For a variety of reasons, people often seek a long distance transportation service. Thanks to the expansion of those services in recent years, people can find the transportation that fits their needs, ranging from car services for those who do not want to drive themselves to medical services for those who need assistance during their travels.
What you need depends on the reason for hiring the service. The phrase long distance transport actually encompasses three different categories of transport: non-medical, medical and emergency transportation.
Non-Medical Long Distance Transport
For those who need transportation but do not have any mobility issues or other health-related issues, car services are a popular choice if you do not want to fly or drive. Car services can provide both short distance and long distance transportation services. An insured, professional driver handles the driving. Customers can use a “driver by the hour” service to have someone drive their own car, or can hire a service that provides both the car and driver.
These services are popular in large metropolitan areas where business people use a car service because they want to take calls or conduct work while riding into an office. For long distance travel, those who are not comfortable riding on an airplane or driving themselves can hire car service for long distance transport, including “snowbirds” traveling to Florida or Arizona during the winter months.
If you live in or near a large metropolitan area, it’s easy to find car services through an internet search. As with every type of service, it’s important to look for reviews, references, proper licensing and experience.
The best non-emergency medical transport companies (NEMT) provide end-to-end service for those who need assistance taking a trip that involves flying on a commercial airline. An NEMT company makes all the arrangements for the trips, working with airlines and airports ahead of time to ensure the client’s needs are met.
NEMT companies also have an experienced flight nurse who accompanies the client on their journey, starting from when they leave their home to when they arrive at their destination. They help clients navigate airport and security, and then ensure their comfort and safety during the flight. They also administer medication and have training to provide medical services at high altitudes.
People in many different situations hire NEMT companies to get long distance medical transportation services at a rate far below what emergency services require.
Seniors who want assistance when relocating to a new home
People with disabilities that impact their mobility
Those with dementia issues
Those have suffered an injury that impacts mobility
Those injured while on vacation who need medical care for their trip back home (known as medical repatriations). NEMT provides a far less expensive air ambulance alternative.
Older travelers who feel more comfortable making long distance trips with medical assistance
Finding NEMT services requires searching online for companies that offer all the services you need while also having nurses with years of experience in trauma care and in-flight care. The best NEMT services handle all the arrangements, no matter where you travel, and in a variety of different circumstances.
Emergency Medical Transportation Services
When it comes to long distance transportation that involves medical care, emergency medical transportation is the most well-known and also the last you want to use. Emergency services, including air ambulances, are expensive and typically only necessary for those who need immediate medical care to survive.
Emergency medical transportation is used after accidents and natural disasters. Trained paramedics travel on the flight, providing medical care to keep patients alive before arriving at a hospital. People rarely try to find emergency long distance transportation – they are reached by calling emergency phone numbers and then dispatched by local government agencies.
All three of these long distance transportation services are available, depending on your needs. For most people who need long distance medical transportation, an NEMT company is the best choice outside of the rare emergency.
The most common theme for winter travel involves “flying south” to sunshine, warmer temperatures and (most importantly) no snow to shovel. But if your travel plans involve going north, then this winter air travel checklist can help you pack for a cold destination while also packing light.
The “packing light” part is the most difficult. Even if you limit what you take for cold weather, it still takes up more room than, say, beach wear. Much like planning ahead for the chance your flight gets canceled, you want to consider as many options as possible when packing for cold weather destinations.
Packing For Winter Air Travel
There’s no way around it: this is going to take a bit of planning. When getting ready to spend time in cold weather, it’s important to pack heavier clothes, as well as clothes you can layer and extra accessories. But you’ll want to ensure all this can fit into your check-in and carry-on bags.
What you take can depend on just how cold it is where you are going. However, almost every cold weather destination involves taking some version of the following. As with travel at any time of the year, you also want to consider buying travel insurance before taking off to a cold weather destination, especially if you’re a senior.
Heavy Winter Coat
This is where every winter air travel checklist should start. Not having the right kind of coat can make any cold weather destination miserable. If you live primarily in a warm weather spot, then a heavy winter coat might not even be in your closet. A heavy winter coat means a down jacket or parka – especially the latter if you plan on spending a great deal of time outdoors.
Sweaters and Sweatshirts
You’ll want long-sleeved shirts to wear both outside and inside. Nice sweaters are perfect for going out, while sweatshirts are practical for when you don’t need to dress up. Long-sleeved t-shirts can work inside once the heating warms you up.
Hoodie
Every person who lives in the north has at least one great hoodie. You’ll need one for your trip. They’re perfect for cold weather and give you something to cover your head if the wind picks up or snow begins to fall. Covering your head also keeps the warmth in your body, so if you don’t pack a hoodie, make sure you pack good hats (see below).
Winter Boots
Next to not packing a warm enough coat, footwear is the No. 1 area where people traveling to a cold weather destination make a mistake. You’ll want real boots built to withstand walking through snow or over potentially slippery terrain. Most importantly, they keep your feet warm and dry.
Denim Jeans
The modern denim jeans were invented by two guys who grew up in cold weather locations – Levi Strauss (Germany) and Jacob Davis (Latvia). They knew what they were doing. Originally made for factory workers and ranchers, the practicality of denim jeans makes them the perfect choice when packing for cold weather destinations. For those who don’t want to wear jeans, fleece-lined leggings can keep you warm.
Gloves or Mittens
Like your head, keeping your hands and feet warm retains body heat, leaving you much more comfortable. Gloves are the most practical choice, but mittens can keep your hands even warmer (which helps explain this photo featuring a cold weather veteran).
Beanies or Trapper Hats
If you’ve spent time in the north, then you’ve likely heard a mom yelling to a child, “Put your hat on!” A warm head equals a warm body. Beanies are everywhere in the north and are excellent for retaining body heat. Trapper hats are even better if you plan to spend a great deal of time outside.
Scarves and Thick Socks
Now’s the time to make sure you have plenty of thick socks. Scarves are a great (and fashionable) accessory that keeps your neck, and therefore the rest of your body, warm.
Another key to your winter air travel checklist is the idea of layering. Rather than trying to pack every article of warm clothing available, think what clothes you can use in layers. You can stay warm with a T-shirt covered by a long-sleeved shirt and a thick hoodie in many types of weather. If possible, wear some of the heavier items on the plane trip so you don’t have to pack them.
The items on this winter air travel checklist list can help you pack for a cold weather destination – and keep you warm once you get there.
Having Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) does not prevent a person from traveling. It’s possible to fly with ALS across the country or to other parts of the world as long as you follow travel tips that keep you safe and comfortable.
Hiring a flight nurse with expertise in commercial airline medical escort services can also provide benefits for those with ALS. Whether or not they choose to fly with a nurse, the key to safe travel for those with ALS is to take the time to plan ahead and anticipate any challenges before they happen.
Tips For Travel Preparation For Those With ALS
Those with disabilities, including ALS, travel more today than ever before. The ALS Association writes that “the travel industry is paying greater attention to their special needs by providing more services and accommodations.” The same is true for most airports and airlines, who focus more than ever on making travel comfortable for those who fly with ALS or need assistance.
The association also offers some tips for ALS travelers. It starts with advice that is important for anyone traveling with a disability or injury: check with your primary care physician first to ensure it’s safe for you to travel. Other recommendations before starting your journey include the following.
Carry a letter from your healthcare provider that describes your condition, medications, potential complications, and other medical information.
Carry a living will
Take enough prescription medication to last the entire trip, and pack it in your carryon bag.
Ensure you have adequate health insurance coverage, including coverage for medical evacuation. If leaving the country, ensure coverage includes travel overseas.
Carry emergency contact information. Share your itinerary, airline tickets, credit cards, and passport details with a trusted family member or friend who is not traveling with you.
The association also recommends that those with ALS consider answers to important questions, such as whether you will need an assigned seat in a specific location, assistance you will need during boarding and deplaning, and time you need to make a connection if you plan to transfer planes.
Tips For Flying With ALS
It’s important to contact the airport and airline ahead of time for any special requests, such as preferred seating on the plane or help getting into and out of a wheelchair. If you use any type of medical equipment or device, you also must get approval by giving the airline notice at least 48 hours before your trip.
While transportation officers may not require you to take off your shoes, belt or light jacket when going through security, you still will be subject to screening and a possible pat down. Also, check your wheelchair or scooter at the boarding gate and request that it be brought to the boarding gate at your destination airport.
Have batteries to run any equipment or devices while on the plane, as only some planes have electrical outlets to plug in devices.
You also should plan ahead for how you will deal with going to the restroom if needed while on the plane. Flight attendants can use a special onboard wheelchair to move you, but they cannot provide lift assistance. The ALS Association advises that men consider using a condom catheter or adult diaper and women consider using an external female catheter or adult diapers.
Travel With a Flight Nurse
A flight nurse who works with a non-emergency medical transport company can provide assistance that makes flying with ALS that much easier. Those with ALS can work with a RN Flight Coordinator who makes all the travel arrangements in advance, building the most convenient travel itinerary possible.
They also will contact airports and airlines ahead of time, making any special arrangements required, as well as set up transportation to and from the airport.
During the journey, flight nurses travel with you, keeping track of medical equipment, medications and helping with issues such as going to the bathroom and ensuring wheelchairs and scooters are safely stored and available when you arrive at your destination.
It’s possible to fly with ALS with the right amount of planning and attention to detail. For those who feel they will require assistance, traveling with a flight nurse can make the experience safer and more comfortable.
Holiday travel during the months of November and December can prove stressful to anyone, including those with disabilities. However, holiday travel with limited mobility is possible if you plan ahead and follow smart tips during your journey.
The following looks at some of the major issues to keep in mind if you plan on limited mobility holiday travel, especially air travel. As with those with specific issues, including everything from traumatic brain injury to a spinal cord injury, flying with medical assistance and medical flight services can make the trip go much easier.
Planning Holiday Travel If You Have Limited Mobility
Keep these issues in mind before you leave the house and during your flight.
Know Your Rights
Make sure to know the rights you have under the Americans With Disabilities Act. In the broadest terms, you cannot be discriminated against because you experience mobility issues. There are rules in place that make bathrooms accessible, allow service animals if required, and provide assistance going through security.
Even under normal circumstances, you want to book your trip early. For holiday travel, it’s even more important. Flights fill up quickly in November and December. Book as far in advance as possible and stick with non-stop flights, if possible. If you must take two flights, make sure there is plenty of time to change planes at the airport. Arrange transportation to and from the airport.
Call Ahead
Contact both the airline and the airport to find out all the services available to limited mobility travelers. They include shorter security lines, the chance to board early and get assistance (such as a wheelchair) while moving through the airport. Be specific about your injury and write down the details of what they offer to help you.
Packing Equipment, Medication
If you take medication, bring enough to last the entire trip and place it in your carryon bag. When you speak with people at the airport and airlines, find out rules around using equipment – crutches or your own wheelchair, for example – during your trip. For example, airplanes have special wheelchairs meant to fit the narrow aisle, so your wheelchair will be stored during the flight. Make sure you ask to have your own chair brought to you at the gate of your destination airport.
Going Through Security
The Transportation and Safety Administration advises those with limited mobility to speak with a TSA agent about any concerns before going through security. You can contact the TSA about this issue through the TSA Cares toll free helpline.
If you’re approved ahead of time through TSA Pre✓®, you will not need to remove laptops or 3-1-1- liquids from your bag or take off shoes, belts, or light jackets during the screening process. However, TSA adds that “everyone is required to undergo screening at the checkpoint by technology or a pat-down. Also, TSA officers may swab an individual’s hands, mobility aids, equipment and other external medical devices to test for explosives using explosives trace detection technology.”
Find the Right Seat
Most airlines will allow you to board early, so choose a seat on the aisle so you can more easily get up and go to the bathroom, if necessary. You’ll want a seat as close to the bathroom as well.
Drink Water, Bring Food
Stay hydrated during the flight by drinking water – about eight ounces of water is recommended for every hour you fly. With that in mind, a stop at the bathroom is a smart move, too! Also, if you are on any type of special diet, bring food packed in your carryon bag to make it through the flight.
For those with limited mobility who plan holiday travel, making the journey with a flight nurse can provide the peace of mind of having a medical professional with you every step of the way. A flight nurse has experience providing emergency medical care and will oversee all your travel arrangements, including working with airport and airline officials on your behalf. They also oversee the handling of medical equipment and medications throughout your journey. They take on a lot of the stressful parts of holiday travel for those with limited mobility.
Everyone should enjoy going to see friends and loved ones during the holiday season. That included those with limited mobility. Flying with medical assistance can help make the journey easier, and give you the comfort of knowing someone is with you who can handle any problems that arises.
Anyone can travel with a nurse if they need medical assistance to safely travel or feel more comfortable having an experienced nurse with them. Many people who hire a travel nurse do so because they have a disability or injury that makes traveling alone impossible, or they are seniors who want the benefit of medical assistance over the course of their journey.
For those who want to travel with a nurse, the first step is to contact a Non-Emergency Medical Transport (NEMT) company. Experienced RN flight coordinators help clients book their travel and also assign an experienced flight nurse to accompany them. These nurses also have certification and specialized training for what they do.
Who Needs To Travel With a Nurse?
Flight nurses who work with NEMT companies provide support and medical care for a wide variety of travelers.
Serious Injuries
Traveling with a broken leg or other type of serious injury is doable (with a doctor’s permission) but also difficult, especially if equipment such as a wheelchair is required. Even younger travelers may have difficulty dealing with the many issues that can arise. A flight nurse ensures they have a medical professional on hand for any care they need, as well as help navigating the airport, security and boarding at the gate.
Chronic Conditions and Disabilities
Chronic medical conditions or disabilities that restrict range of motion, cause people to tire easily, involve frequent pain, or impact a person’s mental faculties can make getting through the airport and the flight experience challenging. Flight nurses have years of experience in working with people who have such conditions, giving them the support they need and working with airport and airline officials to make travel as convenient as possible.
Medical Repatriations
Travelers who have sustained injuries while outside the country often contact NEMT companies for what is known as medical repatriations, which involves bringing them back home safely and quickly. Experienced NEMT companies and flight nurses have connections around the world and understand how to work with medical professionals in other countries, getting patients moved back to the United States and into the care of their regular doctors.
Seniors
As the United States population ages, seniors – some of them relocating to a new home – and their families increasingly depend on flight nurses to support them during their travels. For many, it’s overwhelming to deal with the crowds, noise and sometimes confusing signage at airports, making it easier for them to travel with a nurse who can provide guidance throughout the experience. For those with medical equipment and medications, flight nurses also keep track of everything, administering medication when needed and keeping track of medical equipment.
Flight Nurses Work With Airlines, Airports
One of the major benefits of deciding to travel with a nurse involves their experience in working with airline and airport officials. While making all the arrangements for a client’s travel, flight nurses also call ahead to airlines and airports, asking in advance for special equipment (such as a wheelchair) or considerations (such as the ability to board the plane first) that a passenger may require.
People can hire a flight nurse for a commercial flight through an NEMT company, where a flight coordinator works with clients to plan and book a trip. You can travel with a nurse on both domestic and international flights, making it a convenient service no matter your destination.
Vegetarians might find it more difficult to find something good to eat during a flight or even at the airport, but they also have the advantage of having eating habits that work well with flying. When a vegetarian eats before a flight, they won’t have to worry about the processed foods and high protein meats that can make you feel bloated once you’re in the sky.
When it comes to choosing the right food to eat before a flight, vegetarians have plenty of good choices. For those traveling with a flight nurse, run any ideas you have by them before committing to making them your pre-flight meal.
Choices For Vegetarians to Eat Before a Flight
Vegetarians focus on eating healthy food, so they are already ahead of the game when it comes to choosing the right food for their flight. Keep in mind that before and during the flight, you want to keep your portions small. Air pressure in the cabin can cause food to expand – you want to avoid that bloated feeling! A smart strategy is to stop eating before you are completely full.
As with most things in life, moderation is the key. Too much of a good thing, including the food suggestions, can lead to discomfort on a flight.
Stay Hydrated
Before reaching for any food, make sure you have plenty of water. The air inside a plane at high altitudes is dry, so you want to hydrate before getting on a flight. A general rule of thumb is to drink about one liter of water for every four hours of your flight. Putting a slice of lemon in the water can give you an extra boost of vitamin C.
Some Helpful Fruits
Fruits can provide just the right thing to make a flight more pleasant. Oranges, guava, cantaloupe, strawberries – they all come loaded with high amounts of vitamin C. A potassium-rich banana can also help prevent cramping of your legs during a long flight, and also is an excellent anti-bloating food.
Nuts
Eating nuts (unsalted to avoid dehydration) is one of the best ways to get protein without eating meat. Some of the healthiest nuts include almonds, cashews, chestnuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts.
Crackers and Dips
As long as you eat moderate amounts, a bit of nut butter spread or hummus with crackers or bites of vegetables can give you a bit of needed protein before the flight, keeping you feeling full during your journey.
Think Carbohydrates
While you want some protein to give you energy and stave off hunger, you also want to focus on slow-burning carbohydrates, especially for a long flight. They will keep you feeling fuller for longer. Again, moderation is key – don’t overeat any of those fruits and vegetables with slow-burning carbohydrates.
Apples
Berries
Oranges
Carrots
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Red Peppers
Onions
Green Beans
Grains also provide carbohydrates and some protein, including brown rice, rolled oats and quinoa.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid salty foods that can increase dehydration, caffeine, sugar, or big helpings of vegetables that can be hard to digest during a flight. Avoid any type of beans or spices that might upset your stomach. Also, the hours before a flight are not the time to try a new food that your body is not used to processing.
Keep these ideas in mind for what a vegetarian can eat before a flight. It will make the trip much more pleasant, and also leave you feeling healthy and ready to go once you reach your destination.
