Air Travel with a Power Wheelchair

By Will Marvel, PALS

Air travel with a power wheelchair is a viable and efficient way to go if you know the rules of the game. The airlines have very good procedures for handling this situation and most of the people will go out of their way to help. Before proceeding, be aware of these issues. Power wheelchairs cannot be carried on smaller planes such as commuters. Non-US destinations will require additional investigation since you are outside of the ADA umbrella and local accessibility may be an issue. Travel agents can be helpful in addressing these items.

Making Reservations

Reservations can be made using a travel agent, an airline’s website, calling the airline directly, or one of the travel sites such as Travelocity. Some of the internet sites provide tools for disabled travelers. When making reservations, be sure to indicate that you will be traveling with a power wheelchair. Most of the airlines only require 24 hours notice for a power wheelchair, so if you are unable to document your travel needs when making the reservation, it can be done later with a call to the airline.

Visiting the Airport

If possible, visit the airport about one week prior to departure. Since most airports are in a continuous state of growth and change, access may have changed since your last visit. Saturday or Sunday afternoon is a good time since activity tends to be slower in these periods. Check out the parking and the access to the ticket counter. Talk to a ticket agent. The visual of you and the chair is worth ten phone calls. Verify that your ticket indicates that you are traveling with a power wheelchair. This is also a good time to try to get assigned to a seat in the front of the plane. Although the airline has no obligation to do this, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Be outgoing and friendly, and people will tend to help if possible. Finally, look at how to get to the security checkpoint.

Preparations

Document the operation of your chair especially how to disconnect the batteries since disconnecting the batteries is specifically required by all airlines. See below for sample documentation. If the batteries are not gel, they will have to be removed at the airport and stowed separately. Most newer chairs use gel batteries so this will probably not be an issue. Check with your chair service company. Be sure to have a picture ID. This can be a driver’s license, passport or an ID card issued by the state. ID cards are available at the same locations that issue driver’s licenses. Be careful what is packed in your carry-on luggage. Items such as eating utensils, tools, and medications might not pass security. To avoid problems, pack these items in checked luggage. Check all of the compartments and pockets on your chair. Remove any items that might seem suspicious at the security checkpoint.

Checking in

At the ticket counter, get in the normal line. Don’t forget your picture ID. You have to be in view of the ticket agent in order to verify your identity and receive a boarding pass. Verify that your ticket indicates that you are traveling with a power wheelchair. This is the second opportunity to try to get assigned to a seat in the front of the plane. If your flight is making any intermediate stops you will have to indicate whether you want your chair back at each stop or to check it through to your final destination. Checking it through is easiest for all, especially your chair. The fewer times it is handled the less risk of damage. Many airlines now have a transfer cart that moves chairs between planes with no manual lifting. The standard procedure for a “gate checked” wheelchair is to carry it up the jet way stairs. This is a formidable task and many times results in inadvertent damage to your chair. If you check your chair through to your final destination, anytime that you have to disembark, the airline will supply a manual chair at the plane door and assistance to the terminal.

Passing through Security

At the security checkpoint, get in the normal line. When an agent sees you, they will usually direct you to a separate area since you can’t pass through the regular scanner. All persons in wheelchairs are subject to a pat down search. Accept that these people are only doing their jobs and it’s for everyone’s safety. Again, be outgoing and friendly, and the process will be simple and painless.

At the Gate

The gate agent will tag your chair as “gate checked”. Attach the chair operation document to your chair and point it out to the gate agent. Tell the agent whether you will need an aisle chair. This is a special wheelchair that can get you from the door of the plane to your seat. This is the last opportunity to try to get assigned to a seat in the front of the plane.

Boarding

You will be included in the pre-board group. You will be able to drive your chair down the jet way to the door of the plane. At this point the flight attendants will help you walk to your seat, or transfer you to the aisle chair and push you to your seat. The baggage handlers will take your chair and place it in the baggage compartment of the plane. The latest procedure is to move it through the plane to a mobile baggage ramp positioned at the opposite doorway. From there it will be moved to the baggage compartment.

Transfers

Tell the flight attendant whether you will need an aisle chair. If you decided to reclaim your chair at intermediate stops, your chair will be delivered to plane door. Otherwise, tell the flight attendant that you will need a manual chair at the plane door and assistance to your next gate. Indicate whether you can transfer to an electric cart or you will need to be pushed to the next gate. Note: It is appropriate to tip the wheelchair helpers.

Arriving at your Destination

Tell the flight attendant whether you will need an aisle chair. Your chair can be delivered to plane door or can be picked up in baggage claim. If you elect the plane door, many locations will carry it up the jet way stairs, although some do use elevators. If you decide on baggage claim, tell the flight attendant that you will need a manual chair at the plane door and assistance to baggage claim. In conclusion, the airline industry is prepared to take you and your chair anywhere you might like to go. The only thing stopping you is you. Go for it!

Sample Power Wheelchair Documentation

Chair belongs to:

Name, Address, Phone Number

Weight: 315 lbs.
Batteries are Gel.
Headrest and footrests can be removed
Back is fixed and cannot be folded down.
Disconnect/connect battery by using light gray connector located on top of the battery pack.
Lift using the frame member between the seat and the drive unit only.

To push:

Turn off power by pushing down toggle switch located at the rear of the joystick control.
Shift the two levers located at the bottom rear of the chair to “Push”.

To drive:

Shift the two levers located at the bottom rear of the chair to “Drive”.
Turn on power by pushing up toggle switch located at the rear of the joystick control.
Press the black button located on the right side of the joystick control until the mode light is solid green.