TRAVELLING ON A PLANE WITH A POWER CHAIR - Wheelie Good Tips EP #27

Tetraplegic (quadriplegic) power wheelchair user Johnny Bourke explains how he travels on a plane.He shares his tips on preparing for travel, how he transfers onto an aisle chair and then into the seat on the plane and what to do if your power chair is damaged.
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[@sashikajayalath7542]

for the first time I am going to travel with my power wheelchair and I hope nothing will be going wrong. my only worry is, will airline staff take care of my wheelchair, because anything happened I may not able to travel as I planned.

[@maylaimaylai4033]

Agree

[@barryrathbone]

Trying to get airline to accept my power chair but they are arguing about the gel AGM batteries but never done it and I’m very unsure thanks for this video

[@jagoda-risteska-james]

Informative video. Its important to mention that even if you do not have a companion and want to travel on your own, at the airport always there are 2 people from the assistance so they can lift you and transfer you.

[@blindpeopledostuff3587]

Very informative. I work with a lot of people who have different disabilities. Always interesting to learn something new. I only know what to do for a blind person but I have friends who used wheelchairs and it’s important to know what is done for them.

[@ReplayFan562]

Thank you for sharing! Take care

[@WarEaglePlaysHD]

This was a very reassuring video! I’ve travelled loads but first time travelling with my wife and their electric wheelchair next week. Two questions: we have a transfer in our flight. Do they transfer your electric chair to the next plane like they would other luggage, and give you a push wheelchair to navigate the connecting airport, or do they unload your electric chair and then re-load it at the new gate? My wife is comfortable in both styles of chairs but just want to know what to expect. We have a 2 & 1/2 hour time between the flights so I’ve allowed plenty of time :)

[@nenagrawey7502]

what about in between connecting flights ? do they bring u ur chair or does it stay in cargo till final destination?

[@christinewiles3082]

Have the airline staff ever made you disconnect all the cables to the battery please? I’d be worried about having to reconnect them at the other end.

[@brettladbrook7120]

Hi Yes sometimes this happens. The plugs are specific and only go in the one slot. In NZ an isolator switch often gets fitted so it can be switched off. Look at where the plug is an how it comes out. And get a family member or your career giver to put it in and out so you can explain to people how it goes.

[@christinewiles3082]

Thank you 😊 yes, just practice I guess, could take photos before unplugging anything. 👍🏻

[@kalenagy]

The airline refused mine and it was a folded scooter with small lithium battries. I had to travel without it. It was a nightmare because I travel alone and it was hard to move about without my scooter. I have a 7 hrs layover which made it even harder.

[@brettladbrook7120]

Thats not great on the airlines behalf. However , contact the powerchair manufacture and ask for information on the batteries and if they can be safely put on a plane. Keep this information on your ph or in paper form so you can give it to the airline. Always check first with them as well.

[@kalenagy]

@@brettladbrook7120 What upset me more was the lack of alternative solutions e.g. if there was a rental for power chairs at the airport I would not have had such a rough time. E.g. I struggled to go to the bathroom or to go buy food.It was no you can't and we have nothing else for you. you either travel without it or do not go on the plane. Developed countries in the 21st era should have more knowledge and options advertised. It would not cost them anything to share info on rentals to pwds if they think our motorized chairs are a flight risk.

[@davidmartinezzamora2124]

Hola yo soy tetrapléjico y podríamos crear alguna página para intentar conseguir poder viajar en nuestra propia silla de ruedas eléctrica, y que los aviones tuviéramos sitios accesibles, un saludo

[@wheelieblind]

I am considering mailing my powerchair to the location I am going as the airline will for sure damage it and I rather try something else instead. Has anyone tried mailing their chair to their family's home if they were going to visit family instead of taking it through the airport and taking a shitty hospital wheelchair knowing they will even brake that?

[@michaelliu7253]

A foldable power wheelchair will be more convient，it won`t be seperated into several parts.

[@markwheeler8041]

how do you get to the toilet and back to your seat

[@clayrobinson7902]

Hi Johnny, lynn here ,is ur wheelchair always there at the end of ur trip.l watched a video about a lady who flew to paris from California and when she arrived her wheelchair was not on the plane....

[@NewZealandSpinalTrust]

What rotten luck! Always expect that the chair will be there, but of course there are factors at play well out of your control at the airport and on the airline.

[@chantelcuddemi7646]

I'm totally blind, and I always boarded first, and got off the plane last.

[@tracyzappelli2883]

My name is Tracy I’m in in a motorised wheelchair also and I would like to travel on an aeroplane also. I have got cerebral palsy and I am confined to a wheelchair. I also use a hoist to get in an out of my real chair. I was just wondering if there is a hoist at the airport? Could you let me know Thanks Tracy

[@andrewhall3149]

Hi Tracy, the short answer is 'it depends'! All airports are different so we'd recommend calling the airport first to check. Not sure where you are in the world but here in NZ most of the larger airports have an 'Eagle' lift that fits down the aisle. But knowledge about how the hoist operates can be a bit haphazard sadly! In this video Johnny is being lifted by Jo & Hans who were traveling with him so not a great example of hoist use unfortunately. So in a nutshell, ring the airport first and they should be able to tell you what their particular facilities are.

[@lottawalker9184]

We’re trying to plan to transport my 40 year old brother who is a quadriplegic from Houston TX to Seattle WA. My bro has been bed bound for over 10 years but can sit up in bed. What is the best airline to fly in?

[@NewZealandSpinalTrust]

Sorry Lotta, we'd love to help but we're really not experts on who the best Domestic airlines are in the USA. Could advise for New Zealand though! regards NZ Spinal Trust

[@Zania23999]

If you have a sliding board will they let you use that to transfer into the aisle chair, go down the aisle, and then use board to transfer to airline seat.And back again when you have landed.

[@NewZealandSpinalTrust]

Yes, pretty sure that will work.

[@Zania23999]

@@NewZealandSpinalTrust Thank you

[@gerb3664]

if you are in the aisle seat, how do the passengers with the inside seats get in?

[@growthequalslife]

Disabled can't sit in the isle window seats only

[@jacobtanner2391]

Aloha I'm on a powered wheel chair, in planning my first out of country vacation to Thailand. Never left the U.S.. Does it cost extra to bring your power wheelchair with you? I'm gonna be traveling by myself. Is it ok to do so??? If need be I can get a companion to come but I'd like to be as independant as possible.

[@brettladbrook8697]

Hey Jacob. In NZ we dont pay for any mobility equipment when traveling. I travelled to the States and dont think they charge. When making a booking check to see what they need from you, size/weight of chair, time you need to be there before they take you on the the plane. You will need to be able to transfer by yourself as Airline staff do not do this. So you may have to take a caregiver if you cant. Also to empty your bag if needed. Id do a trip in the states first to get the gist of flying. Enjoy your travelles

[@SuperPucker]

On long flights what provision is made for rest room? Are you charged for two people? Are you required to take an attendant? tHANKS

[@NewZealandSpinalTrust]

Your attendant must pay for their seat. On long flights there is usually an aisle chair available for trips to the rest room and staff will assist provided there is no heavy lifting involved.. Not many planes have accessible bathrooms and it depends on your impairment as to how manageable that will be.

[@MyBakedTurtle]

How can I cath what if I get ad an need to pee

[@brettladbrook7120]

Hey. There are different ways. If you can transfer there is an isle chair that can take you to the bathrooms on the planes. Some are a bit tight but some planes you can get in as, the bathroom walls can slide in to make the bathroom bigger. Alternatively, I know of people that put a blanket over them and use a catheter into a bottle with a lid. Or drain their leg bag into a bottle with a lid. Not a perfect world out there but there are ways around things.

[@malourdesvillarin8081]

what about going to the lavatory..

[@brettladbrook7120]

Hey. There are different ways. If you can transfer there is an isle chair that can take you to the bathrooms on the planes. Some are a bit tight but some planes you can get in as, the bathroom walls can slide in to make the bathroom bigger. Alternatively, I know of people that put a blanket over them and use a catheter into a bottle with a lid. Or drain their leg bag into a bottle with a lid. Not a perfect world out there but there are ways around things. Hope this helps

[@earlmcnastybmfcodm]

First thing, get to the airport 😂

[@interestedlearning3695]

Is attendant compulsory

[@NewZealandSpinalTrust]

It's necessary to be able to transfer, so if you can't self-transfer you either need someone to travel with you, or have someone at both your departure and arrival airports to assist.

[@interestedlearning3695]

@@NewZealandSpinalTrust I able to transfer

[@interestedlearning3695]

@@NewZealandSpinalTrust I have power wheelchair can we enter in flight

[@tuffhamo6277]

@@NewZealandSpinalTrust what about if your too heavy for people to lift you into aisle chair....is there a floor hoist available?