What Happens to My Wheelchair While we Fly? And also Luggage.

[Danislee]

In about two months my husband and I will be headed to Disney World. We will be flying Non-Stop on Air Tran. I tried to call the airline today, but I got stuck on hold for a while and then the UPS man came. When I was a kid, my family and I had to wait until everyone got off the plane, and then we got off, and I think they brought the chair down the ramp.

Last year, I think we got off the plane with everyone else, and the chair was at the bottom of the ramp just waiting for us all by its lonesome. However, I'm a little fuzzy on that. Is that generally what happens now, meaning somehow it appears from wherever it was, and we just get off with everyone?

And finally, my husband and I prefer carryons. I hate packing stuff I don't need, plus the new fees. I have a small rolling suitcase, as does he. However, they can be a bit annoying when he's trying to push me. Or even if I'm pushing and he's pulling both. Does anyone have any recommendations for other kinds of luggage that would be easier to manage? I know backpacks and what not, but I don't know if it would fit our stuff for the week long trip.

 

[Halbleib1]

Your wheelchair will be gate-checked and should be waiting for you when you get off the plane.

As far as luggage maybe a gym bag (believe we used a 22 or 24 inch) with a shoulder strap might work.
This is what we use for carryons when we need the extra room. Perhaps you can hold one on your lap if you are physically able or if not maybe he can hang it off the handles of your chair by adjusting the strap. We did this with my son's stroller. I was able to push my son no problem while my husband hauled the rolling luggage.

The duffle bags were plenty big enough that we could have fit about a weeks worth of clothes in them with no problems using the travel space bags. Just be aware that they do get heavy though. And do not overstuff (esp. be careful with the pockets) so that it is not too wide.

Good luck and I hope you find a solution that works best for you and your situation.

 

[gamomof2]

We extend the handle of the carry on out completely and hook it on one of the handles of the wheelchair. The rubber hand grip keeps it from sliding off. then it just rolls right along with the wheelchair. we actually had one on each side and DH walked inbetween (daughters wheelchair).

 

[SueM in MN]

There is more information about travel with a wheelchair in post #15 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
We mostly travel AirTran and do gate check DD’s wheelchair. She can stay in it right to the door of the plane. Ask about gate checking when you check in - they may give you a gate check tag at that time or tell you to ask at the gate. If at the gate, you want to do that before they start boarding.
If you want to preboard, be sure to ask when you get your gate check tag; you may also have to remind the gate agent when you can see they are almost ready for boarding.
DD can’t walk at all, so we do preboard and also wait until everyone is pretty much off to get off. Her wheelchair can be parked very close to the plane door. If our seats are close to the front, sometimes my DH carries her on, otherwise we use an aisle chair (a narrow wheelchair that fits down the aisle) to get her into the plane. I take care of the wheelchair; because DD’s wheelchair has quite a few parts that are velcro’d or just held on by gravity, I do take all the pieces that might fall off during the flight off and bring them onto the plane with me.

The wheelchair will be brought to the top of the ramp (close to the plane) when the plane lands. It may not be there right away, so unless you can stand for a while waiting, I would not get off right away. We have also had good luck with asking the flight attendant to let us know when it is delivered because I have some putting together to do on the wheelchair before DD can get back in.
Also, many families traveling to and from Orlando gate check their strollers. This can mean a lot of strollers parked blocking you from getting to your wheelchair if you get off right away.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I recently purchased a fairly high quality piece of luggage with four wheels as well as an elevating handle. I used it on my last trip.

Depending on what I was doing (in my ECV) either I would tow it by my side on two wheels or have it stand upright next to me on four wheels, holding it with one hand ad controlling the ECV with the other.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Agree with CF, a 4-wheel anything is the way to go. The one thing to be on the look out for; some of the cheaper ones have wheels that do not do 360 or only do them but not smoothly. You'll be wanting wheels that do 360 without any effort.

I changed out about all of my travel'gear' for stuff with 360 degrees 4 wheels. Because of this, you could see me driving around an airport with as much as 3 suitcases, 2 carry ons (one not rolling, cheating with that one being a backpack on a suitcase ), me in a powerchair and manual chair to top it off. And sure enough, it's the manual chair that gives me the most work in keeping my little train moving. I can not lift any weight, don't stretch any limb away from my body more than a few inches etc. And yet, if the situation calls for it -read; assistance doesn't somehow show up even when ordered and I'm running late for something- , I can manage myself if need be.

With just one carry on it's a breeze! I'll simply turn it 90 degrees, so that the carry on fits between my legs. Let the chair and person pushing me do the rest. No need for me to keep the carry on on course, being between my legs and the wheels does that by itself already.

Also remember to bring an extra bag or something to be able to store any removable parts from the wheelchair. Reason; Sue already mentioned why you'll want to remove them. Having them all in one seperate bag makes easier access for when you want to put them back on and making sure you have enough room, instead of now lugging along a carry on and like 5 seperate wheelchair parts. A simple backpack can already do the trick, depending on the wheelchair. Simply hang the bag over each side of the chairs back. One thing to remember though; the weight in the back can make the chair tip over if nobody's in the chair.

 

[fun fun fun fun fun!]

regarding luggage, I have a big holdall that I can balance on my lap and push myself in my chair. I then have a backpack as my flight bag and that goes on the back of my chair. I also like to use my own chair up to the door of the plane and have it ready when I get off. I've flown with several different airlines this year and they've all been the same and very helpful.

I am travelling solo on Monday!

 

[lovetoscrap]

If you are unable to stand or walk much then I encourage you to tell them that you must have your wc to and from the door of the plane. I have had them transfer me to an airport wc from my scooter so they can go ahead and get it loaded underneath and I have no problem with that. But I insist that my ECV be brought to the door of the plane when I get off.

I have learned that you do NOT get off of the airplane until they have it at the door of the plane-- or if you are using the airport wc service they have to be at the plane door. As long as you are physically on the plane then you are the airline's problem and they are very motivated ($$$$) to be sure that you get what you need and get it ASAP. If you agree to go ahead and get off and walk to the terminal and wait there then you are now no problem to anyone and your needs can drop to low priority. I have been asked several times to just walk to the terminal (very difficult for me) to wait. I only did it once and realized it was a bad decision and have refused to ever since. I was left sitting at the gate with no one doing anything to help me out.

I also agreed once to sit in a wc right outside the door of the plane while the strollers and my ECV were being unloaded. The pilot actually had to go and hunt down a wc for me to sit in. But because he didn't know what he was doing, he didn't put the brakes on and let go and I went flying down the incline into the wall of the ramp, nearly hurting several children and myself. So I now require that they have a wc with the person to push it right there, or my ECV depending on how I am traveling.

If you need to have it at the door of the plane then you have the right to insist that it be brought to the door, not to have to walk down the end of the ramp and hope it is there.

 

[Debbie-TN]

My cousin has to use a wheelchair at the airport. I always take a large duffel bag with an adjustable strap and hang it across both the handles. Then you could hold the other bag in your lap, or if it's a suitcase with the 360 wheels you could roll it beside you.