Traveling by plane can be stressful enough for anybody, these days. It seems as though airplane seats are smaller, lines at the airport are longer and the airlines have cut back on some of their services in the interests of saving money. However, air travel can be particularly stressful and difficult for those of us who perhaps need extra time and assistance – passengers traveling with a wheelchair, passengers taking their pet with them and young children traveling alone.
Traveling with a Wheelchair
If you do use a wheelchair, your first question should be: Do I use a wheelchair that the airline provides, or should I take my own? If you need to travel with your own battery-operated wheelchair, it must be collapsible in order to fit on board the plane. You are generally allowed to take a wheelchair in addition to your regular baggage allowance, at no extra charge. Make sure you check in at the airport in plenty of time, as you and your wheelchair will still have to go through the regular security checks, and your chair may be examined.
If you can comfortably walk a short distance and just need your wheelchair for covering a long distance, it may be easier to ask your airline to provide you with a wheelchair, and there is usually no additional charge for this service. An advantage of using the airline’s wheelchair is that a representative from the airline will usually stay with you and make sure you board the plane without any problems. At the time of booking the flight, let your airline representative or travel agent know that you will require a wheelchair, and make sure it will be provided at every point on your journey, particularly if you are changing planes somewhere.
Generally, the chair will be provided to you when you check in for your flight, either at the curbside or ticket counter. Be sure to remind your flight attendant just before your plane lands, so an airline agent can meet you at the arrival gate with the wheelchair. An alternative to using a wheelchair if you have trouble walking long distances is to use the little electric carts (that anyone may use) that carry people through the terminals.
If you have your own wheelchair, it can usually be stored in the plane’s cabin on a space available basis, although smaller commuter planes may not always have the facilities to stow your chair on board. Your travel agent or airline representative will tell you what kind of plane you are on and the storage facilities it has. You may have to check the wheelchair as baggage when you check in for your flight, if all the storage facilities in your plane’s cabin are full.
When making your flight reservation, try to get an aisle seat on the plane or a seat with some extra room if you need it. Airlines usually block several seats near the front of the plane for passengers with disabilities, or you may want to request a seat that is further back in the plane and closer to the lavatories.