At many big hub airports, airlines do provide motorized carts to help passengers, disabled or not, with long distances. (You can flag one down or ask an airline agent to request a pickup.) Most carts run between gates for connecting flights.

WSJ: Airports Battle Bogus Requests for Wheelchair Assistance

The news agency added that Mr Zhang's Los Angeles-based agent had not responded to a request for comment.

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Some come by e-mail, in a note from an artist asking me to view his work, or a press release from an auction house or a museum, or a request by a PR agent to speak with a special client.

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"The uncertainty arises from the fact that we have not yet received a formal release request from Trent's agent, that discussions on compensation have not yet even started and that changes of mind can sometimes occur in these situations, " he said.

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Some travelers say when they request assistance, an airline gate agent or flight attendant often automatically recommends wheelchair assistance.

WSJ: Airports Battle Bogus Requests for Wheelchair Assistance

Zhang's Los Angeles-based agent didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

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