A strange question about a wheelchair with regards to flying

[Bete]

I know that the wheelchair can be gate checked and I know it will go in to cargo during the flight. I want to have the wheelchair leg rests in my carry on for the plane ride. Is this allowed? Or are the wheelchair leg rests considered a weapon? I had an issue with the leg rest recently and I just feel it would be better and safer to have them with me; since, they can be taken off our travel wheelchair.

 

[Bete]

I plan on using the service; so, I can be hands free on our return flight home.
Since, we will have a checked in medical luggage bag I was wondering if they accept this at RAC without charge.

I have this posted on the Transportation Board, too. TIA for the help.

 

[SueM in MN]

I remove anything that can be taken off DD’s wheelchair and carry it on with me. Some of the baggage handlers have commented that I am bringing on half a wheelchair!
We have been doing this for a long time and no one bats an eye. Her current wheelchair does not have removable footrests, but when her wheelchair did, I removed it and carried it on.
Pieces I remove on her current wheelchair include:
headrest
armrests
seat cushion (she has a $700 specialized seat cushion with a gel pack)
seatback (custom seatback- also expensive with some protruding fragile pieces)

I carry a laundry bag in one of my carry on bags so I have a bag to throw all the pieces into and don’t have to worry about dropping anything. The bag is nylon and compacts to a very small size to go back into my carry on bag.

I am not certain about the question about medical bag - you mean when you are leaving, you want to check that bag right away when you check in at the resort?
We have not checked a medical bag ever, so I can’t answer. We sometimes fly an airline that is not supported for checking bags in at the resort. So, there have been times when we have had to bring our bags on the DME bus going back to the airport. That’s not been a problem; we store the bags with Bell Services from the time we leave our room until we are waiting for the bus. The driver helps us to get them on and off and then, at the airport, they do have Skycaps who can help.

If you are asking whether you can check the footrests at the time you check your bags, I would not do that. I would just remove them when you gate check the wheelchair.

 

[Mary976]

When DD's footrests were removable, we used to carry them on with us, along with her cushion and all the removable things Sue mentioned. I have a big canvas beach bag from Lands End that we stuff everything in.

Mary

 

[acourtwdw]

I rented a wheelchair this morning for our upcoming trip. The company said to remove the footrests and carry them on with me at the gate check. They said the luggage handlers are not always careful and if the foot rests come up missing, obviously I would be charged for them.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I've never used RAC, but I'm pretty sure you cannot check medical bags with them because you cannot check medical bags when doing online check-in (at least for Delta). I cannot do online check-in due to having a service dog as well as at least one checked medical bag, so always have to check in in person at the airport, therefore I cannot use the RAC service, either.

 

[Bete]

I've never used RAC, but I'm pretty sure you cannot check medical bags with them because you cannot check medical bags when doing online check-in (at least for Delta). I cannot do online check-in due to having a service dog as well as at least one checked medical bag, so always have to check in in person at the airport, therefore I cannot use the RAC service, either.

I called RAC (BAGS) and I was told over the phone a medical bag is ok. I may have to open the bag for review. I won't bet on being able to do this; until, I do it. I'll get RAC to call the company if they give me a hard time on it. To be truthful I'll pay the luggage fee if it comes down to it. I don't want the hassle. I'll be pushing my mom in a wheelchair and we are a party of two. I'll have a carry-on and I can't handle a another piece of luggage. I can get the carry-on on her wheelchair (backpack) handles; so, I'm hands free.

I feel you can't sweat the little things and I'll do whatever has to work for the situation.

Thanks everyone for your responses. This is my first trip alone with my mom and I'm just trying to be as prepared as I can be. If I get nervous, my mom will respond poorly; because, her Alzheimer's will get the best of her.

 

[Dan1]

Here's the drill I use when DD and I travel regarding her wheel chair and have never, ever, had any problems at all.

1. We use her wheel chair all the way in the airport, to the gate and then down the ramp to the plane's door.

2. I then park her wheel chair using the brakes, and then help DD walk into the plane with her holding my hands.

3. Once DD is seated, I then place the backpack (which is on my back during 1 and 2) under the seat in front of where DD is seating

4. I then return to the ramp area just outside the plane's door where I left the wheel chair

5. I then remove both the wheel chair's seat cushion and its back.

6. I then collapse the wheel chair so the luggage dudes / dudettes can load it into the plain with the strollers, etc., of other passengers

7. I then take the chair's seat cushion and back onto the plane and place them both in the overhead luggage compartment above where DD and I are seating

8. I then join DD and take my seat.......and continue to be excited that we are finally on the plane to Disney World!

Never, ever, any issues.

I hope that helps!
Dan

 

[Bete]

Here's the drill I use when DD and I travel regarding her wheel chair and have never, ever, had any problems at all.

1. We use her wheel chair all the way in the airport, to the gate and then down the ramp to the plane's door.

2. I then park her wheel chair using the brakes, and then help DD walk into the plane with her holding my hands.

3. Once DD is seated, I then place the backpack (which is on my back during 1 and 2) under the seat in front of where DD is seating

4. I then return to the ramp area just outside the plane's door where I left the wheel chair

5. I then remove both the wheel chair's seat cushion and its back.

6. I then collapse the wheel chair so the luggage dudes / dudettes can load it into the plain with the strollers, etc., of other passengers

7. I then take the chair's seat cushion and back onto the plane and place them both in the overhead luggage compartment above where DD and I are seating

8. I then join DD and take my seat.......and continue to be excited that we are finally on the plane to Disney World!

Never, ever, any issues.

I hope that helps!
Dan

This is basically what I will be doing with my mom. I have a carry on that can hold her wheelchair legs and seat cushion and still meet airline guidelines. My mom is petite and short; so, I will have the wheelchair rests already stored in her carry on bag before boarding. She can hold her legs up until we get to the plane. I will do the same with the seat cushion and store it in her carry on. I will have a backpack (my carry on) and I will have the other carry on for my mom that holds the seat cushion and leg rests attached to the back of the wheelchair. I'll be using a gait belt on mom and I will assist my mom to her seat first and then go back for the two carry ons. I may carry one carry on with me while assisting my mom. I think this will depend on her balance and cooperation when we board. I will fold the wheelchair up and have the brakes on, too.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is basically what I will be doing with my mom. I have a carry on that can hold her wheelchair legs and seat cushion and still meet airline guidelines. My mom is petite and short; so, I will have the wheelchair rests already stored in her carry on bag before boarding. She can hold her legs up until we get to the plane. I will do the same with the seat cushion and store it in her carry on. I will have a backpack (my carry on) and I will have the other carry on for my mom that holds the seat cushion and leg rests attached to the back of the wheelchair. I'll be using a gait belt on mom and I will assist my mom to her seat first and then go back for the two carry ons. I may carry one carry on with me while assisting my mom. I think this will depend on her balance and cooperation when we board. I will fold the wheelchair up and have the brakes on, too.

If you don’t think you can walk her on and off, you can also request to use an aisle chair. It is a narrow wheelchair that can go down the aisle of the plane. The person transfers to the aisle chair near the door of the plane, the staff put straps to hold the person on and then they are wheeled into the plane next to their seat.
Here is a picture of one:

Also, the gate staff who are near the plane will usually help to carry bags on board for you if you need help.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

And also they wil often put the folded wheelchair in the front closet so it does not have to go in the baggage hold.

 

[Bete]

If you don’t think you can walk her on and off, you can also request to use an aisle chair. It is a narrow wheelchair that can go down the aisle of the plane. The person transfers to the aisle chair near the door of the plane, the staff put straps to hold the person on and then they are wheeled into the plane next to their seat.
Here is a picture of one:

Also, the gate staff who are near the plane will usually help to carry bags on board for you if you need help.

I think we will all right. She can hold on to the seat tops as she goes by and that will help her balance. As long as I can do it slow with her we should be okay.

 

[Bete]

And also they wil often put the folded wheelchair in the front closet so it does not have to go in the baggage hold.

but I heard it's not likely there will be room. I'll feel some pixie dust before we arrive if this happens for us.

 

[SueM in MN]

but I heard it's not likely there will be room. I'll feel some pixie dust before we arrive if this happens for us.

Not all planes have closets, so that is something you would need to ask about at the time.

 

[Bete]

Not all planes have closets, so that is something you would need to ask about at the time.

If I call Airtran and give them our flight number would they know if it has a closet or not?

 

[SueM in MN]

If I call Airtran and give them our flight number would they know if it has a closet or not?

We fly Airtran fairly often and I have not seen a storage closet.
You can call, but until you get to the airport, it's possible that different equipment may be substituted. You can call ahead and let them know you want to use the closet if they have one for a wheelchair.
Ask when you check in or at the gate, even if you called ahead.