Flying with an electric wheelchair

[RachelKS]

This summer my husband and I drove from Kansas to Florida to meet the rest of our family at Disney World. The trip was amazing but the drive was not great. With only me as the driver we took the trip in three days each way. Which meant burning six of our valuable vacation days on the road. We chose to drive while the rest of the family flew because the thought of trying to fly with the wheelchair was so overwhelming to us both. Mainly, the what ifs: What if the plane got stuck on the tarmac and my husband needed to use the bathroom? I can't imagine how that would work. I mean from what I've read you transfer out of your chair onto a dolly to you seat and then you are pretty much stuck. We thought with a non stop direct flight the timing between needing the bathroom would be ok...unless you get stuck on the tarmac...then what? What if when you land your chair is lost or broken? Or lose your equipment? Those are the big ones. Our 25th wedding anniversary is coming up in 2018 and we want to go to Disneyland. I have been reading and making notes and we have decided that if we are going to go we need to fly. Just can't do that long of a drive again and burn all those vacation days. A year and a half out and I am worrying about managing to get there. The big worries are the two what if scenarios above. But the other thing is how do I manage to get us off the plane, get our luggage and equipment and get to the Disneyland shuttle bus? When my family that flew to Disney World went Disney handled the luggage. Everyone had those handy dandy Disney luggage tags and the luggage magically made it to the hotel. From what I've read Disneyland has a shuttle service from the airports to the hotel but you are responsible for the luggage. I assume that we would be the last ones off the plane, hoping that the wheelchair finds us and is in working order. Will they bring our chair back to the door of the plane or will my husband have to try and balance in a manual wheelchair for awhile? If he is stuck in a manual wheelchair how will I maneuver it and our luggage and equipment? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[lanejudy]

SueM has some info in the disABILITIES FAQs thread about airline travel with disabilities in general and also with a wheelchair. I believe her family travels with her daughter's electric wheelchair, so she may be along to share some specific experiences. Others as well.

As to being stuck on the tarmac...I haven't been stuck for that long, but I believe in that situation anyone onboard is "stuck" unable to use the restrooms until allowed out of their seats. If you think it's a particular problem, or strong possibility on your flight, you might want to take precautions ahead of time.

As to equipment... the recommendations I've read are to remove and carry-on anything you can to prevent breakage. Damage can happen. Be sure to inspect the chair before turning it over and again as soon as you get it back. I believe most airlines need (or at least want) to be informed in advance, so don't just show up at the airport planning to gate-check an electric wheelchair. Make contact with the airline once you have your reservations made.

Can you ship some luggage ahead? Depending on your airline, number of bags, and cost for checked bags -- you could make out better by shipping stuff. Or you can use a porter to assist. You can make arrangements with the airline if you'll need assistance for your husband.

It's good to plan ahead. Research and figure out what will work for your situation. Then you can relax and enjoy the vacation.

 

[SMD]

The Disneyland shuttle is operated by Grayline, it isn't free, and in addition to having to collect your luggage you need to cross the street to a median to be picked up. You may want to arrange a private transfer, either through a car service or paratransit. When you call the service you can ask about pricing for a sign and greet at baggage claim and if they'll assist with checked luggage. You may want to look into flying into SNA or LGB which are smaller airports and closer to DLR. SNA also has the Grayline bus. Also, you'll need to contact your airline and the chair manufacturer because depending on the type of battery you may be required to remove it prior to checking the chair. Usually they will have you wait until they bring the equipment to the gate. Many airports (including LAX) have skycaps who will take you to and from the gate in a manual chair, but I don't think that will help you meet up with the equipment, and waiting at the gate is best. As for getting on and off the plane, they use a small transfer chair that is the width of the aisle. I've never seen it used mid-flight for bathroom access, so as lanejudy said, you may want to take your own precautions. As far as broken equipment, it happens. It probably doesn't happen that often, but of course, people who have a negative experience are more likely to share. When I have employees or clients flying with medical equipment, I always recommend getting a referral to local rental and repair options from their own provider. That way you have somewhere to go right away if you have an issue.

 

[RachelKS]

Thanks for the information. It seems that maybe Disneyland isn't quite as wheelchair friendly as Disney World.

SueM has some info in the disABILITIES FAQs thread about airline travel with disabilities in general and also with a wheelchair. I believe her family travels with her daughter's electric wheelchair, so she may be along to share some specific experiences. Others as well.

As to being stuck on the tarmac...I haven't been stuck for that long, but I believe in that situation anyone onboard is "stuck" unable to use the restrooms until allowed out of their seats. If you think it's a particular problem, or strong possibility on your flight, you might want to take precautions ahead of time.

As to equipment... the recommendations I've read are to remove and carry-on anything you can to prevent breakage. Damage can happen. Be sure to inspect the chair before turning it over and again as soon as you get it back. I believe most airlines need (or at least want) to be informed in advance, so don't just show up at the airport planning to gate-check an electric wheelchair. Make contact with the airline once you have your reservations made.

Can you ship some luggage ahead? Depending on your airline, number of bags, and cost for checked bags -- you could make out better by shipping stuff. Or you can use a porter to assist. You can make arrangements with the airline if you'll need assistance for your husband.

It's good to plan ahead. Research and figure out what will work for your situation. Then you can relax and enjoy the vacation.

I think that we would be flying Southwest and I believe when my family flew over the summer they got two bags and the carry on. But it might be worth it to ship maybe the shower chair and maybe a bag. But the more I read about flying the more I am reconsidering. I've never seen the Grand Canyon maybe we should drive and do that. Thanks for the information.

 

[lanejudy]

It seems that maybe Disneyland isn't quite as wheelchair friendly as Disney World.

Disneyland park in particular is a much older park, opening in the 1950's long before the ADA was enacted. You will find many more "alternate entrances" for wheelchair users at DLR. It is a more compact park, with less room for upgrades or renovations to improve accessibility. DCA should be much easier to access attractions as it is a relatively new park built to more modern requirements for accessibility.

Yes, Southwest allowed 2 checked bags without additional fee. Even so, it may be worth it for your convenience to ship some things so you don't have to worry about extra luggage. You could also look into renting things like a shower chair if your hotel doesn't provide one. I suggest carrying on any medications, as well as supplies you absolutely can't do without or replace at your destination if lost.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[RachelKS]

Disneyland park in particular is a much older park, opening in the 1950's long before the ADA was enacted. You will find many more "alternate entrances" for wheelchair users at DLR. It is a more compact park, with less room for upgrades or renovations to improve accessibility. DCA should be much easier to access attractions as it is a relatively new park built to more modern requirements for accessibility.

Yes, Southwest allowed 2 checked bags without additional fee. Even so, it may be worth it for your convenience to ship some things so you don't have to worry about extra luggage. You could also look into renting things like a shower chair if your hotel doesn't provide one. I suggest carrying on any medications, as well as supplies you absolutely can't do without or replace at your destination if lost.

Enjoy your vacation!

I just meant that transportation wise it Disneyland doesn't seem as wheelchair friendly as Disney World When we went to Disney World once we parked our van we used their buses to and from the parks and they are amazing. When we decided maybe we would try flying we had thought that the two parks would be the same. It is just really making me rethink the whole idea of flying. When we started the planning of the Disney Word trip last year we were considering flying. We were in the early stages of planning, we really weren't talking about it much. Then one day when my husband and I were driving home from visiting our son who was 8 hours away we turned and looked at each other and said, "do you want to drive to Florida?" We weren't even talking about the trip, but it was on both our minds. I know people fly with wheelchairs. They must. But I just can't seem to wrap my mind around the logistics of it. Maybe I am just to controlling. My husband and I are a two person team. Maybe that is the problem, we don't know how to take help. Maybe I'm just a control freak. Either we drive or we take the leap of faith and fly.

 

[KisanMcG]

Hi Rachel! I'd like to share my experiences with you because it sounds like you might be getting into your head about it a bit, and I know when I do similar thinking it helps to get as much information as possible. I use either a wheelchair or a mobility scooter to travel. Though I sometimes fly for work, usually my travel is from DC to Orlando to visit family (does Mickey count as family? ) The airlines I use are either JetBlue (which I prefer) or Southwest. It's something I used to fear, too, but experience often allays our fears and it certainly did so in my case.

The best option for me when traveling through the airports is to limit the amount of items that I have to personally carry/be responsible for in the airport. Getting down to a carry-on bag is ideal, even if it means shipping most of my clothing and shoes, but the one essential thing in my carry-on is my medications container.

Everything that it's not possible to obtain in Orlando, I ship to the hotel. Your hotel can probably provide either a roll-in shower with a transfer bench or a shower chair, as well as toilet bars if you just call housekeeping and request them (you should call and check once you decide where to stay). There are 24 hour pharmacies that deliver in the Disney area, should your doctor need to call in a scrip while you're there. My husband likes to remind me that I don't need to pack things like shampoo because we can order through Amazon and have what we need shipped right to the hotel.

The good news is that if you do decide to bring everything with you rather than rent/get it there, the guidelines for baggage excludes medical items and assistance items. You have to make sure there is nothing in the container but medical items and it has to fit into carry on or checked back regulations. So for the two of you on JetBlue, that means each of you get one carry on, one personal, one checked, and infinity medical. For Southwest, each of you get one carry on, one personal, two checked, and infinity medical.

For actual flying, it is helpful to preboard. The airlines are excellent at assisting me in getting on to the plane and in to the front seat. Most domestic flights aren't too long, like you said, and I find that it's a good idea to wear a pad just in case of an accident (but that's never happened). Usually if there's an issue that causes a wait, it happens at the gate rather than on the tarmac.

When you check in they will put a tag on the chair noting it's condition, and if anything they do in handling changes that condition, they repair it. Both JetBlue and Southwest have damaged my personal equipment. Both companies responded immediately, at the gate, and took me to onsite offices to determine next steps. Both companies provided me with an airport porter who pushed me from the office to my transportation location, and both companies rented me equipment at their cost that I was able to use while they repaired mine and returned it to me. I have only had one incident with each airline, despite using each at least 25-30 times in the last few years.

Finally, I would recommend that you go to the best possible sources- the airlines themselves. This is not the first time they've heard most questions and they are there to help their passengers. Give them a call!
Southwest: https://www.southwest.com/html/cust...ties-pol.html?clk=GFOOTER-CUSTOMER-ASSISTANCE
JetBlue: http://www.jetblue.com/travel/special-assistance/

The Grand Canyon is pretty, but it doesn't have a castle

 

[RachelKS]

Hi Rachel! I'd like to share my experiences with you because it sounds like you might be getting into your head about it a bit, and I know when I do similar thinking it helps to get as much information as possible. I use either a wheelchair or a mobility scooter to travel. Though I sometimes fly for work, usually my travel is from DC to Orlando to visit family (does Mickey count as family? ) The airlines I use are either JetBlue (which I prefer) or Southwest. It's something I used to fear, too, but experience often allays our fears and it certainly did so in my case.

The best option for me when traveling through the airports is to limit the amount of items that I have to personally carry/be responsible for in the airport. Getting down to a carry-on bag is ideal, even if it means shipping most of my clothing and shoes, but the one essential thing in my carry-on is my medications container.

Everything that it's not possible to obtain in Orlando, I ship to the hotel. Your hotel can probably provide either a roll-in shower with a transfer bench or a shower chair, as well as toilet bars if you just call housekeeping and request them (you should call and check once you decide where to stay). There are 24 hour pharmacies that deliver in the Disney area, should your doctor need to call in a scrip while you're there. My husband likes to remind me that I don't need to pack things like shampoo because we can order through Amazon and have what we need shipped right to the hotel.

The good news is that if you do decide to bring everything with you rather than rent/get it there, the guidelines for baggage excludes medical items and assistance items. You have to make sure there is nothing in the container but medical items and it has to fit into carry on or checked back regulations. So for the two of you on JetBlue, that means each of you get one carry on, one personal, one checked, and infinity medical. For Southwest, each of you get one carry on, one personal, two checked, and infinity medical.

For actual flying, it is helpful to preboard. The airlines are excellent at assisting me in getting on to the plane and in to the front seat. Most domestic flights aren't too long, like you said, and I find that it's a good idea to wear a pad just in case of an accident (but that's never happened). Usually if there's an issue that causes a wait, it happens at the gate rather than on the tarmac.

When you check in they will put a tag on the chair noting it's condition, and if anything they do in handling changes that condition, they repair it. Both JetBlue and Southwest have damaged my personal equipment. Both companies responded immediately, at the gate, and took me to onsite offices to determine next steps. Both companies provided me with an airport porter who pushed me from the office to my transportation location, and both companies rented me equipment at their cost that I was able to use while they repaired mine and returned it to me. I have only had one incident with each airline, despite using each at least 25-30 times in the last few years.

Finally, I would recommend that you go to the best possible sources- the airlines themselves. This is not the first time they've heard most questions and they are there to help their passengers. Give them a call!
Southwest: https://www.southwest.com/html/cust...ties-pol.html?clk=GFOOTER-CUSTOMER-ASSISTANCE
JetBlue: http://www.jetblue.com/travel/special-assistance/

The Grand Canyon is pretty, but it doesn't have a castle

I believe your are right and I am getting in my head about it. My husband as banded me from speaking of this trip until after our son's wedding in June. I think we can do this. We are going to do this. I am just going to be brave and take the leap. I don't know why I am so worried about it. Twenty years ago, 6 months after my husbands accident and with a three year old and a three month old baby we got on a plane and flew to Arizona. Had never flown before let alone with a man who had only been using a wheelchair for 3 months and with a small children. We made it, but I think the difference between then and now is that I was 23 years old and had no idea about how much could go wrong. Since then I have strived to make sure everything goes smoothly so my husband never has to deal with anything negetive when traveling. Which is dumb because he deals with things much better than I do. Nothing ever stops him from doing what he wants to do so mostly I think I'm just stressing myself out for nothing. Plan as much as I can and then deal with what ever happen. Thank you for all your information. I'm going to keep this all in mind while I continue to plan.

 

[KPeveler]

I suggest using SuperShuttle to get from the airport in CA to the hotel. For me (with a powerchair) and a guest and a ton of luggage, it was only $50-$80. I am not sure how much the Disneyland bus is, but it was much easier to get picked up right at the curb.

Also, in CA with a powerchair, I would strongly suggest staying at a Disney hotel. It may be more expensive, but you cannot walk to most of the Disneyland area hotels (at least not easily). You will need no transportation to get from the Disney hotels to the parks - you just walk through Downtown Disney.

I have done Disneyland in a powerchair many many times - I used to live there. I had no real problem accessing anything.

I have flown Southwest with a powerchair and I did not have a problem, but it is always a risk to fly with a powerchair. I took off the controller before getting on the plane and took my seat cushion. I also disconnected the batteries, so they had to push it in freewheel and could not try to drive it and break anything. I put old pillowcases over the back to protect it from dings. I also duct taped the battery cover shroud, so it could not come loose. I have a Quantum 600 worth over $16,000, so I understand the worry.

Some people have taped arrows to the frame/sides to direct the ground crew where to lift. It looks easy to lift mine between the seat and the base, but that would just rip the seat off. I find that if you give them enough information, they can make it work.

Not to get into TMI, but my husband, a paraplegic who cannot walk to the bathroom on the plane, keeps something in his bag to go number one in flight just in case. He hasnt needed it, but he would just drape a blanket or towel over his lap and do what was needed. He has also used a leg bag (he doesnt need one all the time) when he flies so he doesnt need to worry about bathroom breaks. He also makes sure he has protection against another kind of accident.

I would suggest flying non-stop, so they only need to transfer him once. Look for a company that can fix his chair ahead of time, just in case of emergency (which can happen regardless of airlines). Just ask your insurance company for a local vendor for his brand of chair.

Ship any medical supplies he needs that are not perishable (catheters, wound care, etc) ahead of time, so even if your luggage is lost, you will not be stuck without things you can't buy at Target.

Hope this helps!

 

[RachelKS]

I suggest using SuperShuttle to get from the airport in CA to the hotel. For me (with a powerchair) and a guest and a ton of luggage, it was only $50-$80. I am not sure how much the Disneyland bus is, but it was much easier to get picked up right at the curb.

Also, in CA with a powerchair, I would strongly suggest staying at a Disney hotel. It may be more expensive, but you cannot walk to most of the Disneyland area hotels (at least not easily). You will need no transportation to get from the Disney hotels to the parks - you just walk through Downtown Disney.

I have done Disneyland in a powerchair many many times - I used to live there. I had no real problem accessing anything.

I have flown Southwest with a powerchair and I did not have a problem, but it is always a risk to fly with a powerchair. I took off the controller before getting on the plane and took my seat cushion. I also disconnected the batteries, so they had to push it in freewheel and could not try to drive it and break anything. I put old pillowcases over the back to protect it from dings. I also duct taped the battery cover shroud, so it could not come loose. I have a Quantum 600 worth over $16,000, so I understand the worry.

Some people have taped arrows to the frame/sides to direct the ground crew where to lift. It looks easy to lift mine between the seat and the base, but that would just rip the seat off. I find that if you give them enough information, they can make it work.

Not to get into TMI, but my husband, a paraplegic who cannot walk to the bathroom on the plane, keeps something in his bag to go number one in flight just in case. He hasnt needed it, but he would just drape a blanket or towel over his lap and do what was needed. He has also used a leg bag (he doesnt need one all the time) when he flies so he doesnt need to worry about bathroom breaks. He also makes sure he has protection against another kind of accident.

I would suggest flying non-stop, so they only need to transfer him once. Look for a company that can fix his chair ahead of time, just in case of emergency (which can happen regardless of airlines). Just ask your insurance company for a local vendor for his brand of chair.

Ship any medical supplies he needs that are not perishable (catheters, wound care, etc) ahead of time, so even if your luggage is lost, you will not be stuck without things you can't buy at Target.

Hope this helps!

 

[RachelKS]

My husband is considered a quadriplegic although he has almost full use of his left arm. The bathroom on the plane is a concern of mine but my husband said the same thing as you said. He will just keep a bag handy and if he has to he would just toss his jacket over his lap and be fine. I am planning on staying at a Disney Hotel and then finding a service to take us to Universal for a day. I'll check out Super Shuttle and I am only going to look at non stop flights. The more I hear from people that have flown the less worried about it I am. My husband says I need to take a break from worrying about it until after our son gets married in June. I have a whole other list of worries about that! Thanks to everyone for the information.

 

[KPeveler]

I am not a huge fan of flying with my powerchair, but it is far from impossible.

Depending on his height, I would suggest putting his chair cushion under him on the plane. It will help him maintain his balance. If he is very short (like me) this may be too tall for his legs, but my husband (who is over 6 feet tall) finds it more comfortable. He may also want a neck pillow to help with posture and just more comfortable, depending on how his neck muscles behave. I know mine hate me, so I usually need a neck pillow to stay upright on a flight.

Congrats to your son and I hope this helps you take a break from worrying, at least until you get a little closer

 

[RachelKS]

I am not a huge fan of flying with my powerchair, but it is far from impossible.

Depending on his height, I would suggest putting his chair cushion under him on the plane. It will help him maintain his balance. If he is very short (like me) this may be too tall for his legs, but my husband (who is over 6 feet tall) finds it more comfortable. He may also want a neck pillow to help with posture and just more comfortable, depending on how his neck muscles behave. I know mine hate me, so I usually need a neck pillow to stay upright on a flight.

Congrats to your son and I hope this helps you take a break from worrying, at least until you get a little closer

I like your Walt Disney quote and it seems to fit how I feel about this. We are just going to leap (with some planning) like we did when we were young and the whole wheelchair thing was new. My husband is amazing and has never let anything hold him back. We aren't going to let this be something that limits us and in the end if we can figure this out it will open a whole new world of travel options to us.