Disability Travel - My First Solo Trip to China in a wheelchair

I decided that as I was doing better and am a bit more mobile, I would make a solo (business) trip to China. I'm now questioning my sanity ;)

At LAX TBIT, despite two calls - nada on a wheelchair pusher and as I had waited over a half an hour and I was running out of time. So off I go on my own (with at least 6 TSA people asking me if I was alone). After going up one hill and about to do my second, a gentleman was pushing an empty wheelchair (had just put someone on a plane) and helped me to the plane. Whew!

Next stop - Taipei - okay, I don't consider myself large - I want to lose some weight, but I swear I felt squeezed into the wheelchair (it wasn't mine, it was theirs). Also, the pusher did not watch out for my leg AT ALL. I was more than a little stressed. He also pushed me through and cut in line (I feel a little akward with that). I was then dropped in the lounge with my stuff - really tough to do anything as he took their wheelchair and I still didn't have mine. To the plane was pretty much the same and I feel lucky I came out uninjured!

Next - Hong Kong - got my own chair back (switching airlines so that helped!). Not that bad - we didn't have time to go to the lounge, so I made a Starbucks stop (and offered to get the pusher something; he declined). I would have liked to stop to get magazines but felt weird asking to do that. But I guess they get paid to stay with you so it probably isn't a big deal.

Final stop - Xiamen. Pusher was there with airport wheelchair; VERY helpful, looked out to ensure I wasn't getting hurt; helped me through immigration - ensured I properly filled out paperwork, etc. He then got my bags, then got my wheelchair, helped me all the way out to the parking garage where the driver was parked - and helped to load the car. WOW! He made up for every other place! And of course, got the best tip (By the way, in Taipei it says NO TIPPING so I didn't) especially with all the luggage handling.

Okay, I'm off for a massage now :)

I really enjoy reading those trip reports about wheelchair service etc! Thanks!

My company's policy(I wrote the policy) for magazine stops etc is to consider time. I would basically always stop and get you a magazine, a soda or some water, especially after the rule about no liquids... If you have a long wait, I might even ask if you need some crossword puzzles or a magazine. Not always, as I once asked a blind lady if she wanted a magazine. So just ask, its not going to take an hour to get a magazine. The worst thing that can happen is that they tell you no. Our big thing at the airport is the duty free. If someone ask about the duty free, we would consider the time, how busy we generally are, and ask if the customer KNOWS what he or she wants... I have seen people testing perfumes etc for hours at the Duty Free Store. But if you know what you want, basically you tell me "I need one bottle of Martini Rosso and some gin", we'll be helpful and run you thru the store. But this all depends on the pusher/wheelchair attendant... If someone take you to a store or whatever, basically goes "out of their way", they would probably expect a tip...

That's very interesting. I hope you will post more about what it was like as a wheeler in China.

JoeW, thanks for your comments back. I haven't checked out the hotel gift kiosk, so if I can get magazines for the trip back I will; otherwise I'll ask to make a stop during my layover.

The places I've been to in China don't seem to be terribly accessible. The airport in Xiamen did have large handicapped elevators. Hotels do not understand accessibility but the shower is large and flat and I booked a suite (which is fairly cheap here) because I wanted a meeting space (it has a separate bedroom so easy to meet in "living room" area and fairly easy to get around.

The hotel (Sheraton) has gone out of it's way to be accomodating and have been fantastic in helping me with food and beverages in the executive lounge. Every person I've been in contact with here tells me that if I need anything; to call and they will help. I've stayed here before but the hotel has now been open a year so their customer service has gone up considerably.

More later.

It's wonderful to read your report, and I admire your bravery (I understand better now the risks involved with having a stranger 'handle' you).

Please do continue with as much detail as you can. Not only is it fascinating, I believe your experiences will potentially be useful. I'm certainly finding them inspirational^

Thanks for the report, baglady.

Can you be a little more explicit about your arrivals and retrieving your own wheelchair? Did you ever have planeside delivery of your own chair, or did you have to rely on airport service to pick it up at baggage claim, or after customs?

Thanks for the report, Baglady. Look forward to reading more.
All best wishes...
O2K

Can you be a little more explicit about your arrivals and retrieving your own wheelchair? Did you ever have planeside delivery of your own chair, or did you have to rely on airport service to pick it up at baggage claim, or after customs?


With the exception of Hong Kong (and that is only because it was only checked to Hong Kong and told them I wouldn't get on the airport supplied one), I did not retrieve my own wheelchair planeside. In Taipei, I did not see it at all. In Xiamen, it was after immigration; the gentleman helping me went and retrieved it from somewhere and brought it to baggage claim.

I'll report on my return to compare.

Okay - here is my report for my trip back:

Xiamen, China- Excellent service to the plane, FAs on the plane, upon landing. Pilots stayed and chatted with me while waiting in HKG.

Hong Kong - They got my own wheelchair then took me through transit - very helpful man - I had him drop me at the stores by the club elevator and told him I could take it from there - he then picked me up right on time at the club and took me to the flight - excellent service.

Taipei - I did get my own chair - hurried service, no looking out for my leg - similar to my trip in. Took me to the gate. Many people waiting to get on the flight in wheelchairs. They first took us past the entrance and then did not have enough people to get us all on. I sat there for 10 minutes while they put others on. It was fine, though.

Los Angeles - again, an agent short - this happens way too much when I have my own wheelchair. The agent who helped me and another woman was very kind and then they found someone to help her - he stayed with me. Took me through immigration; got my bags then because the handicapped bus wasn't running - he walked me from TBIT to Terminal 6. That's not all - he took me up the elevator and when I thanked him and said I was fine from there - TSA wouldn't let him leave! They made him take my stuff through while I had my pat down. Then the TSA told me I should always have someone and I asked why - he and I went back and forth and I told him that it was terrible how I was separated from my bags and it wasn't right - I shouldn't have to have someone.

Anyway, nice man then helped me to the President's Club and I not only tipped him well, but gave him very heartfelt thanks for all of his help. He went WAY above and beyond.

Not part of this trip - but I had the redeye last night LAX-EWR - arrived EWR and no wheelchair. They got me one to use (that was broken). I got a call that they were bringing it to the P Club. Nothing - time to get on my flight - the P Club ladies call to find out where it was. One of the P Club ladies ended up going to baggage claim to get it while another P Club lady took me on the plane. ^ to these great ladies - especially since it was EWR -not my favorite airport. I am sending an email to Larry Kellner praising the ladies for their outstanding work and again, going above and beyond.

I'll be back at EWR tomorrow and want to at least take them a box of chocolates or something in appreciation for what they did.

So a mixed bag but overall, quite good.

I decided that as I was doing better and am a bit more mobile, I would make a solo (business) trip to China. I'm now questioning my sanity ;)


Next stop - Taipei - okay, I don't consider myself large - I want to lose some weight, but I swear I felt squeezed into the wheelchair (it wasn't mine, it was theirs). Also, the pusher did not watch out for my leg AT ALL. I was more than a little stressed. He also pushed me through and cut in line (I feel a little akward with that). I was then dropped in the lounge with my stuff - really tough to do anything as he took their wheelchair and I still didn't have mine. To the plane was pretty much the same and I feel lucky I came out uninjured!

:)

Reminds me of my experience at a Thai hospital after I fell and severely twisted my knee. Arrived at the Emergency Room and they rolled the wheelchair to my car. They put my large body in the wheelchair and it not only was way too narrow, but it was also so short that my legs were dragging on the ground. :)