Wheelchairs on airplanes

[Tinkbell]

My grandma has decided that she wants to take her own wheelchair on our July trip because she finds it very comfortable. How do the airlines deal with wheelchairs on flights? Where are the chairs stored during the flight? Has anyone experienced any problems doing this?

 

[Michigan]

They gate check the wheelchair. If she is able to walk they will take the chair at the planes door and have her walk onto the plane. If she is unable to walk they will bring an small chair and roll her to her seat. Either way when you exit the plane the chair is right outside the door waiting for you when you land.

 

[SueM in MN]

Gate checking works really weel. Ask about it when you first check in for you flight. They might tell you to check with the gate agent when you get to the gate, but sometimes they will give you a gate check tag at the check in counter. If you have a connecting flight and want the wheelchair deliverd to the gate there, make sure they have marked the tag for it to be delivered there.
before you leaave the wheelchair at the gate, fold it (if it folds), make sure all seatbelts or other straps are fastened so they don't catch on anything. When my DD had a wheelchair seat that was just attached with velcro, we used to remove it and bring it on the plane. if you do that, most of the pieces you take off whill fit in the overhead bins.
If the wheelchair fold up fairly small, you might be able to fit it in the closet on the plane. Whether you can do this or not depends on the size of the wheelchair and the size of the closet. It can be a lot of hassle. They have to let you try it in the closet if you want, but the flight attendants are often not real helpful because the closet is usually used for the first class passengers' coats and hanging bags. They are not too happy to have "their" closet filled with a wheelchair.
The airlines do have Special Needs Departments (they don't advertize it too much). They can help you with seat assignements and answer questions about gate checking/closet storage.

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

I just barely took my first flight with my wheelchair. I made a sign that said Hi my name is George the Purple Wheelchair. Please take good care of me and remember that I am someone's legs. I attached it to the chair. Everyone got a good chuckle and I think they were more inclined to treat it respectfully because they were reminded. George came back to us in good shape.

As a side note. You should see the looks we've been getting as we have been shopping for a new vehicle and in front of the salesmen talk about needing enough trunk room to put George. I think they think we are hit men.

 

[SueM in MN]

Pretty funny, Tiiiigergirl.
If I hear about anyone being arrested for stuffing George in a trunk, I'll start a thread to raise bail money for you and hire a good lawyer.

 

[Tinkbell]

LOL Tiiiigergirl! What a funny story. I told my grandma about it and she loves your idea. I wonder what she will name hers? Thanks for the tips everyone.

 

[chris1gill]

Everyone gave you good tips, but I just wanted to say we always take my leg rests off my manual chair... I don't want to arrive at my destination & find that one of them fell off!! We've always taken them off, folded the chair up & then kept the chair folded by using a couple of bungee cords... We always gate check it & get it right at the doorway after the flight

 

[SueM in MN]

I forgot to say that we usually take off the footrests too. My DD has double velcro ankle straps on hers, so if we do leave them on, I velcro the two footrests together. With 4 straps of velcro, we haven't had any problems with them coming apart.
It's interesting to see people's faces when they open up the overhead bin and see all these strange looking things already in it.

 

[Tinkbell]

Thanks. I never thought about the leg rests.