Jet Blue got us a new stroller!!

[debbiemomto4]

I posted awhile ago how our Special needs Stroller was broken on our flight to Arizona and the Grand Canyon. Finally after 2 months we received our new stroller! The Macclaren Special Needs Stroller. It feels like a smooth ride.
Now that we have such a nice new stroller I cringe because we are heading to DW agasin by plane . How do I keep it safe this time. Last time he rode it to the gate and then they placed it with the other wheelchairs. It "lost" a set of wheels and bent the frame.
Any ideas?
TIA
Debbie

 

[PatMcDuck]

This made me laugh a little (sorry!). On a trip to WDW a couple of years ago, we brought my son Sean in his companion chair to the gate. (He out grew his McLaren, he is now 17 yrs old). Of course, lots of other people boarding had all sorts of strollers, umbrella and otherwise. I had a seat by the window, near the front. I was watching the busy activity outside the airplane, as the plane continued to board. Much to my dismay, I then saw my son's companion chair LOADED with all the other stollers on top of it, being pushed towards the cargo area on the ground(wherever they put the gate check items). They had a huge pile on top of it. I was really annoyed! But, the chair seemed to be ok when we got it back in Orlando.

This was Delta @ JFK, I think.

 

[dclfun]

By law they are supposed to store manual w/c's in the closet onboard even if it means removing first class passenger's coats, etc. I'd speak with someone in advance about storing it there instead of in the cargo hold and if they balk once you're at the airport, ask to speak with the CRO ( conflict resolution manager). Remind them of what happened before and that you're needing to use that stroller for a special needs child at your destination. Good luck!---Kathy

 

[debbiemomto4]

I couldn't believe when they couldn't find the other set of wheels at Tuscon. They blamed it on Newark airport. But I will definitely make a bigger fuss about where they store this one.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Kathy, I will ask about storing Sean's chair inside the passenger section of the plane in August. I did not know they should do that. We have flown using this chair many times, and they always treated it like a stroller.

I must say we love having the companion chair. Much lighter than a regular wheelchair, no big side wheels. We do not want Sean self-propelling himself anywhere, so it works for us. (he is autistic, and will wander off on foot and never look back as it is). We only use it at WDW, or on trips to the zoo, museum, etc.