69 replies to this topic

[sublux]

codakitty, on 02 June 2010 - 04:58 AM, said:

most airlines will not allow a person to fly if they aren't ambulatory and can't get to a bathroom (well, unless you have an indwelling catheter but you still wouldn't be able to empty that yourself so you need someone with you to do that).

I'm not sure if that's a regional or airline-specific fact, but I've taken probably twenty or thirty flights alone since my injury and I've never been asked if I have, or told that I require, a traveling companion. With that said, I am able to transfer myself without assistance, so I'm not sure if that's part of the reason why.

The best bet is always to call the airline ahead of time to let them know what you require. Some airlines want to be notified as early as possible, others don't start processing disability accommodations until forty-eight hours before the flight. It's best to check in at least a week or two ahead of time. Also check in at the gate as soon as you arrive to make sure they'll have the aisle chair and everything ready.

In the US, I've found American has been the most consistently courteous and accommodating of all the airlines I've flown. And Delta has been the worst. Despite my calling ahead AND checking in with several people, Delta has on multiple occasions not had the lift ready to help me board a plane from the tarmac. So I wound up having to wait, and then having the entire plane full of people staring at me. Not fun. Another time when it came to deplaning, I had to sit on the tarmac for 20-30 minutes after everyone else had gotten off, because they didn't have the lift ready. This is at different airports, but always with Delta.

What did American do when the plane was loading using a stairway on the tarmac? They actually moved the plane so it could board via a jet-bridge instead. Now THAT is what I call service.

[alwyen]

just read the info was a great help as i never flew before becoming a wheelchair user due to heart defects but i've recently been given permission to fly from the heart doc providing i can lay down on my side during most of the flight so that means i'll be flying business or first class then need to save the pennies and its under 8 hours i'm planing a trip to the states to visit friends in indiana or going to germany for a week if i do the second i'll have to take someone with me as i need help sitting up if i roll on to my back in my sleep once im up or rolled on to my side i'm fine.

[yoggy99]

Hey there !!

I also have to share a story from my last flight experience. It was with BA and it was awful, I don´t want to put somebody in bad reputation but these are just the facts. Other airlines are less bureaucratic in my opinion and therefore it is linked to less trouble, however. December 2010 Berlin -LA : First thing was, that I was told I can´t get my chair back during the three hours stay in Heathrow > I should use the airlines´s chair meanwhile, like “ where is the problem, it´s also a chair come on “ that pissed me off and I had a 10 minutes arguing before the manager was persuaded...
Later in in LA once again the issue, but this time no way. I was carried, in my view like luggage to the customs terminal and their after complains and with the help of a kind assistant I got my “legs” back! But what the f*@k ?? in my hand rail was a quite big dent ! My biggest concern was that nobody had felt responsible for such things and actually nobody had cared. The flight back was again an arguing but here the pilot himself was very competent and managed everything regarding my chair, so I had it at Heathrow`s then. A couple days back home I wrote a complain about the bump in my wheel, but instead of help I got the answer that I need a so called “luggage compensation form” which I was supposed to ask for at the airport,what I not did of course, because I did not knew...

I will fly another time , sure! But I am done with BA in any case.

[wildthing]

Hey!

I have flown quite a bit though my physical situation differs a little. I am an incomplete cervical cord injury and I can still walk a little but use an electric scooter for anything with much walking (like airports...definitely airports!).

Airports all seem to differ a little bit in the amount of help they offer and how observant they are so you may need to be assertive.

Here are some tips:

Call the airport prior to your arrival date and notify them of your situation and advise them that you will be traveling with a wheelchair and will need assisstance in getting on board. Most airplanes in the US have a little skinny WC that you can transfer to to get down the aisle while they pack yours on the plane. They should preboard you so you don't have to put up with everyone gawking while you get the special treatment so set close to the desk and if they look like they are going to start boarding and havent seated you REMIND them.

Get there an hour earlier than they recomend. They may need to get special help for you which takes longer and you will probably have to have a pat down in security along with your wheelchair. It's not that this should take that long but for some reason they never seem to have adequate numbers of people working the line for the physically challenged and there always seems to be a trainee who is terrified she will pass through the local terrorist.

Since I am visiting the bathroom about every 15 minutes to an hour I usually request a seat close to the bathroom when I get my ticket. If this isn't an issue for you you might still want to sit fairly close to it in case you do need to use it which could mean doing the whole transfer thing with itty bitty chair again.

When you initially get to the airport it would be nice to have a companion or friend to help you get your luggage up to check in where you can ask for an assist with your carry on because otherwise you are going to be depending on getting lucky with a porter at the front drop off who will then expect a tip and may not stick around after he first gets you in the doors and you will still be needing some assist.

When you can tell by the announcements that the plane is almost there to disboard remind the stewardess that you need your wheelchair brought to the disboarding ramp.They call ahead and then you patiently wait for everyone else to get off then they will take you out to your own chair. Check everyting on the chair to make sure it did not get broken and is still working so if there is a problem you can get help before everyone is gone.

Most airports in the US and Canada will have elevators. If you are traveling outside the US none of the above may be true and I would not attempt it without a companion. I once flew to France and they had no elevators and I barely walked then so was in a mannual WC with my husband pushing. They shut the escalator down and two men came and took off running with my wheelchair and pushed me up it to the next floor. I weigh 114 and they were dripping with sweat! Felt so bad for them. I can't imagine what they would do for someone very heavy.

Some large airports are very rude but don't feel bad...they are rude to everyone not just us but you may have to be very assertive in requesting the help you need and carry several 5.00 bills for tips.

One last very important tip. Some flights which have a connecting flight will connect with a plane with a stairway and no other way to get up. This is the most important reason for talking with the airport prior to arriving about your situation. Be sure to ask about that!

Hope this helps!

paragirl, on 06 May 2005 - 12:52 AM, said:

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!

[Ratticis]

I really doubt it helped. Check the dates

[kate_45]

I love this thread so reassuring. We're about to try flying for the first time in well over ten years and very nervous about it. We never even try to transfer my mum by hand, always using hoists, so are quite worried about getting her comfortable in a aeroplane chair. I don't suppose anyone can help me with the following queries?

• My mum cannot hold her head upright. Does the aisle chair have a high back or will we have to scurry alongside somehow holding her head?
  
• The wheelchair is quite a bulky solid chair with sculpted seat, headrest etc. We're worried about what will happen to is as it cannot fold or be dismantled. Should we take bubblewrap and lots of labels in different languages saying that it can't be dismantled or is it likely to be ok? (flying from london to lanzarote hopefully)
  
• Someone mentioned having a special harness to hold them upright, can anyone think of anything that can be easily bought that would do the same thing? I can't begin to think of who to ask to make something like that for her.
  
• 3 airlines fly to lanzarote. monarch, thompson and thomas cook. Has anyone had any experiences with any of them?
  
• Do you think we'll be better off booking the flights seperate to accomodation, or a package, to make sure the airport knows that we'll need help?

I know these are quite specific questions but if anyone can help you guys can!
Thanks in advance!

[Jok]

Hi Kate,
In my experience with myself and my daughter who is also in a chair, what usually happens is you use your own wheelchair to get as close to boarding as possible. They will then manually transfer you to an aisle chair and strap you in. Normally disabled passengers are either in the front or back of the plane. They will then manually lift you into your seat. Our experiences have been quite good with very helpful people. When you are in your seat you will not be able to get out of your seat until you land so the toilet can be a problem on a long flight. Make sure that the airline knows that you require your own wheelchair to be brought to the plane door after landing. We had a bad experience in Tenerife when they brought our wheelchairs to the baggage area. If I can be of any help just ask.
Regards
JOK

[goldnucs]

Just completed Tucson to Salt Lake City [2 hrs], 3 hr layover, SLC to Tokyo [11 hrs], 2 hr layover;, Tokyo to Hong Kong [4-1/2 hrs], Customs. Immigration, baggage, transfer to cab [1 hr], 1/2-hr ride to hotel. Total = 23-1/2 hrs.

Then back.

NEVER AGAIN!

[WMWBM]

Hi all, I'm from Singapore and have only been to Taiwan recently 4 years after my accident. It's been a pleasant trip as I took Singapore airlines. The crews are very helpful and I gets to be in my own chair all the way up to the gateway and the chair is brought up the plane the moment every other Passengers alight. Happens the same both ways.

This definitely make me wanna travel again.

Ps. Both the airports in Singapore and Taiwan/Taipei is very accessible.

[KK*]

So, I guess powerchairs are out of the question?