Flying with a wheelchair… bad experience

[@ruby3200]

I just flew for my first time with my wheelchair. It was just a quick hour long flight to Salt Lake City Utah (USA), and all of the staff were kind. On the flight to and back they stored my foldable wheelchair in the cabinet on the plane. The Salt Lake City airport has a ton of special assistance workers. Even though I didn’t need one, and didn’t even ask, a special assistance worker came up to me saying he was there to help me board the plane, which was nice. The security staff were great as well. Sorry you had such a bad experience. Getting asked the same questions over and over is so frustrating and overwhelming, especially in the chaos. There is zero excuse for bad disability assistance in airports, it needs to be a way higher priority.😒

[@lewisbale1]

Perfectly understand your experience. When my daughter and I was flying Delta back to the states from Paris Charles Degaulle airport, it was such an hassle to get assistance to get on the plane. We didn't get it so my daughter carried me to onto the plane herself, we were the last to board because of no help!

[@chandler_h]

Your smile is infectious. Love how you keep it on even when things aren't going your way

[@epilepsyawareness2020]

This sounds exactly like every airport in the U.S. our airports are awful with disability assistance

[@lilly_sophiaa]

i have flown via vienna a few times and basically you have to do the extra security check on the way back when you’re flying to the UK because that’s not in the Schengen area (basically not in the EU) edit: spelling mistakes

[@katieannamcconnell5365]

You're so much more patient than me! I get so stressed when the smallest thing goes wrong because they don't seem to understand that's literally my whole world, my legs, me freedom and independence and it just doesn't get treated correctly! Looking forward to some big time change soon.

[@Langwidere903]

That sucks so much. I use forearm crutches but I can’t walk far or stand for a long time. I was flying out of Los Angeles last month and there was a strike so there were only 2 wheelchair pushers for the whole terminal. There were like 8 of us waiting, and they basically gave us an ultimatum that we could either wait 90+ min for a chair and miss our flights, or just suck it up and walk through security. So we did. And then the assistance person got so annoyed that our gaggle of disabled people was walking so slow.

[@christomasjames6620]

Hello Yeah I had a similar thing when coming back from Lanzarote in November it was bad just no way near as easy as at Gatwick or Heathrow

[@ashleyvo4929]

Those foreign countries always gets me… I would just place my wheelchair next to metal detectors and wait til they gave me a pat down! Works very quick and fast all the time.. since, I set the alarms off until somebody tell me to move… I am half deaf as well!

[@irishmaninflorida1608]

I feel your frustration, as somebody in a wheelchair. I love to fly, or at least go on holidays! But the thought of the whole flying experience stresses me out. Airport's are hit and miss regarding assistance. Even when you book your flight and state you need assistance. And even if you have a big sign MY WHEELCHAIR DOESN'T FOLD you'll still get asked 10 times. I learned from when i first become paraplegic, to never let people to dictate to you. This is your body, and when they say for example you need to transfer to aisle chair in this or that way and you know better, you kindly say NO and tell them how you want it done. There are just so many different parts. Checking in, security, gate etc. STRESS! But we keep strong and live our lives, and yes take holidays 🌞

[@lukemiller8538]

Merry Christmas by the way Ellie and I hope you have a fantastic Christmas and a fantastic New Year as well

[@SmallandStrong66]

Thank you Luke, you too!!

[@lukemiller8538]

@@SmallandStrong66 thank you Ellie I really do appreciate it and your welcome !!

[@winterwithawhyknudsen5166]

Dude i mean it when I say airlines should either get sued or completely shut down for breaking a mobility aid or anything like that. I once had my chair go into baggage claim.

[@nealeburgess6756]

Sorry to hear you had such a stressful journey. Probably a good idea to keep your cushion with you. Sometimes they lose removeable parts off wheelchairs. Cushions are important and expensive.

[@valtin7568]

The positive part is, that was a sweet little wheelie you so casually popped going into Vienna airport. Well done. It's horrible when you have a bad experience coming home as it kills the high you're on from the holiday. Had the same myself once coming back from Jamaica and it sucks. Still... that wheelie

[@Hoocheleven]

Which airport was it where you got no assistance?

[@lilly_sophiaa]

in the beginning video it was mauritius airport and the airport where the first officer apologised for the wheelchair being left alone was london (guessing it’s heathrow)

[@Qamarshahzad.]

I am watching your video first time i have question have you ever try to travel alone on a wheelchair in other country

[@SmallandStrong66]

No I haven’t, I think I’d be too nervous that things would go wrong when I’m alone and I wouldn’t be able to fix it!

[@ObaidullahKakar]

🌹🌹🌹

[@jeanmorgan5410]

Some people set on their wheelchair cushions to prevent pressure sores we struggle with assistance with our special needs grandson

[@bjarkih1977]

It would be nice to know what the horrible airport was.

[@SmallandStrong66]

I deffo should’ve said! It was Mauritius airport

[@winterwithawhyknudsen5166]

9:46 j know they’re tryna keep you safe and whatnot but it’s assault to touch someone or their things without permission(even if you did I’m constantly being touched without wanting to).

[@tarasbulba8541]

Hi, I'm sorry you had that much trouble during your flight; I can only relate to the Mauritius side and agree with you that the ground staff there needs some education when it comes to handicapped passengers; I use a wheelchair myself and just like you, I can walk to my seat on the aircraft; I never had any issue with any airline before, my wheelchair was always at the door of the plane wherever I had to transit ; for some unknown reasons, the desk clerk in Mauritius told me that according to company policies (?), I can use my wheelchair up to the aircraft door and then it will be sent to the final destination; That came as a surprise to me, I need my mobility wherever I go and tried to argue but to no avail; some other staff joined in and said the same thing, and they reassured me that I would get assistance during my 4hr transit; with no choice , I had to give in and thought maybe it was new policy since they were all saying the same thing; I reluctantly complied and thought that as long as I get a chair to move around, I would be Ok; As promised, someone with a wheelchair was waiting for me and took me to my departing gate but couldn't leave the chair with me , saying that his job is to get needy people from A to B with that wheelchair; I understood the situation and just swallowed the bitterness; I'm lucky to be able to walk to a toilet with the help of a trolley but imagine someone completely unable to even stand up; if nature calls, what would that person do? I took the case to social media and the airline immediately asked me to deal in private, which I did but the matter was never resolved; It was well written in the policy that anyone can request to have his mobility device if the transit exceeds 2 hours I think; maybe not the airline's fault but the ground staff didn't know the rules and should have called her manager; she showed no respect at all and was insensible to others. As for the other issues you encountered during the flight, I think it was just a combination of misfortunes; usually we get good quality services in Europe. Cheers

[@javierbarrucz7755]

A girl 🧒 in a wheelchair 🦽 having her worst flight ✈️ ever 😮😮😮😮❤❤❤❤❤ 12:33

[@cynthiamaybunya4622]

If you are in the airplane how do you need help to go to the how long you been in the wheelchair and disabled in a wheelchair day need to help you to find your seat number and the letter restroom to the toilet to help you to pull down your pants and your underwear you go to the restroom to pee are poo