Could someone explain in detail a gate checked wheelchair, please

[Bete]

From what I understand this seems to be the way you want to do it, but I'm lost on the whole process. Does your wheelchair end up on the plane with the paasengers or is it still put into cargo?

What are the pros and cons of using an airport wheelchair and not your own?

Has anyone ever had an issue in getting your own wheelchair back? I'm frightful of this possibility.

I think I need someone to walk me through this process. TIA

 

[bidnow5]

Haven't done it in a few years but you bring the wheel chair with a luggage tag attached up to the gate they put a baggage tag on it then at the door to the airplane they take it and put it into the cargo area. They bring it to you when you land We never had a problem

 

[peemagg]

I do this with my scooter. I go to the desk when I get to the gate and get a gate check tag. The airline people look the scooter over for damage and mark it on the tag (at least they do at Orlando). They then attach it to my scooter. When time I drive to the door of the plane and leave it there for it to be loaded in the hold. I take all removable items off of it and place them in another bag, which I take in the airplane with me. When we land I wait and be one of the last off to give them time to bring the scooter to the door of the plane. I check it for damage and if there is none (I haven't had any yet, thank God), I am on my way.

I do understand that some of the ailines have a closet inside the plane that a wheelchair can be placed into, but it is on a first come, first serve basis. I think it is probably on the bigger planes. I have yet to see any loaded inside of one of Airtran's planes.

I think yours would be fine. Remember that if the airline looses or damages your chair in any way, they are responsible for the cost of repair or replacemnet and for a rental for you until the issue with yours is resolved to your satisfaction. Medical Equipment is treated with care most of the time, because the airlines don't want to deal with these type of issues.

 

[Bete]

I do this with my scooter. I go to the desk when I get to the gate and get a gate check tag. The airline people look the scooter over for damage and mark it on the tag (at least they do at Orlando). They then attach it to my scooter. When time I drive to the door of the plane and leave it there for it to be loaded in the hold. I take all removable items off of it and place them in another bag, which I take in the airplane with me. When we land I wait and be one of the last off to give them time to bring the scooter to the door of the plane. I check it for damage and if there is none (I haven't had any yet, thank God), I am on my way.

I do understand that some of the ailines have a closet inside the plane that a wheelchair can be placed into, but it is on a first come, first serve basis. I think it is probably on the bigger planes. I have yet to see any loaded inside of one of Airtran's planes.

I think yours would be fine. Remember that if the airline looses or damages your chair in any way, they are responsible for the cost of repair or replacemnet and for a rental for you until the issue with yours is resolved to your satisfaction. Medical Equipment is treated with care most of the time, because the airlines don't want to deal with these type of issues.

Sorry for my ignorance, I think the gate you are referring to is where you take off for the flight, right? Is it the area where you sit before you get to the plane? I know you have to get to the gate of your particular flight. Do you mean the counter of the gate area when you arrive to the one you leave from for the flight? This is where there is an attendant before the flight leaves, right?in case it gets lost or whatever? Do you get a duplicate gate tag besides the one that goes on the wheelchair for your records? I would think you want proof that you gave your wheelchair to them.

Also, when you drive to the door do you mean right at the plane after the long hallway that connects the plane to the airport?

Do you have special seats on the flight? I know the front seats on coach have more room; so, do they put the wheelchair person in those seats?

You can see I'm very new to all of this. I'm just dotting my i's and crossing my t's. Thanks again. I panic when I don't know exactly what's going on.

 

[peemagg]

Sorry for my ignorance, I think the gate you are referring to is where you take off for the flight, right? Is it the area where you sit before you get to the plane? I know you have to get to the gate of your particular flight. Do you mean the counter of the gate area when you arrive to the one you leave from for the flight? This is where there is an attendant before the flight leaves, right?in case it gets lost or whatever? Do you get a duplicate gate tag besides the one that goes on the wheelchair for your records? I would think you want proof that you gave your wheelchair to them.

Also, when you drive to the door do you mean right at the plane after the long hallway that connects the plane to the airport?

Do you have special seats on the flight? I know the front seats on coach have more room; so, do they put the wheelchair person in those seats?

You can see I'm very new to all of this. I'm just dotting my i's and crossing my t's. Thanks again. I panic when I don't know exactly what's going on.

No need to be sorry. I probably didn't explain myself very well.

The gate that I am speaking of is where you go to catch your plane after you get through security. This is where the attendant at that desk will give you the gate check. They will give you part of the tag that they hang on the chair as a claim check. This is also where you would request to preboard the flight. Do this as soon as you get there, so they have as much warning as possible.

When I said "you drive to the door of the plane", I did mean after you go down the gangway to the plane.

I do request special seats on the plane when I book my tickets. I call the airline and tell them I need seats close to the front due to my handicap. They then usually assign me to the first row of coach seats that others can't reserve until check in for the flight. They also don't charge my Mother or myself for the seats. You need to make the request as soon as possible in order to be able to get one of them up close. They don't automatically assign you there without you requesting them.

I understand the panic. I did that too the first time, but just be there early and give yourself a lot of time to do all you need to, and everything will be fine. Just take a deep breath and go with the flow. Another thing you might want to do when you get to the gate is to take a picture with the date on it of the wheelchair, from all angles to show any damage (or the fact that there is none) before you hand it over to the airline. It will give you proof of what shape the chair was in when you handed over, and a little piece of mind.

 

[tomboy_m]

I would strongly advise that you call the airline and ask them for the specifics of handling your wheelchair at gate check. When I called southwest they were able to fully explain their procedures and make recommendations for the easiest fights, etc. Some airlines automatically put you in the front seats, I understand that others require a first class ticket. I think it would make things far easier to find it out from the professionals so you don't have any surprises. Good luck.

 

[Bete]

I would strongly advise that you call the airline and ask them for the specifics of handling your wheelchair at gate check. When I called southwest they were able to fully explain their procedures and make recommendations for the easiest fights, etc. Some airlines automatically put you in the front seats, I understand that others require a first class ticket. I think it would make things far easier to find it out from the professionals so you don't have any surprises. Good luck.

I want to get a feel for it here and then I will call direct. I want to have a general understanding before I call.

Thanks, PeeMagg; you're great!

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have not checked out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you want to look in post 15, which details gate checking a wheelchair.

We have gate checked DD's wheelchair on 2 round trip flights a year for almost the past 20 years. All the airlines basically do it the same way.

As for seats near the front, they will usually assign you seats bear the front to start with, but if you get a notice of a change in flight time or any other notice, check that your seat assignment did not change. Sometimes they change equipment to a plane with different arrangement of seats. This can change your seat assignment - when we have called and advised them that we need seats near the front, they have changed it. If you need seats where the armrest folds up along the aisle so you can get in easier, mention that - not all rows have that feature.
Don't expect to sit in First Class or an upgrade area without paying for it. Some airlines will automatically upgrade you at the time of boarding. Others never will, even if they have empty seats up there. A lot depends on whether they think they may be able to sell those seats to someone who will pay for an upgrade. In our experience, AirTran has often upgraded at least a seat for our DD and one companion. Also, in our experience, Delta has never upgraded because they try to sell those seats as upgrades almost to the point of taking off.

 

[Bete]

Post 15 was fantastic! I forget about that thread when I posted. I will look there first from now on; I hope to remember.

Some of your tips were wonderful; I feel I have a better command of it all, now.

Should you remove the footrests from the wheelchair and take them on the plane as a carry on or is this considered a weapon?

I found the TSA links, etc. very helpful, too.

 

[SueM in MN]

Post 15 was fantastic! I forget about that thread when I posted. I will look there first from now on; I hope to remember.

Some of your tips were wonderful; I feel I have a better command of it all, now.

Should you remove the footrests from the wheelchair and take them on the plane as a carry on or is this considered a weapon?

I found the TSA links, etc. very helpful, too.

DD's current wheelchair doesn't have removable footrests, but when it did, we took them off and brought them on the plane. A lot depends on how secure they are. If something is just on by gravity or Velcro, I tend to remove it. If it's more securely clipped on, I would feel more comfortable leaving it on.
I bring half a wheelchair on and no one usually bats an eye.