9 replies to this topic

[gsp23]

I need to travel for work soon and am wondering when traveling is it easier to take your rigid or folding chair with you? I am guessing if I was going somewhere fun on vacation I would take the rigid chair for comfort but since its only a few days for work either would be ok for me. Are there any benefits / disadvantages to taking either of them on the plane or ground transportation once you arrive at the destination?

[milosh]

folding, definitely! ;)

[gsp23]

Can you give some feedback as to why either would be better? I have not travelled since I became a wheelchair user and would like to know peoples experiences in traveling (airline and ground transportation when arriving) with using either type.

BTW... Both my chairs have quick release wheels and my rigid has a folding back.

[carpenter]

aantiix, on Oct 15 2006, 09:54 PM, said:

Can you give some feedback as to why either would be better? I have not travelled since I became a wheelchair user and would like to know peoples experiences in traveling (airline and ground transportation when arriving) with using either type.

BTW... Both my chairs have quick release wheels and my rigid has a folding back.

Rigid, definately. ;)

[DaveP]

Rigid, as it has less moving parts that can go wrong. You can fix a puncture or other small problems whilst away but it's harder to replace a missing footplate or other problem.

[gsp23]

Anyone who responds... please give feedback as to WHY not just an answer of rigid or folding please.

[gsp23]

DaveP, on Oct 17 2006, 10:14 AM, said:

Rigid, as it has less moving parts that can go wrong. You can fix a puncture or other small problems whilst away but it's harder to replace a missing footplate or other problem.

Thank you for the detailed feedback Dave!

[Adams]

If you have a rigid, why would you use anything else? Why would you even question us? You must know which one you like better.

For me, it's rigid all the way. My TiLite looks a lot better, has better perfomance and better turning radius than my folding chairs did.

[carpenter]

aantiix, on Oct 17 2006, 10:14 AM, said:

Anyone who responds... please give feedback as to WHY not just an answer of rigid or folding please.

LOL. I saw that coming.


Ok here is the drill. Except for those times when your chair needs to fit into the micro sized trunk of an Hyundai, rigid chairs are always better. They have fewer moving parts, they have no energy absorbing joints to maintain. Rigid chairs are always easier to propel. Rigid chairs are lighter. Rigid chairs are more durable. Nothing to fix on them for they wont wear out or break anywhere like what can occur with a folding chair.


When it comes to air planes. They have plenty of room for the non folding chair to ride along. Air planes are big. However, the baggage folks still need to toss it about to get things to fit in the belly of the plane. They are likely fine people, yet still, it gets tossed about. The questions are: Which sort of chair stands up better to accidental improper stresses? Which sort of chair can be more dlicate? Will there be any opportunity to teach the right someone how to collapse the thing and then reopen it for your use? Not a chance in France.

So why bother with those risks?

Hope that helps.

[gsp23]

carpenter, on Oct 17 2006, 12:30 PM, said:

Ok here is the drill. Except for those times when your chair needs to fit into the micro sized trunk of an Hyundai, rigid chairs are always better. They have fewer moving parts, they have no energy absorbing joints to maintain. Rigid chairs are always easier to propel. Rigid chairs are lighter. Rigid chairs are more durable. Nothing to fix on them for they wont wear out or break anywhere like what can occur with a folding chair.


When it comes to air planes. They have plenty of room for the non folding chair to ride along. Air planes are big. However, the baggage folks still need to toss it about to get things to fit in the belly of the plane. They are likely fine people, yet still, it gets tossed about. The questions are: Which sort of chair stands up better to accidental improper stresses? Which sort of chair can be more dlicate? Will there be any opportunity to teach the right someone how to collapse the thing and then reopen it for your use? Not a chance in France.

So why bother with those risks?

Hope that helps.

Thank you very much for that detail. I of course prefer my rigid chair but was wondering if one would be easier than the other for airplanes, ground transportation, etc. I hadnt thought about the fact that they would need to open up a folding chair and more to go wrong with it in handling. I was concerned with ground transportation... rental cars not having big enough trunks when I travel with other people and cant put the chair in the car for some reason.

From your answer sounds like just go with the comfort and not mess around with the folding chair, it wount be easier for airplane usage and I can figure out the ground transportation once I'm there.