Flying with a power chair
Apr 19, 2015, 3:36 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Flying with a power chair
Hi Everyone,
I am a power chair user. I've visited the USA (specifically New York City) a number of times now but since my last visit I have a new chair.
The airline I'm flying with this time says that my chair must be capable of disassembly into constituent parts weighing no more than 120kg each. However my chair is overweight even with footplates, backrest and cushion removed.
So at the moment I'm in panic mode
Have anyone else had this problem and if you did how did you overcome it??
I am a power chair user. I've visited the USA (specifically New York City) a number of times now but since my last visit I have a new chair.
The airline I'm flying with this time says that my chair must be capable of disassembly into constituent parts weighing no more than 120kg each. However my chair is overweight even with footplates, backrest and cushion removed.
So at the moment I'm in panic mode
Have anyone else had this problem and if you did how did you overcome it??
Apr 20, 2015, 10:19 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
Apr 21, 2015, 12:32 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
Why would cargo capacity matter? They're going to take all the parts no matter how many pieces it's in.
Apr 21, 2015, 12:40 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DEN
Posts: 1,962
Since it's a weight restriction, not a size restriction, you're probably right that it has more to do with lifting than fitting.
Apr 21, 2015, 7:53 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
I phrased it poorly - I was thinking about some of the restrictions on power chairs that are related to the size of the opening the chair has to fit through.
Since it's a weight restriction, not a size restriction, you're probably right that it has more to do with lifting than fitting.
Since it's a weight restriction, not a size restriction, you're probably right that it has more to do with lifting than fitting.
Apr 24, 2015, 3:59 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the replies. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you all - I've been down with the stomach bug all week. Well one bit of good news is that the airline are going to let me fly! It was a health and safety thing but the people who provide disability assistance in the airport have a word with them and they are going to put on extra staff for the lift on/off so that my holiday can go ahead! So my story has a happy ending!
Thanks for the replies. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you all - I've been down with the stomach bug all week. Well one bit of good news is that the airline are going to let me fly! It was a health and safety thing but the people who provide disability assistance in the airport have a word with them and they are going to put on extra staff for the lift on/off so that my holiday can go ahead! So my story has a happy ending!