Travel Tips

Travel

This page is intended to be a resource for people who would like to travel with there power wheelchairs and/or ventilators.

Wheelchairs in the Rainforests

Air Travel with a Power Wheelchair

Condom Catheters

Air Travel with a Ventilator

Wheelchairs in the Rainforests

We rose early that morning in order to make it to the airport with enough time to clear the security lines and pre-board the airplane. With two of us in wheelchairs and the remaining seven burdened with the many bags required to carry various medical devices that could not be trusted to the baggage handlers, we approached our terminal. We would fly to Fort Lauderdale and spend the night in a hotel before boarding our cruise ship the next day.

The ship was perfect. The cabins had roll-in showers and were extra spacious to accommodate our wheelchairs. The remainder of the ship was also quite accessible. After settling in and meeting our cabin steward, we introduced ourselves to the shore excursions manager. We explained that we had various private accessible tours set up and asked for his assistance in making sure that we would be able to disembark and re-board with our wheelchairs. This was a challenge, but with the help of other senior officers they found a way to make it happen at each port. They actually used ballast to list the ship and align our private ramp with the dock. We chose Princess Cruise Lines because of their excellent reputation in handling passengers with disabilities.

After traversing the Panama Canal, rolling through a biological preserve hidden deep in the rainforests of Costa Rica, and visiting several other exotic ports, it was time to re-board an airplane and head home.

Traveling with a disability is not easy, but with some extra preplanning and research, it is completely do-able, and well worth it.

Air Travel with a Power Wheelchair

I have several suggestions and comments concerning air travel with a power wheelchair. These are just pointers that we have picked up along the way.

You should always call the airline a week or so ahead to inform them that you will be traveling with a wheelchair. Arrive at the airport at least three hours early so you will have enough time to get through security. You should insist on staying in your wheelchair all the way to the gate. This is your right. You will be allowed to pre-board the aircraft. The airline will provide attendants who will help you transfer from your chair into an aisle chair, roll you into the plane, and transfer you into the airplane seat.

When the airline asks you if you have wet or dry cell batteries in your wheelchair, say "dry". The manuals they are working from are outdated and don't include the option "non-spillable gel cell". If you answer anything other than "dry", they will probably make you disconnect and remove the batteries from their solid, well protected box in your wheelchair, and place them into flimsy cardboard boxes (to prevent them from spilling). If they try to do this, there should be a label attached to the top of the batteries that includes the words, "non-spillable gel cell, approved for air travel, FAA approved" or something like that. You should check this out ahead of time and point it out to the airline officials if necessary.

They will also ask you to disconnect the power so that the wheelchair does not inadvertently move during flight. You should check this out ahead of time. There is probably some type of a quick disconnect type plug that will easily isolate the batteries.

It is a good idea to look your wheelchair over for any protruding or loose parts. Our first experience taking my electric wheelchair on an airplane was our trip to Australia. Because of the various regions we visited, the trip consisted of eight separate legs of flight. When the wheelchair was returned to us after each flight, there was something else missing, broken, or bent. Also, the Boeing 737 aircraft has a baggage compartment door that is only 29 inches high. This means they will probably have to lay your wheelchair on its side if you will be flying on this type of plane and they aren't very careful about it. I know this all sounds terrifying, but now I will explain the steps we have taken to minimize, or eliminate, the damage. In order to reduce the height of the wheelchair to 29 inches so that it can be rolled in, we have practiced and perfected a method of quickly breaking it down into a compact, roll-able package. First we remove the seat cushion. I use this on the airplane. The head rest, the armrests, and the leg rests are then removed. The back rest is folded forward onto the seat and all of the aforementioned parts. except the seat cushion, are carefully stacked on top. We use a ratcheting motorcycle tie down strap to wrap around and secure the bundle. Next, we attach two brightly colored, laminated signs that illustrate the method of setting and releasing the brakes. The signs are affixed using Velcro. We also remove the rubber parts of the joystick and carry them with us on the airplane.

Although none of this is required, by using these techniques, we rarely encounter any significant damage or problems. But when traveling in a wheelchair, there are bound to be a few hiccups in your plan. You just have to roll with the punches, and keep smiling. In the end, it's all worth it!

Condom Catheters

I wear them every day, all day. We originally tried them for air travel, but found them to be so convenient, that we use them all of the time. My hands and arms are completely paralyzed, so Jen had to help me every time I needed to urinate (and I have a very small bladder). We ordered the catheters and upgraded to the 32 oz. leg bag which means that I now only have to bother Jen two or three times a day. When the bag gets full we empty it into a standard urinal bottle, which then gets dumped into the toilet, and rinsed. The urinal bottle lives in the backpack on the back of my wheelchair. On travel day we always empty the bag just before boarding the airplane. I then have 32 oz. to work with. If it is an extremely long flight, Jen can empty my leg bag without me having to leave my seat.

Emptying my leg bag when we are out and about, was uncomfortable at first, but we don't worry about it anymore. Because I needed Jen's help, it was obvious that we would have to enter a public restroom together. We decided that the women's room would be best because women take care of their business behind a closed-door, inside of a stall. I wait outside while Jenny checks to be sure that there is an available, accessible stall. She then drives me directly through the bathroom and into the stall. I look straight ahead so that I don't make anyone feel uncomfortable. We have done this hundreds of times and no one has ever complained.

Air Travel with a Ventilator: A chronicle of our adventures.

Jen, her sister and I recently traveled round trip from California to New York City on an airplane. There were a couple layers of added complexity since our last air travel, because I am now ventilator dependant and eat only through a feeding tube. Although the trip required a lot of extra planning and coordination, it was well worth the effort. Even though I will describe the various struggles we encountered, I am in no way trying to discourage you from air travel. On the contrary, I urge you to plan and execute your own adventure.

Because different airlines may have different requirements, security criteria is constantly changing, and your experience will vary depending on the individuals you encounter, I have decided to simply chronicle our air travel planning and encounters.

5 Months Prior - I began internet research on my ventilator, potential batteries, and other related issues, to determine Department of Transportation rules and approval for my equipment.

4 Months Prior -I made on-line airline reservations on a large American airline. Because we were using frequent flyer miles, and we required non-stop flights, I thought it important to secure the flights as early as possible.

3 Months Prior - Jen researched and booked an ADA compliant, wheelchair accessible, centrally located hotel suite that would accommodate all three of us. After several discussions with the hotel manager, we determined that the suite would suit my needs except the low toilet. (More on this below)

2 Months Prior - I began to gather and print documentation from the internet in case we were challenged by any officials during our journey.

I also began creating lists for our medical baggage. I find it helpful to start my list early. Then pay close attention to every item we use for my care. I always end up going back to add a few items I have forgotten.

This time we ended up with five medical bags to carry: my portable suction machine (carry-on), a small suitcase we have designed and constructed to protect my back-up vent and stationary suction machine (carry-on), a backpack to carry back-up equipment and supplies that could be needed while in flight (carry-on), a large duffle to carry my 4 inch memory foam mattress topper rolled around my power wheelchair battery charger for protection (checked), and a medium-sized suitcase for all remaining supplies (checked).

6 Weeks Prior - I made on-line reservations with SuperShuttle for wheelchair accessible transportation between JFK Airport and our hotel.

Jen called an airline reservation agent to have all my medical needs and details of the equipment we would be carrying entered into my record. After everything was documented, the agent forwarded the record to the Special Needs Desk with the promise that one to two weeks prior to our departure, a special needs representative would contact us to discuss my needs and equipment, and hopefully, approve everything. I had done extensive internet research and was confident that my ventilator and batteries were approved for in-flight operation. I also knew that because I couldn't eat by mouth, security would allow me to exceed the 3 oz. limit on liquids in the passenger cabin.

I ordered two BG C222 batteries, and began testing them to see how they would perform with my vent and settings. I was able to comfortably run for 12 hours with the two Lithium-Ion batteries I purchased.

5 Weeks Prior - After discussion, Jen and I decided it would be easier to ask my medical supplier, Apria, to deliver my liquid food (heavy and bulky) and my trach suction catheters (bulky) directly to the hotel. They have a branch about 15 miles away. (Thanks, Yvette!) Although technically airlines don't charge extra to transport medical equipment and supplies, by shipping these items, we avoided confrontation, and lightened our load. While dealing with Apria, we also purchased and had delivered an inexpensive commode chair. This took care of the low toilet problem. The deliveries were arranged for one week prior to our arrival, and coordinated with the hotel manager. (Thanks, Brian!)

1 Month Prior - I prepared a document, and requested a signature from my doctor. This was not actuality required, but I thought it might be useful during a potential confrontation with airline or security personnel. Our doctor printed it on hospital stationery before signing.

2 Weeks Prior - Jen discussed my record with the Special Needs Desk. They approved everything, and requested a copy of the doctor's letter to include in the record. (Not required, but may help things go smoother at the airport)

The Saturday Prior to Our Monday Departure - We received a call from the Special Needs Desk. They informed us that our vent batteries were not allowed on the plane. This was obviously a show stopper, and to hear of it on a weekend prior to a Monday flight left us with very few options. The woman on the phone was expecting an angry response, but Jen maintained a cordial demeanor, took her contact info, and explained the situation to me. I knew this was in error, and knew where to find the documentation to prove it. I composed an email containing links to the specs for BG C222 my batteries and the Development of Transportation web page discussing this issue. Unfortunately, there would be no one with the authority to make a decision until Monday. This meant we needed to cover ourselves by acquiring an old style Sealed Lead Acid Gel Cell Battery by Monday. We were able to contact our favorite Respiratory Therapist from Apria, and he delivered the right battery. Within two hours of the original phone call, we were all set. (Thanks, Jim!)

4 Hours Prior - We received a call from the Special Needs Desk. They said they were in error, and to make up for the inconvenience, they would upgrade both flights to first class (Thanks, Lisa!).

3 Hours Prior - We received a call stating that our flight had been delayed three hours. Our flight would arrive at JFK at 3 AM instead of 12 PM. We immediately called SuperShuttle, and they said no problem. Because my vent is normally plugged into my wheelchair batteries, the clock doesn't start ticking on my Lithium-Ion batteries until I am actually seated in the plane. My vent has an internal 45 minute battery that we use during the transfer.

The Departure Flight - We had no problem with check-in or security. Once in the air, the primary vent began to alarm every 2-5 minutes with a HW (general hardware) fault. Jen had to hold the vent on her lap and quickly silence each alarm to avoid waking the other passengers. We were prepared for a quick swap to the back-up vent if necessary. We used the other vent on the return and it performed perfectly.

Arrival at JFK - When travelling with a power chair, the disabled passenger must, understandably, wait until the plane is cleared of all other travelers, and their wheelchair is brought up from baggage to be reassembled. This process usually takes about a half hour. After being placed into my chair (Ahhh...), we made our way through the never-ending wheelchair route to the baggage claim. We retrieved our luggage, and proceeded to the shuttle phone as instructed. We were surprised to learn that there was no one available to pick us up. Apparently on Monday, midday, when we called to change our reservation, they entered it as Monday at 3 AM instead of Tuesday at 3 AM. They called the driver at home, got him out of bed, and in a little over an hour, I was being loaded into the van. That was a long day!

Our Vacation - Manhattan welcomed us with open arms and our seven day experience exceeded our expectations. We met with a representative from Big Apple Greeter, who taught us how to use the bus system (forget the subway), and gave us a tour of Greenwich Village. (Thanks, Rena!) New York City is truly wheelchair accessible. We took lots of pictures.

4 Hours Prior to Return Flight - Having re-packed all our "handicrap" and other belongings, we were sitting in the hotel lobby, awaiting the arrival of the wheelchair van. A call was received at the front desk, informing us that the driver was stuck in traffic and would be late. He arrived an hour late, and we were off to the airport with three hours till departure.

2 Hours Prior - We rolled into the departure area, and up to the check-in counter. Here we were confronted by a stern faced woman, determined to prevent me from moving any farther. Jen maintained a calm, civil tone throughout the discourse. Without her cool headed approach, I am sure we never would have cleared that blockade.

After looking me up and down over the rim of her narrow glasses, She (we will call her Maria) asked how many bags we were checking. Jen replied, separating the carry-ons from the bags to be checked. Maria pointed at the back-up vent bag and said, "That will have to be checked." Jen explained that it was medical equipment, and Maria continued typing with no response. Upon completing the baggage tags, and loading the bags on the conveyor, Maria declared that we must check the power wheelchair and transfer to a manual chair. Jen calmly explained that I was a quadriplegic and couldn't sit in a standard manual wheelchair. It was my right to stay in the chair all the way to the aircraft door, then gate check the chair.

With no response, Maria looked me up and down again and said, "I will need a letter from a doctor." (The Special Needs Desk had already said they did not require a physician's statement for my circumstance.) It was then that Jen realized she had accidently packed all the documentation in a checked bag. Those bags had long since disappeared through the wall. She explained all this to Maria, also telling her that the letter and all information about my equipment were included in my record. Maria then, without looking at my record, began to chastise Jen for packing the letter in checked baggage.

When she felt that Jen had been sufficiently berated, she turned, walked several stations down the counter, and then stepped across into the public area. She then motioned for Jen to join her. Jen grabbed my joystick and began to drive me toward her. "No." she yelled "Only you." Jen, shocked by Maria's rudeness, hesitated a moment, then walked over to her. "He won't be able to fly." Maria exclaimed, "Security won't let him through." Jen explained that we had no trouble at SFO on our trip to New York City. She said she'd be right back, and then vanished around the corner. About five minutes later she returned with a large man in a business suit. He introduced himself as the head of security at JFK, and then asked if we were carrying any oxygen. When we said no, he turned to Maria and declared, "I don't have any problem with this."

Then she walked back to her computer, printed our boarding passes, and pushed them across the counter toward us. Jen politely thanked her, wished her a good day, and we headed for the security screening area.

1 Hour Prior - After clearing security without incident, we rolled toward our gate. We reminded the woman at the kiosk that I would need an isle chair with attendants, and to board first. Settling into a group of chairs near the door, we were soon informed that our flight would be delayed three hours. If we had allowed them to take my wheelchair earlier, not only would I have been uncomfortable, with no headrest, probably falling out, but I would have been running my vent on the Lithium-Ion batteries for five hours before ever leaving the ground.

As I said before, I have not described these impediments to discourage you from air travel, only to show examples of what to prepare for. If you plan thoroughly, keep a smile on your face, and perceive your journey as an adventure, you will build wonderful memories that would be unavailable from the comfort of your home. Reality is not solid. The world is unique to each of us in the way we perceive, process and respond to it.

Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.

Miriam Beard