Need advice (wheelchairs and flying)

[KPeveler]

So I am moving to Anaheim, California in less than 3 weeks (getting close to 2!), and I am taking both my powerchair and manual chair with me on the fight. Here is the equipment and details:

Powerchair: Quantum Q600 powerchair with Tilt and Lift, back folds down so total height is less than 36"

Manual chair: Quickie Q7, rigid, back folds down

I am flying from Hartford (BDL) to Los Angeles (LAX). The plane makes one stop, but I am a through passenger, so I do NOT have to change planes.

I am NOT allowing the airport personnel to drive my powerchair with the power on. I am disconnecting the batteries before I give it to them, as it has special drive features for me (left hand, extra short, extra sensitive, and my seat is very small, etc).

The back does fold down on the powerchair, but it is not easy to figure out how (there was two small switches under the seat which are not easily visible which have to be turned). I really want to speak to the person who is going to be handling the power wheelchair.

Here is my thought: Check the manual chair, minus the removable bits, at the baggage check in. The back folds and locks down.

Take the powerchair through security (I can stand up and walk through, and let them take the chair to the side) and get to the gate. At the top of the jetway, transfer to an airport wheelchair/aisle chair. Disconnect the power, take off the removable bits, and ask them to call the ground crew that will be taking the powerchair. Show them how to fold down the back and take it in and out of freewheel.

Use aisle chair or airport chair to get down to the plane.

Get the powerchair when I get off the plane in LAX, and collect the manual chair at baggage claim.

I don't think that they can get the powerchair all the way to and from baggage claim without power (the chair weighs 300+ lbs), so I think I need to bring that to the gate. I also want to talk to the people getting it on and off directly. I will transfer to an airport wheelchair early enough that they have plenty of time to get it on the plane.

I know that the chair is short enough with the back folded that they can get it in. They should not have to tilt it at all (in fact, due to the way my chair is, it never gets shorter when you tilt it, so that won't help them).

Does this sound possible? Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

That does sound doable and may be the best plan since it would allow you to talk to the people who will be dealing with the chair.
The wheelchair tech showed us how to remove DD’s joystick/controller and suggested we do that and carry it onboard the plane, wrapped in bubble wrap or soft towels.

Other people have posted they copy a few pages of the manual that tell the pertinent things about the chair and attach a laminated copy of that to the chair. With a pdf file of the manual from the internet, it would be easy to clip pertinent items from the manual and make a page that just shows those.

 

[KPeveler]

At first I was going to give them the powerchair at the baggage check in, because just to give them time to get it to the gate and make it easier at security, but that may be a long way to push it with no power (as I said, I am not letting them drive it, but the controller does not come off, so I am disconnecting power early and wrapping the controller up)

I will see if I can get good directions in how to fold down the back, because I would much rather get rid of the powerchair early. I am also afraid of how they will handle the manual chair (I will be livid if I see it going down the chute in the baggage claim)

Frankly, if they cannot fold down the back, then they will get it on anyway! I am one of the first generation to get a rehab chair with a fold down back.

 

[KPeveler]

I just realized that the powerchair back does not "lock" in the down position, which means it can move around while it is being loaded - definitely not safe if they grab the handles to maneuver it into the plane and the back moves! And if they try to fold it down too far, the back will break. Therefore, I am just going to trust they will get the chair on the plane (with the headrest removed).

This means I am going to give them the chair at baggage check in and not have to worry about dealing with the powerchair (and a cat!) through security. I will just take the manual.

Frankly I was more afraid of them damaging the manual chair. It is new (just like the powerchair), but by nature of the design, it is one big welded piece - if they damage any part of it, the whole frame has to be replaced (to the tune of $2000!).

I am just stressing because we will have two chairs, four suitcases (checked at no cost - gotta love SWA), two backpacks, and a very unhappy kitty. Basically all our worldly goods for months with be with us!

 

[dclfun]

Wow...I wish you luck! I have flown 5 times with my powerchair and only once was it damaged, but boy did SWA do a number on it! I have a Permobil C-500 with elevating seat, leg rests, tilt and recline. I have a battery for my vent on the back of the chair. When they brought the chair back to me ( in Chicago) they had pushed EVERY button. The chair seat was elevated all the way up, tilt was all the way backward, recline was all the way forward, my legrests were all the way out. They had broken a wire so I had to ride around ( and get in a w/c accessible cab backwards) with my knees up on my chin. They had also cracked the case for my vent battery and damaged the connection, so I had no battery and didn't realize I was on internal battery til the alarms went off in the hotel lobby. I spent two days in a hotel room, stranded in bed. Although I spoke with the person who was taking the chair and told him exactly what he could and could not touch, he obviously didn't listen to me. I did see the chair going up the ramp on the way home and it did not fit through the little door without going into recline and I'm assuming that the first person just pressed every button to see what would work to get the chair on the plane. So I'm concerned about leaving it in freewheel if they can't get it in the door and also because it's very heavy and hard to push that way. I am flying from Orlando to Atlanta and then to Barcelona in September so they have two chances to break my chair and I don't have a manual spare. Please let me know when you arrive safely in LAX, and I'll be keeping you in my thoughts for a no-hassle experience. Meanwhile, is the temperature okay for your kitty in the cargo area?---Kathy

 

[kimothee]

Never, never, never let the airport folks take the powerchair from you before they put you on the plane!!! I always ask to speak with the ramp staff before even getting out of the chair! Also, you will want to make 'friends' with the flight attendants and/or pilot (easy to do, you will see them as they are boarding the plane and going down the jetway to the plane) to make sure they know the chair is coming on the plane and to please let you know it was safely loaded before takeoff.

I also label my chair with a laminated tag including instructions in English and Spanish as to what to do along with your name, address, and cell phone number.

I recently found an article (which is linked on my blog, listed below) with all sorts of other great tips for flying with a chair. I am curious, however, how the airline will deal with you bringing your manual chair as well...I'm almost wondering if you should box it and ship it to your destination ahead of time. I fear that the airline will get totally confused!

 

[KPeveler]

I know people who have flown with two chairs, and as long as I make sure they are both tagged with the destinations, we do ok.

Kathy - My kitty will be in the cabin with me, so no worries about the heat.

I am afraid of exactly what happened to you with them pushing all the buttons, and especially since I have special drive settings, I seriously doubt they will be able to drive it safely, and it does weigh less than yours, since I have a lot less equipment.

I will talk to the airline, but I am going to have to check one one my chairs early (taking both to the plane is not an option), and the powerchair is a LOT harder to handle. I much prefer dealing with my manual through security (I get up and walk through - having strangers touch me like a pat-down exam will freak me out and throw me into a panic attack). Having the manual at this time would be a lot easier.

The gate I am at is the very first one, so they wont have to take the powerchair far, but I really don't think I can handle it at the gate - especially since I am NOT giving them power!

 

[WheeledTraveler]

If you really want to check it with baggage, have you thought about getting a crate or something similar to stick it in when you check it? Since it's mobility equipment they can't charge extra.

Also, I'd suggest making a post on WCJ about this. I think Mark once posted an article where he talked about the possibility of crating chairs, but also I think at least one member may have direct contact info for Southwest higher-ups, so at least then you'd have the info for who to contact if something did happen!

Personally, I'd never check with baggage any mobility equipment if I could help it. Some places will just stick your chair on the baggage carousel if they can and there's always increased chance of loss or damage when you don't gate check your chair so can't talk to the baggage people directly. I know you've got the cat + carryons, but to be able to gate check both, could the cat carrier be put on the manual chair and your wife push it and then carryons can be hung on the chairs/carried?

 

[KPeveler]

I am going to call Southwest's desk at the airport, and see what they say. I do NOT want to put my chair in a crate or anything - I need them to know what they are dealing with.

I don't know how we would handle security with two bags, a cat, and two chairs. Crys really does not want to deal with two chairs at security, and our gate is the first one in, so they would not have far to get whatever chair I checked.

I asked on WCJ once, and got lots of different answers. Mark is fine with giving them power to his chair, nearly everyone else is not. i guess I would be fine if I was travelling to a location FOR the company that made the chair.

I guess we could take both chairs - I will check with Crys and see how we would handle it...

If you really want to check it with baggage, have you thought about getting a crate or something similar to stick it in when you check it? Since it's mobility equipment they can't charge extra.

Also, I'd suggest making a post on WCJ about this. I think Mark once posted an article where he talked about the possibility of crating chairs, but also I think at least one member may have direct contact info for Southwest higher-ups, so at least then you'd have the info for who to contact if something did happen!

Personally, I'd never check with baggage any mobility equipment if I could help it. Some places will just stick your chair on the baggage carousel if they can and there's always increased chance of loss or damage when you don't gate check your chair so can't talk to the baggage people directly. I know you've got the cat + carryons, but to be able to gate check both, could the cat carrier be put on the manual chair and your wife push it and then carryons can be hung on the chairs/carried?

 

[KPeveler]

Ok, Crys likes the idea of taking both chairs through - I am going to send her through first with the cat, have them take the manual chair through and test it (I will wait off to the side in the powerchair), walk through the scanner, and then let them take the powerchair. That will actually work well.

I will have a friend taking us to the airport, and I may call the airline and have him listed as my attendant - they will give him a pass to allow him to go through security and get me to the gate (or at least they allow this in providence and boston) - having an extra set of hands will be very helpful! I wont need him to help me get on the plane, but just getting through security is always very hard for me.

Looks like my annoyed kitty will be getting a ride in the manual chair

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Answering before reading more posts, so if I'm doubling; that's why.

I am NOT allowing the airport personnel to drive my powerchair with the power on. I am disconnecting the batteries before I give it to them, as it has special drive features for me (left hand, extra short, extra sensitive, and my seat is very small, etc).

NOT enough! It takes just one lazy *ss dude/dudette. They'll connect the battery; et voilà. If you want to make it impossible; remove the joystick. No other option than putting that in your carry on can not be over ridden by anybody else. Those few lazy ones know all of the tricks and tips in the book to get your powerchair operating for their convenience.

The back does fold down on the powerchair, but it is not easy to figure out how (there was two small switches under the seat which are not easily visible which have to be turned). I really want to speak to the person who is going to be handling the power wheelchair.

Can be a problem depending on airport, airline and time of operatus. You really need to prepair beyond that. Call the airlines special needs desk. They can tell you the max. size of the loading door. You'll need to work within that if you want to prevent them from tipping the chair, which increases risk of damage. If something isn't easy to figure out; talk to the dealer. Do not leave it an option of not knowing ALL you might possibly need to know about this chair. If need be; have them demonstrate it. Any and all proper wheelchair brand/importer etc. will have a "how to prepare for flying" available.

You'll also want to ask the airline how the chairs will be loaded -which can be different for gate checked versus check in desk checked. Depending on aircraft, airline etc. etc. it can either be loaded into a container and share that container with luggage, other cargo etc or be loaded into it's own container, having nothing to share with. In situation one; a proper airline will load in such a way it shouldn't be a problem. But it does mean a slightly higher risk of damage. (the biggest reason the airline I'm flying decided to reroute me to prevent this where possible)

Here is my thought: Check the manual chair, minus the removable bits, at the baggage check in. The back folds and locks down.

Take the powerchair through security (I can stand up and walk through, and let them take the chair to the side) and get to the gate. At the top of the jetway, transfer to an airport wheelchair/aisle chair. Disconnect the power, take off the removable bits, and ask them to call the ground crew that will be taking the powerchair. Show them how to fold down the back and take it in and out of freewheel.

Oh no honny! You are trusting OTHERS with YOUR mobility. Big nono! YOU need to prep the chair to be 100% ready for loading. Never ever trust anybody else but YOU. You can guide them through it, if you haven't got the physical option to do something yourself, but have them do it where you can see and check it. ALWAYS! If need be, use tape to insure folded parts stay that way. Wrap extra "cushening" around more sensative parts. Mark the points needed to tie the chair down safely VERY clearly. A blind person will want to be able to find them. Next; have a "how to handle chair" leaflet ready. NO bigger than one page, preferrably shorter. The shorter the better. Have info on it about how to lift, how not to, how to put in freewheel if it gets out of it etc. Some airlines now even have macros online for this, you only need to fill them out. If need be; illustrate with a pic of the wheelchair of the part you're pointing them towards.

Next; take a pic -or multiple, in different angles- of the chairs, ready to be loaded. If something does happen; now you have proof of the state of the chair and that you took responsibility for handing it over in a safe way.

Use aisle chair or airport chair to get down to the plane.

Ehm, have you ever done this before? I guess not? Any problems with hip dislocations? If so; it can become a bit...... interesting if you board while on the aislechair. Aislechairs offer NO support, no nothing. Boarding a plane requires covering a pretty large difference in heigth because of the door. I call it the; BANG-BANG-move. I personally can not board this way without next having them have to call in an ambulance. I discuss this upfront with both GA and whomever is providing the boarding assistance. I board IN my own manual chair and do NOT transfer untill IN the plane. There is room for that on many aircrafts eventhough not all airline and airport employees are aware of that. At that moment, I strip my manual and they gate check it. If you do have hip problems; you might want to rethink this part and thus which chair you want to check and which to gate check.

Get the powerchair when I get off the plane in LAX, and collect the manual chair at baggage claim.

I don't think that they can get the powerchair all the way to and from baggage claim without power (the chair weighs 300+ lbs), so I think I need to bring that to the gate.

You could be in for a surprise. Depending on airport, communication, time you're landing -busy or not- and mindset of the person offloading the powerchair, there is a shot you'll see it at bagage claim. Again a scenario to pounder over, what if it does happen, how can I deal with that?

I also want to talk to the people getting it on and off directly. I will transfer to an airport wheelchair early enough that they have plenty of time to get it on the plane.

Depending on many factors you MIGHT be able to talk to the person actually loading it. Enough times you'll not be, or think you are but be talking to somebody that will not actually be IN the plane with the chair. The person getting it off? Odds aren't good. They will not come up to the plane to talk to you first, or even "up there" to the gate from groundlevel. They'll be focussed on dealing with the chairs and getting them where they need to be. The person you'll see -if any, not always somebody will be with the manual chairs- with the chair more likely than not will not be the person offloading it.

If you are the first to "claim" the onboard closet for the manual chair; that's a totally different ballgame. Most of the times that'll be a crewmember. All the time in the world to chat, unless they are super cranky.

I know that the chair is short enough with the back folded that they can get it in. They should not have to tilt it at all (in fact, due to the way my chair is, it never gets shorter when you tilt it, so that won't help them).

You'ld be amazed what they do with chairs when loading them into airplanes! As long as both heigth, wide and depth aren't totally the exact same size; you run the risk of them tilting it. Even if it just LOOKS like it has a smaller size at some part; tilting is a risk. That's why it is so important to be proactive yourself, be aware of the max size and hand them a chair that already easily fits within those sizes without tilting.


I know, I sound like a crossover between nutcase, paranoid woman and crabby lady. But each flight will teach new things. Unfortunately my home airport has employees loading the planes with a mentality that goes "we can damage anything and everything and do our best to keep that promiss". Adding insult to injury, our Marrechausse (what is TSA in the US) has some staffmembers thinking it's normal and/or good to wreck wheelchairparts on purpose. Even with those idiots and them handling things, by now I've gotten the 'damage to a minimum' down to a science. Pretty good considering some of the very sensitive parts on both of my chairs. Knock on wood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a more basic level; you'll want to discuss any need etc. beforehand with the airline. Be honest and upfront. You'ld rather have them know something and be able to be proactive than the other way around. I know, ADA, ACAA etc. , protective rights, no need to tell anything about diagnosis etc. yadiya. But sometimes it can be a serious benefit to do tell them some of those things. To give you an example; because I gave my own contact person with airline Y a very short crashcourse called "GLLS at the airport and flying. What risks are involved because of my EDS", I now get a personalised service that can prevent a lot of lesser experiences. I've been amazed by some of the things. For instance; that contact person emailed me the other day about my seating arrangements. I was placed in a bulkhad (as needed), in a middlerow as there is only 1 seat in the middle -no neighbour is no risk of bumping and ouch-. However, that one specific seat gets a lot of foot traffic of folks wanting to pass right in front of that seat to the other aisle. Employee knew bumping etc. can result in dislocating and will result in pain. So she discussed this risk with me and we came to better seating.

Awareness can do a lot in these situations. Mostly folks with special needs, wheelchairs etc. have "just" that need. They can have more or not, but there are very few out there that might have a list. A list that isn't particularly heard of often if they even hear of it once a year. So, they'll deal with it the way they are used to deal with things. Awareness tends to cause staff to go for a experience that fits that persons specific EDS-needs, where and when possible. That can be very different from a 'normal' wheelchair pax. If they know better, they have the option to do better.

Anywho, off to read the rest of the postings and see just how many blabring I've done and repeating things that are allready on here.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Can't find all of my pics, but here are two of my powerchair almost ready for being checked. This is after removal of any removable part, joystick and a lot of extra options that can be taken off more or less easy but "stick out" in some ways. Well, before removing some of the clothing but you get the drift. I attached the "how to" instructions onto the back, side and front after taking this pic. Tie wraps are great for that, espec when using laminated paper. This means no real risk of paper being torn off, no risk of ink becoming unclear because of any fluids or whatever etc.

Can't find a pic of the chair without me in it taking away the image of how it is before getting it prepped. Basically, it's a Permobil C500sKB that was broken down to the bare bones and rebuilt to fit my needs. Has extra individual air suspention between the seat and motor (leaving it higher than a regular C500), and lots of extra options sticking out a bit from the side, front or back. I've normally got all kinds of bumpers allover the chair around my body. Protecting me or the world, how ever you want to see it. All of them removed; the connection points to the chair are smaller and thus easier to dent or fold them causing real problems. Removal is easier.

Eventhough my backseat is made out of aircushions; we've never had a damage to one off those because of this "packing as one square block". (knock on wood again). I've had this chair on a plane where they found out at the time of unloading some luggage it shared a container with got loose from their convinement. Not very common, but it resulted in a couple of heavu suitcases landing on the chairs folded back full force and perhaps some more smacking around during turbulence, landing etc. While it did result in some damage, the damage of that was very minor directly caused by the "packing as a square and remove damagable things whenever possible". Pfiew.


As you can see; we even fold up the feetrest and tie them up in that upright position. A bit of a hassle, but it does prevent any damage caused by anything or anybody accidentally hitting into the feetrests from the side very hard. As my feetrest also have the 'standing up to be able to get out'-option in them, it's a must for me to keep them from damage.

 

[KPeveler]

Here are my problems:

My joystick does not come off.

My backrest has two BIG handles on it, which are great for grabbing but my back does not lock down, so pulling on it will do MAJOR damage.

I am taking off arm rests and head rest. I am taking off the armrest with the joystick and wrapping it up and basically buckling it into the seat, so it cannot be bumped easily.

Southwest only flies Boeing 737-300's so I know the cargo door size.

Tilting it will NOT make my chair shorter, and I have no intention of telling them it can tilt.

I am going to bring both chairs through security to the gate, fold down the back there and explain how to push it, and they will be able to get it on the plane (it is less than 36" tall that way, 39" long, 26" wide).

The tie down spots are very clear (I have a transit kit). I am making them with RED duct tape.

I am giving them my powerchair at the top of the jetway after I strip it down and cover the handles with a pillow case over the chair back (to protect it from getting damaged too).

I am going to bring my manual plane-side and fold down the back there and give it to them (I will have stripped off removable parts before that). I would prefer to see both of them when I get off the plane - the manual at the plane and the powerchair at the top of the jetway. Both will have gatecheck tags, so they SHOULD do this.

This will hopefully work - Since I cannot take off the joystick I am a little stuck, but I am hoping that if I basically bubble-wrap it and impress upon everyone how expensive it was, they may listen.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Here are my problems:

My joystick does not come off.

Your best bet is going to be to talk to the dealer and if need be the manufacturer and/or importer of the chair. They'll be able to inform you the best about your chairs options. Having said that, I would do everything in my power to find a way to have that joystick off. That or at least something within the circuit that can not be overruled as long as that specific part isn't at hand (a key by the way does not help, they can be bypassed in about 1 second ). If some nutcase does decide to want to drive, reconnecting the battery is way too simple.

My backrest has two BIG handles on it, which are great for grabbing but my back does not lock down, so pulling on it will do MAJOR damage.

Tape them down, or fixate them to the back in some other way. Whatever way that keeps the chair in tact but does prevent them from noting them and using them for their convenience. That's a lot more preventive than any note telling them not to. Not being able to makes sure they don't.

You mean back is not locking down after being folded? Very few do. Mine doesn't. That's not a real biggie as they'll 'lock' instintively if the backrest moves while in flight. It'll have some range of movement but not beyond OK. As far as airport staff etc go; they tend to push a backrest down, not pull it up. Another helpfull thing. As long as they can load your chair in an upright position, they tend to not deal with the backrest as long as you'll provide enough clear info on where to lift the chair. If for your own piece of mind; you can use anything as simple as velcro, some rope etc. to keep the backrest from moving beyond whatever point you want it to. Tie it down to the seating and you're done.

I am taking off arm rests and head rest. I am taking off the armrest with the joystick and wrapping it up and basically buckling it into the seat, so it cannot be bumped easily.

Oy. Leaving a joystick on the chair but after removing the arm rest it's attached to from the chair. That's a risk of the part getting lost and if you can not do without one part it's the joystick. Things shift allover the place during a flight down in that container and at the airport. It takes just one employee not aware of the fact that the armrest+joystick fell of and is in that one dark corner and big problem. Don't know how bulky or not the armrest is, but if you do take it off I'ld look into taking it with you as carry on. Another thing with joysticks is that the material used to cover certain touch-buttons can be damaged easily by any 'sharp' corner, that kind off thing. I've seen it happen before. If you have it on you, you have an eye on it yourself.

Have it in the carry on, leave it on or tape it to the chair 100% so even you will have a difficult time getting it back of, so to speak.

Tilting it will NOT make my chair shorter, and I have no intention of telling them it can tilt.

You do not need to. By tilting they do not mean tilting like you would tilt the seat. In airworld tilting is putting your chair on it's side. Or diagonally. Upside down for all they care if it makes loading easier. And that of course seriously increases the risk of damage. That's why it's so important to have the chair being low enough it's very easy to load standing up, not even giving them the IDEA it might need tilting.


You're thinking too much like a powerchair user. Well, duhuh, GLLS! I know. But they don't think like one. They know squat about the options a chair can come with. Most of them will not even know of a tilting-seat option. They think of the chair as a very heavy, big piece of luggage. When looking at it from that perspective, you can imagine they tilt by tilting the chair, not the seat.

Pretend you know nothing about mobility aids, but see that heavy thing in front of you. You need to handle it and get it onto a convined space and will be under pressure time wise. You can see how tempting it is for many to go for the easy way, even if that's not always the smart way. Thinking like that is a great tool for seeing any possible 'weak spots' of the chair for flying and thus preventing damage.

Really, these folks do not mean any harm, to do wrong or anything close to that. Those you can talk to most of the time will mean very well if not beyond that. It's just the lack of knowledge that can result in them not seeing a risk you do see.

I am going to bring both chairs through security to the gate, fold down the back there and explain how to push it, and they will be able to get it on the plane (it is less than 36" tall that way, 39" long, 26" wide).

Remember that you talk to one individual, but more than one will touch the chair during loading and unloading. Verbal is good, but always have it in writing on the chair also. Short off course, long texts will not get read in the hurry of things. This way the folks dealing with the chairs you haven't talked to have the biggest shot of being informed.

The tie down spots are very clear (I have a transit kit). I am making them with RED duct tape.

Remember to not think from our point of view. Some of these folks can be like "can you point me out the tree in that forrest?". There is no overdoing it on this department.

I am giving them my powerchair at the top of the jetway after I strip it down and cover the handles with a pillow case over the chair back (to protect it from getting damaged too).

Perhaps you want to cover those before that stage. By then somebody could have seen them, giving them the idea of using them in case of some troubles with loading. As long as covering those handles doesn't interfere with you using the chair, I would do it before hitting the area staff can see it.

I am going to bring my manual plane-side and fold down the back there and give it to them (I will have stripped off removable parts before that). I would prefer to see both of them when I get off the plane - the manual at the plane and the powerchair at the top of the jetway. Both will have gatecheck tags, so they SHOULD do this.

Should, could, would, theory isn't always practice. Especially when flying with 2 chairs, it does happen enough times one chair will be down the runway and the other at the gate or bagageclaim.

This will hopefully work - Since I cannot take off the joystick I am a little stuck, but I am hoping that if I basically bubble-wrap it and impress upon everyone how expensive it was, they may listen.

You're trusting folks that do not understand what the chair means. Money doesn't make them blink an eye. If somebody does understand; great! But when dealing with these situations you should act from the idea that folks do not. That way, you're protected if need be.

To illustrate how far beyond idiotic that 'do not understand' can go, I'll take you back to 2008. I flew to MCO with my 2 chairs. Marrechaussee did some damage on purpose to my powerchair, Lufthansa did a lot more -reason unknown -. They offloaded my manual chair, because somebody was trying to use their brain. The papers said; load 2 chairs, but the brain said "one person, one chair should be enough, this one can get out of the hold". Result; one damaged powerchair -that died later in that trip- and one manual chair left at my home airport. After some dumb moves by LH, the manual chair finally gets into MCO about a day and a half later than could've been after discovering the missing, on a UA-flight. Did I get my chair? No. Rules of LH and UA dictate that bagage coming in on the flight of one of them, ment for a pax scheduled on a flight of the other one has to go through a process before released to the airline the pax was flying and then being released to the pax. This would take about 24 hours. Both LH and UA were deadserious in stating my manual chair was at MCO, in a UA-office about 3 offices down from the LH-office and it would stay there for 24 hours. That's our bagage-policy, mam. No less than 5 members of staff (UA and LH) did the same drill, immune to my "it's a wheelchair, not a lost suitcase with some replacable clothes, I NEED it to get around, you've got my legs sitting around in your/their office". Somehow giving them the phone number of my lawyer did the trick and 90 or 120 minutes later the chair showed up at WDW, but that was after fighting a brick wall for way too long, making way too many phonecalls etc.

They don't get it. As long as they aren't dependant on one themselves, the do not get it. Most are sympathetic, but alas that's not the same.



An a different note; also remember that you are allowed to have the tools in your carry on needed for those chairs. Have them in the carry on. If a bolt comes loose or whatever, you can fix -or have somebody do it- the problem on the spot. Nothing worse than having such a relatively small problem but being stuck because you haven't got the right tool handy. Good thing is that many brands use the same types of technique, resulting in a good shot that you can use the same tool on both chairs. I travel with about 5 or 6 different tools and with that any and all "tool-solvable" problem with any of my aids can be dealt with. A God sent! Same thing goes for the battery charger. I know it's a pain, especially if yours is an unbelievably heavy one. The rental I use for the US is. If something does go wrong with checked baggage; you'll at least have the charger with you and wont be stuck with only x miles left to go until somebody saves you by either finding your lost luggage or a new charger.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

PS: don't sweat if you hear loud noices of banging while loading is done. As they load the chairs last, many of times it's done while boarding is already on it's way. As you preboard, you'll be aboard most of the times allready.

I was scared to death the first time I heard the loud bangs and all. That could not be a good sign, right? It was like they were ripping out a wall or something. Yeiks. Prepared myself for some major damage, so to say. Turns out that the times I heard a lot more noice, the chair was protected better than the times I didn't hear so much noice on the same type of aircraft. Don't know what they're doing down there to a tee, but apparently it works. So if you do hear loud noices; it doesn't have to be a sign of anything to worry about.

On the 737's I hear the noices a lot less, but that seems to have to do mostly with me being upfront and the chair more towards the back end.

And now finally off to bed, it's almost 2 am by now.

 

[KPeveler]

I was not clear - my joystick does not come off because it is hardwired in. I am going to remove the armrest with it attached, at which point I can put it on the seat and secure it there. Even if it comes loose, it will still be attached by 4 cables. There is no way to take it off without major work (not something that can be done in an airport as the whole seat needs to be removed), so it CANNOT be separated from the chair.

I have already filled out SWA's form which says it CANNOT be stored on its side, and I will be reiterating that to every person I see with SWA uniforms on. I am going to mark it and give instructions on a card as well of course.

The joystick does not come off and I cannot get into the circuits. But I am going to disconnect the battery and "unthread" the cord that leads to the battery and tape it to the underside of the battery cover (I already checked - this is not in the way of anything, and would be where they put additional electronics should I have needed them. They can try to reconnect it, but the will find that very difficult.

There is no way to tie down the backrest - It does not fold down completely and there is nothing to attach it to anyway...

This is a new "sleeker" design from Quantum and I must say - it does not make it easy to fly with!