Couple of questions for those who've flown Ryanair

hm71_2

hi, we flew from Stansted on ryanair last year, We were fairly near the front of the que and the cabin crew called for disabled access first and then anyone with kids under 15. as we were nearest the front we were first on the plane.

conradmum

Flew from Stanstead with Ryanair a few days ago, and it was a scram. Even people with priority boarding tickets were jumped in the queue. In fact, there was no queue! We're a family of four and we were spilt up but as the two eldest children are in their teens it wasn't a problem.
Be prepared!

angel

My son is 13 but is autistic. We're going to Cork in October and I'm worried now that we may be seperated especially as he can't cope with crowded situations. I didn't know about this arrangement with seating as we haven't flown with a budget airline before. I'm wondering what to do about it as I'm guessing that loads of people might say that their child has special needs to be able to get a seat together.

budgetflyer

You should really tell Ryanair before hand Angel.The reason so that ground crew and cabin crew know and can assist passengers that need help. If you dont tell them, b4 hand you could possibly be "denied" boarding.
They only commit to 4 disabled passengers per flight for safety reasons.Although your son doesnt fall into the wheelchair/blind rules it would be best to read the "special Needs" faqs thoroughly.
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=spn

If you tell them, then they can accommodate you easily

curtlyb

angel wrote: »

.......... as I'm guessing that loads of people might say that their child has special needs to be able to get a seat together.

you're guessing wrong, it's not that much of a big deal for most people (getting seats) and pretending a child has special needs is beyond all but the sickest people to even consider.

That said, we booked priority to Canada this year and embarked at the same time as a couple of wheelchair-bound people, i helped one get through to the gate who promptly jumped out of her wheelchair and speed-walked from there to the plane overtaking other people on the way :eek:

I'd book priority boarding for the extra £4 for a bit more piece of mind and, as has already been said, inform the airline in advance. Don't worry, you'll have no problems if you let people know, especially the ground crew on the gate.

Enjoy your flight

angel

Thanks for the advice.

I've never come across this situation before re. the queuing and rushing to bag a seat and because he copes with almost all day to day situations now I never really think of him as having special needs (although he does go to a special school). I'll make sure that they know although I don't want him to feel embarrased, maybe I'll get his school to write a note on headed paper explaining things too.

angelfire

angel wrote: »

Thanks for the advice.

I've never come across this situation before re. the queuing and rushing to bag a seat and because he copes with almost all day to day situations now I never really think of him as having special needs (although he does go to a special school). I'll make sure that they know although I don't want him to feel embarrased, maybe I'll get his school to write a note on headed paper explaining things too.

Hiya, I work in a school for children with autism and what some of our parents have done with their children, is take them to the airport for an outing a couple of days before-hand. This will familiarise your son with the unusual surroundings, noises, size of the place etc and you can concentrate on showing him around without the usual stresses of going away. then when holiday day arrives, he'll at least have been and seen the airport before and any distress will be minimised.

You could also try giving the airport a ring, speak to their customer services department and explain about your son and ask if you can come down and have someone show you both around?

I don't know whereabouts on the spectrum your son is, but another good idea is to do him a 'social story'. (for anyone that doesn't know what this is, it's a simple fictional story, with lots of pictures set around the activity/event you are planning. By reading the child the story you are equiping him with the details fo what will happen without actually telling him directly). This is a method used often in our school and has fantastic results.

again, I don't know your son, but if he uses Pecs, a timeline strip will help considerably...

Hopefully using any or better still, all of these methods will make your experience and enjoyable one.

i hope you have a lovely holiday

misscomickat

Every time I have been on ryanair, they have said "families with children" and they all go first.

So you should be ok.

It does make me roll my eyes a bit though when teenagers bigger than me march up to the front with their mummy and daddy. Surely it is aimed at small children!

angel

Thanks for such a thorough answer !!!!!!! He will be fine with most of it as we fly quite often but always have seats reserved, it's just the queuing and then the mad rush that would upset him. I'll talk him through the scenario of what might happen beforehand and he should be ok. I'll just stop worrying about it now!

Seren_2

Flew back from Milan with them Monday eve. and it was a scram, while we were in the queue several people came in and sidled up and stood at the front by the desk where the aisle is wider (in front of the seating area) .

Nobody said anything to them, including me, I don't know how they have to cheek to do it, especially when eveyone else has been queuing for ages.