Flying with Someone Who Uses a Wheelchair

Parent Cafe
1

<p>My 88-year old aunt and I will fly to Florida next month to celebrate my parents’ birthdays.</p>

<p>Although my aunt is ambulatory, she uses a wheelchair when she is on extended outings. (I believe she still drives and walks short distances, at least she did last time I visited.)</p>

<p>She has her own wheelchair.</p>

<p>We are flying on Soutwest from Albany, and will change in Baltimore (BWI), with over an hour between planes.</p>

<p>My inclination is to take her wheelchair with us. We can check our bag, then gate check the wheelchair (like people do with strollers). I’ll be able to wheel her to the gate etc., without needing to be dependent on airport personnel.</p>

<p>Once we get to our destination, we will have the wheelchair and won’t have to borrow or rent one.</p>

<p>Those of you with experience in such matters - does this seem like a good plan?</p>

<p>My aunt’s pushy son-in-law-equivalent is sticking his nose in, telling her to leave the wheelchair at home and borrow one, carry on a suitcase, etc, etc…</p>

2

<p>As long as you check with the airlines and you can gate check the wheelchair, AND she can walk from the gate to her seat (and the reverse), that seems like the way to go.</p>

<p>If she can’t walk into the plane, you’ll have to use the airlines chair, as it is narrower than a regular chair.</p>

3

<p>I think she will be a lot more comfortable with her own chair.</p>

4

<p>Yes, I did call Southwest already.</p>

<p>Apparently even if you do use their wheelchair services, you don’t have to call in advance.</p>

<p>Since we could check the chair if we needed to for some reason, it really doesn’t seem like there is any downside to plan on taking it.</p>

5

<p>I’ve seen it a few times when I’ve flown. The airline never treats it as an issue…I’ve even seen them wheel people to their seats if they cannot physically walk.</p>

<p>Obviously, because of the ADA, they’re required to accommodate people in wheelchairs. So they’ll do what they can to make you and your aunt comfortable.</p>

<p>I would definitely bring my own wheelchair and gate check it.</p>

6

<p>It was never an issue with my mother. Just be prepared to wait at your destination until the other people get off. They’ll have the wheelchair waiting or whatever is necessary.</p>

7

<p>The ultimate authority as to who gets on a flight is the pilot. But the airline’s business interest is for your aunt to fly, and there likely won’t be a problem. My suggestion, based on flying with elderly infirm people – get there really, really early and make yourselves known to the gate personnel.</p>