Jet Transport for Stroke Patient

Justin M

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JM
Hi.

I have a friend whose mom had a stroke in Colorado. She and her husband were moving to New Jersey when it happened.

Anyone making the trip anyway and can fit two more people in their jet?

Does anyone know how to transport a patient and her husband from Colorado to Newark NJ?

Justin
 
Are they able to fly commercial?
 
Thanks for the link.

If you’re not familiar, Angel Flight operates in regional or state entities, so you may want to search for the entity that supports departure and destination locations.

There’s other entities, like Veteran’s Airlift Command, that also do charitable flying for qualified patients.
 
AngelFlight pilots as a rule don’t fly jets, but there are a few with pilatus and other high-end aircraft. check with AeroAngel, altho it specializes in children..you never know.
 
I wish you the best. As I'm thinking about the above, and the reality of the state of things with airlines, the combined situation is just sad.

I didn't know this existed, but there are services that do long distance non-emergency medical transport. One of them:

No idea if insurance covers such things or how expensive they are.
 
Start a go fund me and hire a private jet that does med evac flights.
 
It's been a while since I flew an Angelflight, so maybe things have changed. But Angelflight has been mentioned several times, though this type of trip really isn't either the ideal setup for Angelflight, nor really the intended use.

First, this is a LONG flight - 1400 nm or so. Although some Angelflight pilots do fly jets, the typical Angelflight mission is performed in light single and twin-engine pistons. And with a flight of this length, it would be multiple flights strung together. Often in non-pressurized, noisy aircraft. Literally, this could be an all-day, miserable trip for someone with post-stroke symptoms.

Second, the intent of Angelflight is for getting patients to where they receive medical care on a non-emergency basis. This doesn't sound like that at all, this is simple A to B transportation. Unless things have changed with AF, I'd guess that this wouldn't meet the criteria for an AF at all.

The OP asked about private jets that just happen to be going that way. Sure, that's possible, although it will take some digging to find, since of course such flights aren't scheduled on a website.

There's always the charter route. No mention was made of the couple's finances, but I'd estimate somewhere in the $40k or so range. This would definitely be the most comfortable and convenient option if they can afford it.

Sometimes charter operators have deals on "empty legs", where they need to reposition an aircraft, you'd have to contact them about that.

Or, you know, the airlines, as much as we like to hate them here, are actually pretty good at what they do. And they often are the best solution. Looks like there are multiple options for direct flights from DEN to EWR for just $200 a person in the next couple of weeks, and flight times of 3.5-ish hours. That's pretty good.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone! She’s still in Colorado as of now. But I wanted to say thanks even though the issue is not resolved.
 
These guys do it every single day.

Call and ask for Joe.

 
These guys do it every single day.

Call and ask for Joe.


30K
 
I wish you the best. As I'm thinking about the above, and the reality of the state of things with airlines, the combined situation is just sad.

I didn't know this existed, but there are services that do long distance non-emergency medical transport. One of them:

No idea if insurance covers such things or how expensive they are.

13K
 
For a charter from Colorado to New Jersey, those prices sound about right if not on the low side, forget about medical staff/equipment.
 
You asked two questions. Anyone in an empty jet? Seems like the answer is no.

You asked how to get people moved that need accommodations. Is there a price that they are willing to pay?

DEN-EWR is a United hub to hub - give them a call and tell them what you need. They’ve Global Services that smooth all the TSA and boarding stuff up to driving up the plane. I’m sure it could be arranged for health reasons too.
 
Thanks for your feedback DD and Ted.
 
With that kind of money could you rent 2 “free lance” nurses on a day rate just to be caretakers and pay their way, hotel, per diem, and ensure they are in the utmost comfort from door to door? Wheel-chair everywhere.

If they can’t climb aboard a stair on a jet (or wing on a twin), then the TSA pain-in-the-arse seems to be the worst of the mobility issues on a commercial flight.

I hope for the best for your friend’s mom. Please let us know what they do, because some of our families or ourselves may be dealing with similar issues in the future, whether we know it or not.
 
Some insurance companies may pay for the cost of transportation. If your friend's mom is still in the hospital or rehab thence management should be able to help. If the insurance will not pay and your friend does not need any active treatment enroute and is able to control themselves many of the commercial airlines can be quite accommodating and helpful if you talk to the beforehand and make arrangements. Often this is at minimal or no cost. Case management may be able to help as well with this.
 
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honestly - a four hour private charter at 13K is pretty damn reasonable.... If you arent willing to pull the trigger at 13K for a medical need - then you probably arent in the jet charter space at all. A king Air charters for over 2000-2500/hr these days. . and that will take 5+ hours unless you have serious tailwinds. But that will run you 10+K as well.
 
honestly - a four hour private charter at 13K is pretty damn reasonable.... If you arent willing to pull the trigger at 13K for a medical need - then you probably arent in the jet charter space at all. A king Air charters for over 2000-2500/hr these days. . and that will take 5+ hours unless you have serious tailwinds. But that will run you 10+K as well.

If the 13K was for the link I sent, that was for ground, not air.
Albany Tom is right, that 13k quote was for ground transportation.
 
That’s a very reasonable price for the ask imo. Most light jets are going to be in the $3800-$5k/hr range.
The guys I recommended have a different MO.

They send MD or RN level providers as appropriate to escort the patient. They both charter AND fly commercial, usually first class. They have had seats removed off of Part 121 aircraft to get stretchers in. They supply any and all; medical equipment necessary. These guy have it together.
 
The guys I recommended have a different MO.

They send MD or RN level providers as appropriate to escort the patient. They both charter AND fly commercial, usually first class. They have had seats removed off of Part 121 aircraft to get stretchers in. They supply any and all; medical equipment necessary. These guy have it together.

In that case I am very surprised how inexpensive it is. IIRC the billing rate when I was doing medevac full-time was $100 per patient statute mile flown.
 
Airlines do a good job with special needs. You can have curbside wheelchair to airplane to seat and reverse at the other end, and also any connections.
 
When you say "stroke patient," are you taking about someone currently receiving treatment in a medical facility or someone who's been released from in-patient treatment but still has some difficulty getting around? If the latter, commercial allows for oxygen concentrators but not oxygen tanks. Although it seems to be that someone still on oxygen might be better advised to stay on the ground.
 
When you say "stroke patient," are you taking about someone currently receiving treatment in a medical facility or someone who's been released from in-patient treatment but still has some difficulty getting around? If the latter, commercial allows for oxygen concentrators but not oxygen tanks. Although it seems to be that someone still on oxygen might be better advised to stay on the ground.

She is currently in the hospital. We are watching for a window when she might be able to travel to New Jersey.
 
Finish out the initial rehab in CO and then fly her commercial in business class with someone to assist. The airline may require a medical clearance from her doc, but if she is able to sit and is not oxygen dependent, there is no reason not to travel commercial.
 
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