Special Assistance

Hi Everyone,
After a really bad week of hubby being admitted to hospital and us being told we the doc would not be happy for him to fly at the end of this month, Virgin spectacularly changed our flights and waived the change fee even on a Z fare! [y](Had to provide a letter from the doc at the hospital. The agent mentioned something at the end of the call about calling special assistance before our new flights (Middle of Feb) to get clearance to fly. Does anyone have any experience with this? My husband is still under investigation for a bowel problem (nothing too serious TG) but the doctors are pretty confidant he will be clear to travel after his next appointment in 3 weeks.
I am just worried what special assistance will need from me. He has meds he will need to take so I know I need to let them know about that and I am presuming as long as we have medical clearance to fly Virgin will let us.
Any advice/experience appreciated [:)]

[honey lamb]

Oh dear, what a bad week you have had. However I'm glad hubby is on the mend and that VS have stepped up to the plate in changing fares etc.

While I have no direct experience of Special Assistance, anyone who has used the service has been very positive about it on here. Basically it is to do as the title suggests - give special assistance, which might include getting to the aircraft from the Clubhouse (which route are you flying) as well as any dietary or medical needs he might have. I would suggest you ring them and just chat to them about it.

Hi Honeylamb
We are flying LGW-MCO. It's just been playing on my mind a little as I was wondering what they need to know. I looked online but all I could find was a phone number so like you say maybe best to just give them a call. Of course we won't know absolutely for sure he is medically clear to travel until his next appointment but at that point it won't matter anyway because my Eticket was issued last March so I our middle of Feb for 2 weeks is our last chance to use these tix.
He is currently on a low residue/low fibre diet and I did not see it as an opition on the diet requirements. Hubby is happy to eat before we get onboard and take some donuts or something on with him to keep him going until we can get to Olive Garden [:p]
He is otherwise fit and healthy right now so he won't need assistance to the aircraft but he is on steriods and anti biotics (which he still will be at the time of the flights and will need to take both onboard).
I don't know if it's worth calling them before we know for sure we are going. I almost feel like we are tempting fate if you know what I mean. It's been such a tough month that he's been ill and esp this week with him in hospital we both could really do with a holiday.

[Nottingham Nick]

Special Assistance are experts at helping people with all sorts of medical problems. As HL has said, I have never heard anyone have anything but praise for them - either on here or any other websites. My own experience on behalf of a relative is 100% positive.

Give them a ring. The more detail you can give them the better. I am sure they will be able to give you the correct advice and information.

Nick

Thanks Nick will do.

Hope you & your hubby will be able to fly, keep my fingers crossed.[y]
Whatever you do, don't worry, they are there to assist you in whatever way they can, whether you should need loads of assistance or knowing that they are aware of you, they keep an eye on you.

Our family required the services of Special Assistance 5 times when flying our life-limited daughter over the years 1997-2002.

I have nothing but praise for them.[y][y]. The first time we flew we had to travel with our 3 year old daughter on a stretcher (took up 12 seats).[:0]

The Captain & First Officer came to us several times during the flight to make sure we were ok. I guess that wouldn't be allowed nowadays.

They even arranged for a CCM who was a trained nurse to fly with us, should we require her specialist care (we didn't & so she sat & played cards with our other 2 daughters). The CCM got a freebie flight to MIA as she was allocated to us only & travelled in civvies.

From the moment of our first 'phone call to them they were excellence personified.

I hope that you are able to take your trip & have a blast.[:D]
Don't forget to give us your TR [y]
R-P

It sounds as if special assistance are just requiring confirmation from your husband's RMO (and probably in writing)that he is indeed medically fit to fly. My disabled step-father flew with us to LAX last year and special assistance were very helpful all round.
Hope all is still well for you both in the middle of Feb.
DL

It sounds to me that you wont have a problem. As crew we just need paperwork to advise us of anyone onboard who may have any kind of medical condition and need extra attention and looking after. Special assistance can arrange a buggy or wheelchair to and from the aircraft and oxygen on board if this is required.
It's nothing to worry about, they will just take some information and check that your doctor says he is fit to fly. You may need to bring this confirmation with you to the airport. They are there to help so dont worry about making use of them.
When is your flight as I have three MCOs in Feb! Hope you have a great trip.

Roxy-Popsy (cute username btw [:D]) Thank you so much for you kind words and advice.

Dragonlady & VirginBoy - exactly right. They have asked for a letter to be faxed or emailed from either the consultant at the hospital or hubby's GP. I will take it with us to the airport aswell.

I've informed them of the med's he is on and will be taking onboard with him, thats no problem as they are in tablet form and they have the prescription label attached to box's.

VirginBoy747- we fly on the 15th in Upper it would be awesome if thats one of your's. He is otherwise fit and healthy so he doesn't need any further medical assistance [:)]

Hi Nemmie, that's a bit of a coincidence as i am going to MCO on 15th Feb! I'm on VS 15, hope you're on that one and not the VS 27? If so will see you on board!

OMG [:0] We ARE on the VS15! That's kind of a coincidence huh! At least I know if we do make the flight there will be a friendly face (even though I have no clue what that looks like lol) and we will be in good hands [:D] Are you working upper?

Hi Nemmie I'll be the FSM so will see you at the boarding door (and during the flight of course!)
That is such a conincidence lol! Look forward to meeting you on 15th.

Very cool! We will (fingers crossed) be in 6 A and K! See you then!

I was getting so excited reading the thread, how amazing is that???

I love a happy ending....................... the watery sun in the sky rising up above the plane, your eyes meet across the boarding door...............
You had so better do a TR, I can hardly wait![;)]

Oh dear better be on my best behaviour lol!

Hi everyone!
Well Hubby has been FANTASTIC ever since he got out of hospital and is doing great. We are going to see the doc tomorrow to get the letter to say he is medically fit to fly! [^]
So hopefully VirginBoy I will see you next week. You'll know its me cos i will be the annoying day flight passenger that asks for a sleep suit LOL LOL. The FSM on our last flight was not all that pleased with me [:w]
I have been having panic attacks that something will go wrong. I have no clue why but hopefully once Special Assistance have the letter from the doctor they will clear him and let me know. Does anyone know how long it takes for Virgin to confirm you can fly? I would love to have a panic free weekend and finally start looking forward to this holiday. [:)]

Hi Nemmie, as long as you have the letter, virgin should clear you straight away, so shouldn't be a problem.
Looking forward to meeting you both, I'll make sure we've got sleep suits on board - any other requests? lol!

THANKS Virginboy!!! Last time the FSM told me that in all her 10 years as a FSM she had never given a sleepsuit to a day passenger!!! She warmed up during the flight and actually was quite nice to me in the end but it was a frosty start LOL! Having asked and recieved a sleep suit on every flight I've ever taken with Virgin I was pretty sure she could get me one.
No other request's hehehehehehe Just cannot wait to be on that plane!!! Cannot wait to meet you!!!

Nemmie

Hope your hubby is getting better!

Is it your GP youre seeing for the letter? If so they may charge you as such letters are not strictly speaking an NHS service (I used to be a GP Practice Manager) so he/she may charge depending on how well you get on with them.

Make sure that whoever does the letter that they list the meds hubby is on that you will be taking with you just in case you need it at US immigration - especially if there are lots of them. Also make sure they list the name of the dispensed medication (i.e. whats on the box) and not the prescribed medication.

It will be more proof than just the label on the box. I'm not suggesting you wave it at them but if they ask then just have it handy.

Oh and after all the kerfuffle have a good trip and post a TR. Maybe you could give a specila review of virginboy747 !

Tontybear, thanks for the advice.
Yes it is the GP but at this point I really do not mind getting charged anything as long as we get to go. LOL. I am literally at that ''man we really need a holiday'' stage. I will def ask the doctor to list the med's.
Once again thanks for the heads up!

Oh and yes I will DEF be back post holiday with what I am sure will be a glowing report for VirginBoy and his crew [:D]

We got the doctor's letter and Virgin have confirmed they have received it! The really nice lady at Virgin told me that she would pass it onto the medical team but everything looked fine and unless we hear from them check in as normal!!! YEYEYEYEYEYE!
I just wanted to thank everyone that jumped in here with help and support. [y]

Oh well done!

[^]

Hope you and Mr Nemmie have a good relaxing holiday - sounds like you need one after all the kerfuffle.

And Virginboy747 better be at the doors waiting with a sleep suit for you or he'll have to answer to us !

[8D][8D][8D]

So no pressure then!!! lol !

AHAHAHAHAHA Mr Nemmie!!! I like it!