How to get non-english speaking mother in-law on and off flights??

Question

My mother in law is only spanish-speaking and she has a cross country flight with 2 layovers in July that we need to get her on. We are flying from another city separately and will meet her at the final destination to help her find her luggage, etc. However, we are concerned with the need for her to find her way through the airport, check-in, get off the plane and find her connecting flight, etc. We are trying to call flights and ask if they have someone that can guide her around, or may even exaggerate that she has a disability to see if we can get the help necessary. Has anyone dealt with this before and can give me any tips?? Thanks!

My husband is worried about it...I don't know exactly how difficult it would be but he seems to think it is a very huge problem. Im not sure if she has ever flown before, and I know she hasn't by herself. I think he is concerned about her just being lost, confused, scared, etc. because she doesn't exactly know the process. It does seem very simple to us that are familiar with flying but I think for someone that has never flown and can't understand/read the language...we just want to avoid any problems.

Answer 1

Many airlines offer special assistance as needed to people who don't speak English. Check the airline's website for details. Most airlines have a section with information for "travelers with special needs" that includes info on non-English speaking travelers, can't find anything about it on the website, call the airline and ask about it. Also, depending what airports she's flying out of and connecting through, many cities have a large enough Spanish-speaking population that most airport signs and even many airport annoucements are in Spanish as well as English.

If you can tell her in advance how to ask where her gate is, or give her a paper with it written down on that she can show someone, then that might help. But even without that, if she just goes up to an airport employee and shows them her boarding pass and looks confused, they'll be able to write down the gate number for her and point her in the right direction. If that doesn't work, they'll almost certainly be able to find someone who speaks Spanish and can translate for them. If she only spoke Elvish or Klingon it might be a bit more problematic, but Spanish is so widely spoken in the US that finding someone who speaks it isn't generally a problem.

I've been in airports in foreign countries where I didn't speak the language plenty of times before. It seems daunting when you're just thinking about, but when you're actually there, it's really not that bad. Most of the key information is pretty universal. Gate numbers are either just a number, or a single letter or number, and either way it's written the same in Spanish as it is in English. Boarding and depature times are just times, and again, they're written the same in both languages. Signs telling you were various gates are generally say something like "Gates 1-12" with an arrow pointing the direction you're supposed to go, so it's pretty easy to figure out even if you don't know the word "gate." Signs for bathrooms have symbols as well as words, which are pretty much universal. Even when I went to China with my family we could find our way around the airports, and Chinese is a lot more different from English than Spanish is. When you're faced with a situation where you need to communicate with someone who speaks a different language, you make it work one way or another. While it might take her a little longer to figure out where she needs to go, she will be able to do it.

If you're really worried about it, you could have her wrap her ankle in a bandage and pretend she can't walk, and request a wheelchair for her. That way, an airport employee would take her through the airport to and from her flights, and a flight attendant would take her to her seat. But she'd have to know the plan and agree to play along with it or it won't work. And I really think she'll be fine without doing that.

Answer 2

There are plenty of non-English speaking people making it through the airports of the USA. As long as she doesn't have dementia or anything, she can handle it. Just have her write down her flight numbers on a piece of paper, which she can put in front of the face of any employee she encounters after getting off her flight. If she looks at them pleadingly, they should be able to get her where she is going. Spanish isn't exactly a rare language; there will probably even be someone who speaks Spanish.

Call the airline if you want--they may recommend a similar plan, or they may be able to arrange to have somebody meet her after her flight and take her to the new gate.

Answer 3

Print up three cards for her, easy to read. One side English, the other Spanish, so she'll know the card she is communicating.
Laminate these cards. Use one card for each of the layovers, with the connecting flights ID #'s, the arrival and departure times, and the gates. Use a colorful magic marker, something easy to read. Also, include a card with your info, a mobile telephone they can contact you, in case of a question. Once you get going with the cards, and her stops, it should be easy for you. Make a copy for yourself, in case they call, you'll know which card they are referring to. You can make up anything you like, ask them to assist her in seating and departing. Pretend it is for a mature 11 year old, and you are just making sure. My mother-in-law never spoke English well, and wanted to be treated nicely, so write these accordingly, with the please and thank you's in place for her.
Contact the Customer Service department of the airline she is using, unless it is based outside the USA. Then contact the Customer Service department of the nearest USA airline she will be using. It's like a small maze, just follow it through from her departure to the arrival, or go backwards from your destination, if it is easier. Either way, you will find a safe way for her. Happy Easter

Answer 4

I understand your wifes position and feeling out of place. I also understand your mothers feelings in the matter as well. There is a certain amount of rudeness and disrespect in speakin a nother language in someones home. Now if your wife is in your home then that is different. She should be free to speak as she is comfortable doing. I would make the trips to your mother short ones till your wife is better at the english. Also if you eat there your wife could offer to attempt to do the dishes or some effort in cleaning. That usually is a good ice breaker. When it comes to your wife there is no such question as to what you do about your wife. She's your wife and she and her feelings and well being are and should be your first thought. If you feel your wife is wrong in any way then talk to her about it when you are both alone.

Answer 5

Easy, 2 things, Most airports have Spanish speakers, as you check her in advise gate agent that she is spanish speaker, they will enter this on her record. You can ask for assistance also, at all points, this should get you all help that you need, If not ask for wheelchair service, there is no charge for this service however some people give them a few dollars.

Answer 6

I wouldn't bother with the exaggeration. However, it should be fairly simple for her to find translators, since Spanish is a fairly common second language. In addition, instructions are frequently printed in Spanish as well as English.

Have you tried calling the airports in question to see what they can provide?

Good luck!

Answer 7

Never mind, have her a bright sign on her chest with the final desination and she'll make it!

Answer 8

?????

Exactly what difficulties do you anticipate her having???

Read the arrivals/departures. Chicago - Gate B12. Not too difficult.

Answer 9

TRANSLATOR that flies where she flies and speaks both languages

Answer 10

Push.