Traveling by AIR with PAL

pjjack6
0 Recommendations

We want to know which Airlines has tie down for power wheelchairs. Somebody said that the new planes have tie down in 1st row area. They remove the existing seat for tie down. So that the chair stays with you. I know of one private airline that is coming its is: http://www.iflymat.org/index.html. My understanding is there are now National Airlines that have this now, but they never said what airlines it was. We travel a lot to CA from NY where his family lives. Right now he can enter the plane by walking but soon he will need a power wheelchair. I have heard bad stories on how the airline throw your chair underneath the belly of the plane and break things on them all the time. Has anyone heard of these few airlines.

3 replies

ODOstaff
  • By ODOstaff
  • Posted October 4, 2007 at 11:05 pm

Unfortunately there are no airlines that will “strap down” a power wheelchair. Maybe on a long haul flight where the cargo space is large would they tie it down. What you can do is go in with exact instructions on how to prepare your assistive device for air travel. Remember take seat cushion and any attachments, including the joystick if you know how! Do not leave anything to chance. The more information you give them the likely hood for smooth travel raises. Some good news is that the Air Carrier Access Act states that if you have a folding manual wheelchair you have priority to the cabin closet, which means you have priority over the crew! So just ask and they should give you the closet if you manual chair fits, they may push back but it is the law, how far you want to push is up to you. If you fly Southwest you can ride you chair right on the plane and transfer without going on the dreaded aisle chair. Plan ahead and get to the airport 2 hours before your flight. Check in twice, once at ticketing and then again at the gate. For seat selection go to seatguru.com

amchugh
  • By amchugh
  • Posted October 12, 2007 at 10:08 am

Hi- I work for the ALS MA. Chapter and write a newsletter called Inspire. I had a patient write a 2 part article on travel with ALS. I would be happy to forward to you what he wrote, if you could provide me with an email address or send an email to amy.mchugh@als-ma.org.

Thanks
Amy McHugh

imamom
  • By imamom
  • Posted October 14, 2007 at 10:19 am

Amy,
I would love a copy of this article also. It can be sent to my email at lynnpelach@comcast.net. Thank you!!
Lynn

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