Last week we had the people moaning because special assistance took me and wheelchair through passport control, queue jumping.
@Redminionpenguin let them moan. Never apologise for needing special assistance at the airport. You are helping everyone get on board and off and away on time rather than them having to wait for you or your luggage having to be unloaded if you don't make it, meaning the plane might miss its slot.
Like you, my mum did not want to be seen as "weak" or jumping the queue. But she was in her 80s and though she was able-bodied and fitter than many younger people, I correctly suspected the gate at Gatwick for the Florence flight was going to be a very, very long walk and didn't want to make her rush for the plane.
She really bent my ear about it when she found out at the airport I'd booked Special Assistance. She said angrily that she didn't need it. She wasn't an invalid. But we had a comfortable, unrushed ride to the gate with the other couple in the buggy and boarded with everyone else through the extended corridor. She quietly agreed that it was a good idea. I didn't make much of it but I always like to be told when I have had a good idea.
The way back was even better. Florence is a much smaller airport than Gatwick, so we could easily walk to the gate. But we still had special assistance booked for our flight. The ground flight attendant singled us out and told us we should wait till the end.
I trusted her but it was worrying seeing everyone else go and get on the shuttle bus to the plane. Though I was reassuring my mum it would be fine, I was starting to panic they'd forgotten us.
The Italian BA ground woman came over and said: "Let's go, ladies. Let me carry your hand luggage, Madam," to my mum.
We walked down the ramp to find a battered little Fiat in airport security colours waiting for us. The BA woman helped us into the back and sat in the front passenger seat and buckled up. "Andiamo!" she commanded the driver and he slapped a magnetic flashing light to the roof like Starsky and Hutch and speeded across the tarmac to the plane.
We went up the steps of the plane and took our seats like royalty.
The special assistance at the other end at Gatwick was pretty good too but has to pale in comparison. The buggy driver took us to the head of the queue for passport control. My mum whispered: "Shall I tip him?" That was a massive thing for my mum, who was not familiar with tips. I said if she wanted. She did. £1. He said there was no need, but if you insist...
If we need things we should ask and receive.