Not getting off the plane until you know your chair is waiting for you because you are the pilot's responsibility. That is SUCH a brilliant tip. Thank you!
FWIW depending on the jurisdiction, it's possible they can require you to deplane at some point. As with most things, it's best to be keenly aware of the specific rules where you happen to be/the policies of your specific airline etc.
Really appreciate this tip. I’m so sorry this happened! It’s terrible they just left you there. I’m glad you & your chair were finally reunited & you had a great trip in the end.
It is utterly terrifying when your wheelchair doesn't appear. Last time I travelled through Manchester, they provided a child size chair as the guy refused to bring mine. The cabin crew told me to wait on board until my chair was produced but I didn't want to make a fuss. BIG MISTAKE! I was in a lot of pain before I was reunited with my chair and very upset. I'm not as brave as Gem. I was definitely in tears and took days to recover. Lesson learned. Always insist on your own wheelchair being brought to the aircraft before you leave it
So scary - all airport/airline staff should be made to watch videos like this, to see the vulnerable position they left you in. A wheelchair users worst nightmare! But you were very brave 😊
I went to high school to a vocational school. You do all during the first two years and then you choose what you prefer (hotel hostess, tourism in general, waitress, chef, pastry chef). One day the teachers of the practical classes came with a wheelchair and, taking tours, we had to sit in it and role play how to better help… They did it with the wheelchair, blindfolding and putting earplugs on so we would know how to behave.
I flew solo with a mobility scooter. Not far for me just from Sacramento CA to Los Angeles CA. I was sitting there on the empty airplane waiting for my scooter and the flight crew asked me if I was leaving. I explained I can't leave until my scooter arrives as I can't walk. That scooter was there in no time at all. For sure NEVER get off the plane until you see your wheelchair or scooter. This looks like a very scary situation especially traveling solo. Thank you for sharing your experience and helping other disabled people.
I’ve started adding an A4 label in the language of the destination country saying “please return to aircraft door” Taped to the folded down backrest so it’s easily visible.
It's always beneficial to look up the laws that govern your airline and the country you are going to. They're all different. I would have probably reached out to Wheel the World for assistance in this situation, since they booked the travel and that is the entire purpose of going through a company like that - to get assistance. They might have been able to assist with things like the language barriers.
I have a friend who is a wheelchair user and she was the one who was telling me about staying on the plane. I remember it so vividly when I think about flying. Although I'm not a wheelchair user yet, I definitely remember that's a hugely important thing. Glad you finally got your chair! And Happy Mother's Day!
I was coming home from a holiday once with my sister. She watched my wheelchair get loaded onto the coach and then got on the bus with me. When we got to the airport my chair was not on bus. The bus driver had decided he wasn’t going to have it in his bus. I needed that chair! I had to wait until reps could arrange to get my chair collected on another run to airport. I nearly missed my flight due to this. How dare someone decide not to put my wheelchair on his bus!
Unfortunately this happened in Turkey so difficult to get in touch with driver. He wasn’t a usual tour bus driver and he was rather grumpy. My sister felt awful as she had seen him put it in bus. I think he took it back out to put someone’s luggage and forgot to put it back! It took them a couple of hours to get it to me! Had to sit in an uncomfortable airport chair.
It is not an easy feeling waiting for one’s legs to show up at the boarding door. I usually sit by the window so I can see them stowing or bringing up my chair. Nerve wracking to say the least.
It was very nice to meet you going through security and glad you had a great time. Me and my wife just watched your video, and love that you show that no matter what you can still fulfill anything. Wishing you and your family all the very best for the future and definitely be watching more from you. Gary and Sarah
How sweet you are! I'm terrified of flying, but watching Gem makes it seem much easier. Taking the complications out of flying for people with disabilities is a great encouragement for us.
I learned from your video about refusing to get off aircraft til wheelchair at door last time I flew to Cape Verde and I even spoke to captain saying it his responsibility to find chair. He did not agree with it been his responsibility but i refused to leave aircraft til I could see wheelchair and low and behold captain went and got wheelchair within 5 minutes. Morocco was not brilliant when I flew for wheelchair friendly helping and assistance. But I never forget your tips and always refuse to leave til see chair. Cape Verde is brilliant for wheelchair assistance. Both countries are not that wheelchair accessible outside of hotels in my personal opinion.
That is my golden rule - never ever get off your aircraft seat until your chair is at the gate, no matter what happens and take all the detachable parts off your chair and keep them with you on the plane. This same thing happened to me, they lost my wheelchair first and then brought it to me after 3 hours, completely destroyed and unusable. Has anyone traveled with your manual wheelchair and the batec? Any tips for a smooth journey with the batec?
This was a very helpful video. I am deaf and walk with a walker but would need a wheelchair in my local large airport (OHare). Very good tips. Thank you
As a wheelchair user for 37 years, since the age of 18 (fast math LOL), unfortunately, I can say that travel has become more difficult...at least here in the US. One thing that has been tough has been security. Eight of my last ten flights have flagged me after they do the chemical analysis on my chair, wheels, shoes, and hands. I live in a port city, with heavy industry, and millions of fellow citizens. My wheelchair picks up every chemical on the ground. These security stops often run so long that the buffer I build into my schedule is erased. The anxiety alone is enough to make me want to quit traveling. Next, early bording, and priority seating are no longer any different from anyone else. Anyone can board early if they pay a little bit more. Another problem...flights taking off on time. If they do not...and start to sit on the runway, we can run into a health issue (skin, restroom, circulation...) in no time. I typically make every attempt to pick the first flight of the day. Another big on is hotels. When I was first injured, one could get into their hotel by 11...just so long as the request had been made. Now...3 - 4pm. Those hours up can put a big strain on people. But...here is my biggest issue over the previous five years...3rd Party Websites. Third Party Websites will often show photos of the room/bathroom. Here is the problem...those photos, in my experience, are not worth a dime. I have driven hours and hours to reach a hotel...advertised as fully wheelchair accessible with roll-in shower, fold down bench...only to find these hotels don't have any roll-in showers, or benches. They have tubs with stools, for people who can stand, but need to sit some. Wow...I can ramble. Sorry. Let's keep on these hospitality giants to make their spaces more accessible and accommodating..and keep an eye those who should be policing these mistakes in the design phase before they are built. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you for your comment. Wow the thing you said about your chair picking up chemicals must be so scary. It worries me sometimes. I totally agree with you, and know about all the issue you talk about. Travel with a disability sure isn’t easy!
I always call hotels to confirm the info on the website. Third party websites are a problem, but even booking directly through the hotel online will sometimes find you in a room you did not ask for. And what US airline is allowing folks to pay to board early? The ACAA (air carrier access act) says you go first, no matter what the airline says. I'd seriously have to request a CSO (conflict resolution officer) if I were put in that position
@@BirchLeafPhotography I can't remember specific names but there are airlines that do that. It has been more than a few years since I've flown, but I remember they started doing that. You had disabled people and mothers/mothers to be needing to get on the flight first, but they would be trapped at the end of a very long line of abled people who paid to get on early. This caused boarding to be three times as long because all the abled people got on first, then there were problems trying to get everyone else on.
With people paying extra to board early, it depends on the airline - e.g. on United, you can pay to get priority boarding, but disabled, families with children under 2, and active military still get to preboard (at no cost) before any of the people who paid for priority boarding are allowed to board. It might be that there's confusion about the terminology of "preboarding" vs. "priority boarding", which, at least on United, are two completely different things.
When I landed at Faro there was only one assistance man for the whole airport. I was separated from my family and he played relay with the accessibility customers pushing us and leaving us and going back for the next one and then pushing us and leaving us. I had expected my wheelchair at the door and I was so anxious... not knowing if my chair was lost or not and of course with no family there to calm me. when we finally made it to the carosel my wheelchair didnt come because it had been sent to large luggage. I was relieved to get my chair but by this time it was late at night and the minibus that was picking us up to take us to our hire car was nowhere to be seen and the office wasnt picking up the phone. I was in a bit of a state if I am honest. it all got sorted and we arrived at our villa very late at night. It took me a couple of days to recover from the anxiousness and stress and I was really worried about the journey back. thankfully that went as planned except for the number of times i got asked about my batteries. We fly to orlando in september and I have decided to leave my chair at home use the airport wheelchairs and assistance and hire a mobility scooter once we get there. the worry of losing or damaging my wheelchair was just too much. I am lucky that I can walk very short distances with walking sticks or people to lean on. I really felt for you watching that vlog and understand your feelings completly. I had intended to film our portugal trip for my channel but when things go wrong the last thing I am thinking about is getting the camera out.
Hi Gem, I am so sorry to hear about your journey. I have flown out of Gatwick many times! I fly a lot … I recommend air tagging your luggage and wheelchair and then you can trace it when you get to the airport. I get very nervous about my chair and I find the AirTag very comforting. I waited an hour and a half in Miami for my wheelchair that BA had put in the wrong place on the plane. Travel can be tricky, so far Emirates was very good and Dubai amazingly wheelchair friendly. Flying Virgin later in the year, am interested to see how they shape up.
Hi. Really appreciated this video. I have in fact travelled by air quite a few times with wheelchair. Sometimes alone, more often with husband. We like to think we are educating ground staff around the world on how wheelchairs work with aircraft! Yes, fully agree, don’t move until your chair has been unloaded and is at the door of the plane. And yes, photograph everything. I’m not trying to brag, but I often point out that my Kuschall chair with Alber E motion powered wheels, is of comparable value to a small car. So I have every reason to be fussy. But almost every time, it has worked ok!
In 2003 my the roommate and I flew into Gatwick. Between my fibromyalgia and injuries to my feet, I can't walk very far. We had requested assistance and a lovely gentleman helped us with a riding cart and got our bags. Our first two he found easily since I had painted her initials on her bag and mine on mine. However, the third bag I had painted like a Tardis. We kept telling him it looked like a Tardis. Apparently our sort of Texas accents confused him until I saw it - my friend couldn't see it because if it is more than a meter away she can't see it - and pointed it out. "Oh! A TAaaadis!" he said. I guess because we still pronounce the "r" it confused him... Why yes, we were/are Doctor Who fans but we were there for a Tomorrow People event.
When I flew to Germany, the airline lost my wheelchair coming home. Luckily, I had rented a chair just for this trip since I knew all of the rough streets would be hard on my normal chair. It took the airline 10 days to find and deliver the rented wheelchair back to the vendor. It was nerve-racking.
Having had this experience myself (although thankfully not in Morocco!), my stomach was in knots for you. I’m so glad your chair eventually arrived safely.
OGGG! I loved seeing the airport compared to Toronto. Toronto is also large and overwhelming. I flew with my chair in February. It was my third time flying with a chair. Overall it was a smooth experience. Most of the staff were amazing. When I arrived at my destination, there were stairs to exit the aircraft. My wheelchair didn’t get “gate checked” because there is no gate. It went to baggage even though it was supposed to be delivered to the stairs. Of course the staff were rushing me off the plane. It’s a turnaround flight. Someone from our flight ended up bringing me my chair from the baggage carousel!! Like what are the staff even doing?! 😅 That was the second time that happened. (same destination, 2018 and 2023) Next time I’m going to use the airport chair or stay on the plane until they bring mine.
Ugh, Toronto! I fly back and forth between BC and NL and I prefer WestJet over AirCanada because I can use the smaller Abbottsford airport on the BC side. The downside is that WestJet has a cluster of 6 arrival gates at Toronto that are on the other side of a 20-minute tunnel from the rest of the domestic gates, and my connections that end up having us deplane there never also have us departing from there.
I've not been reunited with my wheelchair at the gate twice. Fortunately, I wasn't travelling alone and both times it was a case of the wheelchair leaving the plane before I did and the baggage handlers not realising it was to be collected at the gate, also both times special assistance were waiting with a wheelchair. First time was at Gatwick and I was quite distressed because special assistance didn't seem at all confident where it was, it came on the carousel, which bothered me that it could have been thrown and got damaged. The second time was at Abu Dhabi and shockingly what they said was they only offer that service if you fly Etihad, however, they were also totally confident it would be in the oversized baggage collection area and were generally reassuring and polite, I was more worried about theft (or another special assistance person moving it) than it not being where they said it would be. It was where they said it would be.
I am somewhat disabled and can't walk long distances but I can walk and I don't have my own wheelchair. When travelling on my own through large airports there is a risk I will become so exhausted I cant physically get to the gate so I book wheelchair assistance with someone to help me and push me to the gate. I usually am OK if I am with my wife so I only use this when I absolutely have to. I took a flight using a wheelchair assistance and on a flight to Brussels from the Birmingham. On arrival they wouldn't let me off the plane even though I could get down the steps as my assistance wasn't at the gate. Just like Gem, I waited a very long time for a scissor lift truck to arrive while the cabin staff chatted to me and the cleaners came on board. Eventually the scissor lift truck took me off and I drove around the airport in a glass cabin on a truck about 15 feet off the floor strapped in a wheelchair. I am glad I did wait as the distance to the arrival hall at Brussels was very long and it was late and the airport was deserted. I had a fabulous young woman who was training to be a Cordon Blue chef at college and earning a bit of money in the airport who pushed me a long way. Very good advice. Don't get off until you absolutely know where your wheelchair is. The crew were excellent on my plane and yes I did feel like they were doing their best and really were taking responsibility for me.
My hat goes off to all of those wheelchair users that likes flying.. Not me i couldn't deal with that.. i seen one video where this wheelchair user said by her being in a wheelchair she was the first one on the aircraft and the last one off. Its not worth the trouble flying to me...
This is exactly why I’m terrified to fly. I don’t get why each plane doesn’t have a few spots where they can tie a wheelchair down so if you wish you can stay in your chair. I’m in a power chair the the idea of it going missing or getting broken terrifies me.
thank you for saying this!! i really don't get it either - they'd make a lot more money that way if they wouldn't have to keep getting sued/called out/losing money for breaking ppl's wheelchairs in baggage handling! plus, they could either make the gates accessible, or for smaller airports, use an elevator that rolls up to the plane much like the weird airplane stairs. i doubt it'd be hard. they design double decker airplanes, triple sometimes, even... so i don't get what's so complicated ab accessible ones...
I'm with you on that one - I find it really frustrating, too, though for me, it stems from the fact that my legs are just a bit too short for the airplane seats (half the time that I choose to take my chair somewhere, it's because I know that the chairs wherever I'm going are going to be too big for me and thus kill my joints if I sit in them for more than a couple minutes). The difficulty comes from the wheelchairs not having been crash tested, for lack of a better term - the seats on the plane have been tested to the extreme, so having everyone sit in a plane seat drastically decreases the liability. I know that at least some countries or some airlines are working on a solution (I don't know any particulars, only that some are), but it's a really tricky problem to solve. But I'm 100% with you - I think it should be an option, too.
@@SnowySpiritRuby Yeah, I just read about how the Qstraint system I use to take the bus and not go flying is apparently tested to be good to 20Gs! Which is incredible. That's well above airline standards, so I really hope we all get to wheel onto an airplane someday.
At least in the US it's because wheelchair tie downs haven't met crash safety standards. They are private organizations that claim to have gotten acceptable results with private testing, but without official testing, things are pretty much stuck. Both the department of transportation and the FAA have said they would consider revising the regulations if/when that happens.
Wow you handled that so well! The minute you got off the plane I got stressed for you even though I knew you were home with your chair. I honestly would have had a full meltdown there. At least you know to stay on the plane next time.
Wow! That was wild. I've been in a similar situation and you reminded me of how suffocating the whole situation can be. It's a great idea to take photos of your wheelchair and luggage! I travel a lot by myself and this can be very helpful. Thank you for sharing! I look forward to the next chapters of your adventure. I have a love/hate relationship with traveling alone, something that I used to do frequently when I was your age... and you had to present a medical proof of being healthy enough to travel alone 🙄 (the nineties). There's a lot of advocacy still to be done, and your vlog is a great evidence-based tool. Keep up the great work!
You are SO BRAVE!!! I’m 60, and I NEVER travel without a handicapped assistance person - either family or a friend! I’m reduced nearly to tears EVERY TRIP I HAVE TO TAKE A FLIGHT FOR! They either destroy my chair or strand me somewhere, never pick me up, or cause me to miss a connection ; I cannot imagine going it alone if I’m flying! It’s funny how at my sometimes exotic destinations, even if I don’t speak the language, I never have issues - but stick me in an airport and the kaka hits the oscillation device! Kudos to you!
I had the exact same problem, and the people check my luggage assured me a 'door tag was not nessisary where I was going... a 40 hours trip with multiple connections... naturally I did not see my chair again till I got to my destination and all my layovers were hell
thank you for sharing your travel experience, when I last traveled think it was Italy (I travel A LOT for work so I forget) I followed you tip about not getting of the plane till they had my chair there and I had to wait 45 minuets for it but they were really nice about at and I was with someone else waiting for their chair too so we had a great chat. turn out I went to the same school as them but they were a few years below me. and the staff on the plane were really helpful too and offered us a drink and stuff. looking forward to your next Video soon. Also is there anyway we could have a updated video about your new wheelchair now that you have had It a year or so has your option changed or anything you might have done differantly.
Damn... the way you were treated at the airport in Morocco was terrible imho. I'd file a complaint if possible. Thank you for the video. It was very informative!
I have traveled with my rollator, no problems. I checked it and had a chair push to gate. Once I had used a more foldable one and when it came at baggage claim, a 3 generational family from abroad helped me unfold. It was an amazing experience. Probably because I was traveling solo. Another thought, next time I travel I am just going to rent a powerchair to be delivered to my location. Then no worries about damages to mine.
This is really helpful! Thank you for sharing your journey and the tips! I'm off on my first solo flight with my wheelchair in two weeks. My chair was broken by the last airline I flew with and had to be held together with gaffer tape for 6 months, so I'm so incredibly nervous! Especially because I'm travelling for a dance comp so it's a new expensive custom dance chair 😬😳 I'll definitely be watching for any more tips and tricks! 😀🧡🍑
Oh Gem when you were waiting for your wheelchair I could see on your face how much pain you were in and it made me sad. I can so relate to the pain. I've never traveled since breaking my back and becoming a wheelchair user, I plan to but the time and the expense is an issue. I had no idea how expensive it is to be disabled, it was such an eye opener.
Oh my lord, you are SO brave to travel solo. I want so much to travel again, but I’m too scared to do it. I’ve been travelling solo to the UK several times and had assistance (I used a walking stick and couldn’t walk long distances), some of the experiences were not so good (looking at you Heathrow Airport!) and that was before my chronic illness got worse and my walking distance is even shorter. Now I’m an ambulant wheelchair user and I have no idea whatsoever what to ask for when it comes to assistance, and it is very hard to find information when your an ambulant wheelchair user. So if anyone has any good tips, ideas, where to look online, what airlines to avoid, etc, please let me know. Also Gem, you are amazing. I love your videos and you have taught me SO much. Love from Denmark
I've been an ambulatory wheelchair user for almost 5 years and all 8 trips I've flown in that time have been solo. I booked wheelchair assistance for the first 4 (I got a SmartDrive right after the 4th trip, so I no longer need assistance). I don't know how the rules differ from one country to the next because I haven't flown internationally since I started using one, but, at least here in the U.S., the times I've needed wheelchair assistance for getting through the airport, I never had an issue with booking it through the airline when I made my reservation (to give a little perspective to just how easy it was to book it, I can walk distances on uneven surfaces perfectly fine without any help or mobility aids, but I can't on smooth ones (including through airports) without significant help, hence the need for the chair, so a very ambulatory w/c user, yet I still had zero issues booking assistance). Some airlines offer the option to book assistance as part of the reservation process, others you have to call to request it. I will also note that I always travel carryon-only with a regular size backpack and an either 16.5" or 19" suitcase. Because I could always get myself from the car to the check-in desk without help (either wheeling in my chair or using it as a walker, depending on how much of a rush I was in), I checked in online and printed my boarding passes the night before, then, when I got to the airport, I also checked in at the actual desk (not a kiosk, if the airport has them) to confirm that my assistance request did in fact make it onto my reservation (their computer systems can go wonky sometimes, so I needed to make sure it got onto it on their end, even though it always showed up on it on my end) - sometimes it had, sometimes it hadn't. Don't know how it works in other countries, but TSA is the security we have here in the U.S., and what to expect for those of us who use mobility aids is spelled out very clearly on this page of their website: www(dot)tsa(dot)gov/travel/special-procedures (I'd copy-paste the actual link, but then youtube would block my comment), and select "Mobility Disabilities, Aids & Devices" in the dropdown menu. Here in the U.S. (again, I don't know other countries' rules), the wheelchair assistance people aren't obligated to stay with us while we wait at the gate, so here we have to be prepared to be on our own once we get to the gate, so we'll need to plan for how we're going to manage our luggage on our own, as well as taking care of anything we want or need to do (e.g. shopping, getting food, using the restroom, etc.). When boarding, if you'll need assistance at the next airport, ask the flight attendant to call ahead to let them know you need someone to meet you at the gate when you land. Are you thinking to bring your own chair or just use the airport ones? I've always flown with my personal chair, but if the airport is the only place you'll need a chair (or if you'll be renting a mobility device at your destination to use during the trip itself), you'll most likely (again, don't know what or how rules differ between countries) be able to just use an airport wheelchair, which does take a lot of stress off because you don't have to worry about baggage handlers damaging your expensive chair. I can't really give advice on which airlines to avoid because I've only flown United since I started using a chair, but I've found that, on the whole, in my own personal experience, they've been great - zero damage to my chair on the first 6 trips, and even though I was given a long runaround when one of my brakes broke because United wasn't the operator, even though it was a United plane and crew, the second time it happened, the crew had notified the appropriate people before I even got off the plane, so someone was already on the way to help me get it taken care of before I even found out that the brake was broken, and everything was completely taken care of by the end of that day (good thing, too, because that trip was only 5 days long, and I had to have the replacement brake installed before I flew home no matter what, which the manufacturer had to mail me). Other people have said that they had a terrible experience with United, so I think it really depends on the individual passenger, the individual crews (ground and flight), and the individual gate agents, and less on the airline itself. I've heard good things about JetBlue, Southwest, and whichever airline it was that Gem flew when she went to the Rollettes dance experience (I think it was 2019, but might have been 2018). Hope that helps a bit. I'd be happy to discuss it more, but it's past midnight where I am and I'm out of energy, so that's all I can type at the moment. My reply above (comments sorted by newest) to Lu Yue has some additional info that I don't have the energy to type out again here, so I suggest checking that one out, too.
This happened to me the first time I flew independently (also first time flying as full time wheelchair user ahhh!). My wheelchair came out last on the conveyor belt after an anxious entire hour sat waiting for it. Next time I am definitely going to waiting on the plane until it’s brought to me!
Thanks so much for posting this. I used to travel a lot but never in a wheelchair. I am braving it and I appreciate all your helpful advice especially since I am flying into Gatwick! I especially appreciate the idea about remaining on the plane!
They did that to me in Paris too, when I arrived I had to get onto an airport wheelchair and go to the baggage claim area and there was my wheelchair, where just about anyone could have grabbed it.
Sorry you had those problems. So far I have found Spanish Vueling to have the nicest people to help you on/off and in the airplane airport. Great tip do not leave the plane without your chair… as they are on a timetable I wonder would they just stay till you have your chair or would they just schlep you on to their next destination …
your video blog is amazing, this is why I gave up flying because, the aircrafts are terrible, they lost my cushion on one trip and another I was left for 3 hours plus, like you it leaves you vulnerable and scared, you were great not to get upset, as I was in tears.
Thanks for an insightful video. During a hike I broke my ankle. I live alone so I have to go back to my country to get surgries and therapies. I am worried about traveling with broken ankle, your video is very helpful. God bless you
I hate ile 💺 chairs, I've been pulled to fast backwards and injured my elbows, as my hands bounced off my knees. I use my crutches to swing to my seat and I can get to the loo. It also means they have to make sure my chair comes to the door.
Wow I really felt the stress and I really empathise with that feeling being vulnerable with a wheelchair that you can push. Thank you for sharing your experience ❤
Thank you for the informative video. To watch you being dumped and left to fend for yourself is horrendous. It would want me to not to travel abroad. You think they would have had a aisle chair so you could go to the bathroom or even move your nearer to the toilets would have being better. the idea of taken photos of your wheelchair and luggage is something i would remember when hopefully i will travel abroad for the first time next year. Any tips for a first time traveller abroad who is a wheelchair user and a amputee? Brenda
I have really enjoyed your video. I have been a paraplegic since 2007 and I have traveled to many countries around the world, including Canada France, England, Japan multiple times I am currently in the Philippines and my next day will be in Thailand and Indonesia. I think more of us need to make videos like this, in order to make travel more accessible, and Airlines understand how important it is to take care of our wheelchairs. I have been kind of a loner as far as interacting with other paraplegic score wheelchair users, but your video has inspired me to start up my page again, and help to educate people who don't understand. Thank you so much once again
I recently traveled alone for the first time since getting my chair. Went great on the way out, but when I landed back at home they just refused to bring me my chair. Told me I had to go to baggage claim to get it. There was someone with a push-only chair to transport me but that chair hurt like a bitch to sit in and she didn't speak english well (I get it was a french airline, but how do you have transporters who don't speak english in San Francisco airport??). We got to baggage claim and she didn't even know where my chair was. We finally found it on its side unattended in the corner. I'm amazed it doesn't seem to be damaged honestly.
I won’t fly again after (despite pre booking assistance etc) Virgin left me stranded, didn’t provide assistance on way out…on return they left me on plane for 2 hrs waiting for assistance & kept asking if I could get myself to my wheelchair which was (thankfully) waiting at the door….Gatwick is just dreadful re assistance Vegas were fab. In other airports, were they take your chair to get through terminal & put you on a ‘golf kart’ they’ve mislaid my chair & I’ve missed flight & connections….grrr On previous trips, airport wrecked too many chairs PS I also cancelled a KLM solo trip to Oman (to see friends) after it transpired at transfer point, as solo traveler, they could refuse me getting onto plane as they might ‘assess’ my as unable to look after my needs. This, apparently is due to the amount of passengers that relatives put on planes without carers who eg need feeding etc & staff therefore able to decline solo disabled passenger at gate boarding 🙀
I hate travelling so much. I can barely do fun things in my area let alone travelling around in the states--and I would never travel internationally. That sounds like endless misery with my disabilities. Thank God i dont have a job that requires travel and i dont have a natural wanderlust anyway so i dont feel like i'm missing anything. But this is just me personally. All people should be able to travel accessibly!
Question. Next time you take a trip, will you stay in your seat until your chair arrives? I'm glad you had an amazing time, but that was terrible how the airline worker treated you when it came to your wheelchair. I am afraid to travel. Not only do I need a wheelchair, I also have Celiac Disease. It's hard enough getting safe food here in America, let alone in a country that has a different language. It brings me so much joy to see you travel and have fun; you are so brave.
Thank you so much for this video. I thank God it turned out “ok”. Wondering what kind of cushion you were referring to and where to get one. Thank you again for this invaluable information.
This is really useful because I can't push myself very far and it's hard to find info that's relevant to me. I don't own an electric chair due to my particular needs.
I’m flying to Canada next summer and I’m so terrified because I have a powered electric wheelchair and a manual chair and I can’t decide which to take. I know I’d have a much better holiday with my powerchair but even little logistics like getting in a taxi etc is a breeze in a manual chair and I’d need medical luggage too and I have no idea how any of it works and I’m petrified😞
👋 from Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺. The hardest thing for me about flying is not having access to the toilets. I don't understand how airlines can get away with not having an accessible bathroom. Whether it be domestic or international, everyone needs to use the toilet at some stage. If we pay the same airfare we should have access to everything abled bodied travellers have access too. Because of this I always go to the toilet last thing before boarding & first thing after getting off the plane. The one & only time I checked my wheelchair, was the first time I travelled on a plane after becoming paraplegic. Being a bigger person, the aisle chairs aren't very comfortable. They brought my wheelchair to the baggage carousel. Both my suitcase & my wheelchair arrived in one piece. Now I take my chair to the aircraft door, change into the aisle chair. When leaving, I wait until they bring my chair to the aircraft door. I then transfer into my wheelchair at the door. I've never had my wheelchair lost which is a good thing. But I'm going to put a locator tag on it from now on, just in case. If you have an electric wheelchair these need to be checked in, as they need to be partially taken apart.
I had traveled to Panama and at the time I was using a walker. On the flight back, the airline left my walker in Panama. I was getting nervous waiting for your wheelchair to arrive!
You poor thing - what a drama. Completely captured in Morocco - such a difference to Gatwick, about my least favourite airport, but looks much friendly for wheelchair users. Glad all went well in the end - you must have been exhausted.
My heart dropped for you when you were stuck and in pain 😢glad you had a lovely bath at the end of all of that! Do you find, when you travel, that the assistance staff are friendlier when you are boarding versus when you are getting off the plane? Or was that just this experience?
Love your video, thank you for posting this. I’ve traveled extensively through the Middle East as a solo traveler with a disability. I don’t think that the “stay on the plane until your chair shows up” is good advice. Unfortunately a lot of airports in the Middle East and North Africa don’t bring your personal chair to the aircraft door. As policy, the chairs are treated as special baggage that must be claimed in baggage claim. Although I’ve similarly felt that angst of not seeing the chair show up and thinking the worst, if you insist on staying on the plane you’ll just end up generating a lot of anger and frustration in a country where you may not speak the language.
More than that. Its extremely expensive to stay longer then the time alocated on the gate so they would definitely look real fast. But if definitely something needs to make in is a wheelchair
Im flying for the first time in a wheelchair from Gatwick in June and Im very nervous. Im scared of experiencing what you did. I get into a lot of pain too!
I think I made a mistake just as big by checking in online and completely missing the station where the assistance was! (right next to the check in desk). I was wandering around for 2 hours & could only find help once the gate was announced, which was almost too late. They were not happy with me!
Make sure you put luggage tags on your wheels because for some reason the ground crew takes the wheels off of your wheelchair. Plus if you use a transfer board and cushion, take them on board and do not check them. Thank God that they leave your wheelchair at the airport you left from! My team and I just got back from competition, and they lost a wheelchair going from Chicago O'Hare (I always say O'Hell, lol) to Dayton, Ohio. The guy was in his wheelchair getting transferred to the aisle chair on the jetway by the plane! How does this happen?!
The golden rule is absolutely insist your chair is tagged to return to door and NEVER get off the plane till you can see your chair at the door ! It has happened to me twice, i am a powered chair user. As it says in your video, till you leave the plane, no staff can leave either, so they will make damned sure the chair comes back !..... It took an hour once for it to return with ground crew telling me to trust them that it would be on the carousel, which i refused to do.... it returned eventually
Big Tip: I use a ROHO. Do not let go of your cushion until the last passenger is seated. Reason: people have been known to place things ontop of cushions. Also...let all of the air out if you are not using it.
Research. Research. Research. I’ve travelled solo internationally maybe something like 20 times & never had a serious issue. But you HAVE to know what you’re getting in to. Knowledge is power. The more you do it, the easier it becomes & things that seem daunting now will become second nature. Overall - just do it! 🌍
Is there a way to pull the suitcase if you have no one to help? I’d like to visit my family in the UK one day, but I live alone in Japan and I’ve never flown with a suitcase since getting my wheelchair. I went to Okinawa and Hokkaido, but I only took a huge backpack.
-I've clipped the top handle of mine to my backpack straps (regular non-wheelchair backpack hanging on the back of my chair), which required wide turns (all my suitcases are 2-wheel), and now I have luggage forks on the front of my current chair, so I set my suitcase on those and use a luggage strap to secure it to the front of the frame so it doesn't fall off (I got luggage forks on my chair for this exact reason); I've found that to be the way that works best for me, because it balances out my heavy personal item backpack that's on the back of my chair, and keeps the chair from flipping backwards when I need to get out of it if my backpack is still on the back, which also keeps my backpack clean. -Another method that MadetobeLindseyB shows in her video about flying with a wheelchair is, if the suitcase has 4 spinner wheels, to strap it to the front of your chair, either to one side if the strap is short (attach the suitcase side handle to the front of the frame), or both sides with a longer strap if it will work with where your feet sit on your footrest, which could, theoretically, potentially work with a 2-wheel suitcase as well if you do it right (watch the video to see how she does it with hers). -I've also, back when I had a folding frame chair, set my suitcase on my footrests and used carabiners and some paracord to secure it so it wouldn't fall (my luggage strap was too short to use with those chairs). I will mention that I always travel carryon only and always solo, but also don't travel with enough medical equipment to warrant needing an extra bag for it, so I don't have anyone else to help me (sometimes the flight attendants or other passengers have offered to help and I accept, but I never count on it). -Another option would be, if it's small enough, to set the suitcase on your lap, but I personally find that annoying after a few minutes (not to mention it makes me overheat). -When I was using a folding frame chair, I did utilize the airline's wheelchair assistance, but that was only because I couldn't wheel myself with all my luggage through the airport (I have a SmartDrive now, so that's no longer an issue). I don't know if this is universal for all airlines, or only for some of them, or only in certain countries or at certain airports, but there's a chance that you could request wheelchair assistance and instead of pushing your chair, the assistance person can pull your suitcase (here in the U.S., the assistance people work for the airline, but I don't know whether that's the case everywhere or not, so the rules might differ from one airline to the next, or one country to the next, or even one airport to the next - I just don't know; it might differ from one airline to the next here, too, but that's less likely because of the Air Carrier Access Act that's federal law here that governs all flights into, out of, and within the U.S., regardless of which airline it is); do note, though, that, generally, the assistance people will only be there from point A to point B (e.g. check-in desk to departure gate, arrival gate to departure gate on a layover, arrival gate to curb, etc.; i.e. they don't wait with you once you're at your gate, at least they don't here in the U.S. - I haven't flown internationally with my chair yet, only domestic flights, so I don't have experience with any other countries' rules on that) and once they get you there, they leave so that they can go help other people, so if you need or want to do anything in the in between time (e.g. get something to eat after you check in at your departure gate), you might be on your own, so something to keep in mind if booking assistance (you can call the airline or airport and ask how their wheelchair assistance works to find out all the particulars) and deciding how to attach your suitcase to your chair. A quick tip if you do decide to use wheelchair assistance - request assistance when you book (or however the airline does it - some you have to call, others list the option to request it in the booking process itself); make sure the request is on your reservation (either calling a day or two ahead if you need someone to meet you curbside to either request or confirm (depending on how the airline does it), or checking in at the actual airline desk - allow any extra time that might be needed if doing the latter) because their computer systems can get messed up, so even if it shows up as being on the reservation when you look it up, it doesn't mean it actually got on there; if you'll need assistance at any subsequent airports, when you board, ask the flight attendant to call ahead to the next airport to let them know you need someone to meet you at the gate when you arrive. Hope that gives you some ideas, but, obviously, not all chairs, suitcases, or wheelchair users are the same, so do what works for you, your chair, and your suitcase.
@@PrismYuuzuki You're welcome. It was quite the learning curve for me, so if I can shorten it for anyone else by sharing my experiences, I'm more than happy to do so.
Isn't it a human right to be able to go to the toilet? It's great that the staff were willing to help you, but realistically all they'd have been able to do is pick you up and carry you (which isn't particularly dignified). The UK government could make it law that any plane flying into or out of a UK airport has to be equipped with an aisle chair - it's a big enough market that it should force change (particularly if other countries followed suit). Abandoning you in the airport without your wheelchair wasn't ok either - it's a bit like tying an able-bodied person to a chair and leaving them there. A tip that I've seen for people with allergies travelling abroad, that might help you with language barriers too, is printing a card with a few key phrases in the local language(s). You could make these into a little booklet on a key chain like the communication aid cards for people with learning difficulties. Learning important words like wheelchair in the local language would also be useful. For future reference, "Where is my wheelchair?" in french is "Où est mon fauteuil roulant?" (literally "Where is my rolling armchair?" 😆). Rough pronunciation guide: "Oo eh mon foh-tie roo-lon?"
it's so frustrating how much of airlines' behaviour with disabled folks are a nightmare. it's also just... really humiliating to have to wait for an aisle chair if the plane even _has_ one on board - the aisle chair itself is more dignified than being carried for certain, but it still lacks the dignity of being able to get to the toilet yourself particularly bc its not a self-propelled wheelchair - due to its design, it must be pushed by other people. think about it - most (abled) folks, particularly adults, don't have to ask anyone in order to go to the bathroom on an airplane. if you can't move without a wheelchair - you've got to ring for the flight attendant in front of everyone. and then ask for the aisle chair. and then get pushed along in front of everyone straight to the bathroom, while everyone stares. the unfortunate other edge of the sword of inaccessibility is that often, able bodied ppl aren't used to seeing disabled folks in environments like airplanes, etc... so they tend to stare more than usual, bc it's more of a spectacle/surprising to them that you're there. this is mostly why the aisle chair sucks. aisle chairs and being left places to wait on your own are sort of the more standard, _normal_ airplane awfulness for wheelchair users. the other one that shouldn't be normal at all, but is _normalized_, is the part where baggage handlers somehow manage to brutally destroy wheelchairs in between the two destinations, and there's often no way to prior insure the wheelchair or hold the airline accountable that's been universalized or is easily accessed by disabled travellers. airlines rarely pay for replacements for mobility aids, or at least, not in a timely fashion. they tend to like to argue about who's job it is to pay for the new one first, for as long as possible. i rarely fly places bc of how airlines are and bc tickets expensive - but the times i have, i feel like the treatment i typically receive in airports is more appropriate for an annoyingly large suitcase, rather than a person with feelings and needs - at least until i'm physically on the plane.
@@nobodyimportant1968 Sorry you've had that experience. Other than redesigning planes to be able to accommodate wheelchairs, the best thing that airlines could do is ensure that all of their staff have had proper training and overall just treat disabled people like human beings with feelings. It's just basic decency, especially in a customer-facing role.
@@hannahk1306 1000%! the experience should definitely be made as bearable as possible for everyone involved until ppl finally realize it's much more profitable to design aircraft that allow wheelchair users to travel-in-place w/ mobility aids.
EasyJet is a low cost airway, it means some services are not available, some services are smaller, and the aircraft can land only on militar airports or airports adjacent a militar base or airport…
Can you name the hotels? My fiance is a para and would like to go to Morocco but we aren't big fans of organised tours, so info re accommodation would be ideal. Hope you had a great time!
What an absolute nightmare for you and you were treated disgustingly. I have never travelled on my own and never will. I would never be trusted to to be honest. I tend to let people walk all over me rather than argue and demand which then makes me out to be soft which I am not! Everyone, including family, would say to me “It’s your chair, it’s your responsibility to look after it.” Yeah, well, I can’t if it’s been taken away from me, can I!? No, the responsibility lies with the people who took it off you to make sure you get it back and in one piece. Any time I ever travelled there was always something wrong with my chair when I got it returned to me. Anyway. Moving on from that rant 😂 I hope you had a good time in Morocco and I can’t wait to see your upcoming videos 😀
so im thinking of traveling and i wanna know what the security is like as i never flew before , i have a part in my leg that i dont like anyone touching do they pat every single part or what ? sorry if it sound naive but this is making me very anxious
They were originally designed for skiers who needed a lightweight bag that didn't get in the way of their movements. I can't remember who told me that many years ago but it seems to make sense to me
Can you get someone to push you to the check in desk and take you to the plane?Also to take you to pick up your luggage and push you to your transport to take you to your hotel? Thanking You Hazel
+Wheelsnoheels *What brand enamel or lacquer on your tips? Both RIMMEL and Londontown Cosmetics are majors made in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,* but @KelliMarissa knows of a few indie nail vendors within the Realm.
My theory is that the aisle-chair was designed and utilised first by the Spanish Inquisition (nobody expects them) as means to persuade sinners to confess by torture. I have muscle dystrophy therefore I have no ass to speak of. The "padding" on the aisle-chair is more of a gesture than a meaningful something and I'm in so much pain while on it. Once in Madrid I sat on my bones for a good 40 minutes in the freezing passenger bridge until my (somewhat broken) powerchair arrived.
I can not imagine the panic. One thing I don't understand; it was a gift from a travel agency for people in wheelchairs to travel alone, shouldn't be someone at the airport's arrivals to help you? Gladly it all went well but still... it was a big stress for you.
Not getting off the plane until you know your chair is waiting for you because you are the pilot's responsibility. That is SUCH a brilliant tip. Thank you!
Pretty standard in my experience
FWIW depending on the jurisdiction, it's possible they can require you to deplane at some point. As with most things, it's best to be keenly aware of the specific rules where you happen to be/the policies of your specific airline etc.
Really appreciate this tip. I’m so sorry this happened! It’s terrible they just left you there. I’m glad you & your chair were finally reunited & you had a great trip in the end.
It is utterly terrifying when your wheelchair doesn't appear. Last time I travelled through Manchester, they provided a child size chair as the guy refused to bring mine. The cabin crew told me to wait on board until my chair was produced but I didn't want to make a fuss. BIG MISTAKE! I was in a lot of pain before I was reunited with my chair and very upset. I'm not as brave as Gem. I was definitely in tears and took days to recover.
Lesson learned. Always insist on your own wheelchair being brought to the aircraft before you leave it
So scary - all airport/airline staff should be made to watch videos like this, to see the vulnerable position they left you in. A wheelchair users worst nightmare! But you were very brave 😊
I went to high school to a vocational school. You do all during the first two years and then you choose what you prefer (hotel hostess, tourism in general, waitress, chef, pastry chef).
One day the teachers of the practical classes came with a wheelchair and, taking tours, we had to sit in it and role play how to better help…
They did it with the wheelchair, blindfolding and putting earplugs on so we would know how to behave.
I flew solo with a mobility scooter. Not far for me just from Sacramento CA to Los Angeles CA. I was sitting there on the empty airplane waiting for my scooter and the flight crew asked me if I was leaving. I explained I can't leave until my scooter arrives as I can't walk. That scooter was there in no time at all. For sure NEVER get off the plane until you see your wheelchair or scooter. This looks like a very scary situation especially traveling solo. Thank you for sharing your experience and helping other disabled people.
I’ve started adding an A4 label in the language of the destination country saying “please return to aircraft door”
Taped to the folded down backrest so it’s easily visible.
It's always beneficial to look up the laws that govern your airline and the country you are going to. They're all different. I would have probably reached out to Wheel the World for assistance in this situation, since they booked the travel and that is the entire purpose of going through a company like that - to get assistance. They might have been able to assist with things like the language barriers.
I've just started seeing someone on a wheelchair and I am trying to educate myself as much as I can.
I have a friend who is a wheelchair user and she was the one who was telling me about staying on the plane. I remember it so vividly when I think about flying. Although I'm not a wheelchair user yet, I definitely remember that's a hugely important thing. Glad you finally got your chair!
And Happy Mother's Day!
I was coming home from a holiday once with my sister. She watched my wheelchair get loaded onto the coach and then got on the bus with me. When we got to the airport my chair was not on bus. The bus driver had decided he wasn’t going to have it in his bus. I needed that chair! I had to wait until reps could arrange to get my chair collected on another run to airport. I nearly missed my flight due to this. How dare someone decide not to put my wheelchair on his bus!
I'd have called the police and told them he'd stolen it!
I have no words! Well actually I have many, but they're not very nice. How dare he!
Unfortunately this happened in Turkey so difficult to get in touch with driver. He wasn’t a usual tour bus driver and he was rather grumpy. My sister felt awful as she had seen him put it in bus. I think he took it back out to put someone’s luggage and forgot to put it back! It took them a couple of hours to get it to me! Had to sit in an uncomfortable airport chair.
It is not an easy feeling waiting for one’s legs to show up at the boarding door. I usually sit by the window so I can see them stowing or bringing up my chair. Nerve wracking to say the least.
It was very nice to meet you going through security and glad you had a great time. Me and my wife just watched your video, and love that you show that no matter what you can still fulfill anything. Wishing you and your family all the very best for the future and definitely be watching more from you.
Gary and Sarah
How sweet you are! I'm terrified of flying, but watching Gem makes it seem much easier. Taking the complications out of flying for people with disabilities is a great encouragement for us.
I learned from your video about refusing to get off aircraft til wheelchair at door last time I flew to Cape Verde and I even spoke to captain saying it his responsibility to find chair. He did not agree with it been his responsibility but i refused to leave aircraft til I could see wheelchair and low and behold captain went and got wheelchair within 5 minutes. Morocco was not brilliant when I flew for wheelchair friendly helping and assistance. But I never forget your tips and always refuse to leave til see chair. Cape Verde is brilliant for wheelchair assistance. Both countries are not that wheelchair accessible outside of hotels in my personal opinion.
That is my golden rule - never ever get off your aircraft seat until your chair is at the gate, no matter what happens and take all the detachable parts off your chair and keep them with you on the plane.
This same thing happened to me, they lost my wheelchair first and then brought it to me after 3 hours, completely destroyed and unusable.
Has anyone traveled with your manual wheelchair and the batec? Any tips for a smooth journey with the batec?
This was a very helpful video. I am deaf and walk with a walker but would need a wheelchair in my local large airport (OHare). Very good tips. Thank you
As a wheelchair user for 37 years, since the age of 18 (fast math LOL), unfortunately, I can say that travel has become more difficult...at least here in the US. One thing that has been tough has been security. Eight of my last ten flights have flagged me after they do the chemical analysis on my chair, wheels, shoes, and hands. I live in a port city, with heavy industry, and millions of fellow citizens. My wheelchair picks up every chemical on the ground. These security stops often run so long that the buffer I build into my schedule is erased. The anxiety alone is enough to make me want to quit traveling. Next, early bording, and priority seating are no longer any different from anyone else. Anyone can board early if they pay a little bit more. Another problem...flights taking off on time. If they do not...and start to sit on the runway, we can run into a health issue (skin, restroom, circulation...) in no time. I typically make every attempt to pick the first flight of the day. Another big on is hotels. When I was first injured, one could get into their hotel by 11...just so long as the request had been made. Now...3 - 4pm. Those hours up can put a big strain on people. But...here is my biggest issue over the previous five years...3rd Party Websites. Third Party Websites will often show photos of the room/bathroom. Here is the problem...those photos, in my experience, are not worth a dime. I have driven hours and hours to reach a hotel...advertised as fully wheelchair accessible with roll-in shower, fold down bench...only to find these hotels don't have any roll-in showers, or benches. They have tubs with stools, for people who can stand, but need to sit some. Wow...I can ramble. Sorry. Let's keep on these hospitality giants to make their spaces more accessible and accommodating..and keep an eye those who should be policing these mistakes in the design phase before they are built. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you for your comment. Wow the thing you said about your chair picking up chemicals must be so scary. It worries me sometimes. I totally agree with you, and know about all the issue you talk about. Travel with a disability sure isn’t easy!
I always call hotels to confirm the info on the website. Third party websites are a problem, but even booking directly through the hotel online will sometimes find you in a room you did not ask for. And what US airline is allowing folks to pay to board early? The ACAA (air carrier access act) says you go first, no matter what the airline says. I'd seriously have to request a
CSO (conflict resolution officer) if I were put in that position
@@BirchLeafPhotography I can't remember specific names but there are airlines that do that. It has been more than a few years since I've flown, but I remember they started doing that. You had disabled people and mothers/mothers to be needing to get on the flight first, but they would be trapped at the end of a very long line of abled people who paid to get on early. This caused boarding to be three times as long because all the abled people got on first, then there were problems trying to get everyone else on.
With people paying extra to board early, it depends on the airline - e.g. on United, you can pay to get priority boarding, but disabled, families with children under 2, and active military still get to preboard (at no cost) before any of the people who paid for priority boarding are allowed to board. It might be that there's confusion about the terminology of "preboarding" vs. "priority boarding", which, at least on United, are two completely different things.
When I landed at Faro there was only one assistance man for the whole airport. I was separated from my family and he played relay with the accessibility customers pushing us and leaving us and going back for the next one and then pushing us and leaving us. I had expected my wheelchair at the door and I was so anxious... not knowing if my chair was lost or not and of course with no family there to calm me. when we finally made it to the carosel my wheelchair didnt come because it had been sent to large luggage. I was relieved to get my chair but by this time it was late at night and the minibus that was picking us up to take us to our hire car was nowhere to be seen and the office wasnt picking up the phone. I was in a bit of a state if I am honest. it all got sorted and we arrived at our villa very late at night. It took me a couple of days to recover from the anxiousness and stress and I was really worried about the journey back. thankfully that went as planned except for the number of times i got asked about my batteries. We fly to orlando in september and I have decided to leave my chair at home use the airport wheelchairs and assistance and hire a mobility scooter once we get there. the worry of losing or damaging my wheelchair was just too much. I am lucky that I can walk very short distances with walking sticks or people to lean on. I really felt for you watching that vlog and understand your feelings completly. I had intended to film our portugal trip for my channel but when things go wrong the last thing I am thinking about is getting the camera out.
Yes. I never thought about taking a photo of my baggage and chair. Really good idea. I'm always traumatised if my chair isn't waiting for me
Hi Gem, I am so sorry to hear about your journey. I have flown out of Gatwick many times! I fly a lot … I recommend air tagging your luggage and wheelchair and then you can trace it when you get to the airport. I get very nervous about my chair and I find the AirTag very comforting. I waited an hour and a half in Miami for my wheelchair that BA had put in the wrong place on the plane. Travel can be tricky, so far Emirates was very good and Dubai amazingly wheelchair friendly. Flying Virgin later in the year, am interested to see how they shape up.
That's awful they didn't have an aisle chair on-board so you couldn't access the toilet.
So scary when your wheelchair went missing. 😮
Most plane bathrooms are so tiny that wheelchair users have a very difficult time accessing the bathrooms, if they can access them at all.
Hi. Really appreciated this video. I have in fact travelled by air quite a few times with wheelchair. Sometimes alone, more often with husband. We like to think we are educating ground staff around the world on how wheelchairs work with aircraft!
Yes, fully agree, don’t move until your chair has been unloaded and is at the door of the plane. And yes, photograph everything. I’m not trying to brag, but I often point out that my Kuschall chair with Alber E motion powered wheels, is of comparable value to a small car. So I have every reason to be fussy.
But almost every time, it has worked ok!
In 2003 my the roommate and I flew into Gatwick. Between my fibromyalgia and injuries to my feet, I can't walk very far. We had requested assistance and a lovely gentleman helped us with a riding cart and got our bags. Our first two he found easily since I had painted her initials on her bag and mine on mine. However, the third bag I had painted like a Tardis. We kept telling him it looked like a Tardis. Apparently our sort of Texas accents confused him until I saw it - my friend couldn't see it because if it is more than a meter away she can't see it - and pointed it out. "Oh! A TAaaadis!" he said. I guess because we still pronounce the "r" it confused him... Why yes, we were/are Doctor Who fans but we were there for a Tomorrow People event.
When I flew to Germany, the airline lost my wheelchair coming home. Luckily, I had rented a chair just for this trip since I knew all of the rough streets would be hard on my normal chair. It took the airline 10 days to find and deliver the rented wheelchair back to the vendor. It was nerve-racking.
I would attach/sew in an air tag to the wheelchair to enable tracking! That way if it goes missing you can tell where it is from your phone.
Having had this experience myself (although thankfully not in Morocco!), my stomach was in knots for you. I’m so glad your chair eventually arrived safely.
OGGG! I loved seeing the airport compared to Toronto. Toronto is also large and overwhelming. I flew with my chair in February. It was my third time flying with a chair. Overall it was a smooth experience. Most of the staff were amazing. When I arrived at my destination, there were stairs to exit the aircraft. My wheelchair didn’t get “gate checked” because there is no gate. It went to baggage even though it was supposed to be delivered to the stairs. Of course the staff were rushing me off the plane. It’s a turnaround flight. Someone from our flight ended up bringing me my chair from the baggage carousel!! Like what are the staff even doing?! 😅 That was the second time that happened. (same destination, 2018 and 2023) Next time I’m going to use the airport chair or stay on the plane until they bring mine.
Ugh, Toronto! I fly back and forth between BC and NL and I prefer WestJet over AirCanada because I can use the smaller Abbottsford airport on the BC side. The downside is that WestJet has a cluster of 6 arrival gates at Toronto that are on the other side of a 20-minute tunnel from the rest of the domestic gates, and my connections that end up having us deplane there never also have us departing from there.
I've not been reunited with my wheelchair at the gate twice. Fortunately, I wasn't travelling alone and both times it was a case of the wheelchair leaving the plane before I did and the baggage handlers not realising it was to be collected at the gate, also both times special assistance were waiting with a wheelchair. First time was at Gatwick and I was quite distressed because special assistance didn't seem at all confident where it was, it came on the carousel, which bothered me that it could have been thrown and got damaged. The second time was at Abu Dhabi and shockingly what they said was they only offer that service if you fly Etihad, however, they were also totally confident it would be in the oversized baggage collection area and were generally reassuring and polite, I was more worried about theft (or another special assistance person moving it) than it not being where they said it would be. It was where they said it would be.
I am somewhat disabled and can't walk long distances but I can walk and I don't have my own wheelchair. When travelling on my own through large airports there is a risk I will become so exhausted I cant physically get to the gate so I book wheelchair assistance with someone to help me and push me to the gate. I usually am OK if I am with my wife so I only use this when I absolutely have to.
I took a flight using a wheelchair assistance and on a flight to Brussels from the Birmingham. On arrival they wouldn't let me off the plane even though I could get down the steps as my assistance wasn't at the gate. Just like Gem, I waited a very long time for a scissor lift truck to arrive while the cabin staff chatted to me and the cleaners came on board. Eventually the scissor lift truck took me off and I drove around the airport in a glass cabin on a truck about 15 feet off the floor strapped in a wheelchair. I am glad I did wait as the distance to the arrival hall at Brussels was very long and it was late and the airport was deserted. I had a fabulous young woman who was training to be a Cordon Blue chef at college and earning a bit of money in the airport who pushed me a long way.
Very good advice. Don't get off until you absolutely know where your wheelchair is. The crew were excellent on my plane and yes I did feel like they were doing their best and really were taking responsibility for me.
Personally I feel all aircraft’s should have at least one aisle chair on board at all times
My hat goes off to all of those wheelchair users that likes flying.. Not me i couldn't deal with that.. i seen one video where this wheelchair user said by her being in a wheelchair she was the first one on the aircraft and the last one off. Its not worth the trouble flying to me...
I hate that he just left you there!!! Twice!!! Glad it ended up being ok though and that you had a great trip ☺️.
This is exactly why I’m terrified to fly. I don’t get why each plane doesn’t have a few spots where they can tie a wheelchair down so if you wish you can stay in your chair. I’m in a power chair the the idea of it going missing or getting broken terrifies me.
thank you for saying this!! i really don't get it either - they'd make a lot more money that way if they wouldn't have to keep getting sued/called out/losing money for breaking ppl's wheelchairs in baggage handling!
plus, they could either make the gates accessible, or for smaller airports, use an elevator that rolls up to the plane much like the weird airplane stairs. i doubt it'd be hard.
they design double decker airplanes, triple sometimes, even... so i don't get what's so complicated ab accessible ones...
I'm with you on that one - I find it really frustrating, too, though for me, it stems from the fact that my legs are just a bit too short for the airplane seats (half the time that I choose to take my chair somewhere, it's because I know that the chairs wherever I'm going are going to be too big for me and thus kill my joints if I sit in them for more than a couple minutes). The difficulty comes from the wheelchairs not having been crash tested, for lack of a better term - the seats on the plane have been tested to the extreme, so having everyone sit in a plane seat drastically decreases the liability. I know that at least some countries or some airlines are working on a solution (I don't know any particulars, only that some are), but it's a really tricky problem to solve. But I'm 100% with you - I think it should be an option, too.
@@SnowySpiritRuby Yeah, I just read about how the Qstraint system I use to take the bus and not go flying is apparently tested to be good to 20Gs! Which is incredible. That's well above airline standards, so I really hope we all get to wheel onto an airplane someday.
That was nerve-racking just watching that. @#%&!
At least in the US it's because wheelchair tie downs haven't met crash safety standards. They are private organizations that claim to have gotten acceptable results with private testing, but without official testing, things are pretty much stuck. Both the department of transportation and the FAA have said they would consider revising the regulations if/when that happens.
Wow you handled that so well! The minute you got off the plane I got stressed for you even though I knew you were home with your chair. I honestly would have had a full meltdown there. At least you know to stay on the plane next time.
Oh I was soooo nervous!!! 😭
Wow! That was wild. I've been in a similar situation and you reminded me of how suffocating the whole situation can be. It's a great idea to take photos of your wheelchair and luggage! I travel a lot by myself and this can be very helpful. Thank you for sharing! I look forward to the next chapters of your adventure. I have a love/hate relationship with traveling alone, something that I used to do frequently when I was your age... and you had to present a medical proof of being healthy enough to travel alone 🙄 (the nineties). There's a lot of advocacy still to be done, and your vlog is a great evidence-based tool. Keep up the great work!
Hello Gem. Really looking forward to seeing your travel video.
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God bless you Gem for staying positive in a trying time have a day love from TEXAS
You are SO BRAVE!!! I’m 60, and I NEVER travel without a handicapped assistance person - either family or a friend! I’m reduced nearly to tears EVERY TRIP I HAVE TO TAKE A FLIGHT FOR! They either destroy my chair or strand me somewhere, never pick me up, or cause me to miss a connection ; I cannot imagine going it alone if I’m flying! It’s funny how at my sometimes exotic destinations, even if I don’t speak the language, I never have issues - but stick me in an airport and the kaka hits the oscillation device! Kudos to you!
I had the exact same problem, and the people check my luggage assured me a 'door tag was not nessisary where I was going... a 40 hours trip with multiple connections... naturally I did not see my chair again till I got to my destination and all my layovers were hell
thank you for sharing your travel experience, when I last traveled think it was Italy (I travel A LOT for work so I forget) I followed you tip about not getting of the plane till they had my chair there and I had to wait 45 minuets for it but they were really nice about at and I was with someone else waiting for their chair too so we had a great chat. turn out I went to the same school as them but they were a few years below me. and the staff on the plane were really helpful too and offered us a drink and stuff. looking forward to your next Video soon.
Also is there anyway we could have a updated video about your new wheelchair now that you have had It a year or so has your option changed or anything you might have done differantly.
Damn... the way you were treated at the airport in Morocco was terrible imho. I'd file a complaint if possible.
Thank you for the video. It was very informative!
It was even worse on the way back….😞
I have traveled with my rollator, no problems. I checked it and had a chair push to gate. Once I had used a more foldable one and when it came at baggage claim, a 3 generational family from abroad helped me unfold. It was an amazing experience. Probably because I was traveling solo.
Another thought, next time I travel I am just going to rent a powerchair to be delivered to my location. Then no worries about damages to mine.
A very intense feeling when you can't get to your wheelchair..😮
This is really helpful! Thank you for sharing your journey and the tips!
I'm off on my first solo flight with my wheelchair in two weeks. My chair was broken by the last airline I flew with and had to be held together with gaffer tape for 6 months, so I'm so incredibly nervous! Especially because I'm travelling for a dance comp so it's a new expensive custom dance chair 😬😳
I'll definitely be watching for any more tips and tricks! 😀🧡🍑
Oh Gem when you were waiting for your wheelchair I could see on your face how much pain you were in and it made me sad. I can so relate to the pain. I've never traveled since breaking my back and becoming a wheelchair user, I plan to but the time and the expense is an issue. I had no idea how expensive it is to be disabled, it was such an eye opener.
Oh my lord, you are SO brave to travel solo. I want so much to travel again, but I’m too scared to do it. I’ve been travelling solo to the UK several times and had assistance (I used a walking stick and couldn’t walk long distances), some of the experiences were not so good (looking at you Heathrow Airport!) and that was before my chronic illness got worse and my walking distance is even shorter.
Now I’m an ambulant wheelchair user and I have no idea whatsoever what to ask for when it comes to assistance, and it is very hard to find information when your an ambulant wheelchair user. So if anyone has any good tips, ideas, where to look online, what airlines to avoid, etc, please let me know.
Also Gem, you are amazing. I love your videos and you have taught me SO much.
Love from Denmark
I've been an ambulatory wheelchair user for almost 5 years and all 8 trips I've flown in that time have been solo. I booked wheelchair assistance for the first 4 (I got a SmartDrive right after the 4th trip, so I no longer need assistance). I don't know how the rules differ from one country to the next because I haven't flown internationally since I started using one, but, at least here in the U.S., the times I've needed wheelchair assistance for getting through the airport, I never had an issue with booking it through the airline when I made my reservation (to give a little perspective to just how easy it was to book it, I can walk distances on uneven surfaces perfectly fine without any help or mobility aids, but I can't on smooth ones (including through airports) without significant help, hence the need for the chair, so a very ambulatory w/c user, yet I still had zero issues booking assistance). Some airlines offer the option to book assistance as part of the reservation process, others you have to call to request it. I will also note that I always travel carryon-only with a regular size backpack and an either 16.5" or 19" suitcase.
Because I could always get myself from the car to the check-in desk without help (either wheeling in my chair or using it as a walker, depending on how much of a rush I was in), I checked in online and printed my boarding passes the night before, then, when I got to the airport, I also checked in at the actual desk (not a kiosk, if the airport has them) to confirm that my assistance request did in fact make it onto my reservation (their computer systems can go wonky sometimes, so I needed to make sure it got onto it on their end, even though it always showed up on it on my end) - sometimes it had, sometimes it hadn't.
Don't know how it works in other countries, but TSA is the security we have here in the U.S., and what to expect for those of us who use mobility aids is spelled out very clearly on this page of their website: www(dot)tsa(dot)gov/travel/special-procedures (I'd copy-paste the actual link, but then youtube would block my comment), and select "Mobility Disabilities, Aids & Devices" in the dropdown menu.
Here in the U.S. (again, I don't know other countries' rules), the wheelchair assistance people aren't obligated to stay with us while we wait at the gate, so here we have to be prepared to be on our own once we get to the gate, so we'll need to plan for how we're going to manage our luggage on our own, as well as taking care of anything we want or need to do (e.g. shopping, getting food, using the restroom, etc.).
When boarding, if you'll need assistance at the next airport, ask the flight attendant to call ahead to let them know you need someone to meet you at the gate when you land.
Are you thinking to bring your own chair or just use the airport ones? I've always flown with my personal chair, but if the airport is the only place you'll need a chair (or if you'll be renting a mobility device at your destination to use during the trip itself), you'll most likely (again, don't know what or how rules differ between countries) be able to just use an airport wheelchair, which does take a lot of stress off because you don't have to worry about baggage handlers damaging your expensive chair.
I can't really give advice on which airlines to avoid because I've only flown United since I started using a chair, but I've found that, on the whole, in my own personal experience, they've been great - zero damage to my chair on the first 6 trips, and even though I was given a long runaround when one of my brakes broke because United wasn't the operator, even though it was a United plane and crew, the second time it happened, the crew had notified the appropriate people before I even got off the plane, so someone was already on the way to help me get it taken care of before I even found out that the brake was broken, and everything was completely taken care of by the end of that day (good thing, too, because that trip was only 5 days long, and I had to have the replacement brake installed before I flew home no matter what, which the manufacturer had to mail me). Other people have said that they had a terrible experience with United, so I think it really depends on the individual passenger, the individual crews (ground and flight), and the individual gate agents, and less on the airline itself. I've heard good things about JetBlue, Southwest, and whichever airline it was that Gem flew when she went to the Rollettes dance experience (I think it was 2019, but might have been 2018).
Hope that helps a bit. I'd be happy to discuss it more, but it's past midnight where I am and I'm out of energy, so that's all I can type at the moment. My reply above (comments sorted by newest) to Lu Yue has some additional info that I don't have the energy to type out again here, so I suggest checking that one out, too.
@@SnowySpiritRuby ~ very helpful snowy, thanks!♿
@@bonniemoerdyk9809You're welcome!
This happened to me the first time I flew independently (also first time flying as full time wheelchair user ahhh!). My wheelchair came out last on the conveyor belt after an anxious entire hour sat waiting for it. Next time I am definitely going to waiting on the plane until it’s brought to me!
Thanks so much for posting this. I used to travel a lot but never in a wheelchair. I am braving it and I appreciate all your helpful advice especially since I am flying into Gatwick! I especially appreciate the idea about remaining on the plane!
They did that to me in Paris too, when I arrived I had to get onto an airport wheelchair and go to the baggage claim area and there was my wheelchair, where just about anyone could have grabbed it.
Sorry you had those problems. So far I have found Spanish Vueling to have the nicest people to help you on/off and in the airplane airport. Great tip do not leave the plane without your chair… as they are on a timetable I wonder would they just stay till you have your chair or would they just schlep you on to their next destination …
your video blog is amazing, this is why I gave up flying because, the aircrafts are terrible, they lost my cushion on one trip and another I was left for 3 hours plus, like you it leaves you vulnerable and scared, you were great not to get upset, as I was in tears.
Thanks for an insightful video. During a hike I broke my ankle. I live alone so I have to go back to my country to get surgries and therapies. I am worried about traveling with broken ankle, your video is very helpful. God bless you
I hate ile 💺 chairs, I've been pulled to fast backwards and injured my elbows, as my hands bounced off my knees. I use my crutches to swing to my seat and I can get to the loo. It also means they have to make sure my chair comes to the door.
Wow I really felt the stress and I really empathise with that feeling being vulnerable with a wheelchair that you can push. Thank you for sharing your experience ❤
Thank you for the informative video. To watch you being dumped and left to fend for yourself is horrendous. It would want me to not to travel abroad. You think they would have had a aisle chair so you could go to the bathroom or even move your nearer to the toilets would have being better. the idea of taken photos of your wheelchair and luggage is something i would remember when hopefully i will travel abroad for the first time next year. Any tips for a first time traveller abroad who is a wheelchair user and a amputee? Brenda
I have really enjoyed your video. I have been a paraplegic since 2007 and I have traveled to many countries around the world, including Canada France, England, Japan multiple times I am currently in the Philippines and my next day will be in Thailand and Indonesia. I think more of us need to make videos like this, in order to make travel more accessible, and Airlines understand how important it is to take care of our wheelchairs. I have been kind of a loner as far as interacting with other paraplegic score wheelchair users, but your video has inspired me to start up my page again, and help to educate people who don't understand. Thank you so much once again
I recently traveled alone for the first time since getting my chair. Went great on the way out, but when I landed back at home they just refused to bring me my chair. Told me I had to go to baggage claim to get it. There was someone with a push-only chair to transport me but that chair hurt like a bitch to sit in and she didn't speak english well (I get it was a french airline, but how do you have transporters who don't speak english in San Francisco airport??). We got to baggage claim and she didn't even know where my chair was. We finally found it on its side unattended in the corner. I'm amazed it doesn't seem to be damaged honestly.
I always get a window seat, if they assign me an aisle seat, I've always been able to get it changed for the exact reason you mentioned.
I won’t fly again after (despite pre booking assistance etc) Virgin left me stranded, didn’t provide assistance on way out…on return they left me on plane for 2 hrs waiting for assistance & kept asking if I could get myself to my wheelchair which was (thankfully) waiting at the door….Gatwick is just dreadful re assistance
Vegas were fab.
In other airports, were they take your chair to get through terminal & put you on a ‘golf kart’ they’ve mislaid my chair & I’ve missed flight & connections….grrr
On previous trips, airport wrecked too many chairs
PS I also cancelled a KLM solo trip to Oman (to see friends) after it transpired at transfer point, as solo traveler, they could refuse me getting onto plane as they might ‘assess’ my as unable to look after my needs. This, apparently is due to the amount of passengers that relatives put on planes without carers who eg need feeding etc & staff therefore able to decline solo disabled passenger at gate boarding 🙀
I hate travelling so much. I can barely do fun things in my area let alone travelling around in the states--and I would never travel internationally. That sounds like endless misery with my disabilities. Thank God i dont have a job that requires travel and i dont have a natural wanderlust anyway so i dont feel like i'm missing anything. But this is just me personally. All people should be able to travel accessibly!
Question. Next time you take a trip, will you stay in your seat until your chair arrives? I'm glad you had an amazing time, but that was terrible how the airline worker treated you when it came to your wheelchair.
I am afraid to travel. Not only do I need a wheelchair, I also have Celiac Disease. It's hard enough getting safe food here in America, let alone in a country that has a different language. It brings me so much joy to see you travel and have fun; you are so brave.
Thank you so much for this video. I thank God it turned out “ok”. Wondering what kind of cushion you were referring to and where to get one. Thank you again for this invaluable information.
Thank you for. Posting this.
This is really useful because I can't push myself very far and it's hard to find info that's relevant to me. I don't own an electric chair due to my particular needs.
I’m flying to Canada next summer and I’m so terrified because I have a powered electric wheelchair and a manual chair and I can’t decide which to take. I know I’d have a much better holiday with my powerchair but even little logistics like getting in a taxi etc is a breeze in a manual chair and I’d need medical luggage too and I have no idea how any of it works and I’m petrified😞
👋 from Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺.
The hardest thing for me about flying is not having access to the toilets. I don't understand how airlines can get away with not having an accessible bathroom. Whether it be domestic or international, everyone needs to use the toilet at some stage. If we pay the same airfare we should have access to everything abled bodied travellers have access too. Because of this I always go to the toilet last thing before boarding & first thing after getting off the plane.
The one & only time I checked my wheelchair, was the first time I travelled on a plane after becoming paraplegic. Being a bigger person, the aisle chairs aren't very comfortable. They brought my wheelchair to the baggage carousel. Both my suitcase & my wheelchair arrived in one piece. Now I take my chair to the aircraft door, change into the aisle chair. When leaving, I wait until they bring my chair to the aircraft door. I then transfer into my wheelchair at the door. I've never had my wheelchair lost which is a good thing. But I'm going to put a locator tag on it from now on, just in case.
If you have an electric wheelchair these need to be checked in, as they need to be partially taken apart.
I had traveled to Panama and at the time I was using a walker. On the flight back, the airline left my walker in Panama. I was getting nervous waiting for your wheelchair to arrive!
Oh goodness. Did you have to wait long?
That truly sucks. I'd make sure they got a lot of bad publicity as well as a complaint
@@TheMazinoz it really sucks how airlines really only care about ableism when someone calls them out online and gains traction, huh? oof.
You poor thing - what a drama. Completely captured in Morocco - such a difference to Gatwick, about my least favourite airport, but looks much friendly for wheelchair users. Glad all went well in the end - you must have been exhausted.
🤯You are amazing!!!!!👍
🙌🏽
My heart dropped for you when you were stuck and in pain 😢glad you had a lovely bath at the end of all of that! Do you find, when you travel, that the assistance staff are friendlier when you are boarding versus when you are getting off the plane? Or was that just this experience?
Love your video, thank you for posting this. I’ve traveled extensively through the Middle East as a solo traveler with a disability. I don’t think that the “stay on the plane until your chair shows up” is good advice. Unfortunately a lot of airports in the Middle East and North Africa don’t bring your personal chair to the aircraft door. As policy, the chairs are treated as special baggage that must be claimed in baggage claim. Although I’ve similarly felt that angst of not seeing the chair show up and thinking the worst, if you insist on staying on the plane you’ll just end up generating a lot of anger and frustration in a country where you may not speak the language.
More than that. Its extremely expensive to stay longer then the time alocated on the gate so they would definitely look real fast. But if definitely something needs to make in is a wheelchair
Im flying for the first time in a wheelchair from Gatwick in June and Im very nervous. Im scared of experiencing what you did. I get into a lot of pain too!
I wish my air port did the buzzer thing thats brilliant!
Fair play to you must be hard but dont see why you shouldn't travel
I think I made a mistake just as big by checking in online and completely missing the station where the assistance was! (right next to the check in desk). I was wandering around for 2 hours & could only find help once the gate was announced, which was almost too late. They were not happy with me!
Make sure you put luggage tags on your wheels because for some reason the ground crew takes the wheels off of your wheelchair. Plus if you use a transfer board and cushion, take them on board and do not check them. Thank God that they leave your wheelchair at the airport you left from! My team and I just got back from competition, and they lost a wheelchair going from Chicago O'Hare (I always say O'Hell, lol) to Dayton, Ohio. The guy was in his wheelchair getting transferred to the aisle chair on the jetway by the plane! How does this happen?!
The golden rule is absolutely insist your chair is tagged to return to door and NEVER get off the plane till you can see your chair at the door ! It has happened to me twice, i am a powered chair user. As it says in your video, till you leave the plane, no staff can leave either, so they will make damned sure the chair comes back !..... It took an hour once for it to return with ground crew telling me to trust them that it would be on the carousel, which i refused to do.... it returned eventually
What tips and advice can you give disabled passengers?
Big Tip: I use a ROHO. Do not let go of your cushion until the last passenger is seated. Reason: people have been known to place things ontop of cushions. Also...let all of the air out if you are not using it.
Research. Research. Research. I’ve travelled solo internationally maybe something like 20 times & never had a serious issue. But you HAVE to know what you’re getting in to. Knowledge is power. The more you do it, the easier it becomes & things that seem daunting now will become second nature. Overall - just do it! 🌍
Hi how are you
Gem, please pin your comment so that everyone can find it easily.
Wow! Crazy!
Great video!
Is there a way to pull the suitcase if you have no one to help?
I’d like to visit my family in the UK one day, but I live alone in Japan and I’ve never flown with a suitcase since getting my wheelchair.
I went to Okinawa and Hokkaido, but I only took a huge backpack.
-I've clipped the top handle of mine to my backpack straps (regular non-wheelchair backpack hanging on the back of my chair), which required wide turns (all my suitcases are 2-wheel), and now I have luggage forks on the front of my current chair, so I set my suitcase on those and use a luggage strap to secure it to the front of the frame so it doesn't fall off (I got luggage forks on my chair for this exact reason); I've found that to be the way that works best for me, because it balances out my heavy personal item backpack that's on the back of my chair, and keeps the chair from flipping backwards when I need to get out of it if my backpack is still on the back, which also keeps my backpack clean.
-Another method that MadetobeLindseyB shows in her video about flying with a wheelchair is, if the suitcase has 4 spinner wheels, to strap it to the front of your chair, either to one side if the strap is short (attach the suitcase side handle to the front of the frame), or both sides with a longer strap if it will work with where your feet sit on your footrest, which could, theoretically, potentially work with a 2-wheel suitcase as well if you do it right (watch the video to see how she does it with hers).
-I've also, back when I had a folding frame chair, set my suitcase on my footrests and used carabiners and some paracord to secure it so it wouldn't fall (my luggage strap was too short to use with those chairs). I will mention that I always travel carryon only and always solo, but also don't travel with enough medical equipment to warrant needing an extra bag for it, so I don't have anyone else to help me (sometimes the flight attendants or other passengers have offered to help and I accept, but I never count on it).
-Another option would be, if it's small enough, to set the suitcase on your lap, but I personally find that annoying after a few minutes (not to mention it makes me overheat).
-When I was using a folding frame chair, I did utilize the airline's wheelchair assistance, but that was only because I couldn't wheel myself with all my luggage through the airport (I have a SmartDrive now, so that's no longer an issue). I don't know if this is universal for all airlines, or only for some of them, or only in certain countries or at certain airports, but there's a chance that you could request wheelchair assistance and instead of pushing your chair, the assistance person can pull your suitcase (here in the U.S., the assistance people work for the airline, but I don't know whether that's the case everywhere or not, so the rules might differ from one airline to the next, or one country to the next, or even one airport to the next - I just don't know; it might differ from one airline to the next here, too, but that's less likely because of the Air Carrier Access Act that's federal law here that governs all flights into, out of, and within the U.S., regardless of which airline it is); do note, though, that, generally, the assistance people will only be there from point A to point B (e.g. check-in desk to departure gate, arrival gate to departure gate on a layover, arrival gate to curb, etc.; i.e. they don't wait with you once you're at your gate, at least they don't here in the U.S. - I haven't flown internationally with my chair yet, only domestic flights, so I don't have experience with any other countries' rules on that) and once they get you there, they leave so that they can go help other people, so if you need or want to do anything in the in between time (e.g. get something to eat after you check in at your departure gate), you might be on your own, so something to keep in mind if booking assistance (you can call the airline or airport and ask how their wheelchair assistance works to find out all the particulars) and deciding how to attach your suitcase to your chair.
A quick tip if you do decide to use wheelchair assistance - request assistance when you book (or however the airline does it - some you have to call, others list the option to request it in the booking process itself); make sure the request is on your reservation (either calling a day or two ahead if you need someone to meet you curbside to either request or confirm (depending on how the airline does it), or checking in at the actual airline desk - allow any extra time that might be needed if doing the latter) because their computer systems can get messed up, so even if it shows up as being on the reservation when you look it up, it doesn't mean it actually got on there; if you'll need assistance at any subsequent airports, when you board, ask the flight attendant to call ahead to the next airport to let them know you need someone to meet you at the gate when you arrive.
Hope that gives you some ideas, but, obviously, not all chairs, suitcases, or wheelchair users are the same, so do what works for you, your chair, and your suitcase.
@@SnowySpiritRuby Thank you very much for the detailed reply! I’ll definitely try it out.
@@PrismYuuzuki You're welcome. It was quite the learning curve for me, so if I can shorten it for anyone else by sharing my experiences, I'm more than happy to do so.
See I needed to see this. I would need a pusher too.
Me too.
Isn't it a human right to be able to go to the toilet? It's great that the staff were willing to help you, but realistically all they'd have been able to do is pick you up and carry you (which isn't particularly dignified). The UK government could make it law that any plane flying into or out of a UK airport has to be equipped with an aisle chair - it's a big enough market that it should force change (particularly if other countries followed suit).
Abandoning you in the airport without your wheelchair wasn't ok either - it's a bit like tying an able-bodied person to a chair and leaving them there. A tip that I've seen for people with allergies travelling abroad, that might help you with language barriers too, is printing a card with a few key phrases in the local language(s). You could make these into a little booklet on a key chain like the communication aid cards for people with learning difficulties.
Learning important words like wheelchair in the local language would also be useful. For future reference, "Where is my wheelchair?" in french is "Où est mon fauteuil roulant?" (literally "Where is my rolling armchair?" 😆).
Rough pronunciation guide: "Oo eh mon foh-tie roo-lon?"
it's so frustrating how much of airlines' behaviour with disabled folks are a nightmare.
it's also just... really humiliating to have to wait for an aisle chair if the plane even _has_ one on board - the aisle chair itself is more dignified than being carried for certain, but it still lacks the dignity of being able to get to the toilet yourself particularly bc its not a self-propelled wheelchair - due to its design, it must be pushed by other people.
think about it - most (abled) folks, particularly adults, don't have to ask anyone in order to go to the bathroom on an airplane. if you can't move without a wheelchair - you've got to ring for the flight attendant in front of everyone. and then ask for the aisle chair. and then get pushed along in front of everyone straight to the bathroom, while everyone stares.
the unfortunate other edge of the sword of inaccessibility is that often, able bodied ppl aren't used to seeing disabled folks in environments like airplanes, etc... so they tend to stare more than usual, bc it's more of a spectacle/surprising to them that you're there. this is mostly why the aisle chair sucks.
aisle chairs and being left places to wait on your own are sort of the more standard, _normal_ airplane awfulness for wheelchair users.
the other one that shouldn't be normal at all, but is _normalized_, is the part where baggage handlers somehow manage to brutally destroy wheelchairs in between the two destinations, and there's often no way to prior insure the wheelchair or hold the airline accountable that's been universalized or is easily accessed by disabled travellers. airlines rarely pay for replacements for mobility aids, or at least, not in a timely fashion. they tend to like to argue about who's job it is to pay for the new one first, for as long as possible.
i rarely fly places bc of how airlines are and bc tickets expensive - but the times i have, i feel like the treatment i typically receive in airports is more appropriate for an annoyingly large suitcase, rather than a person with feelings and needs - at least until i'm physically on the plane.
@@nobodyimportant1968 Sorry you've had that experience. Other than redesigning planes to be able to accommodate wheelchairs, the best thing that airlines could do is ensure that all of their staff have had proper training and overall just treat disabled people like human beings with feelings. It's just basic decency, especially in a customer-facing role.
@@hannahk1306 1000%! the experience should definitely be made as bearable as possible for everyone involved until ppl finally realize it's much more profitable to design aircraft that allow wheelchair users to travel-in-place w/ mobility aids.
EasyJet is a low cost airway, it means some services are not available, some services are smaller, and the aircraft can land only on militar airports or airports adjacent a militar base or airport…
Although I booked assistance I was treat appallingly at dung airport but Newcastle Airport is fantastic and always has been
As a blind person who deals with chronic pain I get that sometimes we have choices to make
Can you name the hotels? My fiance is a para and would like to go to Morocco but we aren't big fans of organised tours, so info re accommodation would be ideal. Hope you had a great time!
I'm so sorry this happened to you I would not have been able to stay calm at all if my chair was lost I'd be crying
What an absolute nightmare for you and you were treated disgustingly. I have never travelled on my own and never will. I would never be trusted to to be honest. I tend to let people walk all over me rather than argue and demand which then makes me out to be soft which I am not! Everyone, including family, would say to me “It’s your chair, it’s your responsibility to look after it.” Yeah, well, I can’t if it’s been taken away from me, can I!? No, the responsibility lies with the people who took it off you to make sure you get it back and in one piece. Any time I ever travelled there was always something wrong with my chair when I got it returned to me. Anyway. Moving on from that rant 😂 I hope you had a good time in Morocco and I can’t wait to see your upcoming videos 😀
Big risk trusting your wheelchair to the baggage smashers. So many horror stories.
Everybody makes mistakes, at least you got through it and learn something. I think it should be a legal requirement I’ll chairs on airplanes
so im thinking of traveling and i wanna know what the security is like as i never flew before , i have a part in my leg that i dont like anyone touching do they pat every single part or what ? sorry if it sound naive but this is making me very anxious
Was it possible to get in touch with WTW for help? Looks like the trip itself was awesome. I wish WTW was going back to Morocco.
Flying solo in December . Definitely nervous
I always wonder why it's culled a bum bag when most people wear it in front of their belly!
I think when they were first popular in the 80’s didn’t people used to wear them behind??
@@Wheelsnoheels I think so. Pocketpicks loved it!
They were originally designed for skiers who needed a lightweight bag that didn't get in the way of their movements. I can't remember who told me that many years ago but it seems to make sense to me
Can you get someone to push you to the check in desk and take you to the plane?Also to take you to pick up your luggage and push you to your transport to take you to your hotel?
Thanking You
Hazel
So did u xfer from the aisle chair to a regular seat?
Yes
Did the side arm move so u could xfer with a side board if needed. I’m not as thin as u
+Wheelsnoheels *What brand enamel or lacquer on your tips? Both RIMMEL and Londontown Cosmetics are majors made in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,* but @KelliMarissa knows of a few indie nail vendors within the Realm.
My theory is that the aisle-chair was designed and utilised first by the Spanish Inquisition (nobody expects them) as means to persuade sinners to confess by torture. I have muscle dystrophy therefore I have no ass to speak of. The "padding" on the aisle-chair is more of a gesture than a meaningful something and I'm in so much pain while on it. Once in Madrid I sat on my bones for a good 40 minutes in the freezing passenger bridge until my (somewhat broken) powerchair arrived.
Why didn't you bring your batec in your trip?
If you’re in the US you check your chair at the gate!
I can not imagine the panic. One thing I don't understand; it was a gift from a travel agency for people in wheelchairs to travel alone, shouldn't be someone at the airport's arrivals to help you? Gladly it all went well but still... it was a big stress for you.