71 replies to this topic

[paragirl]

Hi I'm 23, and T12 complete paraplegic wheelchair user. I've been injured for less than a year.
My question goes out to any quadriplegics or paraplegics out there who have experience flying. I have a trip coming up at the end of this month where I will be required to fly with my wheelchair. My main concerns are:

Are there people who will help me check my luggage at the airport?
What do you do about escalators at the airport ( I've heard someone say that you can ride them in your wheelchair)
If you cant ride an escalator in your wheelchair, are there elevators?
Who do you talk to about boarding the plane first, pre-flight boarding due to being a wheelchair user?
Do you have to use a folding wheelchair, or will they let you take a rigid wheelchair?

I understand that I could call the Airline and ask some of these questions, but I am really interested to know about someone else's experiences.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated and if you have any tips if travelling by plane in a wheelchair please do share.

Thanks!
-A

[paragirl]

Hi I'm 23, and T12 complete para. I've been injured for less than a year.
My question goes out to any quads or paras out there who have experience flying. I have a trip coming up at the end of this month where I will be required to fly. My main concerns are:

Are there people who will help me check my luggage?
What do you do about escalators( I'v heard someone say that you can ride them)
If you cant ride an escalator, are there elevators?
Who do you talk to about boarding the plane first?
Do you have to use a folding wheelchair, or will they let you take a rigid wheelchair?

I understand that I could call the Airline and ask some of these questions, but I am really interested to know about someone esles experiences.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated and if you have any tips please do share.
Thanks!
-A

Ok, I've seen views on my post. Does anyone have any advice or anything to share with me on this topic. I am scared to death of going to the airport for the first time in a wheelchair. To know even just a little of what to expect would help me alot right now. Surely some of you have flown before. Please give me a clue of what to expect. This past 10 months has been so hard for me. All I want to do is get on with my life, and I think this trip will help me get relaxed and focused, but right now I cant be excited about that because I dont have any clue what to plan for or expect as far as the airport is concerned.

please help
-A

[Apparelyzed]

Hi Paragirl,

Sorry for not replying to your post sooner, I've only just noticed it!

Anyway, well done for getting back out into civilisation, and having a go at flying, it can be daunting at first, but when you've done it a couple of times, you'll get to know the procedures.

Now, when you booked your ticket, did you tell the airline to note you were in a wheelchair? It's not essential, but if anything does go drastically wrong, at least you can say you informed the airline you were in a wheelchair when you booked the ticket.

You should also check the airlines lifting policy, as if you have trouble transfering, some airlines will not help, but the baggage people will usually give you a hand if you get stuck.

Regarding escalators, all airports will have lifts, so this is not anything to worry about, just ask staff where they are.

When you get to the airport, get there a bit early, as it's easier to check-in, also, there are usually porters to help with your baggage, just give them a couple of bucks to get your bags to the Special Needs counter.

Most major airports have these counters, they will help you with your baggage, and through check-in, they will also arrange for an isle wheelchair to wheel you to your seat on the aircraft.

When you check in, tell the check-in assistant who issues your seat number that you cannot walk, and you need an isle wheelchair to get you to your seat. Also, enquire to see if you can get a bulkhead seat, as these have no seats in front of them, and have more room to move around and do pressure lifts.

If the check-in assistant will not issue a bulkhead seat, tell her you will not be able to get up to let other passengers in and out of their seats if they are by a window if you are on the isle, this usually does the trick.

Also, tell the checking in assistant that you need to stay in your wheelchair right upto the aircraft door, once you are on the isle wheelchair, your wheelchair will me put into the aircraft hold. Remember to get a baggage tag for your wheelchair with a barcode on it when checking in though.

Once you have your boarding cards, ask the check in assistant how much earlier you need to be at the boarding gate, this is usually 30mins before everyone else so you are put on first.

After checking in, you can go through security, they normally just pat you down, then you can go and read a book utill it's time to go to the gate. Don't drink too much though in the cafe, if anything, I always restrict my fluids before a flight as you obviously can't get to a toilet. Bearing this in mind, just before you go to the boarding gate, empty your legbag/bladder, or if you do intermittant catheterisation, put an indwelling catheter in for the journey and connect it to a leg bag before you leave home.

As soon as you get to the boarding gate, tell the assistant that you cannot walk, and you need pre flight boarding. Be sure to tell them you cannot walk, as it leaves not room in their minds of your abilities.

When you are at the aircraft door, after transfering into the isle wheelchair, remember to take your cusion to sit on in your aircraft seat if you need it. If you get to your aircraft seat, and it's an isle chair on the side of a window, ask the attendants if you can sit by the window, once again, mention that if you can't you will be unable to get up to let people in or out of their chairs. You could always ask if there is a bulkhead seat spare, sometimes they will let you go there at the last minute and move the other person you a normal seat.

You then just have to enjoy your flight untill you land.

After landing, everyone else leaves the plane, and you get off last, don't forget your cusion or your hand luggage. Ask the flight attendants to bring your wheelchair from the aircraft hold, and have it ready at the aircraft door for you to transfer into, this is usually not a problem.

Once in your chair, ask if someone can help you get your baggage and help push you. This may not be what you like as a T12, but it normally fast tracks you through passport control so you don't have to que!

Then, once you have your baggage, that's it really, at least thats all I can think of anyway.

I've just returned from New Zealand from the UK, and in total over six weeks I did 8 flights, so this is all still pretty fresh in my mind.

Where are you flying from and to?

Best regards

Simon.
C5/6 Quad!

[paragirl]

Hi!
Thank you so much for your reply. That information is very helpful as I had not thought of some of those things. I think now I have a much better understanding of what to do and what to ask for. Thats very important. I was so concerned about getting the point of view from someone who had experienced an airport situation from a wheelchair as obviously you have.

I'll be making a trip from Albuquerque, NM to Phoenix, AZ. It's only about a 45 min. flight. Im excited to be seeing some family there and going to a concert, so that will be ALOT of FUN

Thanks again!
A

[paragirl]

Oh, and I apologize for being so impatient. Its one of my downfalls, I know so I will be better next time.

A

[Joed]

Hi paragirl!

Just wanted to wish you a great trip. I hope the flight goes smoothly...it sounds like you've been given good and thorough advice. I had read your post the first day you posted it, but I have no first-hand experience to offer on this...so I'm glad Simon responded, because I knew he'd have all the 'skinny' on the subject.

There's a lot to think about, isn't there? You'll be an 'old hat' at it by your return trip. In the interim...have a wonderful visit with your family, and tell us more about the concert.

Simon....

That info would be a good topic to pin, don't you think? Thanks for providing such detail...very helpful.

[paragirl]

^Thank you^ Best regardes to you as well What does it mean to "pin"?

[kanga2433]

No much to add to these good replies but I went by air for the first time in April from Edinbugh to Dublin and the sevice with Aer Lingus was superb. As long as you tell them when you book and turn up at the time they tell you they take you right to the door of the plane and only use the isle chair from there.

Great!

[Apparelyzed]

Hi Joed,

Good idea, consider it done !

Simon

[Joed]

Paragirl....

An administrator or moderator of a forum can 'pin' a post or thread so that it always stays on the top of the list and doesn't get buried under any new posts. That keeps the info readily available for future reference. I think some forums call them 'stickys' too. (?)

Simon....

Thanks!!

[paragirl]

Hello everyone! I've returned from my trip to Phoenix. It was so much fun!! First, I just want to thank you for your suggestions and tips. My first time to fly after my accident was a success Not too much of a backache after 3 days of traveling total. I went on my trip last Thursday where i flew from Albuquerque, NM to Phoenix, AZ. My family helped me to the airport, and my mom was able to show an I.d. and get a special pass to go "all the way" with me to the gate. She was more nervous than I was. Security was not a problem. I went on the side and was checked by a security person and did not go through any metal detectors. When I got to the gate, I showed my pass and got in line to pre board. I learned quickly that this line can be just as long as the others. And boy, those ilse chairs. I didnt picture them to be so small:) I flew Southwest Airlines and they were great!! Everyone was cool. It was only about an hour flight, but I also drove 3 hours to Alb. When I flew out, I sat on the ilse seat in the first row, but coming back home I sat by the window. That was much better. It was just like you said, Joed, and I felt good about flying by the return trip.

Phoenix was a Blast!! I stayed Thursday night and Friday at my brother's house. His is totally accessible if I take off my hand rims (which is not too bad if you have a power drill). My best friend was there too and we all went to the NIN Concert on Friday night. It was the absolute best way to start my summer! We sat in the sound/light booth. We had the best view in the house outside of smack in the middle of the front row right there with "the man", but this was close enough. That and a good visit with my family, that was the highlight of my trip. I am so glad that I flew and I know it will not be the last time.

Thanks to you for your responses, they helped alot!!

Happy Traveling!!

[Joed]

So glad you had a great trip and visit, PG. It sounds like everything went without a hitch. And how cool is that to watch a concert from the sound/light booth? An opportunity like that doesn't come around everyday, that's for sure.

My sister flies SouthWest and has always had good experiences with them too.

Anyway, welcome back. No matter where we roam, or how much fun we had while there, coming home is always one of the high points of any trip.

[Apparelyzed]

Hi Paragirl,

Glad to here your travel arrangements went smoothly, and your trip to Pheonix was a success!

The NIN concert sounds good, I wouldn't mind seeing them myself, in fact I've just bought "With Teeth", great album, a bit more structured than their ealier stuff.

Regards

Simon.

[Vancouver]

These posts helped a lot. Thanks all.

What are the options for a six foot tall, heavy, single traveller transferring from wheelchair to airline seat when he has no movement from the neck down? Is a travelling companion mandatory, do you think, or are airline attendants okay with doing this?

[paragirl]

Hello!

In my experience with flying the airline attedants are usually willing to help with some transfers. However, you may want to consider having a companion there with you just in case you need any extra help.

If you dont have someone there with you, you should alert the sky cap when you check in to pre-board that you can not walk and you will need help. This is a very important thing to remember. Also, I would suggest calling the airline ahead of time to see what the lifting requirements are.

The isle chairs that are used in the aircraft are pretty small, and maybe hard to balance in. If you have a small enough w/c then its possible that it could be taken in the plane, and to the first seat. However; transferring at this angle is kind of awkward.

Hope this helps

[Simon]

Think you will find a travelling companion is necessary. If you (like me) have no movement below your neck there is the transfer from w/chair to aircraft seat (and maybe before this into a smaller ambulift typr seat) then eating/drinking during the flight, then the other end transfers.
While the ground crews do the lifting etc, you cannot expect airline crews to feed you or give you drinks. Remember flying dehydrates you so you need to drink plenty anyway even before a disabiiity is taken into account.
The airline may refuse to take you without a companion. So check.

[russ1]

Just had a very bad experience with BA - flying trans atlantic unaccompanied I was initially refused to be allowed to board the plane (having got to the gate and at every stage from booking through checking in made it clear I was flying unaccompanied).

The reason stated by the cabin crew who were refusing to allow me to board was that I had to have an AB accompanying me to assist me in transferring to the toilet on board the plane in spite of my protestations that there was absolutely no possibility that I would need to use the toilet. It took over half an hour of negotiations through an intermedary (the flight crew responsible refused to speak with me directly) and 3 separate refusals to be allowed to board before I went into medical details and it came out that having a catheter in was an exception to this rule. Why they couldn't just have asked this I dont know!

So be warned - if flying unaccompanied you will have to have an indwelling cath in for the duration of the flight (who doesn't?) and you will have to make this known and even then you may well have to fight prejudice of the flight crews.

BA failed to pre board me on both flights and then failed to have my wheelchair available at the gate on my return to Heathrow and I was wheeled through the airport on a transfer chair like a piece of baggage.

I currently have a complaint in with BA demanding disciplinary action and retraining of those responsible - I'll let you know what happens.

Previously I've flown trans atlantic with American twice and been treated very well indeed.

[Joed]

russ....

Good on you for demanding accountability. They need to be aware of how to ask the necessary questions while still maintaining some sense of dignity for their disabled passengers. Often the non-disabled world have generalized, preconceived notions about what it means to have a disability. They're not to be bothered with the myriad of individual differences in that group.

But mainly I wanted to say 'good job' for taking the time to make a difference for those who follow after you.

[milosh]

all good points made here. ;) nothing to add.

BTW, the best airline i've used as a disabled person is KLM.

whenever i travel i inform them of my disability at the time i book my ticket.

at some airports they can be rough when loading your wheelchair... so you must give them a notice. i myself actually had some minor bad experiences at ferihegy2 airport in budapest. but even AB travelers complained.

when it comes to asia, ben gurion in tel aviv is the most disabled-friendly airport in middle east.

with good organizational skills, traveling as disabled is just normal.

[HiltonP]

BTW, the best airline i've used as a disabled person is KLM.

Interesting comment milosh, because here in South Africa KLM is despised by the disabled community because they flat out refuse to fly anyone with a disability unless they have a full-time care giver with them. This is regardless of the level of disability. A good friend of mine is a Paralympic athlete and when KLM found out she was disabled they refused to fly her, even though she'd paid for the ticket. They gave the money back and told her to find another airline! Disgraceful.

[milosh]

shit.

it happened to me with serbian JAT few years ago. but, now they improved much.

[Scott Rains]

Thanks to the administrator for pinning this thread. It has drama - what with Paragirl's first flight - and useful firsthand information.

I thought the information sharing around KLM's perception by the disability community in different countries was a particularly good demonstration of the value of a forum like this. It can be important to know beforehand on an international trip that policies, practices, (and prejudices) may be quite different depending on location even within the same airline. It may be as simple as being assigned an aisle seat by default when flying in the US (for your safety in case of a quick exit) or a window seat when flying in the EU (for the "safety" of others in the row.)

I write daily on travel and disability at the Rolling Rains Report (http://www.RollingRains.com). One of the trends we are seeing is a move away from pre-boarding. Another is the work to develop good policy on companion animals. Yet another more longterm trend is that airlines and airplane manufacturers are starting to understand the seven priciples of Universal Design in cabin accommmodations and airplane construction.

The more information flows between disabled travelers in discussions like this the easier it is to be a self-advocate who in turn moves the travel & hospitality industry ahead.

At Rolling Rains there is a category of articles on Air Travel. One item that can be, unfortunately, especially helpful at times is, Registering a Complaint Against an Airline

Edited by Scott Rains, 02 August 2006 - 02:47 PM.

[milosh]

great site, scott!

i'd like to contribute on traveling as disabled in russia, south america and asia.

west/north europe and USA/canada are well covered on net generally. but, those destinations, not really.

[DeanS]

I can provide advice for airports in Australia (should also have access to any documentation that covers passengers with a disability).

Basically, it first depends on the airline - Virgin Blue prefer that the patron transfers to an aisle chair as close to the aircraft as possible, however Qantas seem to prefer that happen as close to check-in as possible.

Starting from that point, the GSMs (Guest Services Managers) or any of the ground crew supervisors will usually look after you as soon as they see you. You can queue up, but from experience they will usually pluck you from the queue and ask you to go to the supervisors desk at checkin. Its usually to help you get to the Boarding Gate as quick as possible as you are the first to hop onboard the aircraft.

Next step is security, as most if not all wheelchairs will set off the metal detectors you will be taken to the side and will have a hand held wand swept over you and may be asked to be patted down. (On one occurance in Rockhampton, my wife was even asked to take her shoes off so they could check them). After this you will be allowed into the Security area (and yes, either before or after security there are lifts in two storey airport layouts.)

Once you reach the boarding gate, make yourself known to the ground crew staff again and they will attach bag tags to your wheelchair ready to be stowed in the cargo hold. When the boarding call comes over the PA, you will be the first person to be allowed onto the aircraft.

There are a number of ways to get on the aircraft from the terminal - you will either use the air bridge or go via the tarmac to stairs. Don't be daunted, they have ways around this ... the air bridge is obviously the easiest way - they will usually get you to transfer to the aisle chair just before the doorway of the jet, and then take you onboard. If the aircraft is accessed from the tarmac, you will either go on a stair climber or some of the stairs have lifts attached to them (as was the case in Rockhampton).

Onboard the aircraft, usually if the ground crew has brains ... they will have assigned you to an aisle seat in the first 4-5 rows (depending on the aircraft - I'm thinking economy domestic - ie. 737, A320, etc. as opposed to larger aircraft - ie. 767,777,A340,747, etc. with business/first class). Toilet access can be a problem, depending on your personal needs you may be alright with a normal commuter hop (ie. 1-3 hour flight) on one of the small aircraft by going to the bathroom before you depart. However from memory 747s aren't too bad with their onboard toilets, they also carry an aisle chair on the jumbos.

Arrival at the destination, general rule is you're the first one on, last one off. Usually one of the cabin crew will keep you company until they are ready to let you alight. Depending on the airline also, you may be asked to stay in an aisle chair all the way to the baggage carousel (where the wheelchair will be picked up in oversize luggage), or they may be nice and bring the chair right to the aircraft (Virgin Blue has no qualms about bringing the wheelchair on board the aircraft during disembarkation if you're in the first row).

If need be, one of the ground crew may be asked to accompany you to the baggage carousel to help get your bags.

Hope this helps.

I hope to start becoming a regular contributor on here, especially where travel is concerned. We hate staying in the one spot for too long and try to get out as much as possible. My wife Natalie has been quite the jetsetter since her accident 21 years ago, travelling to Croatia, US, cruising on the Norwegian Star, and in the last 4 years taking her to Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Rockhampton, by plane and cruise ship. We've been working on a web site project on and off for the last 3 years that hopes to cover accomodation, transport, attractions, etc. accessibility ratings for South-East Queensland ... however it has been put on-hold temporarily due to many other projects coming up.

[HiltonP]

DeanS . . . perhaps with your Australian travel experience you can answer a question for me?

Why are Qantas Airlines (the national carrier) suddenly demanding detailed wheelchair information from me?

My wife and I are flying to Oz in February, we booked and paid for our tickets nearly three months ago (we also have our visas, accommodation booking, and land transport bookings nailed down and paid for). Qantas have in the course of the last two months sent me four different wheelchair information requests. These ask for exact length, width open, width closed, weight, make, model, etc. It's ridiculous, I informed them that I use my own folding, manual wheelchair. Why the detail. If my chair was over a certain size would they refuse to fly me? It's insane.

Their last request was the most bizarre, where they state that some of my flights might be on a 737, which according to them might not be able to accommodate my chair standing up! Well, lie it down then! I've been flying in 737s since 1981 and no-one has ever asked me this before. In fact I have flown on five continents, to twelve different countries, over twenty five years, and no-one has ever asked me to provide wheelchair dimensions, make, etc.

Qantas will probably come some cock 'n bull story about service to their disabled passengers, but that's nonsense, this isn't service, it's a hassle and a pain in the a**e. Does Qantas ask fat folks to provide the width of the backsides, and their weight? Are they going loopy, or is some admin clerk creating a paper empire?

[jules]

Hi Everyone

Just thought I would let you know about a horrible airport experience that I had earlier this year. My husband and I along woth 3 of our friends one one of whom is also a wheelchair user due to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis went to Romania to watch Gloucester play against Bucharesti in a rugby match. Firstly Romania is not the most wheelchair friendly place to start with and we spent 4 days being stared at and even poked and laughed at. The real problems started on the way home we got to the aiport and in Bucharest you go through security before check-in I was expecting to go through the scanner, set it off and then get frisked or hand scanned as usual, but no this time a large security guard kicked the back of my chair and told me to walk through the scanner I said I couldn't and he kicked me again and shouted right in my face and told me I must walk through the scanner.
Eventually my husband had to pick me up and carry me though the scanner whilst they took my chair apart my husband was then told to put me on a table and go through on his own, by this time I was crying and very distressed, which was made much worse by all of the security guards and locals laughing and pointing at me! Luckily for me there were several hundred other Gloucester fans in the aiport, my husband had to go and help our friends because they couldn't manage on their own, so I was left on a table with everyone laughing at me. I was rescued by 2 former props and a number 8 rugby fans will get the picture) who came and stood round me until Neil could put me back in my chair. We complained when we got back, and a few weeks ago we had a formal apology from the Romanian government. So we won in the end, and we have since heard that check-in has been moved so that it is now in front of security.


Jules
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[Joed]

OMG, jules, how awful! What is wrong with people?

Taking necessary security measures is one thing, but to dehumanize an individual like that is appalling.

I'm sorry that happened to you....and I'm glad that they responded with an apology.

It's hard to imagine places where people would openly point and laugh at someone with a disability. Behavior that would be more expected from children than adults, and these days children are even much more astute about these things than in the past.

You want I should call up my 'uncle' to give 'em 'what fer'?

[jules]

Hi Joed

I thnk that their main problem was not knowing how to cope with people with disabilities, the airport were also very lucky that our team had flown out the day before, when we told our coach (6'4" and former number8) and some of the players, who are always very protective of the two of us whenever we go to the overseas matches they were not happy! All worked out ok in the end though we went on to win the European Challenge Cup and the players brought the trophy over to us at the end before a very big party.

Jules
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