At least in the UK, for now, you can forget about gate-checking your wheelchair. I can imagine this being a huge problem for somme of us. Airport chairs are not adequate for more than very short periods of time. Would you trust your $3000, or higher, chair to the airlines check in desk? Looks like I would be unable to travel in this situation. How about you?
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/group...ut_612280.hcsp
"Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point."