Air Travel for Guests who cannot transfer out of their power Wheelchairs

[cathie]

Does anyone know if any of the airlines have accessibility for guests who need to stay in their power wheelchairs? We travel to Florida every year with my friend who has Muscular Dystrophy. He uses a large power chair with ventilator attached. I know they can take guests using wheelchairs, but they need to transfer to a regular seat. Thanks for any info. Cathie

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I cannot answer this directly, however I have a suggestion.

First thing is that you probably fly out of Boston rather than Manchester. This way you should be able to get a non-stop flight into Orlando. In your circumstances, not having to change planes would probably be critical.

Figure out which airlines and flights you might be able to use. Then call the airline toll-free number. When you get the reservations agent on the phone, ask to be transferred to their special reservations desk; these are the people who are best equipped to answer your questions and set up any special requirements you have.

It is probably best to call them during "normal working hours", even though the reservations lines are staffed 24/7. Since airline employees work on a seniority basis, the most experienced people will normally have the best hours.

 

[dclfun]

I'm also in a power chair with ventilator. I was told by the major airlines that if I were to travel with them, I HAD to be transferred into a seat by someone travelling with me. Also there are regulations about ventilators, and during landing someone must "bag" you with an ambu bag and the vent must be turned off. I don't think I'll ever try flying! ---Kathy

 

[cathie]

It doesn't seem fair that airlines seem to be the only ones not willing to accommodate wheelchair guests that cannot transfer out of their chairs. The guests' chairs are a lot safer than being transferred to a regular seat. All they need to do is provide an open space like on the Disney bus transportation @ the resorts. The tie downs & seatbelts hold the wheelchair guest in place. And why would they make you turn off the ventilator & use the bag..is it something to do with the air pressure? Thanks for the info! Cathie

 

[dclfun]

Cathie- I agree with you 100%. I'm not sure why they make you turn off your vent- I was just told "airline safety regulations" so it may have something to do with air pressure. I don't like being bagged since I never feel I'm getting enough air, so I'd never put myself through that kind of stress. On the other hand, Amtrak does have a "handicapped" sleeper car so if I ever need to travel a long distance I might consider using them. ---Kathy

 

[Piper]

I used the Amtrak handicap sleeper for a trip from Houston to San Francisco. It was wonderful! I ordered the breakfasts the night before and they brought it to me in bed. They brought all my meals because I couldn't go up and down stairs at the time. I just left the bed made up and lay around and read and looked at scenery. It was very relaxing! There was even room for my wc to fold up and store in the room.

 

[SueM in MN]

There are a lot more issues involved in tieing a wheelchair down in an airplane than in a car, bus, van or train. So I don't think there will ever be a time when wheelchair users are transported in their wheelchairs.
Here's an interesting link that explains some of the difficulties. It is from 2000, but I think the information is still all current. Here's another... Cheshire Figment hit most of the points.

Cathie- I agree with you 100%. I'm not sure why they make you turn off your vent- I was just told "airline safety regulations" so it may have something to do with air pressure.

I'm not sure either, but my educated guess is they make you turn off your vent because it is an electronic device. Just before take off and landing, they make an announcement to turn off devices like computers, cell phones, etc that could possibly interfere with the electronic equipment in the plane. Since the ventilator has a computer controlling it, it falls under that category of devices. Another reason I can think of is that some of the aircraft equipment that they use for take off and landing might interfere with your ventilator and re-set it to the defaults. And, the final reason is that if you are hooked to airplane power, the outlet you are using might not be available during take off and landing.
For transfer into the airplane, I know Christopher Reeve used to advertise a particular brand of aisle chair. He owned his own and traveled with it. I also know some people are able to take their seat insert out of the wheelchair and travel with that in their airplane seat. I believe I've read Christopher Reeve travels like that.

 

[SueM in MN]

Another thing I just thought of...
You or your friend might want to contact the Muscular Dystrophy organization. They may have some helpful information or brochures about air travel with ventilators and power wheelchairs.