Power chair and flying, ??s

[jneen]

Unless you absolutely have to have the power chair, I'd leave it at home. Does she have a manual chair?

We flew twice with my husband's power chair both times were a nightmare. The last time was to Alaska. My husband had a brand new chair with all the bells and whistles. The airline (not sure which as we had to change planes) did some major damage to his chair. Evidently it wouldn't fit through the cargo door so they attempted to take it apart.

When we arrived in Anchorage (exhausted, of course) he was left sitting in an aisle chair for over an hour. An aisle chair is a very narrow thing they strap handicapped people in to move them on and off the plane. When they finally brought the chair they had no explanation for what had happened to it. The seat was barely attached and they had thrown a switch underneath it somewhere that disabled the chair. Bottom line: They paid for the repairs that ended up being done after we returned home but I don't think we'll ever take his power chair again.

I had attached a large sign with all needed info and to please contact us before attempting to remove batteries, etc. The person from Delta was nasty and uncooperative until I threatened to get a representative. (I forget the exact name they are called) He kept saying they had to remove the batteries. Um, no. Gel batteries, no need. I had reasearched everything on the 'net and called the airline multiple times to try to get everything I could think of settled, all to no avail.

I hate to be Debbie Downer but I'd drive there if it's at all possible.

 

[Janell]

If you run into problems or just want to rent a chair. We have used Walker Mobility twice now. We were renting ECV, so Im not sure what else they have. But they are wonderful. My back gave out on me on our last trip, we called them at 9:00am and they had an ECV at our Disney hotel by 11:00am. Can't say enough good things about them.

 

[mykidsintow]

Thanks again for all the responses. We are flying, we are taking the chair. If they ruin it they can buy a new one. My very independent 6 yr old won't be without it in a situation such as Disney. A push chair isn't an option (since we ordered it in march and we don't have it yet, but at Disney she wouldn't be restricted with mom pushing her anyway). She refuses strollers... she "isn't a baby".... Huge deal for her being 6 yrs old and 28 lbs. Clearly we don't treat her as a baby, no high chairs, no stroller unless we are forced, etc.

So, I have decided to take the chair. I talked to permobile today. Her chair size can't be reduced. They said it should fit fine, I talked to Delta yesterday. Its a straight through flight I don't see what they could possibly do. I told the delta rep on the phone (who put notes in our plans) that it was a 38K chair.... if they break it on the way down it will ruin my daughters vacation. If they want to ruin it on the way back thats fine I just want it totaled since there is a newer version I would LOVE for them to replace it with. She laughed and said they hoped not to do that.

Renting a power chair for a 28 lb child isn't an option.... it doesn't have proper support or seating. Here is a pic of my daughter at Disney last trip

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

From the pics it looks like she's pretty smallish. Think her chair comes to about the same height as mine around the seating does -mine is built up higher due to some extra stuff underneath the seat, and of course adult size-. If that is true, it should be an OK fit even on the smaller types like 737's etc.

Agree with her about not being a baby and she'ld probably wants to be independent at WDW even more than at home.

If she wants to get her chair even more into Disney style; you can remove the top part of the joystick very easily. Get any antenna topper she loves (there are some lovely princess styles out there at the moment!) and it fits on there instead of the plain black one she normally uses. Not all toppers are great when it comes to how it feels in the hand, but there are some great options out there. Very cheap and great fun.

 

[thop529]

I have only flown with SWA. The very first time I ever flew once we landed in Orlando the staff came to me and said there was a wire loose from my powerchair. They took me to baggage claim and brought me my chair. The entire back of my chair was gone. Wires were hanging everywhere. They called a Tech and he brought me a new chair to use during my stay.

I received my chair one week later 1 hour before leaving my resort. The chair I had was ok, but it wasn't mine and those of us who use powerchairs know that your own chair is a part of you.

SWA compensated me very well for their mistake.

I haven't had any other problems since that first time. I do now have a new powerchair and the joysitck is removeable. This will be a carryon on my next flight.

All SWA employees were very nice to me that day, and I will fly with them every chance I get.

 

[mykidsintow]

Thanks for even more feedback. I think I will take her joystick with me on the plane. I think its just a plug and screw then it comes off. They can drive it with the parental controls. I don't mind if they rip them off since I want them removed anyway. I think they are more dangerous than help. If the button gets hit for the parental controls to override her joystick and I don't realize it... she will unbuckle, turn around and stand in her seat to push it. EEeeeep! Next trip to the shop they are removing them anyway.

The antenna cover sounds very cool! Where do you buy them? She would love it!!! That reminds me I need to make a new cover. Her seat and arm rests are black leather. I sewed a towel before to cover it in the Florida sun/heat. I should probably make a new one before this trip since hers is shot.

I just can't imagine leaving her chair home for my benefit. You are correct she is VERY independent and she would be very upset not having that independence at Disney much more so than at home. Thanks guys!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Thanks for even more feedback. I think I will take her joystick with me on the plane. I think its just a plug and screw then it comes off.

Yep, it's very easy to take the joystick off. Looking at the pics, she has the same as I do. It's simply turning the screw and disconnecting the wire plug at the back of the joystick and you're done.

They can drive it with the parental controls. I don't mind if they rip them off since I want them removed anyway. I think they are more dangerous than help. If the button gets hit for the parental controls to override her joystick and I don't realize it... she will unbuckle, turn around and stand in her seat to push it. EEeeeep! Next trip to the shop they are removing them anyway.

Are you sure you want them to drive the chair any way what so ever? Giving them driving power means more chance of an accidental running into something. Don't know about US airports, but have seen idiotic airport employees joy-riding powerchair at other airports at the world. As you know yourself, it can be tricky to drive these things if you're not used to them. Personally, I always totally take away their options for driving. Disconnect the joystick and take it along as carry on. Power off, put the chair in freewheel et voilà. Because of the freewheel they can push the chair easily but no way they'll be able to drive it off.

The antenna cover sounds very cool! Where do you buy them? She would love it!!!

At our beloved WDW -or disneyshopping.com-, of course! Just about any giftstore has antennatoppers. I've seen dozens of different options. I'll try and find a pic of Animal so you can have an idea. She can go wild with it. To give you an idea; for Pirate Night at our recent DCL cruise, we gave Animal his own pirate outfit.

That reminds me I need to make a new cover. Her seat and arm rests are black leather. I sewed a towel before to cover it in the Florida sun/heat. I should probably make a new one before this trip since hers is shot.

Ouch, leather. Good thinking about the covers! Mine isn't leather but is black. Surprisingly had little problem with it, thanks to it being cotton and absorbing and soft.

I just can't imagine leaving her chair home for my benefit. You are correct she is VERY independent and she would be very upset not having that independence at Disney much more so than at home. Thanks guys!

And just think about your time at WDW. Running around trying to catch up with her.

 

[maroo]

Your daughter is beautiful!

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

I think you guys will be fine. Her chair seems to be pretty long and shorter than some and that will help you guys.

Have a great trip!! Let us know how it goes!

 

[mykidsintow]

And just think about your time at WDW. Running around trying to catch up with her.

I SOOOOO wouldn't have it any other way! She usually follows behind me unless she sees something and well then she is off. Typically she is very very good about staying right with me and telling me what she wants to go look at, etc. This will be her 4th trip with her power chair. Before that we went once with a push chair and even then at almost 3 yrs.... she was irked not to have her power chair. At 6?! I can't imagine it.

Thanks again!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Ah found one. Don't mind the chair, it was still in it's horrible doesn't-fit-me-state-and-ugly-not-done-look. Look at Animal just looking his normal freaky way. (regret not having a pic of when we did him up as a pirate for Pirate Night on our cruise )

 

[mykidsintow]

Aww thats so cute! She would LOVE a princess one!!!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

In september I notice a new one, shaped like the carriage. Was a bit doubtfull if the wheels might get in the way so was afraid to try it myself, but it is adorable for girls. And of course there is a cutesy pink one with a tiara on it saying "Princess". Besides that, a lot of Disney caracters. You might want to be prepared for her wanting more than one. (they're $4.95 before tax if I remember correctly)

 

[mykidsintow]

In september I notice a new one, shaped like the carriage. Was a bit doubtfull if the wheels might get in the way so was afraid to try it myself, but it is adorable for girls. And of course there is a cutesy pink one with a tiara on it saying "Princess". Besides that, a lot of Disney caracters. You might want to be prepared for her wanting more than one. (they're $4.95 before tax if I remember correctly)

She will love it! I don't think the wheels would get in the way with her. She drives in ways I could never imagine. The other day we were in a parade and she was throwing candy. She was driving with her elbow so her hand was still free. She is amazing

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

She will love it! I don't think the wheels would get in the way with her. She drives in ways I could never imagine. The other day we were in a parade and she was throwing candy. She was driving with her elbow so her hand was still free. She is amazing

Grin, sounds like we'll be seeing a carriage on her chair soon enough. She has the additude and look for it, now she'll finally get the carriage to fit it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Yep, it's very easy to take the joystick off. Looking at the pics, she has the same as I do. It's simply turning the screw and disconnecting the wire plug at the back of the joystick and you're done.

That's how the joystick/controller on my DD's is too. There is a quick connect plug near the back and then 2 screws to hold the electronic part with the joystick onto the armrest.
Bring some bubble wrap to wrap the controller in and bring it on as a carry on. I would also have extra bubble wrap and some tape to cover anything that might get caught (like any hanging wires).

Are you sure you want them to drive the chair any way what so ever? Giving them driving power means more chance of an accidental running into something. Don't know about US airports, but have seen idiotic airport employees joy-riding powerchair at other airports at the world. As you know yourself, it can be tricky to drive these things if you're not used to them. Personally, I always totally take away their options for driving. Disconnect the joystick and take it along as carry on. Power off, put the chair in freewheel et voilà. Because of the freewheel they can push the chair easily but no way they'll be able to drive it off.

I find driving DD's power wheelchair with the parental control to be much more difficult (and I am VERY good at driving hers with either hand with the regular joystick). The parental control, being smaller, will move more drastically with just a small movement of the joystick.
Also, if yours also controls the lift and recline (or whatever else you have), you definately don't want them fooling with that. If you can get it removed before you leave, you may want to. I know my DD's parental control is also a quick connect and a screw, so you may be able to take yours off with little trouble.

At our beloved WDW -or disneyshopping.com-, of course! Just about any giftstore has antennatoppers. I've seen dozens of different options.

You won't have trouble finding them - we just got back and they are in all the gift shops. Some are better for driving than others, depending on what sort of decorations they have and how your DD holds her hand on the joystick. We got some for the back post of DD's headrest. She uses a goalpost joystick or we would have gotten some of the antanna things for her joystick.

Ouch, leather. Good thinking about the covers! Mine isn't leather but is black. Surprisingly had little problem with it, thanks to it being cotton and absorbing and soft.

Oh, yeah, leather will be hot.

One other thing we got that was a big hit was some solar powered Halloween lights that we attached to DD's wheelchair with electrical tape (put on after we got to WDW and removed before coming back on the plane). We were able to position the solar charger part behind her wheelchair so it was out of the way, but still got sun. That was a big hit.
I found them in Target in the Halloween decorations in purple and orange. They also had red, green, white and yellow ones in the Christmas decorations.

 

[mykidsintow]

One other thing we got that was a big hit was some solar powered Halloween lights that we attached to DD's wheelchair with electrical tape (put on after we got to WDW and removed before coming back on the plane). We were able to position the solar charger part behind her wheelchair so it was out of the way, but still got sun. That was a big hit.
I found them in Target in the Halloween decorations in purple and orange. They also had red, green, white and yellow ones in the Christmas decorations.

She will LOVE lights!!!

Awesome! We will be there during Christmas decorations! Must get lights

 

[SueM in MN]

She will LOVE lights!!!

Awesome! We will be there during Christmas decorations! Must get lights

My other hint would be to get 2 sets if you can figure places to put the charger part. There are about 18 lights on a 7 foot part of the cord and then there is about 7 extra feet without lights. The lights would have been prettier if we had 2 sets and the charger part was on one side of her wheelchair - the second charger could have gone on the other side.
I'm off to Target on Sunday to see if they clearance the purple lights.