Mike Jacoubowsky

I'm new to this game; have never flown injured before. Had a nasty spill on black ice on my bicycle; two small cracks in my pelvis. This happened after I booked my SFO-FSD (via ORD) trip, which I can't skip out on. I already moved myself out of the exit row, and I don't have a mechanism to upgrade the SFO-ORD segment to F (as *G, zero chance of an upgrade).

So what's it like flying with crutches? I can get around OK, but how does it work? Where do the crutches go after you're seated? Sorry for the amazingly dumb questions! It's possible I might be able to get around by using a cane by then. Thanks for any advice!

findark

I don't have the best answers (I'm sure others will add), but I have observed pax putting crutches (sometimes with help) into the overhead bin -- they tend to fit on top of suitcases fairly well. If you can't stand without aid, I'm sure an FA will help stow them. You should probably be able to get 7D assigned by calling the accommodations desk if you feel like that seat assignment would be helpful -- they block it for situations like this.

As I'm pretty sure you're already aware (but thought I would flag anyway) you can always change a trip at any time to the current prevailing First fare with no change fee via GG BUYUP.

narvik

Sorry to hear of your woes.

I flew on a CRJ200 (Air Wisconsin) last week and was quite surprised that someone in need of crutches was able to have them stowed even in that plane.
The FA was most accommodating, and made it as pleasant as possible for the passenger.
I hope you have such a good FA on your flight[s] as I witnessed, and wish you a speedy recovery!!

fezzington

Any mainline plane that's not an Airbus will have a closet that they can go in (in fact, crutches and other mobility devices have priority over everything... even crew bags). Most overhead bins can accommodate them if you prefer it closer to your seat for a faster deplaning.

Try a bulkhead seat if you can... extra leg room and less walking (though sometimes missing underseat storage)

prestonh

I flew for several months like this, with a fractured hip as you. Crutches usually go up in the overhead bin, you will want easy access to them in case you need to use the lav in flight. Bring a pillow or 2 with you for support. Also, make sure you sign up with UA via phone for wheel chair services. It isn't worth your energy schlepping back/forth on crutches, you will be tired enough. Just build in extra check in time to get through security etc. Ask your ortho if it's ok to travel with your condition.

Mike Jacoubowsky

Thanks all! I'm normally pretty observant when flying but haven't paid particular attention to people flying injured, other than those needing wheelchairs. Last week I might have been in that category; thankfully I'm improving just a tiny bit day by day. Today is the first day I've been able to put any pressure/stand on my left leg. I'll keep checking on the buy-up offers to see if anything useful pops up. Unfortunately I have direct experience showing the disadvantage of being an elite in that regard; my daughter, a GM, can routinely score a $99 SFO-ORD upgrade. I've not seen anything less than $200.

Funny; I'd not even considered laying the crutches lengthwise in the overhead. So obvious!

CruiserCLE

I second everything prestonh said. I'm on crutches now (for the first time ever) due to a skiing injury and I've flown 4 times since it happened. I've either had the crutches in the overheads or the F closet depending on the plane. If you're on an Airbus, they also fit behind row 3 horizontally (I'm 6'3" and even mine fit) although I'm not sure if they consider that legal, but they FA did it anyway when I was seated in 3B on a recent flight. I've generally found the FA's more than accommodating to fetch my crutches if I need to use the lav inflight. It's been a mixed bag of help getting my carryon out of the bins but I've found in the instances where the FA doesn't help, another pax will help out.

The only other thing I'd add is do not sit in the F bulkhead if you have a leg brace (sounds like you are in Y though so may be irrelevant). My leg is in a brace kept completely strait so I cannot physically fit in the F bulkhead on the 737's without major discomfort, only on Airbus. I've had this situation arise twice since the injury and once the GA was willing to page to see if anyone would switch (I didn't care if it was aisle or window) with me, the other refused to make a page saying it was "against the rules", and that I had to ask onboard. Was a bit anxious as I knew I could not physically fly if I got stuck in the bulkead on that 738 but thankfully FA asked other pax as they got seated if someone would take my bulkead seat.

Last note, again may be irrelevant as you mention flying SFO-ORD, however if you find yourself traveling to EWR while on the crutches, I've had numerous issues with wheelchair service there. All other stations have been great.

Mike Jacoubowsky

Thanks for your personal observations. I hope I'll be able to get around without a wheelchair. Sitting isn't much of an issue; sleeping, on the other hand, has become hugely difficult. But think you're spot on regarding the pillow, or something similar. Glad I remembered to move myself out of the exit row before all the aisle seats disappeared.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CruiserCLE

I second everything

More great info, thanks! My leg's not in a brace, so no issue there. I can flex it front/back easily (although I have to do it manually, using my arms to move it around, because for some reason the muscles really don't seem to want to work yet). Any sideways motion and I get a pain running upward that's worse than anything I've experienced before. But I'm really fortunate that the only thing that broke were the two small pelvis fractures. How my femur took the blow and survived, I've no idea.

prestonh

It's not that you can't get around without the wheelchair, it's that you will be so exhausted from everything else you will want it and need what's left of your energy for getting to/from the airport where you don't have the wheelchair. Why walk 1/2-1mile on crutches on a connecting flight with a carryon bag, then another 1/2 mile to the baggage claim and wait then 1/2 mile to the rental car when wheelchair will do it? That's just plain insanity. I understand your viewpoint, you think you can do it, but you have to take a step back and realize you are about to run a daylong marathon which you will be running on 1 leg without backup and no training.

WineCountryUA

I would also recommend the use of wheelchair service BUT allow extra time. It is exhausting to travel airport distances on crutches -- if the wheelchair is late, then the crutches still work as a backup.

Additional the wheelchair folks know where the elevators are and can take you around lines.

A backpack is the best choice luggage -- check anything else.

On the plane -- the FA's will help and take care of the crutches

An air pillow may help

The Disability Desk will help with seating arrangements if you are having problems.

prestonh

Oh, and get your ortho to get you a temp disabled parking pass from your DMV to use on your trip.

zrs70

porciuscato

All excellent advice. I've walked from the United gates on one spoke to another at SFO and EWR so many times, I never thought much about how far it actually is. Then I tried it on crutches. I'm a fit (16 min OLH) guy, but that was incredibly miserable. I would not recommend it to anyone.

mahasamatman

OP lives in California, and they won't do that. I tried when I tore my quad a few years ago.

notquiteaff

FSD? Don't they have ice and snow there? Be very careful with crutches on slippery ground.

Otherwise, what others said -- use the wheelchair service.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!