I usually do tell them ahead of time, but I have a story that would take forever to tell about flying from Lubbock TX to Syracuse NY. I had to fly through Washington DC, and they couldn't get me off the plane. I was stuck for 51 min. It was one of those plance you have to go down the stairs. Well with one leg that's a little hard, and the lift they had, THEIR little wheelchair was to big for. Even the pilot was upset. ANd the pilot was a BIG guy, he could have carried me. I'm just a tab under 5'2" and weight 130 pounds so not huge. Not teeny tiny either, but they wouldn't let him do that. Long story short, I ended up hopping onto the lift (barefoot so I wouldn't slip) and they lowered me. I told them, if they don't get me to Syracuse tonight, that I'd fly that darn plane and fly it myself. LOL I am a stubborn old women.