Forgot to mention something negative about our last trip

[SueM in MN]

Our wheelchair tools were stolen out of our checked bags.
We had a set of Allen wrenches, a rachet tool (for tightening bolts) and an adjustable Craftsman wrench, plus some wheelchair bolts stolen. We had taken them out of our carry on bags because we were afraid security would confiscate them. We put them in our checked baggage (which was searched both ways). When we got to Orlando and unpacked, the tools were not in the suitcase.
I thought of it this morning because something on DD's wheelchair needed tightening and I had to scrounge around for tools. Next time, we are NOT taking our tools with us. If we need anything, we will just request assistance from Maintenance at our resort.

 

[sneezy1956]

Sue did you report the theft to your airlines? If not I would still write them a letter and let them know.

I can't beleive what some people will still

 

[BCV23]

That is so sad, Sue. Why would someone do that?

You sound so prepared and organized. I think I'm relatively organized but haven't taken tools along yet!

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue did you report the theft to your airlines? If not I would still write them a letter and let them know.

We didn't report it because when we got to the resort and found we didn't have the stuff, we weren't entirely sure we had packed it. (You know how that goes - you think you packed something and then later find it back home). I kind of forgot about it because the day after we came back, I had a 7:30 meeting at work and we've just all been going since then. Every time I had to tighten something on her wheelchair, I thought about it, but I still was hoping I'd somehow find the stuff.

You sound so prepared and organized. I think I'm relatively organized but haven't taken tools along yet!

That's probably because you are not so hard on equipment as my DD. There are screws on her footrest that I check every day and other things I have to tighten every fe weeks. I've heard "I've never seen that part break before" from wheelchair repair people more times than I can count. I'm sure whoever took it just saw a snazzy set of tools (in a ziplock bag so they would be easy to check) and figured no one would catch them. There was nothing on them to indicate they were used for a wheelchair. If we ever bring our tools again (which I doubt) they will be in a bag marked to indicate they are for wheelchair repair and also some kind of message against stealing them.

 

[Liz]

I'm sorry to hear that happened, Sue. That really stinks.

 

[doombuggy]

Sue, I would still write a letter to one or both airports. That is wrong! When i flew out with my grama a couple of weeks ago, they had the x-ray machines at Regan national and at Orlando. I had a bad encounter with a security guard at MCO (when I was going to the gate & had to get wanded), when i expressed concern over the fact that my handbag & carryon were sitting about 10-15 feet from me (thru glass) and anyone could walk away. I plan on writing a letter today!

 

[Jade90]

Hi,

I have just read your message. I too carry a few small tools for my
wheelchair wherever I go. On my first trip to Orlando I placed them in my hand luggage. When my bag was checked I explained what the tools were for my chair. Security were okay about it and advised me to leave the tools in my check in baggage next time.

However, on the whole I found several staff very disgruntled at the fact that I was travelling with my two wonderful son's on my own (nothing new to us). There are so many people who want to keep physically disabled people in a home away from society to make them feel better. Maybe their lives are so meaningless that when they see a "physically challenged" person embarking on a "pricey" holiday it brings their warped superiority complex to all time low.

I look forward to more trips and leaving behind more disgruntled security staff.

Ooh I musn't forget the stress the wanding had on my youngest son. He was shocked to see his mum being walked away from my chair and wanded. Naturally he wanted to stay beside me but couldn't for security reasons. After that experience he stuck to me like glue. In his eyes they were arresting me and would seperate us for the rest of our holiday. Thankfully he was okay after getting a free ride on my electric chair.

I would be pretty ticked off if someone stole my tools from my baggage. There seems to be no limits to what a few idiots will do!

 

[dan-tot]

It seems that Baltimore Washington International airport chances their policy everytime we go. The last trip I and my brother had to go through the regular metal detectors while my sister was checked at the wheelchair station. The procedure before was the person who was helping with the chair would go along with the person in the chair and you would be wanded with the person in the chair. My sister could get out of the chair with help but it seemed like the people checking her chair didn't want to touch her so they stood there with their fingers up something until I came over. My sister has a bad habit that when she is asked something she will say no then you ask her again and then she says yes. The people checking her wanted to pat her down since she couldn't get out of the chair so they asked her and of course she said no. I told them go a head and do it but they bucked at the idea but then I told them I was her brother and to do it so they finally did it. The two plans where after 911 and before the checkers became government employees. That is one thing as for the tools being stolen we got back home and they had crushed my sisters front wheels so the airlines fixed it for my sister. They even did some arm replacement and tuned up her chair. I think if you contact the airlines they will help you out.


Dan-tot