4 replies to this topic

[tomo]

Hi all
I’m going on my first holiday since my injury and I’m a little worried about the flight,
not the actual flying part but the transfers on & off the plane and the storing of my electric wheelchair.
My level of injury is c5 complete I’m flying from Heathrow to Las Vegas and back with British airways at the end of March.
I will be taking my electric wheelchair which is a storm 3 and is very heavy.

Is there anybody out there with any personal experience, tips or advise to help set my mind at ease
also any good Vegas tip would be helpful too.

Thanks

JOHN TOMLINSON

[guido]

tomo, on Feb 10 2010, 12:44 PM, said:

Hi all
I’m going on my first holiday since my injury and I’m a little worried about the flight,
not the actual flying part but the transfers on & off the plane and the storing of my electric wheelchair.
My level of injury is c5 complete I’m flying from Heathrow to Las Vegas and back with British airways at the end of March.
I will be taking my electric wheelchair which is a storm 3 and is very heavy.

Is there anybody out there with any personal experience, tips or advise to help set my mind at ease
also any good Vegas tip would be helpful too.

Thanks

JOHN TOMLINSON

Hi John

Can't advise about chair on plane as I use a manual, but there was a Las Vegas thread a while back with quite a number of suggestions and information. Worth checking out.

[HiltonP]

The most important things with a powerchair are :

1. To remove anything and everything which can be broken or lost, i.e. joystick,
cushion, charger cables, etc . . . and taken them with you into the cabin. Tape up
anything which might be loose, foldable, moveable, removeable, etc.

2. To print out, and tape to the chair, clear & simple instructions on how to engage/
disengage the drive wheels and battery connections, etc. Verbal instructions to crew
members count for nothing.

Remember, your powerchair might be your arms and legs, but to the ground crew it's
just another piece of baggage.

[greybeard]

tomo, on Feb 10 2010, 12:44 PM, said:

also any good Vegas tip would be helpful too.

Yeah. Leave your wallet at home.

Have a good time.

[dangerousdave]

Communication is a 2 way street
All airlines I've flown with have a special needs office where you can talk with someone and alley your fears. They will also benefit from discovering what you need before you arrive at checkin

Have a great time LOL