Screening, Qualifying & Instructing Passengers

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Antony Blankenship
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Screening, Qualifying & Instructing Passengers An AFC Crdinatr r trained vlunteer screens each prspective Passenger and cmpanin t determine if the request is cnsistent with the missin f Angel Flight

1 Screening, Qualifying & Instructing Passengers An AFC Crdinatr r trained vlunteer screens each prspective Passenger and cmpanin t determine if the request is cnsistent with the missin f Angel Flight Central and meets all Passenger qualificatins fr a flight. The initial call is imprtant t establishing rapprt with the persn calling and prvides the first impressin f AFC t the caller. The requester is instructed t Request a Flight frm the AFC website. Screening prceeds frm infrmatin n the missin request and missing infrmatin needed. Additinal questins may be asked accrding t the respnses given; especially if respnses lead t cncern fr Passenger r Pilt safety. The fllwing are the basic infrmatin discussed with peple seeking transprtatin thrugh AFC prir t creating a missin. Hw the Crdinatr r Vlunteer cmmunicates with the Passenger is as imprtant as acquiring this infrmatin and sets the stage fr yur cmmunicatin with the Passenger fr the missin. REASON FOR TRAVEL & VERIFICATION OF REQUEST Des the request seem legitimate? If there is questin, request t talk t a 3 rd party fr verificatin. Hw did the Passenger hear abut Angel Flight Central? Have they reviewed the Passenger Sectin n the AFC website? Requesters are asked t review the dcuments n the Passenger sectin f the AFC website including the What t Expect vide. What is the reasn fr travel and has an appintment, destinatin and date f travel been set? What is the medical r cmpelling reasn fr the trip? Why are they seeking assistance with transprtatin? Hw many peple must travel t this appintment? Explain limitatins f small aircraft. What is the financial need? What alternatives d they have fr their travel? Hw wuld they get t their appintment/destinatin if AFC is unable t fulfill their request? D they have the means t pay fr a cmmercial flight? Prf f financial need is verified if there is any questin abut the legitimacy f the need. Verify medical appintments, treatment facilities & destinatin cntacts. Explain leg-distance and traveling the day befre and after the appintment (if applicable) What is the medical cnditin f each persn that will be flying? (patients & cmpanins) Can persns, with this medical cnditin, fly with the public? Is the releasing physicians name, phne and fax number n the request? Explain that AFC will btain an AFC Medical Release fr each persn (patient & cmpanins) with a medical cnditin. Apprval t fly must be received frm each persn s physician befre a flight is finalized. A new medical release is required when a patient s medical status changes r after ne (1) year. Hw culd their medical cnditin impact the flight and safety fr themselves, the Pilt r ther Passengers? (i.e., seizures, lud nises, cnfined space with little leg rm). Explain that Passengers may experience turbulence, engine nise and temperature changes during the flight and particularly during take-ff and landing. Screening, Qualifying and Instructing Passengers AFC Pilt Guide 2017 Page 1

2 Des the patient r cmpanin(s) have a knwn cntagius r cmmunicable disease? Have they had a recent cld r ear infectin? If s, explain hw pressure at altitude affects individuals with cngestin r an ear infectin. Des any Passenger need xygen during flight? If s discuss DOT-apprved supplemental xygen. Passengers are encuraged t bring a small e-cylinder r POC (Prtable Oxygen Cncentratrs) rather than medical xygen n-bard. Pilts can identify DOT apprved xygen by the DOT number stamped n the neck f the xygen bttle r n a band arund the neck f the bttle Cmmercial carriers may allw POC but d nt allw medical xygen. What medical equipment is the patient required t travel with? Des the persn have a cmprmised immune system? Is the persn pregnant? If s, hw many weeks gestatin? Explain that AFC will nt fly any pregnant Passenger (patient r cmpanin) withut the cnsent f a physician. The alternative f a cmmercial flight may be cnsidered with dctr s written apprval n the AFC Medical Release and if AFC has available cmmercial resurces at the time f the request. Nte: Premature babies r at-risk infants (such as lw weight fr their age) shuld nt be flwn withut physician cnsent. Is the persn traveling t surgery? Is the persn able t walk t and bard a small aircraft? What physical assistance des the persn need t walk and bard the aircraft? Des this persn need a cmpanin r can they travel alne? Des this persn require a pressurized aircraft? AFC Crdinatrs may ask fr additinal verificatin f infrmatin r may refuse a request based n respnses t screening questins, 3 rd party cntact r infrmatin frm their physician. Explain that vlunteer Pilts and Pilts frm rganizatins we wrk cperatively with are qualified t fly these charitable flights; that each Pilt is dnating the cst f the flight and they cannt accept mney fr the flight under federal aviatin rules. Pilts are als taking time away frm wrk r family. Passengers are encuraged t thank their Pilt fr assisting them. Shuld the Passengers ask if they can dnate t the Pilts; let them knw that they are welcme t dnate t the Angel Flight Central rganizatin t help crdinate flights fr thers in the future t have access t flights; but their flights is at n cst t them. Des AFC have available resurces at the time f the request? Are the number f Passengers traveling, the individual weight f each Passenger and the ttal weight f all Passengers plus a maximum f 50 punds f baggage reasnable fr small general aviatin aircraft? If nt, des AFC have larger planes and willing Pilts near their rigin, hand-ff and destinatin? Shuld AFC re-direct the request t anther resurce? WHAT TO EXPECT Explain t Passengers that these are small nn-pressurized aircraft flwn by vlunteer Pilts Nte: A Crdinatr makes the determinatin if a pressurized aircraft is needed based n the physicians medical release; nt the request f the Passenger and the Crdinatr determines if a pressurized aircraft and Pilt are available fr any given request. Screening, Qualifying and Instructing Passengers AFC Pilt Guide 2017 Page 2

3 What previus experience d the Passengers have with flying n planes with 4-6 seats? Explain that mst planes typically have tw t three (2-3) seats available fr Passengers; which limits the number f cmpanins. Des the Passenger have a cmpanin/caregiver that needs t fly with them? Explain they must be able t manage their wn medicatins r medical equipment n bard. A Crdinatr may advise the Passenger t have a reliable cmpanin based n respnses t screening questins and physician s respnse n the medical release. Have any Passengers had a bad cld, ear pain r head cngestin? Explain hw pressure changes affect these cnditins and advise Passengers t reprt symptms t a Crdinatr befre their trip. Explain that angel flights are nt guaranteed and all Passengers must have a back-up plan fr bth utbund and return flights. Smetimes AFC r linking rganizatins are unable t fill flight legs. The weather r a number f unexpected circumstances can cancel a flight at the last minute. They shuld cnsider their ability t fund a lnger htel stay r alternative means f transprtatin hme if the angel flight is cancelled and cannt be immediately rescheduled. They are respnsible fr their wn grund transprtatin, ldging and cst f meals. Passengers are advised that withut a back-up plan a flight that must be cancelled will require them t reschedule their appintment. SAFETY QUESTIONS Are all Passengers able t walk and mbile enugh t step inches n/ff a slanted surface and bend t enter/exit the small plane; with minimal assistance? Children s wheelchairs, cllapsible walkers, crutches and canes are OK Adult wheelchairs and bulky medical equipment are t large fr small planes. Are all Passengers able t sit upright, wear a standard seat belt; r apprpriate safety-restraint, in an airplane seat fr the duratin f the flight (that may nt lean back r allw fr leg elevatin)? What limitatins d they reprt? (Nt all Pilts have seatbelt extenders fr Passengers f size.) Is there a medical reasn they cannt sit withut the need fr a restrm fr the duratin f at least ne (1) flight-leg (several hurs)? Discuss the need fr child r adult diapers if apprpriate t their medical cnditin. If the patient is a child; is the legal parent/guardian traveling with the child? If nt, a chain f custdy clearance must be btained by the Crdinatr. Hw much des each child weigh? Can they bring a car seat fr their child? Emphasize that EACH child, weighing 40 punds r less, MUST be in a car seat fr take-ff, landing and during flight. Each car seat must be fastened securely t the aircraft seat. N children are n laps during take-ff, landing r during flight. Children weighing abve 40 punds must be in an apprpriate safety restraint adjusted t their size. N bster seats fr any size children. Parents shuld check the car seat requirements fr grund transprtatin at their destinatin. Can the parent/guardian lift the child n and ff the airplane? Can all Passengers speak English s that the Pilt is able t cmmunicate with them? If nt discuss alternatives. Screening, Qualifying and Instructing Passengers AFC Pilt Guide 2017 Page 3

4 PASSENGER AGREEMENT Have all Passengers accurately reprted their weight/height and the weight/height f their cmpanins? D Passengers agree t bring ONLY 50 punds f baggage TOTAL fr all Passengers n-bard? Explain that linking Pilts r their return Pilts may nt be able t transprt additinal weight s any weight abve 50 punds must be left at the airprt. Medical equipment nbard MUST be reprted t the Crdinatr and cannt be brught n the aircraft at the last minute. Explain that Passengers and baggage will be placed in the plane, by the Pilt, accrding t the weight and balance required fr the specific plane they will be flying in. Explain that changing any Passenger fr anther persn, misrepresenting Passenger r baggage weight r nt reprting medical equipment, during screening, may cause the flight t be cancelled. An AFC Pilt r Crdinatr may cancel flights even up t departure fr any reasn that may present a safety issue fr any Pilt, linking Pilt r Passenger. D Passengers agree t ONLY bring the cmpanin whm they have listed n their request? Explain that ne cmpanin may NOT be substituted fr anther and additinal Passengers may NOT be added n t the flight at the last minute. (Pilts must figure weight and balance f their aircraft with their flight planning) Have Passengers arranged fr their wn grund transprtatin and vernight ldging? Explain that the Pilt is nt expected t prvide grund transprtatin & vernight ldging r the cst f meals fr Passengers. They are already cntributing a substantial amunt t pay fr the Passengers transprtatin and taking their persnal time t help them. D the Passengers have sufficient funds fr their meals and grund transprtatin? D Passengers understand that if weather r unfreseen circumstances cancels their trip hme they shuld call the AFC ffice t see if ther arrangements can be made? D Passengers have the AFC ffice phne number and the after-hurs pager number fr their trip? D Passengers have sufficient funds fr additinal vernight ldging r alternative transprtatin if the flight is delayed r has t be rescheduled? D all Passengers agree t sign the Liability Release f their wn free will, befre departure? (View n the Passenger Sectin f the AFC website ahead f time.) D Passengers understand and agree t AFC s Security Prtcl? (View n the Passenger Sectin f the AFC website ahead f time.) D all Passengers have a legal frm f identificatin and are willing t shw the Pilt? Are all Passengers will disclse weapns r cntraband and allw the pilt t search their baggage, if the Pilt requests; befre barding the plane? D Passengers agree t cmply with the Safety Instructins that will be sent t them by the AFC Crdinatr in preparatin fr their flight and the Pilt s Instructins t fly n their aircraft Encurage the Passenger t thank the Pilt fr their flight. PASSENGER INSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO FLIGHT Passengers are given instructins prir t their flight which may als be reinfrced by the Pilt when making cntact with the Passenger. Screening, Qualifying and Instructing Passengers AFC Pilt Guide 2017 Page 4

5 Validatin f all phne numbers listed n the itinerary including cell number fr travel days r alternative cntact infrmatin while n their trip. Crdinatr verifies that Passenger s vic r is valid and accessible t anyne calling them (Pilt, Crdinatr, etc.) Only thse persns whse names are listed n the itinerary are allwed t bard the airplane. Passengers are reminded that baggage MUST be limited t 50 punds ttal fr the flight. Passengers are infrmed that if they arrive at the airprt with a different cmpanin r excess baggage; the Pilt has the right t cancel the flight and must call the Crdinatr. Passenger back-up plans are cnfirmed and recrded. (This may be t cancel r reschedule.) Verificatin f all Passenger weights (especially if the time since initial request is lengthy) Verify that Passengers have grund transprtatin, resurces fr vernight stay and fd. Verify, rigin, destinatin, (FBO s if apprpriate); where they will meet their Pilt(s). The Pilt reserves the right t chse the FBO fr fuel discunts r reduced grund fees and shuld infrm the Crdinatr and Passengers f any changes befre flight day. Passengers are ntified when Pilts are assigned t the flight and when the flight is filled. Passengers are ntified if there is difficulty filling legs r there are changes t the flight. Passengers are infrmed that the 1 st leg Pilt will call them t discuss the details f the flight such as when/where t meet at the airprt Passengers are reminded they must carry their ID t bard the plane and allw the Pilt t search their baggage if requested. Passengers are prvided the 24/7 vice pager number fr evenings/weekend changes t flights. Passengers are reminded that they must be n-time at the airprt at the designated time the Pilt requests. They MUST call the AFC ffice immediately, if unanticipated circumstances ccur which delays cnnectin with their Pilt(s); especially n the day f flight(s). Passengers must call the Crdinatr IMMEDIATELY t cancel r reschedule a flight r fr requested changes frm what was dcumented during screening. This may include: cmpanins, phne numbers, medical status, dates/times f flights, appintments, etc. Itineraries are cnfidential t prtect bth Pilt and Passenger infrmatin. Screening, Qualifying and Instructing Passengers AFC Pilt Guide 2017 Page 5

Shuttles are scheduled ONLY when there is a reservation. Without reservations we DO NOT travel.

Custmer Agreement / Cmpany Plicies Shuttles are scheduled ONLY when there is a reservatin. Withut reservatins we DO NOT travel. (Excluding Hlidays) Reservatins must be prepaid with a credit card. Please