This is the fourth article in a 4-part series that will help you deal with total hip replacement (THR) and travel.
Part 1: Denial to acceptance. Preparing for joint replacement surgery.
Part 2: Preparing for surgery
Part 3: Recovery and travel
Part 4: On the travel road again
Fear of flying? Not me. I’m a travel writer. Flying across the country is in my job description. However, this particular flight – I had many fears. Would my new hip set off the alarm if I used a walk-through metal detector as opposed to being screened by the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) at airport security? Would I be able to carry my laptop, carry-on luggage and walk with a cane at the airport? How would I manage the stairs ascending and descending the airplane? Could I remain seated for several hours while traveling on the airplane without straightening my hip? What would it be like traveling after hip replacement surgery?
Travel with trepidation
We’ve all heard the horror stories of wheel chair-bound travelers being pat-down at security or passengers having to hobble through the back skatter machine without the assistance of a cane. I confess that at seven weeks post anterior hip replacement surgery, I had trepidation about my upcoming travel. To make travel easier for me, my first flight with my new hip was non-stop from Oakland International Airport in Northern California to Mazatlan, Mexico.
TSA Cares program
In response to customer demand the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) introduced TSA Cares program in December of 2011, a toll free helpline for travelers with disabilities and medical needs. Any traveler with special needs, family members of travelers or travel companions, may call the TSA cares number (855) 787-2227 and speak with a team member about travel concerns or notify TSA to request travel assistance at a particular airport – (call approximately 72 hours ahead of travel.)
What to pack after joint replacement surgery
Whether you prefer carry-on luggage or to check your bags is your decision, but do give your travel style some consideration pre-flight. Will you be traveling solo, or will someone be with you to help with your luggage?
While I was not looking forward to traveling with a cane, it turned out to be a blessing more than a curse. Without saying a word, the cane demonstrates that you need special care – not always a bad thing during travel.
From airport agents at the ticket counter to flight crew and fellow passengers, I received a positive response traveling with a cane. A special hat tip goes to Cal Jet Air and Xtra Airways for all around first class service. While I did request an aisle seat flying from Oakland International Airport to Mazatlan, Mexico, never did I reveal that I was a travel writer in need of special treatment.
Cal Jet Air & Xtra Airways go the extra mile
Not only did I receive an aisle seat (to stretch my leg) flying from Oakland, California to Mazatlan, Mexico, I was upgraded to a first-class aisle seat on my return flight from Mazatlan to Oakland. I also had assistance with my luggage clearing security in Mexico. However, Xtra Airways Chief Pilot Brian Felter went above and beyond the call of duty when he placed my luggage in the overhead bin and carried my bag down the stairs from the airplane upon arrival in Mexico.
Inflight travel tips
Visit TSA Cares website
Allow extra time to clear airport security
Travel with a cane alerts fellow passengers to be careful with you
Request airline check-in pre-boarding
Request an aisle seat for easy standing access in the airplane
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Remember a smile goes a long way when you are a slow traveler
What are your travel tips after hip or joint replacement?
Related Posts:
What to expect before hip replacement surgery
Things to See and Do in Mazatlan, Mexico
Top photo and article courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. Beach walker photo courtesy of Tiffany Day.
Congratulations, Nancy, on your successful first travel venture with your new hip. So glad to hear that all went smoothly, and that you found such helpful people. I agree that a smile, positive attitude and willingness to ask for help can help immensely. Good points to take into consideration when planning travel, to reduce likelihood of extra stressors.
I’m using my cane (with ice pick tip) on city bus rides in our extreme snow and ice winter conditions, partly to alert fellow passengers and the driver – and exiting at the front so the driver is aware if I should stumble into a snowbank.
Sometimes we overlook the obvious about our situation: on a recent train trip, it struck me that I certainly “qualified” for pre-boarding assistance, taking escalator down to the tracks instead of juggling carry-on luggage down stairs with impatient travellers crowding behind.
Bon voyage!
Nancy (with hip and elbow replacements)
@NanC
Thanks for your continued encouragement and support. I can’t imagine navigating snow and ice with a new hip. Watch your step!
I’m a few weeks behind you, so I’m not ready to fly yet. Soon, just not yet. But everything you’ve talked about in your hip surgery blog posts has been amazingly accurate for me! So you give me hope for my flights in the near future! Thanks!
@Dennis
I’m so glad to hear that my series on “Hip Replacement and Travel” has been helpful to you. Joint replacement certainly appears to be a growing industry and gives many of us a new lease on enjoying our lives.
Thanks a lot for sharing the information regarding Hip Replacement and Travel. This for sure is going to encourage people from all over the globe.
Thanks for your effort I like inflight travel tips.
These are great tips. I once navigated Paris with someone in a wheelchair, and SO wish I had done more research beforehand! That said, we had some incredible adventures, and came home with plenty of stories!
@Kendy
Traveling in Paris by wheelchair sounds difficult, but I’m so glad the adventure was worthwhile. Travel should be accessible to all.
I just came onto your post and found it quite interesting. Thanks again for writing such a good post.
I am glad to hear that they treated you in such a fantastic way. I have flown Xtra Airways in the past and found them to always go above and beyond!
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