[Gong show]

Hi there,

I'm flying on an airline for the first time as a quad (C5, 2 years). Can anyone who has flown tell me what they sit on, in the plane? If a Roho cushion, do the pressure changes of flight make it swell up? I'm not a big guy, with good skin -- What about using something simpler, like a memory foam cushion? The first couple of flights are fairly short -- 1 1/2 hours. The return home trip will be about 4 hours.

Thanks!

[Joed]

Here's a thread you might be interested in reading...there's only brief mention of the cushion, but there's lots of other good info too:

http://www.apparelyz...p?showtopic=346

Welcome to the forums!

[Airdna]

Hi

My boyfriend is a T6 Complete Para, we have flown quite a few times. He sits on the seat cushion from his chair. I am not sure what kind of cushion it is, seems fairly standard.

We have found the airlines to be great and very helpful. Can you transfer yourself? If not I know they do have a hoist time thing to help.

My boyfriend just transfers from his wheelchair at the plane door into an aisle chair, which is then pushed by the airline, then he transfers into the plane seat.

If you want any other info, please ask.

I am sure it will all go well for you.

Regards x

[milosh]

my experience is the same! i fly often 1,5-3h a flight and here and there about 10h. fortunately, i'm not a heavy guy, so no problem with pressure in my legs and so on. what i've noticed lately is that security more and more examines your chair and cushion.

[gsp23]

Since we are on the topic of flying for the first time... When you go through security do you need something from a doctor saying that you need to be in a wheelchair or does security not need anything like that? I am a little concerned when I fly for the first time since being in a wheelchair.

[milosh]

nope, noone has ever asked me something like that. actually i state i'm using a wheelchair while booking the ticket.

so far i've found them to be interesting in my cushion mostly. but i've got a plenty of stamps and visas from asia and south america, especially colombia [;) ex-gf is a colombian].

regarding security checks it much depends on how you look and act.

[deb]

hi

i believe i'm correct in saying that the pressure would affect a roho cushion

i think a foam cushion is probably best but i'm not an expert.

have a great time wherever you're going

[milosh]

i got cushion stuffed with silicon [i think]... not famous brand, handigel. use it for 10 years and love it! yeah... pressure affects it and it's shaping nice to wrap around the butt.

[bgarber]

aantiix, on Sep 29 2006, 06:02 PM, said:

Since we are on the topic of flying for the first time... When you go through security do you need something from a doctor saying that you need to be in a wheelchair or does security not need anything like that? I am a little concerned when I fly for the first time since being in a wheelchair.

As a C6-7 for 20yrs, I fly several times a year and find the airlines/airport staff very helpful, especially if you're happy & pleasant. Be sure to tell them to slow down or wait if you're not comfortable doing something like transferring to the aisle chair etc. While security is obviously more strict than years past- remember it's for a reason. When you book your ticket, tell them you're in a wheelchair & try to request bulkhead seating if possible- much more leg room. Again with security, try not to bring any more carry-on baggage than necessary- they will give you a pretty good check-over, especially shoes & cushion, but remember they do lots of us every day. after a couple of flights you'll learn what you specifically need & it will be easier. i do not sit on any cushion on the plane, but everyones different.
Good Luck!!

[Gong show]

Thanks! Sounds like most people just use the cushion from their chair, and that makes sense because I have to take it off anyway prior to sending the chair away to be stowed. Great to hear most people have had good experiences.

[Izziwhizzi]

Gong show, on Sep 28 2006, 07:15 PM, said:

Hi there,

I'm flying on an airline for the first time as a quad (C5, 2 years). Can anyone who has flown tell me what they sit on, in the plane? If a Roho cushion, do the pressure changes of flight make it swell up? I'm not a big guy, with good skin -- What about using something simpler, like a memory foam cushion? The first couple of flights are fairly short -- 1 1/2 hours. The return home trip will be about 4 hours.

Thanks!

Hi

I'm C6 so may have some info of use for you.

Always tell when booking your ticket & when checking in that you are in a wheelchair and will need full carry on assistance. You may have to add such lovely statements that 'no that you can't walk - no, not even a couple of steps, even though yes I am young, and yes quite cheery'.

I always sit on my cushion, a roho, even if the flight is due to be quite short - you don't ever know if its going to be delayed, I've often sat for an hour or so in the plane before take off & after landing. We are first on with a crowd of others really needing assistance, and then at landing there is the miracle recovery as they all run off and you are left on the plane till the assistance arrives - I've waited on planes for over an hour with the cleaners cleaning around me.

I don't sit on anything else than my beloved roho in my everyday life & with the idea 'if it ain't broke why fix it' attitude don't opt for a different cushion when flying. A roho is upset by the change in pressure in a plane so you need your carer to put the valve in an accessible place and for the longer trip expect to take some air out when at altitude, always getting them to puff it back in quickly in the few mins you are on the aisle chair getting out.

And heres my favourite (not!) bit of air travel - the aisle chair. As a tetra with crap balance and possibly long spasmy legs - the aisle chair is far from easy. Please make sure someone always stays behind you when you are sitting it. Once some daft airline helper left me and I tipped over cracking my head on the ground, so I now always say 'don't you dare leave the back' now. Make sure you get the straps on you around your chest too as they will tip you on your back wheels and have to lift you over the entry to the plane. Also the feet are rested on a bar tucked way under your bum so your legs are bound to open wide and you may need help holding your knees together.

As with all 2 person lift transfers (into both the aisle chair & the aisle seat) with people not used to you, take control of the situation - say we are going on three and you count!!

Also as was said before - try to get bulkhead seats - never one down the back of the plane - more time in the aisle chair banging on your beloved hips on the tight gap and seat belt buckles. Get an aisle seat - for the transfer, and if there are extra seats in your row and if you don't have bulkhead, make sure the check in staff know you can't get up & out to let them pass during the flight.

Also say that you want to stay in your own chair and have it checked into the hold at the door of the plane. Then make sure that the air crew know you want your chair bringing up from the hold to the plane door and not to be sent off with the rest of the luggage when you land. If in doubt double check.

Remove your footplates, footstrap, side arms/wheel guards as well as cushion and take them inside with you - things like that easily get split from your chair in the hold. I also take an empty bottle with me - my favourite is an empty 1 litre green american ginger ale bottle. This allows you to drink and your helper can empty your bag if required during the flight. Green means its contents are not so obvious as they take it to the wc to empty it.

The other thing to mention is that on landing make sure your carer helps hold you back in the seat if you are in the bulkheads or else your head will be between your knees and others can't get to you to help you as the seatbelt sign is on!! If not in bulkheads it depends on your strength if you can support yourself against the seat in front and not bounce your head when you land.

Although my list is long flying is quite easy on the whole so enjoy it and enjoy wherever you are going.

L

[carpenter]

aantiix, on Sep 29 2006, 01:02 PM, said:

Since we are on the topic of flying for the first time... When you go through security do you need something from a doctor saying that you need to be in a wheelchair or does security not need anything like that? I am a little concerned when I fly for the first time since being in a wheelchair.

You wont have any trouble getting through security in a chair. They know the drill. Just relax and let them do their thing. Expect to be first on the plane, and last off.

Keep track of your chair. They will take it from you when you board the plane, and stow it underneath. All that is fine and good. But they can be a bit lax in returning it to you when the flight is done. It helps to be cheerful, polite, and firm on seeing to it that your chair is there on the jetway waiting for you to exit the plane into it.


Also, the cushion might come back frozen solid. That might cause a minor problem to solve.

[russ1]

^_Q_^, on Oct 14 2006, 07:53 PM, said:

If you are going to keep your Roho in a commercial airliner, then the fact that the cabin is pressurized will keep your Roho from "over" inflating. You might have some minor increase, or even decrease, in the cushion pressure....but it will barely be noticeable.

Airliner pressure is usually 80% of sea level air pressure or IIRC the equivalent of normal air pressure at 10,000ft. Therefore your Roho will overinflate by 20% during your flight. This may or may not be an issue - I'd have said probably not but then again I don't use a Roho. Just to put some figues onto the debate.

[carpenter]

Gong show, on Sep 28 2006, 01:15 PM, said:

Hi there,

I'm flying on an airline for the first time as a quad (C5, 2 years). Can anyone who has flown tell me what they sit on, in the plane? If a Roho cushion, do the pressure changes of flight make it swell up? I'm not a big guy, with good skin -- What about using something simpler, like a memory foam cushion? The first couple of flights are fairly short -- 1 1/2 hours. The return home trip will be about 4 hours.

Thanks!

Yeah sure.

After experiencing several international flights of late. They always offer you the option to simply keep your cushion with you on the plane. In fact they expect you to ask for that.

However, a couple extra airplane pillows set in the right spot has always worked here. Yes you do need to lift up and rearrange things every bit. But if you have anything down there to sit on, the pillow pile can work out.

Contrarily, having them place your chair cushion in just the right spot for you can also work out just fine.


Bear in mind that all the stewardesses you will meet are in the people helping business. They actually dont see many people that truely need assistance. They will more likely than not fall all over you being helpful. If you interact in the right way, it becomes a real win - win situation.

You have both choices, dont worry too much about it.

This post has been edited by carpenter: 17 October 2006 - 06:09 PM

[Simon]

^_Q_^, on Oct 14 2006, 07:53 PM, said:

I would like to add a few comments about Roho cushions and flying. As a t-9 para and a private pilot, I have some unique experience in this area. If you are going to keep your Roho in a commercial airliner, then the fact that the cabin is pressurized will keep your Roho from "over" inflating. You might have some minor increase, or even decrease, in the cushion pressure....but it will barely be noticeable. HOWEVER!! If you check ANY specialty cushion (Roho, Jay, et al.) you should deflate it and pack it safely. Two reasons. While most commercial airliners have pressurized cargo holds, not all do and not all are climate controlled like the cabin. Your cushion is also subject to handling by workers that often have no idea that your seat is anything but FOAM, and will treat it like it is indestructable! You can always take a Roho hand pump with you in carry on (I carry one anyway everywhere for safety reasons) to re inflate the Roho if needed. I know there will be many that disagree with this, but if you check your Roho, or other cushion, as luggage...the take the extra time to make sure you are prepared and it is safe! Nothing worse than getting off a puddle jumper to find the non compressed nose luggage hold ate your Roho!

Q
www.qchair.com

I find your comments interesting, I use roho and have done in flight. Mine has always inflated to a point of being rock hard and necessitated deflation by my wife. Obviously, then it needed reinflating once landed too.
There's no way it could have been sat on without deflation and without risking induration.
The roho website also advised you of this too. http://www.rohoinc.c...precautions.jsp
Simon

[milosh]

BTW, the same applies to your air-stuffed tyres. but not much as to roho.