Dealing with Airlines in a Wheelchair

[bruce]

This coming week I'm taking my first airline flight since becoming wheelchair-bound .. I'm wondering if any of you have any words of advice.

[Scorpion]

Bruce, I've flown many times since my SCI--What kind of chair do you use?

Get there early, even earlier than usual nowdays. Take a carry-on with your essentials. You don't want to get to Ohio and find out your catheters, bowel-care tools, etc. are on their way to L.A.

I use a lightweight manual chair. I'm a C-6 quad, and I tell them when I get there I need an 'aisle chair' (sometimes called a 'straight-back') and full assistance. Two airline employees lift me onto the aisle-chair, wheel me to my seat, then lift me again into the airline seat. Have them lift you under your shoulders, grabbing your wrists, and under your knees. Make sure you get a seat on the aisle, not the window (unless you can easily get yourself over to that seat). If it's a long flight, you may want to have your wheelchair cushion on the airplane seat. Tell them or show them how your chair folds up, if at all. They'll put it under the plane and have it at the plane door after you land. You'll probably be the first one on the plane and the last one off. In a few cases, I got to sit in first class at no extra charge. It just depends on if that area is full and how nice the employees are. I've never requested it, but a few times they just said, "We're putting you in first class." I didn't argue. Once, it was the flight attendants who decided to put me in first class.

I recommend Southwest airlines for their very friendly employees and the fact that seating is first come-first serve and I could pull my chair right up to the seat instead of having to get on an aisle chair (think hand-truck--Hannibal Lector). But I've also flown Delta, Continental, American and AirTran with no complaints.

~Rus

"Because you're not promised tomorrow." ~ Stuck Mojo

[et]

Do you pad yourself very good or you can find a place to do it?

[Scorpion]

et, good question! I use an external catheter, so I just use a bigger bag than usual (32oz. instead of 19oz). I also try not to drink much before the flight. I haven't had a problem yet. I hear some guys who need to cath put a blanket over themselves to take care of business--not very inconspicuous, but still keeps people from seeing ya wrestling the one-eyed snake. They'll probably assume you're jerkin' off, but oh well.

~Rus

"Because you're not promised tomorrow." ~ Stuck Mojo

[Rich]

Remember to get to the gate early and ask
to be bumped up to First Class to make it
easier on the gate crew.

You usually cannot slide into the seat
like back in coach where the arm rest
might flip up, but the comfort of First
class is worth any hassle getting into the seat.

More wine with your Salmon Mr. Fleck?
Free head phones and those hot towels
just before you land. The only way to travel.

Rich

[Scorpion]

Rich, you actually ask to be bumped up to first class? Easier on the gate crew? What a clever ruse. Ha! How often does that work?

I'm not going to turn down First Class if they offer it to me, but I'm not about to ask for special favors and claim it's easier on the gate crew. Handicapped parking spots aren't enough for you?
~Rus

"Because you're not promised tomorrow." ~ Stuck Mojo

[Curt Leatherbee]

I actually find it is better to get to the gate as late as possible and then ask to be put in first class due to "ease of other passengers not having to climb over you due to being Paralyzed and ease of the crew in getting you in the seat being a larger seat, I am a big guy and hardly fit in the regular seats" I find that in waiting to ask at the gate I am more likely to get a first class seat because if you get there early a lot of the time they won't bump you up because there is still the possibility of someone paying extra for a first class seat at that point. If you wait and they have any seats left in first class they will give you one as they would be vacant anyhow.

I don't mind asking as I have had some pretty bad experiences with people climbing all over me in coach. One time I had a 350 pound lady climb over my legs and get stuck in that position facing me, I could not have sex for months after that as that image of her on top of me (she was pretty darn ugly) was locked in my mind. Plus I was darn lucky that my legs were not broken, I checked them carefully after that as I cannot feel them and I was worried that maybe they were crushed.

Problem is though that there are less first class seats available these days as people with frequent flyer miles and other programs sometimes get bumped up to first class. Years ago I always use to get bumped up 80% of the time, these days I only seem to get bumped up about 20% of the time even when using my fantastic acting skills. Just don't let others in line behind you hear you asking to get bumped up though as you might get clocked over the head with an umbrella or something.

[trm98]

I am a c2-c3 quadriplegic. I have little head or neck control therefore requiring a headrest on my wheelchair. How would the airlines accomadate me? Because I need the stability of my wheelchair.

[KLD]

Trm98, there is no airline that will allow you to sit in your wheelchair to fly. You must transfer to a seat, or purchase an entire row and go in a stretcher. Can you use a temporary neck support like a Philadelphia collar for the duration of the flight? Some people use a gait belt as a chest strap to prevent falling forward/backwards during take off and landing. Are you so tall that your head would not rest on the seat back with some type of neck support?

[trm98]

KLD, I am 5'8-5'9. I have not flown since my paralysis in '97 and I was concerned about what would happen if I had to fly. In light of the tragedies in NYC, Philadelphia and Washington my Mom won't be allowing me to fly anytime soon! Thanks anyway!!
Trm98