help with using crutches at PHL and MCO airports

[paults]

DW broke foot in Nov and today the Doctor said she can put 25% weight on it. She's is still in a boot and needs crutches when not in wheelchair or ECV.

Can we take crutches on plane ?
Can I get help at airports to get her to boarding gate?

never did this before and need to know the process. We leave for BWV on Sunday feb 1st.

Also, at the parks she will need crutches when not in wheelchair so I thought that a ECV would not work. No where to put crutches. At least on the wheelchair I can hook them on the one handle. Done this already.

Anyone do this before, need help.

 

[Piper]

I am sorry this happened to her.

You can ask for a wheelchair or "courtesy cart" at the airports. A Skycap usually will bring one and push you to the boarding area.

Also, if you rent an ecv from an outside vendor (see FAQs) you can get a crutch holder installed. Call a few and check it out.

 

[mechurchlady]

I agree with Piper. You can get locally a crutch holder for your current wheelchair. ECV will save you energy and it is about $10 to get a crutch holder added.

It depends on the airport as how she will be delivered to the airplane. There is the employee who pushes a wheelchair and there are in some airports like Dallas peoplemovers and employees who drive around with carts that pick up passengers that do not need a wheelchair. Nice drivers in Dallas. FAQs has images of the ailse chair with is is a skinny and armless wheelchair that will take your wife from boarding to her seat. If you decide to bring your wheelchair from home then tht is not counted as luggage and is free. Just strip it of anything that can be broken easily or lost like foot rests. Take those as carry on luggage for free. Yes they will keep her crutches in a coat closet onboard.

 

[paults]

for all your help

 

[klahr]

Prescribed medical devices should be good to go! I have had a broken foot twice in the airport. Just a heads up I think the floor is way slick at the Orlando Airport (monorail landings). Also, make sure she knows exactly how crutches are used; they are not designed for the px to hang their arm pits on. The top pad should make "easy" contact on the side of the upper ribs, and be a natural extension of the arm. Move slow, and if at anytime something becomes uncomfortable, summon a wheelchair. Hang in there!

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm going to close this because it is a very old thread that got bumped.