[gsp23]

I used to travel quite a bit for work but have not flown anywhere yet since being in a chair. I am curious how it works for Taxis at airports. If I need to call for a cab from the hotel for example I can easily tell them that I need one that is wheelchair accessible, but when leaving an airport they usually have Taxi lines where you just get in line and wait for the next cab. Would I just wait for a van or could I get in a car? My chair fits in the trunk of some cars and I dont think I would really want a cab driver to put my chair in the trunk either, so is it possible to somehow get in a car and pull your chair across you and put it on the seat next to you? I have a 4x4 pickup so I cant really test this theory myself. Or does this mean I would need a van? Then the next question is if I get a van, are all of the accessible in that they either have a lift or a place I could lean out of to disassemble my chair? I am just thinking wide van doors higher up and not sure I could disassemble from the way they are situated but I dont have access to any vans to test this out.

If I have a rental car, are the shuttle busses wheelchair accessible? If so where does the chair go when traveling over, does it just go with the luggage? I have been on those busses a million times but that was pre-wheelchair so I never paid attention to accessibility.

If I am in a van/bus, etc is it typically expected that I ride in my chair or transfer to a seat? If I am expected to ride in my chair are there certain types of tieups or anything that are used, do they have them? Am I expected to have anything on my chair to secure it?

Sorry for cramming so many questions into one email, just lots of questions about the same type of thing I guess.

[Steve Q]

I travel sometimes for work and generally don't have any problems. I'm an L1 Para with pretty good mobility.

There are usually the minivan taxis with the ramp and lowered floor in the lineup that the attendant will pull up for you if needed. I generally just get in a regular crown vic cab. Getting in the rear seat can be a liitle interesting sometimes because the door opening is pretty short. I then lean out and take mr chair apart and had the cabbie the pieces to put in the trunk.

The rental car busses at all the airports I've been to are the "kneeling" type where they let the air out of the shocks then extend a ramp so you can roll in. I generally just stay in my chair and hang on but you'll get some that the rules say you have to be strapped down. They'll have everything needed to strap you in. You can also transfer to a seat if you want.

I've found that Avis has been the best at having my car with hand controls ready when I get there. I'm a Avis preffered member and the car is usually sitting there waiting for me. I reserve online then call the customer service with my reservation number to have hand controls added. A rep from Avis will call you back to confirm the car will be ready for you. I always reserve a Monte Carlo beacuse the two door is easier to get me and my chair into beacuse of the longer door.

[gsp23]

Steve Q, on Jan 11 2008, 03:59 PM, said:

I travel sometimes for work and generally don't have any problems. I'm an L1 Para with pretty good mobility.

There are usually the minivan taxis with the ramp and lowered floor in the lineup that the attendant will pull up for you if needed. I generally just get in a regular crown vic cab. Getting in the rear seat can be a liitle interesting sometimes because the door opening is pretty short. I then lean out and take mr chair apart and had the cabbie the pieces to put in the trunk.

The rental car busses at all the airports I've been to are the "kneeling" type where they let the air out of the shocks then extend a ramp so you can roll in. I generally just stay in my chair and hang on but you'll get some that the rules say you have to be strapped down. They'll have everything needed to strap you in. You can also transfer to a seat if you want.

I've found that Avis has been the best at having my car with hand controls ready when I get there. I'm a Avis preffered member and the car is usually sitting there waiting for me. I reserve online then call the customer service with my reservation number to have hand controls added. A rep from Avis will call you back to confirm the car will be ready for you. I always reserve a Monte Carlo beacuse the two door is easier to get me and my chair into beacuse of the longer door.

Thanks for the info. I used to travel quite a bit for work but havent yet and there is talk of that starting up again so I want to be prepared.

Every have problems where your chair doesnt fit in the trunk of the cab? I know some peoples trunks my chair doesnt fit in and some it does. I would be ok disassembling myself and having them put in the trunk of the cab if it would fit, but hate the idea of getting in the car ready to go and oops... doesnt fit!

[russ1]

gsp23, on Jan 11 2008, 09:34 PM, said:

Every have problems where your chair doesnt fit in the trunk of the cab? I know some peoples trunks my chair doesnt fit in and some it does. I would be ok disassembling myself and having them put in the trunk of the cab if it would fit, but hate the idea of getting in the car ready to go and oops... doesnt fit!

Surely if it won't go in the trunk it just sits on the seat next to you? Getting into the rear seat of a standard cab is going to be the biggest challenge.

[gsp23]

russ1, on Jan 11 2008, 04:47 PM, said:

Surely if it won't go in the trunk it just sits on the seat next to you? Getting into the rear seat of a standard cab is going to be the biggest challenge.

You're right, yeah could always have the cab driver put the chair on the seat next to me. For some reason hadnt thought about that.

I have never tried to get into the back door of a car before so I guess that is one challenge I will have to figure out. The transfer from around the curb would be the biggest issue actually now that I think about it. Most airports I have been to as an AB anyways, they dont let you go around to the drivers side door to get in and require you to get in the cab from the side next to the curb... that would probably present the biggest challenge now that I think about it.

[Steve Q]

My chair is a quickie revolution, folds up pretty tight. Like russ1 said, the small door opening is the bigggest challenge.

Never had anyone tell me I could't get in on the driver's side ( I probably wouldn't listen anyway)

On another note, get to the airport early just to make sure. Also make sure you aloow plenty of time if you trying to meet a schedule, you have to keep in mind you'll be the last person off the plane.

[Andrew Meddings]

you wont have any problems' maybe you should ask a friend if you can practice in their car getting in front & back. ive been in a taxi sedan with another wheeli & 3 ab's . peices of chairs scattered over bodies. try bo be assertive & tell driver what you are going to do & what you want him to do.
as for rental cars i always take my portables & book a auto car & dont mention the chair
regards andrew

[gsp23]

Yeah I think I will practice getting in/out of someones car. My mom and sister come to help clean once a month for things I cant get to myself and they usually bring a car so one of these times I will have to go out to the driveway and practice.