HKIA - Meet an arrival at the gate / luggage claim?

[penguinsix]

I've done a bit of Googling and think the answer is a 'no', but I was wondering if anyone has had any luck meeting an arriving passenger at the gate or at luggage claim? I have an elderly visitor coming and while they'll probably be able to get to immigration by following the crowd, I'm a bit concerned that they won't be able to swing their luggage off the belt.

I've seen there is a service, which I'll probably have to hire, but just wondering if a "gate pass" for a non-flyer is an option at HKIA?

[Stoob]

I've done a bit of Googling and think the answer is a 'no', but I was wondering if anyone has had any luck meeting an arriving passenger at the gate or at luggage claim? I have an elderly visitor coming and while they'll probably be able to get to immigration by following the crowd, I'm a bit concerned that they won't be able to swing their luggage off the belt.

I've seen there is a service, which I'll probably have to hire, but just wondering if a "gate pass" for a non-flyer is an option at HKIA?

I cannot imagine nobody would help a person in that situation!

[bak875]

you can pay for an airport chaperon. I did the same for my mum. They waited with a sign as soon as she came off the plane with a buggy, picked up her suitcase and cleared immigration with her a wheel chair was provided for ease. Then they called me, I was already at the arrivals hall

It wasnt cheap HKD 600 - 1000 bucks. But piece of mind was worth it that she'd be ok.

Worldwide Flight Services

[z754103]

you can pay for an airport chaperon. I did the same for my mum. They waited with a sign as soon as she came off the plane with a buggy, picked up her suitcase and cleared immigration with her a wheel chair was provided for ease. Then they called me, I was already at the arrivals hall

It wasnt cheap HKD 600 - 1000 bucks. But piece of mind was worth it that she'd be ok.

Worldwide Flight Services

Nice - very useful for aged family members. Does anyone know if there's a similar service at Heathrow? I know there's a wheelchair service but there's no way I can get either of my parents to agree to use one as that would mean admitting they're old :-)

[MovingIn07]

I've managed this problem in the past by timing an incoming flight of my own to be a similar time and then just hanging around in the arrivals area. They look at you oddly and one asked why I was not moving towards arrivals, but it worked fine. (It helps that I travel frequently and thus am often arriving though!). I have seen the buggies with the signs greeting passengers too, often wondered what they were about!

[bryant.english]

Contact Us - Hong Kong International Airport

[bryant.english]

Nice - very useful for aged family members. Does anyone know if there's a similar service at Heathrow? I know there's a wheelchair service but there's no way I can get either of my parents to agree to use one as that would mean admitting they're old :-)

I had this problem at Heathrow with my MIL. Not so much age but zero English. She was flying to HK from Copenhagen and had to go from T? to T? at Heathrow to change. She refused the wheelchair service but managed to find another HKer who helped her to find the way! (worse luck )

Me, I'd be happy to get rolled around in a chair........but then, I can't understand when my boys cry in the pram, tuck me up in a pram with a bottle of milk and wheel me about, you'll get no complaints.

[Stoob]

I've managed this problem in the past by timing an incoming flight of my own to be a similar time and then just hanging around in the arrivals area. They look at you oddly and one asked why I was not moving towards arrivals, but it worked fine. (It helps that I travel frequently and thus am often arriving though!). I have seen the buggies with the signs greeting passengers too, often wondered what they were about!

That gets my vote for practical suggestion of the week!!

"Ok mum, you're arriving on the 10th at 6pm, I'll just book myself a suitable short haul return trip so I can pick you up at the airport"

Jings!

[Satay Sue]

* like *.

[Raccon]

Ask the person to declare at check-in that he/she needs assistance, they should then get "marked" and get guided through from end to end.

They can also ask more seasoned travelers on the plane to help them pass through immigration and customs.