue to be blown away by the kindness of strangers.

At the ticketing counter I checked my bag and requested special services. An agent met us at the counter about 5 minutes later and the rest of the experience went just like the flight in – VIP all the way, baby!

Moral of the story? Make sure that you check that special services box when you are flying with your special needs child, and don’t hesitate to follow up at the counter to ask for what you need. Help is there for you, and it makes traveling with your special needs child a lot more doable. Time for another adventure!