Southwest and Strollers as a wheel chair

[sarahsmom73]

Hi everyone,

We are headed to WDW in 2 weeks! My daughter Emma has Rett Syndrome and will be turning 4. She has gotten quite heavy. Will I be able to request a preboarding sleeve on Southwest Airlines? We are using her stroller as a wheel chair.

Thanks for your help!

 

[kaytieeldr]

No reason you shouldn't be able to, however, you likely will NOT be able to bring the stroller onto the plane at all - it probably won't fit down the aisle. You leave it at the bottom of the jetway, they'll stow it under the plane, and you wait on the plane at your destination while they bring the strollers back up to the jetway (instead of causing a mini traffic jam).

They should have a wheelchair that fits down the aisle if you need it.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

On Southwest if you're willing to sit in bulkhead or the first row behind when preboarding, you might actually be able to get the stroller to the first row. I can get my wheelchair definitely up to the bulkhead seats on Southwest and transfer from there and then they take the wheelchair and stow it below.

You should definitely be able to get a preboarding sleeve. If she can't walk at all make sure they know that so that they understand that she's not just a "normal" kid in a stroller and that carrying her or having her walk a few steps won't be an option (unless you're willing to carry her the distance to a seat.

 

[SueM in MN]

For using a stroller as a wheelchair, follow the link in my signature to get to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post #6 of that thread is about Guest Assistance Cards, including using strollers as wheelchairs.

There is also a post in that thread about air travel with disabilities that may be helpful to you.

 

[sarahsmom73]

Thanks everyone.. No she isn't able to walk at all. I know I am going to get looks but you know what? If they want to walk in my shoes then I will care. Until then...

 

[lunapnp]

When my DD was younger, we never had any trouble using her stroller as a wheelchair. We have flown Southwest several times and never had any trouble. Don't worry about what other people think. Like you said, let them walk a mile in your shoes. Only YOU know your situation and that's all that matters! Enjoy your trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

As was already mentioned, you may be able to push her stroller right into the airplane and lift her out of it into the plane seat.

If you can't, post #15 in the disABILITIES FAQs thread has some pictures of an aisle chair. That is a narrow wheelchair that can be wheeled right onto the airplane.
Airlines are required to have one available for passengers who might need one. Depending on the brand, some might look a little different than the one in the picture, but the general size and shape are the same and all work the same.

Using a stroller as a wheelchair at WDW, you will be able to bring her stroller into the boarding area for rides and park it as close as you need to transfer to the ride car.
You will be able to bring it into shows, although, depending on how low she sits in it, she may be too low to see well. But, you would be able to park the stroller next to the seat and lift her into a seat in almost all cases.

 

[jmartinez1895]

We only fly SW because they handel our special needs so well. Go to the ticket dest at the entrance of the air port and tell them you have a special needs stroller. They will note any damages already there and then tag it. Once you get to secrutiy tell them it is a special needs stroller and they will let your child stay in it. After that go to the SW counter at the gate and tell them that you have a special needs stroller and that you need to pre board. They will take care of you. You will leave your stroller at the door of the plane and then once your flight is over you will find it at the door waiting. If your child is to heavy for you to carry to a seat, or if it is to uncomfortable for your child then tell the flight crew at the door of the plane. They have a special chair that fits in the isles of the plane that you can transfer to and then go to your seat. After your flight when every one is off they will bring it back to get you. I hope that you have a nice trip with SW, as I already said they have always been very good to us and help us out so much. Oh- also go ahead and call the reservation line and tell them and they will put a note on your account, that way when you ge to the airport you will have this as back up if needed.