?Flying with TWO wheelchairs for ONE DS6?

[SLBGBR]

We are taking both our DS6 power AND manual wheelchair on our May trip. Has anyone had any problems gate checking TWO chairs for ONE person?

He will be driving the power chair and we'd be pushing the manual chair. There is no way we would go without one or the other...any thoughts/tips would be greatly appreciated!! We have flown before via United with just the power chair and it went smoothly. I guess I'm just nervous it would have to be checked and risked it being ruined. THANKS

 

[lovetoscrap]

I flew with my ECV and Manual chair last year. I just checked the manual in with our luggage and used my ECV to the gate and they took it at the door of the plane. It worked out just fine. The manual was brought out to the luggage area after most of the bags had come down but it was no big deal.

You will always risk something happening when you hand them over, but I have had good luck. Make sure you remove anything "loose" on the power chair-- headrests, foot rests, cushions, bags etc. and just bring a bag to carry those on the plane with you. My manual chair actually used to belong to a friend and she got this current one when an airline mangled (or lost? can't remember which) hers. The airline purchased a new one for her.

ETA: Oops, just reread that you want to gate check both of them, so you can just ignore me!

 

[SLBGBR]

By manual chair I meant a Xpanda brand speciality chair with a stroller base. He would be driving his power chair to the gate, but I want to gate check BOTH. We are using Disney Magical Express system and there is NO way I want the manual chair being transported that by them. I need to have it close by at all times. (Average retail price of wheelchairs to get my son through Disney? $24K)

Have you ever GATE checked two chairs for one person?

 

[jmartinez1895]

Call you airline and tel them about your needs and maybe they can tell you if they will allow you to gate check both. I know for sure ( as I'm sure you already know as well) that whatever he is using at the airport will be gate checked, but the maual chair they might ask that you check it with your luggage. If that is what happens, when you ge to Orlando you can with have Disney ME take it with your luggage, or you can go to baggage claim and get it yourself before you head over to ME. If you decide to let ME take it for you, be sure to give the ME check in staff your claim ticket ( jot the number down on something for yourself just in case) and then be sure to tell them what it is.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Don't know about the option of gate checking both chairs. Flying with 2 mobility aids isn't a problem. I always do it, also a combo powerchair and manual. Because of the set up of my home airport, I have to check in my powerchair and gate check the manual.

I could see where an airline might not be too 'into' gate checking two chairs, I would definately contact UA about that long enough before the flight to check which procedures there are for this specific subject.

Gate checking versus check in shouldn't be too much of a difference. The biggest risk of damage is during loading and off-loading. Both ways of checking the chairs would require that. At MCO I've always been told one has to be checked, but I never pressed the issue with being used to the practice at home anyway and after arrival home that would in 95% of the case result in neither of my chairs waiting for me at the gate.

Gate checking could perhaps even have it's downsides with them having a shorter time frame to get the chair down to the plane and load it, versus having a long time + optimal logistics through regular check in. Don't know if you know, but when checking a chair, it does NOT get smashed onto the belt your suitcases will be on and shoot through the airport with. An airline employee will take 'custody' of the chair and arrange for it to get to the right place and person for loading. What I always do; have a nice word with that person. Kindly remind them of what they are dealing with. Remember the obvious indestructable piece of paper on the chair, explaining in few easy understood words + pics how the chair should be dealt with and what can be risk of damage.

As far as DME goes; don't sweat that part. Seriously. At MCO it can vary where you'll see the second chair again. I've had it happen that both chairs were waiting at the gate, I've had it happen that the second would be brought up to bagage claim. Either way, because of being the last one off the plane, the chair would always be waiting for me or at my disposal in literally a few minutes. You can always decide to pick up the chair -not the suitcases if you like to use that part of DME- and then proceed down to check in for DME.

DME itself also is fine with you taking along 2 chairs. Shouldn't be an issue with a manual chair, but you would want to inform them about this if both chairs would've been of such make they do not fit underneath the bus.

 

[SLBGBR]

Thanks for all the information. I am going to call the airport and ask what the procedure is.

On our last trip, they put a gate check tag and overweight item tag on his powerchair and then my son drove right up to the door of the plane (my husband carried him to his seat, he was only 5 mind you) and within 10 minutes we watched below us as two (strong) airport guys loaded his 250lb. chair onto a small conveyor belt which fed into our plane. That's all I know about airport procedure. By the way, they managed to lift it by it's cover and crack it. This time we are putting the old cover back on, just in case and some simple directions!!!

Did I mention we are flying out of Ohare one of the world's busiest? It's HUGE and there are so many people there! I wonder if this means we forgo curbside check in? There are just too many people to just hand off the manual chair. That's something to ask them when I call.

I just can't bear to do a 20 hour drive, so we consider ourselves fortunate to even be able to fly. Whatever they direct is just fine with us. I suppose I just like to see the chairs with my eyes to know that they are going along with us. THANKS!!!

 

[lovetoscrap]

If they do make you check it with your luggage then make sure you don't put a ME tag on it. As long is it isn't tagged it will be brought to baggage claim for you to get, and if you did tag your luggage it will be brought to your room. If you accidentally put a ME tag on the chair then you wouldn't see it again until it was delivered to your room.

I can definitely understand not wanting to trust ME with it, and the piece of mind of having it immediately at the airport in case something happened to his power chair.

Let us know what you find out. I am interested in the answer, and it will probably help others in the future.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

If you want to prevent any damage because of 'manhandling' like lifting it wrong; please put a very easy to read 'manual' on the chair in very clear view. Tie wrap them to the chair and laminate it, so it can't tear easily. Some airlines even have an example on their website for usage. One big bonus for that; uniformity insures staff knows where to look for what.

An example of the form Continental uses; http://www.continental.com/web/en-U.../disabilities/wheelchair-information-card.pdf

Check in with a wheelchair tends to need a standard counter, no curb check in, self check in, no online check in etc. It has to do with the extra labels needed for the chairs, the staff no needed to take care of the chair you do check in etc.

Have you been thinking about boarding and deplaning? SW flies 737's only, right? Depending on where they connect the plane to the gate that would mean a very short walk to the first seats in eco. Don't know if you already did, but also contact SW about seating arrangements. If being close to the door makes boarding easier on you guys; ask for such seats.

Having said that, you son is still growing probably. He'll be heavier than the last time, probably also bigger. Bigger is a downside because that means an increased risk of bumping him into something if carrying him on. Only you guys can judge if it's still the best way for you guys to board with him getting bigger and heavier.

When in ANY doubt; make it easy on yourself. Tell the airline he'll need an aisle chair to board. Basically this is a very (very!) basic small wheelchair that can go through the small walkways on a plane. He'll be strapped down and specialized crew will help him roll to his seat. There he can transfer with the aisle chair right next to the seat. It's a very easy, straigth forward thing. No need for DH to be lifting more than he might be able to handle. Just go with whatever is easiest on your family. When in doubt arrange for the aisle chair to be there. You'ld rather find you don't need it and have it there than the other way round.

 

[KPeveler]

I am going to wrap my chair with saran wrap where i DO NOT want them lifting, and I will attach tags that say "LIFT HERE" where it is safe. My chair will weigh about 350 lbs, so there is going to be NO way for them to lift it by hand onto one of those little belts.

My biggest question is whether to disconnect power before we give it to them, or hope they know how to turn it off and disconnect the battery.

I would prefer to take OFF the joystick before giving it to them (I have a back that folds down, so it gets small enough). I do NOT want them going for a ride, tilting it back, etc. With the back folded down, it will easily fit in any plane door, so they should not need to adjust it...

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I am going to wrap my chair with saran wrap where i DO NOT want them lifting, and I will attach tags that say "LIFT HERE" where it is safe. My chair will weigh about 350 lbs, so there is going to be NO way for them to lift it by hand onto one of those little belts.

My biggest question is whether to disconnect power before we give it to them, or hope they know how to turn it off and disconnect the battery.

I would prefer to take OFF the joystick before giving it to them (I have a back that folds down, so it gets small enough). I do NOT want them going for a ride, tilting it back, etc. With the back folded down, it will easily fit in any plane door, so they should not need to adjust it...

ALWAYS disconnect the power. You do not want to know how many folks seem to think they are 'savvy' enough to drive the chair instead of pushing it in freewheel that probably shouldn't not even be allowed to drive a bike.

If possible not only disconnect the power, but also take off the joystick. Those 'savvy know it alls' have been known to put the power back on themselves. By taking off the joystick you are insuring there is no way they'll be joy-riding. This includes the types of chairs like for instance Permobil that supplies chairs with a 'key' to lock the chair. Anybody that knows how these key systems works, will be able to bypass the system in about 2 seconds.


Saran wrap will probably wont do you much good. It's too easy to damage, too easy to ignore as a 'signal' not to touch. Best bet still is to take off any removable part, especially those proun to damage. "Reshape" the chair as much as possible to a square shape with nothing sticking out. Try to make the sturdy parts be on the outside, less sturdy ones on the inside. Than put a short 'manual' on the chair in such a way it doesn't come off easy (laminating and tiewraps can help), if need be 2 or more copies. Make sure it all fits on one A4 sized paper. The less words; the better! You need to grab attention after all. I've found putting pics on it with highlighting the part I want to focus on helps a lot. I highlight the tie down spots, put pics of them on the A4. Also put a pic on, add about 5 words on how to operate the freewheel if somehow it would become locked during travel.

Wrapping parts that are proun to damage risk comes with it's own risk. While it can help keeping the part safe during flight, it can cause some situations with safety. No longer being able to see 'everything' seems to annoy some. In these cases it's best to use see through material and if need be add pics of what is beneath to prevent them damaging the wrapping.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Almost forgot; after prepping the chair and before handing it over; take pics of it, making sure you can see the 'dateframe' of when the pics were being made.

If there is any damage it can come in handy to have some proof that you handed the chair over to the airline in such a shape it had to have been 'manhandled' to cause the damage. Some airlines have the nerves to play the "you didn't check it in properly, it's your own fault". With photos you can proove this is not so. I always take pics of all sides of the chair, if need be detailed pics extra.

I always do this in an area where airline staff is around. While you wont need this for a proper airline with proper service and staff with a proper additude, this can do near miracles if you run into a 'rotten apple'. And with digital cams these days, it's easy to delete the pics after the flight is over and you find you chair back without damage.

 

[KPeveler]

I was mostly just trying to make sure that they do not try to lift the chair by the plastic shrouds... With the back folded down, it wont be any higher than my waist, and nothing should be "sticking out" once i take off the joystick. Thanks!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

In that case; simply put a 'manual' in clear sight with on it how to handle it. Easiest would be to work with pics. So after the word "LIFT" the right way/places to grab with a cirkel around it, and the wrong way/place to grab with a big fat red cross through it.

The easier it is to understand in one simple look at the chair, the better your shot of them following instructions.

Unless you fly "hellish airways", this tends to work like a charm to prevent big things from going wrong. *knock on wood*

 

[jmartinez1895]

just giving my two cents here, but we gate check our wheelcahair ( I know there a big differance). We fly southwest and when we get to the airport we go to the ticket counter and they will inspect our chair for damages and give us a tag for it that notes its brand, type, color and any damages. I like to have this so just in case it comes back with problems it is on them because they put it in writing that they found no damage prior to the flight.

 

[SLBGBR]

Thanks for all the new tips, especially that print off on "where to lift" form...that is SO GREAT! I also really like the wrapping idea but not sure I could pull that one off. That would be A LOT of shrink wrap! DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THEY PUT THE CHAIRS IN WITH, NEXT TO OR ON TOP OF THE REGULAR LUGGAGE? I can honestly say I have NO idea! Removal of things sounds like a good idea too.

We are flying United, just as before. I certainly don't blame for not knowing where to lift and cracking his cover, I hadn't put any special notes on it. I know better now! I am even putting that cracked cover back on for the trip and leaving his nice one at home. Just in case right?

I called into United's special baggage hotline and was informed we would be able to gate check BOTH chairs, although I am wondering what will become of that when we actually arrive at the airport! If they do check it (which I WILL prepare for) I will make sure it doesn't have a DME tag on it!

I also had no idea that we could have asked for an aisle seat with a small chair. With our son being 6 (53lbs) that is going to come in handy for our next trip seeing that our plane is full. I never knew that was even an option and I have reading these boards through and though! That's a GREAT tip!!
Thanks!

 

[peemagg]

Something I do for my ECV is to fill out that form from Continental and then I place a picture on it of my ECV. In the picture I make sure that they can see the places it can be lifted by. I mark those spots with hot pink duct tape. I also make note of the tape on the notes and circle those spots on the picture.

So far so good! I haven't had any damage from travels yet! Knock on Wood!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Thanks for all the new tips, especially that print off on "where to lift" form...that is SO GREAT! I also really like the wrapping idea but not sure I could pull that one off. That would be A LOT of shrink wrap! DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THEY PUT THE CHAIRS IN WITH, NEXT TO OR ON TOP OF THE REGULAR LUGGAGE? I can honestly say I have NO idea! Removal of things sounds like a good idea too.

This depends on the type of aircraft an how the airline loads that type. Basically there are 2 big options; the chair will be in a bin of it's own or share the bin. (with of course some smaller varieties on that)

With a 737 it's a good shot it will be in a bin with luggage but there will be a devider between the both. Any airline should be able to tell you which aircrafts are loaded how. Also they can tell you the different door dimensions per aircraft type. Some airlines now even publish this info on their website.

We are flying United, just as before. I certainly don't blame for not knowing where to lift and cracking his cover, I hadn't put any special notes on it. I know better now! I am even putting that cracked cover back on for the trip and leaving his nice one at home. Just in case right?

You know how to play the game!

I called into United's special baggage hotline and was informed we would be able to gate check BOTH chairs, although I am wondering what will become of that when we actually arrive at the airport! If they do check it (which I WILL prepare for) I will make sure it doesn't have a DME tag on it!

If you really want to gate check both and you get a 'no' at the airport, you can always ask to talk to a complaint resolution officer. Airlines have to have these for any special assistance 'problems'. That would be THE person in the loop of what is possible. Kindly explain and ask him/her what is possible and what isn't. Sometimes -less then often in my experience- those working the check in don't know all of the rules and options. If the answer is no; OK. If it's yes, OK also.

I also had no idea that we could have asked for an aisle seat with a small chair. With our son being 6 (53lbs) that is going to come in handy for our next trip seeing that our plane is full. I never knew that was even an option and I have reading these boards through and though! That's a GREAT tip!!
Thanks!

You're welcome. With these things; talk to the airline. Name anything you might worry about or might run into. I'm confident that the airline would've mentioned the aisle chair themselves if you expressed worry about boarding. Heck, even what I call 'hellish airways' would've done that.

You're still in full parent mood, rightfully so with a young child. You grow 'into' the carrying. It creeps up on you. While the difference between a 3 and 4 year old isn't that much, if you keep thinking that for a couple of years? There you are, carrying a 6 year old that is now a lot heavier than 3 years ago. For these thing it can sometimes help to think about an adult in your sons situation. No way they could still be carried on board by loved ones. How would they do...... (insert whatever you're wondering about)? There are services in place to take care of that, therefor they are also there if your son would need them. Keep in mind; you've got many more years to go. If it does become a "strain", it's better to safe your bodies for lifting him in situations where it's absolutely neccessairy and use services where available to make it easier on you guys.


If you ever need it; these aislechairs also are available on flights for transportation from seat to bathroom and vice versa. Not on the small planes but on the larger ones like Boeings, Airbusses etc; check. Not only is it a lot less strain on the body, if unsuspected turbulence hit, you'ld rather have son sitting down than you or DH carrying him and in worst case falling down.

 

[KPeveler]

I am not going to saran wrap the whole chair, just the bottom part around the cover where I do NOT want them lifting.

I am also going to use big zip ties or something else large to make sure that the seatback which folds down (yep - rehab chairs that now fold!) STAYS down, and that the armrests don't move and things like that. Basically i want to make sure that when I send it away, they cant move anything (think of it like a locked suitcase).

I am also looking at suitcases and plastic containers i could check my manual wheelchair IN. It comes apart pretty small, and then I could check it just like luggage. I could pack it nicely with clothes and the food I need to take with me...

Thanks for the ideas and help everyone!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

K; be aware that when you check the chair within a suitcase, it will count toward you allowed bagage if you add other luggage things in it like for instance clothes. It will not count if you use the suitcase for medical and/or aid stuff only.

 

[KPeveler]

K; be aware that when you check the chair within a suitcase, it will count toward you allowed bagage if you add other luggage things in it like for instance clothes. It will not count if you use the suitcase for medical and/or aid stuff only.

I only fly southwest, so no problem for me (at least where I live now)