Taking your own wheelchair on a plane??

[lustergirl]

Is this allowed?? I am taking my mom on next year's trip and she will be using a wheelchair, decide against an ECV. I am thinking of renting one here in buffalo for her- this might be easier than renting one from a local orlando company. Anyways will we be able to put our own wheelchair on the plane? We are probably flying southwest so does anyone else out there have any experience with this.

From time to time I may pop into this forum to ask questions, trying to plan my trip for next year including my mom. She can walk short distances- but not walk around the parks.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Of course it's allowed! Many people who use wheelchairs fly all the time.

 

[Chuck S]

When we fly, they gate check the wheelchair and have it waiting on the Jetway when we deplane, even when we need to change planes.

 

[Michigan]

One thing you should remember if you plan on renting a manual wheelchair at home instead of from an off site place at WDW is that the airlines aren't alway gentle with wheelchairs when they throw them in the baggage compartment once you leave it at the gate. Once my daughter's chair got damaged on a flight back home from AZ.

 

[lustergirl]

One thing you should remember if you plan on renting a manual wheelchair at home instead of from an off site place at WDW is that the airlines aren't alway gentle with wheelchairs when they throw them in the baggage compartment once you leave it at the gate. Once my daughter's chair got damaged on a flight back home from AZ.

That is a good thing to consider- thanks!!

 

[Hook's Girl]

My experience with my brother was that he had to gate check the wheelchair. Make sure you leave ample time to go through security because that is one thing they check thouroughly. Then he was allowed to take it right up to the gate. At that point he transfered to one of the narrow chairs as his (and most wheelchairs) is too wide for the aisle. We were first on, last off and his chair was always waiting for him there at the gate as soon as we exited the plane!

 

[SueM in MN]

The airlines are required to transport wheelchairs and they are not allowed to charge an extra fee or even count the wheelchair toward your baggage allowance.
You can gate check it; ask the gate agent about doing that when you arrive at the gate, not after boarding has begun. Southwest has a section on their policies/services regarding passengers traveling with wheelchairs. You will find something on all the airline websites; some are easier to find than others.

If your mom is able to walk thru the scanner at security, that will speed the process somewhat since they can check the wheelchair without her in it.
Since you said she can walk short distances, she would be able to walk onto the plane and you will not need an aisle chair (the narrow chair that Hook's Girl mentioned). We usually use one of those because our DD is not able to walk.

 

[cupcake]

While you can definitely gate check, I recommend (thanks to this board, someone mentioned it when I asked about taking my wc) that you ask if you can stow it in the closet. It totally depends on what else is in there and what else they need it for, but if you have a folding wc (not sure you do), you might be able to put it there. I have been lucky and been able to do this when we traveled, but my dh is a frequent business traveler on American which we think helps us. It is very convenient and you know it's being treated with TLC when it's right by you. And remember, mobility equipment does not count towards your carry on allowance.

Have a great time! Please don't hesitate to ask any questions that may come to mind.

Cupcake

 

[tekoa]

Last November we rented a chair from an offsite source. Walker Mobility. They were wonderful I called about a month ahead to make the arrangements. It was waiting for us at POR in the baggage area. If you google Walker Mobility you can find their website with their phone # and other info. They rent all kinds of mobility products if she needs something else. We did not want to take our chair because we were afraid that it might get damaged in the cargo hold.

 

[Densgirl]

Is this allowed?? I am taking my mom on next year's trip and she will be using a wheelchair, decide against an ECV. I am thinking of renting one here in buffalo for her- this might be easier than renting one from a local orlando company. Anyways will we be able to put our own wheelchair on the plane? We are probably flying southwest so does anyone else out there have any experience with this.

From time to time I may pop into this forum to ask questions, trying to plan my trip for next year including my mom. She can walk short distances- but not walk around the parks.

I just want to second Walker Mobility if you are going to rent. One trip, a while back before DS was in his chair full time, we decided not to take his chair because I was so scared of it being stolen(this is always my fear, don't pay any attention to that part...lol)and with us driving I figured the extra space would be good. I planned on calling them at a month out and for some reason...I dropped the ball. I didn't call but my brain registered it as a task that was done. For the few weeks leading up to the trip I kept saying to DH "I'm forgetting something big but I can't remember what it is". I must have said it about ten times. We cross over into the Florida border and as the family erupts into screams of joy it instantly hits me... I don't have a chair reserved. I want to puke I'm so scared. It's a Saturday to top it all off. I don't even want to utter the words to DH. I manage to spit it out and he is awesome. Reminds me to grab my passporter and he's sure there will be numbers in there. I found Walker and they were AWESOME. They had a chair to the Boardwalk before we arrived a few hours later. The girl who answered the phone was so nice and sweet and very understanding. I'm such an uber planner that I was dying of embarassment. They totally rocked and saved our butts. We don't use them anymore cus DS is in his chair fulltime but I always have their number just in case something happens to his chair and I never hesitate to recommend them.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you google Walker Mobility you can find their website with their phone # and other info. They rent all kinds of mobility products if she needs something else. We did not want to take our chair because we were afraid that it might get damaged in the cargo hold.

If you check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you will find a link to Walker Mobility's website, along with their phone number. There is also information about a number of other companies that rent ECVs and wheelchairs in that thread. All of the companies listed are ones that DIS posters have reported good experiences over the years.

 

[danalee]

I just want to add that if your mom cant walk long distance's then getting a wheelchair before you leave home is a good idea.

We did that for my mom last year and was soooo glad we did, she would have been wiped out just getting from check in to security. Honestly I dont think she could do it. Now that said I do believe that while at the airport they have wheelchairs you can use while there, so if you you rent one on site in florida you could ask upon arrvial at your airport for one to use to get around in the airport. (I would call ahead to make sure )

By the way I sounded last year like you sound now, we were taking my mom and needed a chair for the first time, she too can no longer do any type of distance walking, but I had so many questions or even concerns and I am here to tell ya...you are in the right place!!!! The folks on this board know there stuff and it made our trip a breeze!!!
you will get alot of helpful info here!

Have Fun!

 

[SueM in MN]

Now that said I do believe that while at the airport they have wheelchairs you can use while there, so if you you rent one on site in florida you could ask upon arrvial at your airport for one to use to get around in the airport. (I would call ahead to make sure )

You are correct.
If you need a wheelchair and are not bringing one with you, inform the airline ahead of time that you will need wheelchair assistance. That way, the information will be in the computer linked to your reservation. If you check the website for your airline it will detail how your airline does it/how to request.
Make sure to include all legs of your flight, so that they are aware you will need one when you arrive to check in and that the airport you are arriving at knows you will need one at the gate.
Depending on your airline, the information may be easy to find, or you may have to do a search for "wheelchair". What you are looking for might also be under "assistance with boarding" or "skycap". If you dealt with a travel agent, they should help you with arranging it.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We are taking our son's wheelchair with us next March, no reason why we should have any problems but it's always best letting the airline know before you go.

 

[KPeveler]

my wheelchair folds and the footsrests are removable... so i am planning on removing the footrests (and arm rests if i have them) and putting them in the overhead bin, just in case they put the chair in the baggage area... this also will make it shorter (in terms of depth) so they have a better chance of putting it in the closet on board...

 

[tinkandpan]

I was going to add in many situations, if you remove the footrests, armrests and pad (if you use one) they should be able to fold it up and store it in a closet. Now- my dad is paralyzed from the waist down and has no mobility so they might be more accomodating in this factor than someone who can walk on and off the plane. Otherwise, you will just gate check it and it will be brought up when you deplane. As I am assuming you will be deplaning last (as people with disabilities are encouraged to do) it should be waiting there when you return.