Welcome to FT. You should read the link in this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/disab...ir-travel.html

There is a law (the Air Carrier Access Act) which has a section about onboard wheelchair stowage. It was just amended (there's another thread about it). You need to request that it be stowed onboard in the closet.

You can use your own chair all the way to the plane door by requesting it to be gate checked. That is what most of us do. It will be no problem. Airport chairs do suck.

I have heard of others who put parts of their chair in the overhead, but I have no experience with that.

You don't hire a wheelchair pusher (unless you want to). It is a free service mandated by the law. Some people give them tips, some don't.

Don't worry about too many questions. Ask away! We're here to help.