Disability Travel - Temporarily in wheelchair - some ?

I have read the threads and the stickies and want to confirm that I understood correctly.

If I have a manual wheelchair I can take it on the plane with me?

I have read the threads and the stickies and want to confirm that I understood correctly.

If I have a manual wheelchair I can take it on the plane with me?

Yes. In the cabin if there's room to stow it or the cargo hold if not.

I've only flown internationally with a wheelchair and never to or within the USA.

Although you can take your own wheelchair to the gate of the airplane, if it's not stored in the cabin (which mine never was) it will be stowed in the hold.

If it has been stowed in the hold, when you arrive at your destination you might find that your own wheelchair is waiting for you at the door of the aircraft, but what was more usual is that I needed to collect it in the luggage reclaim hall.
In this case, between the aircraft and the hall, an employee will usually be assigned to push you in a chair belonging to the airport. (I understand that in the US the employee may be a volunteer, but my own experiences are limited to Europe and Japan where no tipping is required or expected).

Are you able to walk at all or climb stairs by yourself?
This will have a big impact on your journey.

Also, my suggestion is that you give some consideration on how you will manage carry on luggage, particularly if you can walk a little and need to get up to and/or through the aircraft cabin by yourself.

I notice that you are using the initials "AZ" which are the same as those used by Alitalia. I have flown several sectors with Alitalia/AZ in a wheelchair. If you are considering a trip to Italy with a wheelchair please let us know as this can involve some real challenges that are difficult to solve without the benefits of hindsight.

Likely AZ is Arizona. A state in the United States.

I am traveling PHX-IAD-BOS then BOS-LAX-PHX

It is on United and I am a 1K. My son and daughter in law will be on the same flights with me.

At this point ( hard to say where I will be in 2 weeks as instead of getting better I am getting worse), I still manage short distances on crutches. I cannot go thru security without the brace so imagine this will be a patdown.

On a non travel related note - I am shocked at the number of stores and stuff that do not provide push buttons to enter, wheelchairs to borrow ( I jusst went into the wheelchair yesterday after 6 weeks on crutches). Though I will eventually be walking again, this incident has provided me with a new perspective on what it is to be physically challanged in the US even with the ADA in effect. I appreciate the time and effort that you guys have put into replying to my post.

I cancelled my trip for this weekend as I was flying alone and just decided that I was not going to deal with the transfers etc. I have a lot of respect for those of you that have to deal with this everytime you want to go somewhere ( even if its "just" to the grocery store).

On the positive side, I have learned that even complete strangers will help me if I ask them to ( those grocery store carts are great , but you cant reach anything :( ). In my situation I am not allowed to drive so am not alone when I go somewhere - but it still is nice that other people will assitt. I dont wont get this moved to OMNI so I will end here. :)

Jan, I'm sorry to hear about your situation and hope that you recover quickly.

In the US, you may gate-check your wheelchair, and it will be returned to you planeside. Be sure to remind a flight attendant shortly before landing that you have a wheelchair with you and it will need to be brought to the jetway.

If there is any delay in bringing your wheelchair up, do not leave the plane. The crew is not permitted to leave as long as passengers are still on board, therefore they will be motivated to help solve whatever the problem is. If you step foot off the plane before your wheelchair arrives you may find yourself on your own.

Your wheelchair may be permitted in the cabin with you under these circumstances:


You pre-board
Your wheelchair is foldable
The plane has a closet or other storage area capable of holding the folded wheelchair - this applies to planes with 100 or more seats
Another passenger's wheelchair is not already being stored in this space


If you choose to pre-board, your wheelchair will have priority over other luggage, but it can be difficult to get the crew to enforce this.

I am traveling PHX-IAD-BOS then BOS-LAX-PHX

It is on United and I am a 1K. My son and daughter in law will be on the same flights with me.

At this point ( hard to say where I will be in 2 weeks as instead of getting better I am getting worse), I still manage short distances on crutches. I cannot go thru security without the brace so imagine this will be a patdown.

On a non travel related note - I am shocked at the number of stores and stuff that do not provide push buttons to enter, wheelchairs to borrow ( I jusst went into the wheelchair yesterday after 6 weeks on crutches). Though I will eventually be walking again, this incident has provided me with a new perspective on what it is to be physically challanged in the US even with the ADA in effect. I appreciate the time and effort that you guys have put into replying to my post.

I cancelled my trip for this weekend as I was flying alone and just decided that I was not going to deal with the transfers etc. I have a lot of respect for those of you that have to deal with this everytime you want to go somewhere ( even if its "just" to the grocery store).



I flew on UA with a manual wheelchair for a few years--and yes, alone. That was a several years ago when they always boarded those who needed additional time first. As a 1K you will always be among the first to board. My experience was only with widebodies and there wasn't any problem with getting the FAs to stow the chair in the closet. If I received any pushback regarding taking up all the closet space (e.g. they would have to move their bags) I just told them that they were required to stow it in the closet and that always worked. Even though you are in your own chair you can ask the airline to request a wheelchair pusher for you. Some airports are difficult to go through because they are carpeted--especially if you are at Gate 98 at SFO. You will grow to appreciate airports with vinyl flooring.

I agree, it is quite an eye opener when you are in a wheelchair. Some states are better than others when it comes to compliance. I always asked to speak with the store manager when I saw a problem with ADA compliance and followed up in writing with the company headquarters. I continue to do so, even though I am no longer in a chair. The rampant abuse of placards still bothers me though. There were many times when there were no disabled parking spaces open and that meant I couldn't run my errand or shop and had to turn around and go home because there was no way I could get myself and my chair out of my car otherwise.

When you feel more comfortable getting around in the chair, you will have no problem flying. In the meantime you will develop some fantastic upper body strength.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

Pat

An update

Thank you all for the information I needed to plan and feel more comfortable.

All 4 flights ended up with a gate checked wheelchair. Since at that point I could still hobble on the crutches it was fine. The wheelchair came up very quickly at the connection airports.

I hate RJ's more than ever ( LAX-PHX) was an RJ, but I managed.

Most people went out of their way to be nice and offered help. It was great having my kids on the outbound and spouse on the inbound to push me around the airport.

I have since had the surgery and now have the imobilized leg and full time wheelchair use - but I know it will get better.

Thank you again for helping me out.

Janet

Thanks for letting us know how it worked out.

I wish you a speedy and uneventful recovery!