15 replies to this topic

[irish]

deb4604, on Mar 2 2010, 07:44 PM, said:

We are planning a trip to Disney in the fall and have begun looking into direct flights to Orlando.
Any one have experience (good or bad) with flying JetBlue or Southwest?

Thanks!

I haven't flown JetBlue, but have probably flown everyone else, and with the exception of a couple of attendants who just weren't trained well, have had favorable experiences with all. Even the ones who had a training problem were very courteous and took direction well. Need to say that, except for the normal difficulties of transfers, etc., which are a daily pain, flying has been fun. Be ready for on first and off last, be patient and you'll do well.

[Tetracyclone]

Southwest is not recommended.

[uAdapt]

I've had great treatment with Southwest - I think they are great. United has been the worst BY FAR! I avoid them at all costs. They treat you like crap and they broken things on my wheelchair more than a few times. Frontier Airlines out of Denver is the best for helping and treating people with disabilities well. Since I live in Denver - I fly them a lot.

I fly all of the time for work and for fun.

[Ches]

I agree about United... I think 5 of the 6 flights I've had with them have been less than ideal. I've been insulted, treated like a second class citizen, and a burden.. even at my nerves end, crying, and trying to politely ask for help I was treated as if my disability was my own problem. Stay Away!

[fredspike]

Hey i see that you are from Buffalo,

i have flown southwest out of buffalo and loved it, it was a long flight to las vegas. One thing I like it that i was able to take the wheelchair right on the plane to transfer. They allow you to sit right in the front row and board first, this also give plenty of leg room stretch your legs. I have a quickie GT, 18X18 inch chair so it is not small and i am able to fit with a little help making the tight turn right up the the seat. The transfer is slightly weird as i am facing the back of the plane in the chair, but i transfer over to the seat on the left, sit sideways on the seat and then as the remove the chair turn forward in the seat. I imagine that with a power chair you may still need to use an isle chair, but those are not a big deal, and almost all airport staff it trained well in how to use them.

US Air or any plane that has first class will almost always upgrade you to those seats because the isle is bigger and the are right at the entrance, making it easier for the staff to get you on the plane. If that is the case you will most likely not need to use the isle chair.

All in all the process isnt to bad as long as you let everyone know what you will need and ask plenty of questions

Edited by fredspike, 04 March 2010 - 02:43 PM.

[mellowgator]

deb4604, on Mar 5 2010, 12:49 AM, said:

Thanks for the tips Fred!

And hello to a fellow Buffalonian! I was beginning to think that my bf was the only disabled person in town.....lol!

hi there,

you're visiting my neck of the woods. all my family is in orlando and i live at the beach which is an hour away. i know the area and parks well . if you want any inside tips let me know.

mellowgator

[mellowgator]

deb4604, on Mar 3 2010, 12:44 AM, said:

We are planning a trip to Disney in the fall and have begun looking into direct flights to Orlando.
Any one have experience (good or bad) with flying JetBlue or Southwest?

Thanks!

if you haven't been to the animal theme park you should go. it's fun you ride a jeep through a safari and see all kinds of cool animals. i am a huge fan of roller coasters so i always enjoy universal studios they have some super fun coasters. my kids love the water parks but not sure how much fun that is in a w-c. i'm sure if you've been many times you know the drill for disney world. my best tip is to get on the monorail at one of the hotels then go to the back of the park. usually the masses just start at the entrance and work backwards. we used to get on the monorail at the hotel and we'd be riding space mountain before the line even forms.

[Django]

I live in Florida and always fly Allegient. Direct flights for cheap...They have always been helpful. I always get the front seat with my family and they usually squeeze my chair in rather than bringing the aisle chair. They just began to fly into Orlando rather than Orlando Sanford.

[fredspike]

Another Tip, Skip the security lines. Most if not all airports will let you go right to the front of the line. At buffalo just go to the right of the security line, i believe it is labeled Handicap/employees. But be prepared to be searched because the chair cannot go through the detector. Buffalo isnt to bad but it depends on who you get how much they will want to pat down. they will also test the chair for bomb materials. My only advice for all that is just be prepared for it and realize that it is just a precaution like everyone else.

[goldnucs]

Tetracyclone, on Mar 2 2010, 06:41 PM, said:

Southwest is not recommended.

Although (last I checked), they're the only airline that doesn't charge for your first piece of baggage. The others are $25, 50 or more.

[irish]

I've found Southwest to be the best trained and most accomodating.