Personal Wheelchairs on Planes

[diswheels]

Hi! Anyone know if they accept personal wheelchairs on\underneath the plane? What about gel cell bateries on planes? Do they allow them? I am just worried that they will say motorised wheelchairs can't go on planes because of the bateries. Which would really ruin our honeymoon! Is this a there a posibilty of that? Can they do that?

Thanks,

Ashley

 

[Seamus Lab]

We always roll our wheelchair right up to the door of the plane. They put a gate check ticket on it and it's then taken down and put underneath. When we land, they bring the wheelchair back up and we carry our son out to it. We don't have an electric chair but I do know that most of the airlines have rules concerning wheelchair batteries right on their websites.

 

[TCPluto]

Yes power chairs have to be accommodated on airlines. You have to disconnect (not remove) the battery from the chair and the battery does have to be a gell battery, which all newer power chairs are. It is a bit of a hassle, but we've done it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Right now (Aug 2006), with the extra security in place, it may not be possible to gate check a wheelchair.
Here is a link to Northwest's page about transporting wheelchairs, which includes power wheelchairs. These 'rules' are pretty standard and would be the same for all airlines. You can check the website for the airline you are traveling on to see what information they have. Some have an easy to find link; in some, you will need to do a search.

 

[pugdog]

I don't think there would be a way that they would be able to ban a powerchair being taken to the gate. Because after you get out it's going under the plane anyways. And the current concern is for liquids inside the plane not below it. So in therory atleast it shouldn't change.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have not been able to find anything specific and official about wheelchairs and air travel in reference to any recent changes or not allowing them to go beyond the security check area in the US.
The guidelines for the UK do specify that only wheelchairs provided by the airport may go thru security. They will allow walkers, walking aids and pushchairs (strollers for those of us in the US) , but they must go thru the xray machine in order to get thru security.

I found 2 stories from today on CNN that mentioned new guidelines. One was about US Travelors adjusting to tougher rules and the other story was about travel restrictions in general. Neither of those articles mention anything about wheelchairs being restricted in the US and the Transportation Security Administration has a link to their page about travle with disabilities on the same page as an updated link to new screening measures.

So, as it appears today, people will have difficulty traveling to/from the
UK with wheelchairs, but those of us who are in the US should still be able to bring wheelchairs thru security after screening.

 

[LindaDVC]

We have annual passes and DVC points that will expire

SO>>>>>>>>. I had been trying to convince dh to fly to wdw for an extra stay this fall! He has had some bad experiences on planes and seen chairs destroyed so we always drive. He uses a power wheelchair with gel cells and not an easy transfer ........

any one with recent info on how they handle power chairs??
or do I drive the 10 hours AGAIN!

Linda

 

[faeflora]

Hi all,
I received this email today from our local Independent Living Center director. It addresses some of the concerns regarding flying under the new security measures. I am posting it in its entirety. It also lists some numbers and additional information for specific conctacts.
Hope it helps someone.
Faeflora.



FR:
Olegario D. Cantos VII, Esq.
Associate Director on Disabilities
Domestic Policy Council
The White House

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Hi, Rene. As you may very well imagine, the developments in the United Kingdom whose details were announced early yesterday morning (also see below) have given rise for heightened security at all of our nation's airports. Amidst all of the adjustments resulting from immediate changes to security check-in procedures, the Bush Administration remains mindful of the needs of travelers with disabilities, those with medical conditions, and mature persons.

Shortly after public revelation of the situation abroad, the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities(ICC), led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) activated its Incident Management Team, composed of agency leaders from across government. As a result, within hours, a statement was drafted for distribution to members of the general public. This piece was the result of involvement by the disability arm of the White House Domestic Policy Council, members of the ICC, and two internal DHS components -- the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and the Transportation Security Administration.

We urge you to distribute the following information as broadly as possible. We also recommend that air travelers print a copy of this email and have it handy for on-site reference. The information below re-emphasizes that assistive technology, mobility aids, medication, and other items used by members of the disability community and others continue to be permitted beyond security checkpoints. Details are also provided on where to call or email to address related concerns, resources to visit for further information, and steps that individuals may take to make the security check-in process as smooth as possible.

I want you to know, Rene, how grateful I am to you for spreading word about what follows. Doing so will have the collective effect of preventing difficulties from occurring at the outset while providing the traveling public with specific resources to assist in addressing issues of critical concern. Warmest wishes to you, as always!

--Ollie

- - - - - - - - - -

Over the last 24 hours, British authorities have arrested a significant number of extremists engaged in a substantial plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking immediate steps to increase security measures in the aviation sector in coordination with heightened security precautions in the United Kingdom. The nation's threat level has been raised to Severe, or Red, for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom bound for the United States. To defend further against any remaining threat from this plot, the threat level has been raised to High, or Orange, for all commercial aviation operating in or destined for the United States.

The intent of this message is to alert potential air travelers with disabilities, those with medical conditions, and the mature of the elevated threat level, encourage them to take proactive and necessary steps to alleviate potential adverse impacts, and provide connections to further information and assistance.

The following quotes are extracted from DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff's press conference yesterday:

* "In light of the nature of the liquid explosive devices which were designed by the plotters, we are temporarily banning all liquids in carry-ons in aircraft cabins. That means no liquids or gels will be allowed in carry-on baggage. Any liquids or gels have to be checked as part of baggage to go into the hold. There will be exceptions for baby formula and medicines, but travelers must be prepared to present these items for inspection at the checkpoint, and that will allow us to take a look at them and make sure that they're safe to fly."

* "Today, air traffic is safe. And air traffic will remain safe precisely because of the measures we are adopting today. People should be patient, but they need not cancel their travel plans. They simply need to be aware there may be some delays and they may want to check with their carriers to see whether they ought to adjust their arrival times at airports."

Overall guidance to travelers with disabilities is located on the web site of the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at: http://www.tsa.gov. This guidance includes tips specific to those with disabilities and medical conditions.

TSA's Checkpoint Security Screening Procedures for persons with disabilities, individuals with medical conditions, and the mature have not changed as a result of the current threat situation.

All disability-related equipment, aids, and devices continue to be allowed through security checkpoints once cleared through screening.

Items permitted beyond the checkpoint include: Wheelchairs; scooters; crutches; canes; walkers; prosthetic devices; casts; support braces; support appliances; service animals; any and all diabetes-related medication, equipment, and supplies; orthopedic shoes; exterior medical devices; assistive/adaptive equipment; augmentation devices; ostomy supplies; medications and associated supplies; hearing aids; cochlear implants; tools for wheelchair disassembly/reassembly; personal supplemental oxygen; CPAP machines; respirators; CO2 personal oxygen concentrators; baby apnea monitors; Braille note takers; slate and stylus; tools for prosthetic devices; and any other disability-related equipment.

Current restrictions prohibit liquids, gels, or lotions (except baby formula/milk and medications) through the security screening checkpoints and onboard the aircraft. This includes common items, such as, but not limited to: beverages, perfume/cologne, shampoo, shaving cream, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gels, saline solution. Such items are recommended for transport in checked baggage.

It is also recommended that those with medications only take the amount of medication essential to sustain them until arrival at their final destination. Additional medication can be placed in checked baggage or mailed to their final destination. This will help speed up the screening process and avoid additional delays.

Travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and the mature may want to consider the following:

* Arriving at the airport well in advance, 2-3 hours prior to flight
* Following all published rules on carry-on items and medications
* Viewing TSA website tips for persons with disabilities and medical conditions and other TSA screening advisements located on TSAs website under "Our Travelers"
* Bringing documentation on medications, devices, medical condition where possible. This is not a requirement and will not exempt a passenger from the screening process.
* Packing medications in a clear bag separate from other carry-on items/bags
* Exercising patience with the lines, delays, and stringent screening procedures

For additional information on transportation security, the Transportation Security Administration Contact Center may be reached at:

1-866-289-9673 (Voice/Relay)
tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov (Email)
http://www.tsa.gov (Web)

For concerns about potential rights violations, contact the TSA Office of Civil Rights at:

1-877-336-4872 (Voice)
1-800-877-8339 (TTY)
tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov (Email)

For information about overall air travel accessibility, contact the Air Carrier Access Act Hotline of the Department of Transportation at:

1-800-778-4838 (Voice)
1-866- 754-4368 (TTY)
airconsumer@ost.dot.gov
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov (Web)

- - - - - - - - - -

Olegario D. Cantos VII, Esq.
Associate Director for Domestic Policy
The White House
Washington, DC 20502
ocantos@who.eop.gov