14 replies to this topic

[A trophy guy]

The issue of TRULY handicap-accessible flights is one that is never brought up, or done so so seldomly and briefly it serves no real purpose. It is one that desperately needs to be addressed, for there are people who must use the airlines and are forced to be subjected to subhuman treatment in order to do so. It is the reason I will never fly in an airplane again (unless absolutely unavoidable) until major changes are made to the airline industry.

Using a wheelchair as I do, I obviously cannot wheel myself right on into the plane and in my seat. The plane's interior is not nearly wide enough to allow my chair passage, I can't even get into the actual passenger cabin in it. So I get put in what is called an "aisle chair", which is nothing more than a small, back-less stool on wheels. This contraption is not self-propelled. Meaning I must be pushed to my seat. Where I get out and hope to god I dont need to use the bathroom during the course of the flight.

Inevitably, however, my bladder protests and I must use the bathroom. Which I have no way of getting to on my own, other than getting down on the floor of the plane and sliding on my butt all the way to the bathroom (which I have been forced to do before). My only other option is to get put back in the "aisle chair" (it is NOT a chair lol) and get hauled back and forth from the bathroom to my seat. As a fully conscious, rational adult, I am OFFENDED and HUMILIATED to the core by this experience! I am strapped ridiculously from head to toe with all kinds of different "safety belts" while Im in this aisle chair, and I have no control over its movement. Just to piss.

Simply because I have a disability does not mean I must endure such humiliating conditions in order to be able to fly on an airplane. I don't think it's asking too much to want to be able to take myself to and from the bathroom, just like I've done pretty much since I've been a sentient being. Just like every other person on that plane.

Now if taking myself to the bathroom is a totally unrealistic hope, I don't understand why at least there can't be some sort of system for being able to voluntarily waive some of the ridiculous restraints put in place when one goes in the aisle chair. These restraints are designed with the absolute most physically disabled in mind. And disability covers a huge range of ability.

[quadinva]

A trophy guy, on 29 October 2011 - 08:06 PM, said:

Just like every other person on that plane.

But you're not like everyone on that plane. Edlee's comment on your "restaurant thread" is also applicable here. Think about the fat people who don't have a solution to getting charged double, luckily we can just insert a catheter for a flight, they're just screwed. Or think about the fat paralyzed people who have to pay double AND can't go to the bathroom!

[A trophy guy]

quadinva, on 29 October 2011 - 09:50 PM, said:

A trophy guy, on 29 October 2011 - 08:06 PM, said:

Just like every other person on that plane.

But you're not like everyone on that plane. Edlee's comment on your "restaurant thread" is also applicable here. Think about the fat people who don't have a solution to getting charged double, luckily we can just insert a catheter for a flight, they're just screwed. Or think about the fat paralyzed people who have to pay double AND can't go to the bathroom!

Well I acklowedged the unrealistic nature of my wishes when I suggested a far less radical change like that of being able to "opt out" of some of the more restrictive restraints on a typical aisle chair.

[Irish Wheelz]

I don't mind it at all. Yea it sucks but what is the best way. There just trying to make sure your safe. I mean think about not being stap in and the plane hits some turbulance and knock you out of the chair. Safety is what's on there mind. There not trying to humiliate you or any sci in any way. Have you ask if you can sit near the bathroom before boarding. I know they would gladly do it. My trip to Texas last week, they help me just fine. I ask if I can be seated near the bathroom, and without any problem they did it.

[KayDub]

I've had really great on plane experiences with British Airways and Qantas (struggled on the ground a bit in London, but it was also because I didn't have my own chair yet and was leaving a loaner in Australia and picking one up in the US and subject to their transport "chair" for 10 hours. I was just frustrated because they said I had to use the metal tubular thing with tiny non-self propelling wheels when actual folding chairs were available and given to the people who for whatever reason can walk but not across the gate. We were finally able to secure a folding chair but still not one without wheels I could push. Sucked to be dependent on someone but a much better alternative to almost immediate pressure sores! We just got comfy right next to the bar in the club so there was no need to go anywhere except to the toilet, but wasn't a big deal getting pushed there.)

Back to being on the plane though. I had the fortune of being in business class. The first flight I was on they had me use the aisle chair. My trunk was still pretty unsteady at the time and the guys pushing me on it weren't that experienced. I opted to just have my fiance carry me the next time. We were able to get our seats move towards either the front or the back of the row, closest to the lavatory, except for one flight, but it still wasn't a problem. I mostly had the fiance also carry me to the toilets but one flight from was from Singapore to London (a very long flight) and there was a lot of free alcohol served, making me go catch all the time and the fiance sleep all the time. I could have asked them to use the aisle chair, all the flight attendants were very friendly and helpful about it. I preferred to just army crawl there, because I'm stubborn like that. (Later on in the hospital when they'd take away the chair from my bed because I needed supervision or something, I'd roll out bed and scoot/army crawl to do my BP (my nurses were always late). I don't find it demeaning, just doing what I got to do, ya know. Or it is possible to cath right into those puke bags, it seems gross, but it's a good solution to getting to the bathrooms. My flights are usually very long (I haven't flew within the US or Oz yet). Or if it's possible to put a cath on with a leg bag to avoid it all. Makes security a little trickier, but it's a hand off. I just agree with Irish on this, it sucks but it's not done to humiliate or demean you, just for safety. If you're confident in your chair you can be just as confident in an aisle chair so it's not a demeaning experience. If not there's usually a few ways to minimise using it. Good luck next time you fly.

[A trophy guy]

Irish Wheelz, on 29 October 2011 - 10:32 PM, said:

I don't mind it at all. Yea it sucks but what is the best way. There just trying to make sure your safe. I mean think about not being stap in and the plane hits some turbulance and knock you out of the chair. Safety is what's on there mind. There not trying to humiliate you or any sci in any way. Have you ask if you can sit near the bathroom before boarding. I know they would gladly do it. My trip to Texas last week, they help me just fine. I ask if I can be seated near the bathroom, and without any problem they did it.

First of all, of course I know no one is doing anything to humiliate anyone in this circumstance. And I am not even asking to forgo being strapped in altogether from the aisle chairs. All I am asking is forgoing the most highly restrictive, in my case (and others in similar situations) totally unnecessary belts and straps. A signed waiver would seem to be all that would be needed to release the airline from any legal liability.

[KayDub]

A trophy guy, on 29 October 2011 - 11:55 PM, said:

Irish Wheelz, on 29 October 2011 - 10:32 PM, said:

I don't mind it at all. Yea it sucks but what is the best way. There just trying to make sure your safe. I mean think about not being stap in and the plane hits some turbulance and knock you out of the chair. Safety is what's on there mind. There not trying to humiliate you or any sci in any way. Have you ask if you can sit near the bathroom before boarding. I know they would gladly do it. My trip to Texas last week, they help me just fine. I ask if I can be seated near the bathroom, and without any problem they did it.

First of all, of course I know no one is doing anything to humiliate anyone in this circumstance. And I am not even asking to forgo being strapped in altogether from the aisle chairs. All I am asking is forgoing the most highly restrictive, in my case (and others in similar situations) totally unnecessary belts and straps. A signed waiver would seem to be all that would be needed to release the airline from any legal liability.

What airline were you with? On Qantas and British Airlines neither strapped me in restrictively, just a lap belt and both allowed me to opt out. Maybe you can research what airlines have what policy and try to fly with only the ones that do? I think a lot of people underestimate the purchasing power of disabled people, they think everything goes through the government, forgetting we have just as much money to spend (or not spend) in certain places.

[quadinva]

A trophy guy, on 29 October 2011 - 11:55 PM, said:

First of all, of course I know no one is doing anything to humiliate anyone in this circumstance. And I am not even asking to forgo being strapped in altogether from the aisle chairs. All I am asking is forgoing the most highly restrictive, in my case (and others in similar situations) totally unnecessary belts and straps. A signed waiver would seem to be all that would be needed to release the airline from any legal liability.

Life's full of unnecessary belts and straps, just click them for the minute it takes to get to your seat and get on with life. I don't, just like every other ab, NEED to buckle up on take off and landing...but the flight attendant tells me to and I do, feeling every bit of a man than if she had let me go unbuckled.

-Bags

[Tetracyclone]

We cannot help it- sometimes we feel humiliated. We get over it.

Organizations are very bad at setting up complex rules, ie, more belts for Fred, fewer for George. People like simple. Do look into using a condom catheter for flights. i us a foley and, while i do not like it, it spares a lot of anxiety and lets me drink champagne.

[A trophy guy]

I do understand that this is one of those issues that, despite all the inadequacies and inherent humiliation, I must come to terms with within myself. It's a shitty situation with no easy fix. Consider my OP a vent. In the end, I know you guys are right.

[quadinva]

Cheers for that concession Trophy. The way I look at situations like the plane one is that staying home (not flying) would be far more humiliating than dealing with the differences in the ways we have to travel. Throw a catheter in, get strapped in the aisle chair, keep your head up, and think "thats right you ab bastards I can do anything you can do, just a little differently" as you pass them in the aisle. Many of them probably think SCI's couldnt manage getting on a plane. If their thinking "how humiliating for that guy" then f*** them, then thats on them not you (they have to live with their own shitty attitude)...but you will have gotten out there and not let your sci hold you down.

Im sure there was a time that we couldnt fly, at all. People have advocated (both disabled and ab) for us to be able to do stuff like fly. Eventhough its not a flawless system, I think were better served to accept minor inconveniences and focus efforts on bigger problems.

I also understand that the above is more easily said by a quad than done by a para, as gnerally speaking a para is closer to being an ab than a quad. Its easier to resent what you can't have if youre not as far removed (ie the idea that a para wants his legs back, but a quad could careless if his legs worked as long as his hands work. In the end, most of us ain't gettin shit back)

-Bags

[Califanna]

A trophy guy, on 30 October 2011 - 04:39 AM, said:

I do understand that this is one of those issues that, despite all the inadequacies and inherent humiliation, I must come to terms with within myself. It's a shitty situation with no easy fix. Consider my OP a vent. In the end, I know you guys are right.

Actually, I do agree with you regarding the fact that we should be granted the same rights as those others who are traveling on the same flight. I have protested to every airline I have ever flown on regarding bathroom rights and getting to my seat without the use of that awful aisle chair.

Money will always be the driving force behind keeping the aisle way as small as they are now and the seats too.

However, if our group could become more organized and united about what our rights should be then we could produce a change that would benefit us all. Until that time, each of us need to educate the airlines about what is acceptable when getting us on and off the plane as well as using the facilities on board.

[BillS]

I fly SouthWest and it's been years since I've had to use an aisle chair. SW doesn't have a first/business class so the first seat is right up near the entrance of the plane. I arrive very early and when I get to the gate I talk to the check in person, to the person at the door to the gate, to the stewardess, and to anyone else that will listen. I polity sweet talk them and explain that we won't have to worry about that aisle chair if I get to pre-board. I can wheel my chair right up to the first seat and make a transfer straight from my wheelchair into the seat. They like not having to fool around with the aisle chair and I like having one less transfer and not being strapped down.

I find being pleasant and explaining my needs allows me to skip the aisle chair almost every time. I do rarely get the idiots who "must" use the aisle chair every now and then but I try to be the bigger person and just let them have their way.

Of course this only works with SouthWest since they have open seating and no business class.

As for the bathroom use. I always have a catheter and leg bag so it's not a problem for me. I just cut back a bit on the fluids before/during my flight and I'm good for 8+ hours.

Edited by BillS, 30 October 2011 - 01:41 PM.

[edlee]

I will second the praise of Southwest. While my chair is about an inch too wide to get into the passenger compartment on most of their planes ( I've tried twice),, they are always happy to give it a shot if I ask. As for the catheter,, external or foley,, it's no more demeaning than a wheelchair,,, and an overnight bag in your carry-on can extend your flying time by about 16 hrs,, depending on your drinking habits.

For me,,, the 3 minutes in an aisle chair doesn't strike me as much of an inconvenience,,, especially since you get to board first,, and get first chance at the overhead space,, that ends up lacking due to the ENORMOUS carry-on bags everyone else brings with them.

Anyone else notice how large those things have gotten,??,, you could smuggle side of beef in one.
ed

[KayDub]

edlee, on 30 October 2011 - 10:51 PM, said:

I will second the praise of Southwest. While my chair is about an inch too wide to get into the passenger compartment on most of their planes ( I've tried twice),, they are always happy to give it a shot if I ask. As for the catheter,, external or foley,, it's no more demeaning than a wheelchair,,, and an overnight bag in your carry-on can extend your flying time by about 16 hrs,, depending on your drinking habits.

For me,,, the 3 minutes in an aisle chair doesn't strike me as much of an inconvenience,,, especially since you get to board first,, and get first chance at the overhead space,, that ends up lacking due to the ENORMOUS carry-on bags everyone else brings with them.

Anyone else notice how large those things have gotten,??,, you could smuggle side of beef in one.
ed

You're so right on the ever expanding carry ons! I once managed to get a backpacking frame bag, my ski boots, helmet and my rock climbing gear on a plane as my carry on luggage. It was back when I was moving back and forth between Rhode Island and Colorado for school and fit all my belongings in the free limits (so 2 under 50 lbs bags at the time and your carry on), I was too cheap to ship or pay extra. A man almost pulled my ski boots out on his head though... that wouldn't have gone over well.

Now that everyone charges for any baggage, seems like everyone tries to carry even more. But then you have folks who board first and think their jacket is a piece of luggage and subject to the same amount of overhead space as a rolling suitcase, so all the bins fill up before a reasonable amount of bags can get on. It'd be one thing if the flight was empty or they rolled or folded their coat compactly, but nope, it's always taking half the bin. If I were a flight attendant I reckon I'd ask those people if I could check their coat to put under the plane, since they believe it's a suitcase. That might make them hold onto it until the bins are full of bags, then put it up.

That's one thing I miss though, I'm so tall that when I could stand I could see over the bags and could always rearrange things to make my bag fit! All the men would insist on trying to help me lift my bag then and would be embarrassed when I was the one who ended up having to help them lift their bag.