flying to Disney with braces

[peemagg]

Hi all,

I need your help. I am flying for the first time with my current braces. These are a rigid belt that connects to two spring like cables that connect to molded plastic braces that are mid calf to toes.

Here is my question when flying with these on Southwest, am I going to have an issue with the seats and the armrests on the flight with this,especially since I am already Pooh sized, and if so what do I do? On my wheelchair I use a 19" seat if that helps any.

Also what kind of issues might I run into going thru security with these?

We will be going to Disney in January and I am just a bit concerned with what I might encounter. This is also the first time ever flying with Southwest, so adding another unknown to the trip.

Any and all help will be helpful and greatly appreciated!

 

[disney david]

Here's one info from Tsa about braces


http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/casts-braces-support-appliances

 

[Mommee]

Hi, PeeMagg! Having met you in person I don't see you have any trouble fitting in Southwest's seats, even with your bracing on IIRC the armrests fold up, too.

As for security at the airport, I had no issues... I don't remember if I had my wrist braces on, but I have metal inside the hand (which obviously can't be removed ), so I told them about it when we got to the front of the line. They gave me the option of a pat-down or go through the scanner. I chose the scanner--step in, wait in the position they tell you until they say you can go out (not long at all, a few seconds?), then wait on the mat next to it until they say you're clear.

Be safe if you go anywhere today!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Hi all,

I need your help. I am flying for the first time with my current braces. These are a rigid belt that connects to two spring like cables that connect to molded plastic braces that are mid calf to toes.

Here is my question when flying with these on Southwest, am I going to have an issue with the seats and the armrests on the flight with this,especially since I am already Pooh sized, and if so what do I do? On my wheelchair I use a 19" seat if that helps.....

Southwest's seats are 17" wide. You should go to their website and review their customer of size policy.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I would allow extra time for TSA and expect there to be a good chance you'll get patted down. (The only advice I have there is anything they can see, they don't need to pat, so if you can, it might be worth going through wearing shorts or something, although they'd still probably have to pat the waist unless you wear that bit over clothing.)

How well the belt works in an airplane seat will probably depend partially on where on your torso it sits. For women, wheelchair width is often based on hip size, not waist. Belts usually sit higher up than the hips. For me that means that while I have an 18" width wheelchair seat, any belt wouldn't be that wide (I'm slightly pooh sized). I don't know how well the belt stays in shape (I'm assuming it isn't circular while you're wearing it) when taken off, but if it stays in reasonably close to actual shape you could measure at some point when you're not wearing it. There's also a mathematical way to figure it out, but that's definitely more complicated (if you're interested, look up information about calculating major & minor axis of an ellipse).

 

[bidnow5]

I wear an unusual abdominal support with metal stays I always get pulled aside to get patted down and about half the time they take me into a small room to look at it and swab it for explosive residue but again its different from supports they normally see. They have always been super nice.
I use a belt extender on the planes my wife sits side of me I fit tight between the arm rests. I have never had a problem on any of the five different airlines I have flown

 

[peemagg]

Hi Momee! Long time no see! Thank you for your comments about me and the braces. As you know that is a strange contraption I wear, and I am just concerned about it. It helps to have an unbiased opinion.

Thank you everyone else for your help too! I do appreciate it all.

I can wear my braces on the outside of my clothes, so that is what I plan on doing (it is what I do most of the time anyhow). I figured that would be easiest on all when going thru security. It is just such a crazy contraption it has me a bit more concerned than if it was a more conventional brace. Even my physical therapists have never seen such a thing, let alone TSA.

Thank you everyone and if anyone has anymore suggestions I would welcome them too!