Summer 2019: Trip#2: New York
Kellan in his Freedom Carrier
New York City here we come!!! This was a day and a half layover before the main leg of our journey. We flew to NYC out of Nashville. We packed light and checked our baggage in, with Kellan's essentials in his backpack as carry on luggage. If your child has an assistive device, get it tagged at baggage check-in before you go through security. I dreaded going through TSA with all our "stuff", however the officials at both Nashville and JFK were very professional and well versed in ADA regulations.
Riding the Subway
Negotiating the Airport
I learned some valuable lessons at Nashville which I implemented on our onward flights. Ask for special assistance, if needed, at baggage check in. Kellan managed at Nashville from the check in to the gate on his walker. But at JFK, the PAX (travel assistance) staff transported him in a wheelchair from check in, through TSA (in a line for families needing mobility assistance but with the same stringent security screening), to a cordoned off area at the gate. When it came time to board, the PAX staff reappeared to help us to the aircraft door. I think this is a good option in large airports with which you are not familiar.
The Flight
Kellan is still light enough for Prakash or me to carry him from the aircraft door to his seat and to and from the lavatory, but I am keenly aware that this will shortly change. I would like to hear other parent's experiences and suggestions regarding transfers and mobility within the aircraft. You can reach us at raisingkellan@gmail.com
The City
The biggest hurdle we faced in the city was how to get around. We had purchased a Freeloader Child Carrier, this Spring, to hike. We decided to use it as a backup in the City and for the international leg of our trip where accessibility is questionable and most cars are small with little trunk space for transportation of equipment.
Prakash got Uber which offers an option of UberX (larger sized vehicles) to take us from the airport to Downtown Manhattan. We stayed at the World Center Hotel. We chose this location for it's close proximity to the sites we wanted to visit, and yes, they delightfully offer a free, healthy snack bar and coffee bar all day!!!
We rested well on the day of travel and spent our one day in the City using the subway to get to around. I am grateful that Kerchia was our guide otherwise it would have taken whole day to figure the subway system out. Kerchia is my speech therapist cousin who is taking a gap year to au pair in NYC. We visited Grand Central Station, Battery Park, the charging bull/NYSE on Wall Street, and the 9/11 Memorial. Where to next ? Check out the following post (link).
Kellan With Kerchia at World Trade Hotel