At first glance, he was just a guy driving a golf cart.
It didn’t seem particularly significant at the time, but I’ll come back to him in a moment.
Our population is aging. While that’s certainly not a bad thing, one reality is unavoidable—the older we get, the more physical challenges we may encounter.
I know that’s true for me. I don’t have the same abilities I had just a few years ago, but I’m still determined to keep traveling. I hope you are too.
While planning a recent group cruise to Alaska, I had two wonderful ladies traveling with us. Although they were fully capable of walking, I was concerned about the long distances they would have to cover in several airports. Their itinerary included two connections between Atlanta and Seattle, and I knew those layovers could be exhausting before the vacation had even begun.
Before the trip, I arranged complimentary airport assistance for both travelers.
From the moment they checked in, attendants helped them through security and escorted them to their departure gates. At each connecting airport, another assistant was waiting to meet them and take them to their next flight. When they finally arrived in Seattle, they were escorted all the way to baggage claim.
At the cruise terminal, porters handled their luggage while attendants were waiting to assist them with boarding the ship.
After a wonderful week in Alaska, the same assistance was waiting for them on the journey home.
As an added bonus, because they boarded early with assistance, they were able to settle into their seats before the aircraft filled with passengers. What could have been a stressful experience became comfortable and enjoyable.
The best part?
Every bit of this assistance was provided at no additional cost.
All I had to do was ask.
Airlines understand that many travelers are perfectly capable of traveling independently but simply benefit from a little extra assistance along the way. Those services exist to make travel less stressful and more enjoyable.
My goal wasn’t simply to get these ladies to Alaska.
My goal was to make sure they weren’t exhausted before their cruise even began.
And what about the guy in the golf cart?
He turned out to be the perfect ending to the story.
At several ports of call, golf carts and small shuttle vehicles were waiting near the pier to transport passengers from the dock into town. The rides were complimentary, although a small tip was appreciated.
Sometimes the smallest acts of assistance make the biggest difference.
Don’t let concerns about mobility keep you from experiencing the world. If airport assistance, wheelchair services, or transportation around a port can make your journey easier, take advantage of them. That’s exactly why those services exist.