Flying with manual wheelchair first time

[peemagg]

I am flying for the first time with my manual, rigid chair and I need some advice from the experts on this board.

My chair has a fold down back. My question is should I fold it down and secure it down so it can't be lifted, or should I leave it up in the normal position?
I am going to remove the armrests and cushion and the anti tips, but just not sure how to handle the back. What do you recommend?

If I secure it in the down position I plan to use velcro straps to help make sure it isn't lifted improperly.

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I would speak with the gate staff at the airport as they will most likely be the ones assisting you at the gate.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I am flying for the first time with my manual, rigid chair and I need some advice from the experts on this board.

My chair has a fold down back. My question is should I fold it down and secure it down so it can't be lifted, or should I leave it up in the normal position?
I am going to remove the armrests and cushion and the anti tips, but just not sure how to handle the back. What do you recommend?

If I secure it in the down position I plan to use velcro straps to help make sure it isn't lifted improperly.

Thanks for the help in advance!

I think you have the right idea! I don't know if all airlines operate the same when it comes to equipment such as this....I have only ever flown SW and Air Tran with my ECV...So I speak from my experiences with them. They want any 'damagable' parts removed (for me, that means removing my basket). I fold down my tiller so it is literally resting on the seat, re tighten it, and then fold down my seat back to protect the tiller. This is based on their recommendations. It has worked well except for one time.
And as far as talking to the gate agent about something like this...we'll it has been *my* experience that it is best to talk to the person down by the plane' s door (and in my experience, this was definitely NOT the gate agent) who will be coordinating the handlers that come up to pick up your equipment. They will advise you if they want anything done differently. But I definitely think what you suggested is a smart move to protect your equipment!

 

[SueM in MN]

Post 15 on page one of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has information about air travel, including what we do with DD's wheelchair.

Hers sounds very similar to yours - it's a Quickie GP ( or maybe GPX).
We remove the back and fold it down. I don't secure the back, but make sure to fasten the seatbelt and foot straps.
We remove everything that us velcroed or latched on and bring those things on the plane with us.

I would not ask anyone at the airline - they would take it just the way you get out of it, so it's up to you how you leave it with them (powered mobility equipment of any type is a different story and I would ask what they expect).

 

[SueM in MN]

I posted a picture of DD's folded wheelchair, but the DIS site will only let me open the mobile page on my iPhone, so I can't post a link tonight.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I don't bother to fold down the back on my rigid chair. I haven't ever had any back damage leaving it up and I've been doing it this way for 8 1/2 years. I do take my cushion onto the plane with me both to make sure it doesn't get lost and to keep it warm/dry. I actually sit on mine, but that's a personal preference thing.

I have a under-the-seat kinda mesh thing for holding things that velcros onto the frame and I've never bothered taking that off. Again, I haven't had problems flying with it. I even once forgot to take my hard cervical collar out from underneath and it was still there after the flight! I wouldn't suggest doing so intentionally

The only other part of my wheelchair that could be removable is the wheels. I've read some suggestions to take the wheels off and carry the axles on board with you (bring a baggie to put them in), but I've never bothered. It would just be too difficult traveling by myself, especially now that I need the aisle chair (which many airports/airlines now call the straight-back).

 

[SueM in MN]

We take the back off. That is the reason I fold the back down - we don't want the bare canes to get bent.

Here's a picture that shows how the wheelchair looks when we hand it over to baggage handlers.