RaySharpton
Retired and going to Disney.
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2000
- Messages
- 6,974
A video of Delta Atlanta Airport workers dropping a wheelchair.
I see a ramp on the side that they could have used instead. I can't imagine what it must have looked like inside the plane. They always seem to like to load them on their sides and when they don't know what they are doing something get torn off, damaged, or broken. This is why I dread traveling by Delta airline at Atlanta and any airport. I know some folks are considerate and knowledgeable, but why can't they have an instructional class on loading and unloading expensive wheelchairs like this. When it is damaged so that it is not operable, it not that easy to get an immediate replacement to continue travel. Sure Delta can pay for damages. But what are you supposed to do now if another power chair is not immediately available and you are traveling alone?
What do you attach to your wheelchair/scooter when you travel by airline to help the airline loading crew load your wheelchair/scooter under the plane to help them move, lift, lock, move it without damage?
I travel using Atlanta Hartfield International Airport, and I use the Delta Airlines for all airports.
I go on the Delta website and fill out their accessible form for my scooter, print it, attach a photo of the scooter and have it available when I board to tape it to the scooter. They don't keep a copy of it online. I tape it to my scooter so that it visible to crew that load/unloads my scooter from the gangway to under the airplane storage and back.
I make sure that I call Delta Airlines 24 to 48 hours before my flight and remind them of my needs.
I attach a tag to the "freewheel" knob so that they can understand how to lock/unlock the rear wheels.
I attach a tag the front tiller knob so that they can understand how lock/unlock the front wheel tiller.
Finally, I fold the back seat and tiller down and pray as I board to take my seat.
I use a walking cane or two, or sometimes even forearm crutches depending on how well I am walking.
I carry a separate backpack with my scooter charger, (when I get a wheelchair, I will remove the controller), C.P.A.P. machine, electronics, accessories and anything else that I might think might get stolen from my checked luggage
I have had Delta pay for damages before and I have received a check around 4 to 6 weeks later, but I don't know what I would do if they broke it to the point it was not immediately useable.
I try to check my scooter for damages after I leave the plane. But with everyone waiting on me and being exhausted and out of breath it becomes difficult to notice small things.
Like one time a part was broken off the floorboard that allows me to separate the scooter from the motor to the front floorboard and tiller. I didn't notice it until I got to my resort room. I really try to be more observant.
Another time the foam rubber armrest was torn. It wasn't torn off, but when I looked at it later and when I pushed it in a different direction, it looked like a big tear. I tried gluing it, but it never dit hole together.
I surmise that they both occurred when loading and unloading my scooter sideways and it got caught on something and damaged it.
I am in the process of researching to buy a portable, electric, foldable, power wheelchair and I really don't want it to be damaged, too. I do plan on buying the travel bag that can be bought separately to help with less possible damage.
What do you do when you travel with your power wheelchair/scooter?
1. Do you add tags?
2. Do you add a piece of paper letting them know not to damage it...ha...ha...ha?
I really would like to hear your suggestions when travelling with your own wheelchair/scooter to help prevent damage and to help loading crews not to cause damage because of their lack of experience.
.
.
I see a ramp on the side that they could have used instead. I can't imagine what it must have looked like inside the plane. They always seem to like to load them on their sides and when they don't know what they are doing something get torn off, damaged, or broken. This is why I dread traveling by Delta airline at Atlanta and any airport. I know some folks are considerate and knowledgeable, but why can't they have an instructional class on loading and unloading expensive wheelchairs like this. When it is damaged so that it is not operable, it not that easy to get an immediate replacement to continue travel. Sure Delta can pay for damages. But what are you supposed to do now if another power chair is not immediately available and you are traveling alone?
What do you attach to your wheelchair/scooter when you travel by airline to help the airline loading crew load your wheelchair/scooter under the plane to help them move, lift, lock, move it without damage?
I travel using Atlanta Hartfield International Airport, and I use the Delta Airlines for all airports.
I go on the Delta website and fill out their accessible form for my scooter, print it, attach a photo of the scooter and have it available when I board to tape it to the scooter. They don't keep a copy of it online. I tape it to my scooter so that it visible to crew that load/unloads my scooter from the gangway to under the airplane storage and back.
I make sure that I call Delta Airlines 24 to 48 hours before my flight and remind them of my needs.
I attach a tag to the "freewheel" knob so that they can understand how to lock/unlock the rear wheels.
I attach a tag the front tiller knob so that they can understand how lock/unlock the front wheel tiller.
Finally, I fold the back seat and tiller down and pray as I board to take my seat.
I use a walking cane or two, or sometimes even forearm crutches depending on how well I am walking.
I carry a separate backpack with my scooter charger, (when I get a wheelchair, I will remove the controller), C.P.A.P. machine, electronics, accessories and anything else that I might think might get stolen from my checked luggage
I have had Delta pay for damages before and I have received a check around 4 to 6 weeks later, but I don't know what I would do if they broke it to the point it was not immediately useable.
I try to check my scooter for damages after I leave the plane. But with everyone waiting on me and being exhausted and out of breath it becomes difficult to notice small things.
Like one time a part was broken off the floorboard that allows me to separate the scooter from the motor to the front floorboard and tiller. I didn't notice it until I got to my resort room. I really try to be more observant.
Another time the foam rubber armrest was torn. It wasn't torn off, but when I looked at it later and when I pushed it in a different direction, it looked like a big tear. I tried gluing it, but it never dit hole together.
I surmise that they both occurred when loading and unloading my scooter sideways and it got caught on something and damaged it.
I am in the process of researching to buy a portable, electric, foldable, power wheelchair and I really don't want it to be damaged, too. I do plan on buying the travel bag that can be bought separately to help with less possible damage.
What do you do when you travel with your power wheelchair/scooter?
1. Do you add tags?
2. Do you add a piece of paper letting them know not to damage it...ha...ha...ha?
I really would like to hear your suggestions when travelling with your own wheelchair/scooter to help prevent damage and to help loading crews not to cause damage because of their lack of experience.
.
.
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