air travel isn't fun when you can't walk

headed home after the family reunion, using crutches to get around. i couldn't put any weight on my knee and had to take a plane home from the reunion. we warned the airlines that i was going to require a wheelchair for the trip. the airlines at my departing airport were great at getting me through security, etc. with a wheelchair. however, the arrival airport was different story: instead of a gate with a jetway, the airport expected me to climb down a set of stairs to the tarmac. after the rest of the passengers left, i told them that i would have a tough time with the stairs as i couldn't put any weight on my knee. after about 45 mins, they brought this contraption that looked kind of like a forklift with a chair on the end of it to get me off the plane. the flight attendants and the pilot on board rolled their eyes at how ridiculous this airport was, since it would have been easier to just unload at a gate with a jetway.