SnappingTurtle
Senior Member
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- GA, USA
My husband pushes me in a transport wheelchair (wc), when we go on infrequent trips. It occurred to me (while this current one is almost over) that I should have researched travel tips especially since this was my first flight in 5 years. I am compiling this list while memory is fresh,.and hope that others can contribute.
Wheelchair Travel Tips:
1. When flying...
a. leaving your vehicle at the airport/handicap placard
If you have handicap plates and placard, then great! You can take your placard on your trip to use with your rental vehicle. We only have a placard, so we had to park in a regular space that was quite far and narrow. I don't know if it is possible to get two. I guess we can apply for another for our second vehicle.
b. do request wheelchair assistance even if you plan on using your own wc around the airport
This ensures your ticket is marked so that the airlines know to give you and your companions preferential treatment like being one of the first groups to board!
c. there are lines for travelers with handicaps and strollers at TSA security checkpoints
When you get to the xray machine, those who can stand up are asked to walk through the machine. I stood, but regretted it because iI have hyperadrenergic POTS (which my ME specialist said can be especially fatiguing) and t took longer than I expected for my carry-ons and wc to be inspected (5 mins), and there are no seats. Next time, I will just immediately sit on the floor.
d. do bring a book or craft project (like knitting or crocheting) to keep you occupied while waiting, without having to rely on an electronic device like a smartphone or e-reader
Helps me deal with the boredom but still keeps me present or in the moment. I find crocheting almost meditative, though I only do it in short spurts because it also eats up my energy.
e. take a wheelchair bag with you
It conveniently hangs on back of your wc. It carried an empty reusable water bottle (fill with water from gate areas, after security checkpoint), my book, crochet, light sweater, wide brim hat, sunglasses and medications.
f. when you get to the gate, inform the gate agent that you need wheelchair assistance
It seems redundant but won't hurt to make this important fact known. We flew Delta, and they were very accommodating. We ended up boarding the plane first, even though our boarding group was later.
g. gate checking your wc
Don't forget to detach any detachable parts from the wc before handing to the airline. In my case, this meant the footrests and the wheelchair bag.
h. main cabin wheelchair storage cabinet
Apparently, if your wc is portable enough, you can store it in the closet on a first come, first served basis. This reduces likelihood that your wc may be damaged. We managed to get our wc i. the closet (sans wc bag), but should have just left the footrests on. It would have fit just fine.
i. If you do use the airport's wheelchair service, be prepared to tip. Look up how much is recommended online.
j. When taking ground transportation, most shuttles or buses sill have a designated handicap loading ramp. Ask the driver. Some buses have lifts or can kneel.
We didn't know any better and felt rushed, so sat cramped then had to hold my chair awkwardly and unnecessarily had to carry my backpack (using up precious energy).
2. When sightseeing...
a. check ahead what attractions are accessible, usually their own website, and customer reviews at travel websites like tripadvisor or yelp
I found state or federally run sites to be the most consistently accessible. I was very pleasantly surprised at how accommodating they were, from employees to the ramps and paved paths. I am so glad ADA was passed.
b. always ask if there is a discount for disabled customers
At one park, my husband's ticket was free because he was pushing me in the wc. Sometimes, the ticket agent will give a younger person a senior's discount, if you are nice.
c. parking in a big or busy city - again research ahead
I live in a small town and parking was never a problem. Be prepared to pay an arm and a leg, especially if parking is scarce. On our visit to a popular city, we had to be $40 usd for valet parking overnight because street or underground parking would have cost the same.
We were lucky one time in a different city, to have found one handicap spot on a side street, but the sidewalks were so poorly maintained that we were forced to take my wc on the street!
d. stay hydrated and pill organizer
It is so easy to get distracted and forget to take medications and drink lits of liquid. I use my smart phone to remind me. It helped to keep a large 1 liter water bottle with me, which I kept frozen for long car rides. I also got one of those pill organizers for which the days's medication can be taken separately and placed in my purse. Less bulky that way.
e. entering elevators or through doorways with a slight step
It may be obvious to most, but we had to learn to back into elevators or when stepping up. When pulling into the elevator frontwards, it was very awkward (tou are staring at a wall), and my husband would sometimes try to "wriggle" the chair to turn it facing toward the door. Most of the time, there was no space to do it, and I always worried the wc wheels would get damaged trying to move it sideways and all. Going in backwards just seems more civilized.
Most people we encountered on this trip were very understanding, polite and helpful. I know this won't always be the case, but it made a big difference in how I experienced my trip.
This is all, so far. Hope this helps someone.
Wheelchair Travel Tips:
1. When flying...
a. leaving your vehicle at the airport/handicap placard
If you have handicap plates and placard, then great! You can take your placard on your trip to use with your rental vehicle. We only have a placard, so we had to park in a regular space that was quite far and narrow. I don't know if it is possible to get two. I guess we can apply for another for our second vehicle.
b. do request wheelchair assistance even if you plan on using your own wc around the airport
This ensures your ticket is marked so that the airlines know to give you and your companions preferential treatment like being one of the first groups to board!
c. there are lines for travelers with handicaps and strollers at TSA security checkpoints
When you get to the xray machine, those who can stand up are asked to walk through the machine. I stood, but regretted it because iI have hyperadrenergic POTS (which my ME specialist said can be especially fatiguing) and t took longer than I expected for my carry-ons and wc to be inspected (5 mins), and there are no seats. Next time, I will just immediately sit on the floor.
d. do bring a book or craft project (like knitting or crocheting) to keep you occupied while waiting, without having to rely on an electronic device like a smartphone or e-reader
Helps me deal with the boredom but still keeps me present or in the moment. I find crocheting almost meditative, though I only do it in short spurts because it also eats up my energy.
e. take a wheelchair bag with you
It conveniently hangs on back of your wc. It carried an empty reusable water bottle (fill with water from gate areas, after security checkpoint), my book, crochet, light sweater, wide brim hat, sunglasses and medications.
f. when you get to the gate, inform the gate agent that you need wheelchair assistance
It seems redundant but won't hurt to make this important fact known. We flew Delta, and they were very accommodating. We ended up boarding the plane first, even though our boarding group was later.
g. gate checking your wc
Don't forget to detach any detachable parts from the wc before handing to the airline. In my case, this meant the footrests and the wheelchair bag.
h. main cabin wheelchair storage cabinet
Apparently, if your wc is portable enough, you can store it in the closet on a first come, first served basis. This reduces likelihood that your wc may be damaged. We managed to get our wc i. the closet (sans wc bag), but should have just left the footrests on. It would have fit just fine.
i. If you do use the airport's wheelchair service, be prepared to tip. Look up how much is recommended online.
j. When taking ground transportation, most shuttles or buses sill have a designated handicap loading ramp. Ask the driver. Some buses have lifts or can kneel.
We didn't know any better and felt rushed, so sat cramped then had to hold my chair awkwardly and unnecessarily had to carry my backpack (using up precious energy).
2. When sightseeing...
a. check ahead what attractions are accessible, usually their own website, and customer reviews at travel websites like tripadvisor or yelp
I found state or federally run sites to be the most consistently accessible. I was very pleasantly surprised at how accommodating they were, from employees to the ramps and paved paths. I am so glad ADA was passed.
b. always ask if there is a discount for disabled customers
At one park, my husband's ticket was free because he was pushing me in the wc. Sometimes, the ticket agent will give a younger person a senior's discount, if you are nice.
c. parking in a big or busy city - again research ahead
I live in a small town and parking was never a problem. Be prepared to pay an arm and a leg, especially if parking is scarce. On our visit to a popular city, we had to be $40 usd for valet parking overnight because street or underground parking would have cost the same.
We were lucky one time in a different city, to have found one handicap spot on a side street, but the sidewalks were so poorly maintained that we were forced to take my wc on the street!
d. stay hydrated and pill organizer
It is so easy to get distracted and forget to take medications and drink lits of liquid. I use my smart phone to remind me. It helped to keep a large 1 liter water bottle with me, which I kept frozen for long car rides. I also got one of those pill organizers for which the days's medication can be taken separately and placed in my purse. Less bulky that way.
e. entering elevators or through doorways with a slight step
It may be obvious to most, but we had to learn to back into elevators or when stepping up. When pulling into the elevator frontwards, it was very awkward (tou are staring at a wall), and my husband would sometimes try to "wriggle" the chair to turn it facing toward the door. Most of the time, there was no space to do it, and I always worried the wc wheels would get damaged trying to move it sideways and all. Going in backwards just seems more civilized.
Most people we encountered on this trip were very understanding, polite and helpful. I know this won't always be the case, but it made a big difference in how I experienced my trip.
This is all, so far. Hope this helps someone.
Last edited:
Backing in to elevators is not a thing I've heard them tell of. And now that you mention it, yes, there rarely would be room to turn around to face the door, especially in some hotel elevators encountered. Will have to remember to mention that if elevators come up in conversation.
May I copy your insights in to a Notepad note to share if they are interested?
Told about this morning. Group facilitator Tom said send it to him and he'd make it available to everybody.