[enigmatic2]

Hi, does anyone here have any experience of flying under the current security restrictions? In my situation (C6/7 quad), I normally take my wheelchair right up to the aircraft door, where I'm lifted on to one of those ridiculously small chairs and transferred into the aircraft.

I also normally carry as hand luggage a backpack containing emergency essentials relating to my condition (in case my suitcase doesn't arrive and I have to manage for a night without it at my destination), plus medication, etc. This is slightly bigger than the current "laptop-sized" restrictions allow, but it's essential for me and thus unavoidable.

Additionally - and this is where it gets even more complicated - I normally stow all the detatchable parts of my wheelchair in the aircraft cabin (i.e. footrests, armrests, Jay cushion) to avoid losing them to baggage handlers, and on transatlantic flights I sit on the cushion during the flight to relieve pressure. The problems here are that a) this is extra carry-on material and b ) Jay cushions are gel cushions. Gel is not popular on aircraft at the moment.

Given all of this, are the airlines cutting wheelchair users some slack with what's allowed onboard or has airborne life for us just got even more difficult, if not impossible? I've contacted Virgin special assistance, and they indicated that while on paper they would be prepared to show some flexibility for someone in my position, they couldn't guarantee that in practice every member of their gate staff/cabin crew would be as sympathetic. Doesn't sound too optimistic.

Experiences, anyone? Comments?

This post has been edited by enigmatic2: 20 August 2006 - 02:05 PM

[juls]

I can't help you out as far as the wheelchair goes, as i haven't travelled for awhile but my boyfriend is overseas at the moment and it took him 4hrs to get back into london from Paris! they went through everything he had including travel documents, itineries, creditcards, account balances etc... He rang me up worried that if we were to travel and this happened, i wouldn't be able to do it. Since you can't use the plane toilets we normally do the whole routine right before we go to the airport so you can get through the trip comfortably and dry!! I don't know what we're meant to do if we have to wait hours before you can actually board the plane

[Simon]

The strict intereepratiopn means you should change from your chair to an airport one (great!). However, ring your airline and maybe airport and speak to a mr big. Current clients was allowed to stay in her electric chair from an instruction from up high despite everyone at the airport when she checked in saying she couldn't. She mentioned his name and it was okayed.
You are allowed prescription drugs, check with airline on what steps you must take to get authorisation, I suspect its a docs letter but I think they double check you prescription is genuine on the national database too.
Simon

[enigmatic2]

Simon, on Aug 21 2006, 04:53 PM, said:

The strict intereepratiopn means you should change from your chair to an airport one (great!). However, ring your airline and maybe airport and speak to a mr big.

Actually owned wheelchairs are now allowed to pass right through to the departure gate. The problem as I see it are the many grey areas that exist past this point (meaning that nobody from any airline can give definitive answers); different disabilities present different challenges to these security measures. I called Virgin again today, for example and was told again that they were essentially having to make it up as they went along, reporting difficulties their disabled passengers faced to the DFT on a daily basis. One other issue that the girl at Virgin mentioned was the fact that the many disabled passengers that use catheters are technically regarded as having liquid on board. I kid you not.

This post has been edited by enigmatic2: 21 August 2006 - 05:31 PM

[enigmatic2]

juls, on Aug 21 2006, 03:17 PM, said:

He rang me up worried that if we were to travel and this happened, i wouldn't be able to do it.

It's a crazy situation for everyone - I don't know why these restrictions are necessary ONLY on airlines if the threat is as bad as is claimed: what about buses, trains, ships, the Eurostar? I don't get it. Anyway am due to fly to London this weekend - should be interesting!

[juls]

Good luck! You'll have to tell us how it went when you get back.... For your sake i hope you don't have an indwelling catheter

[Jodie Lynn]

The only help I can be is on my recent flight out to California the airlines were great they allowed my whell chair all the way to the plane brought it to me after we landed and they did not go all through my stuff, they even allowed my BF to accompany me all the way on the plane when I was heading back home so in my opinion you do not have much to worry bout.... Good luck to you on your flight and enjoy.....


Jodie Lynn

[milosh]

oh yeah.... i found airport security being way tolerant to me as a wheelchair user. the only time i was extensively searched and they even checked out my cushion and wheelchair [quickie2] was 2 years ago in madrid. but, it was while i was coming from a few months trip around the south america, where a huge part of time i spent in colombia. all other occassions, no problem at all. americas, asia, europe and former soviet union.