For air carriers, wheelchair transport is a well-established procedure. A person with special needs is enough to follow a few simple rules in order to feel as comfortable as possible at the airport and on the plane. Here are the special rules that a passenger should follow in a motorized wheelchair.
Rule # 1. Review Airline Requirements
Remember that all airlines have their own rules for transporting passengers with disabilities, including transporting wheelchairs and batteries. Therefore, the preparation of your air travel will begin with the choice of the carrier. There are indeed many nuances in the rules for transporting wheelchairs, and each airline has its own. It is better to specify.
Rule # 2. Alert the Airline in Advance that You are in a Wheelchair and Need Help
First, you buy a ticket. Now you need to appear on it that you are traveling in a wheelchair. To do this, contact the airline after that fill out the form on the website or call. You need to inform the number of the purchased air ticket, explain exactly how you move and specify which carriage you are using. Everything is done. Expect to email a revised ticket marked with a wheelchair.
In some cases, you may be asked to complete a health status, to certify it with your doctor, and then send it to the airline’s email. As you understand, all this takes time, so it is better not to postpone it for the remaining 48 hours before departure.
Rule # 3. Prepare a wheelchair for the flight.
The type, weight, and dimensions of the chair as well as the number of batteries all matter. Your stroller will fly as checked baggage, although you can stay in it until you board it. By the way, you can carry regular baggage with a weight that is indicated on the air ticket. If the ticket specifies a permissible weight of 20 kg, it means that you can carry a suitcase weighing 20 kg. The chair is your means of personal movement, which is allowed to transport for free.
Carriers need to remove the battery from the stroller. In a discharged state to transport it in the cabin and pre-packed in polyethylene. If this is not possible, securely fix the battery on the stroller, turn it off and wrap the terminals with tape.
Rule # 4. Register Online
By doing this, you will add comfort to your trip. It’s like an independent choice of location. As a rule, airlines accommodate passengers with limited needs by the window. You can be put on the place indicated in the boarding pass. It is possible that in the process of traveling, passengers sitting by the window or in the middle will ask you to let them go to the toilet. If you do not plan on going to the toilet during the short flight, choose a place near the window and ensure 100% peace.
Rule # 5. Arrive at the Airport to Start Check-in
It is better to arrive in advance because you need more time to check-in and check-out and inspection than other passengers. Not because of the queues, but because of the expectations of accompanying. After all, this stuff is usually loaded, and rarely appears a couple of seconds after they have been informed about your arrival.
By the way, you don’t need to consider that the airline can forget about you. This sometimes happens, even if you are warned, and then again reminded. What does this mean? Additional waiting and subsequent haste.
Escorting passengers with special needs during departure
On registration, the airline staff will call a companion who will take you under his care. First, they will take you through controls and inspections with minimal time loss. Secondly, put in a container and collect your carry-on luggage after inspection on the scanner.
Do not worry about how customs clearance will occur. The customs officer will carefully check to see if anything is hidden under your clothes, he will look under the chair using a mirror and scan his shoes. Everything will pass quickly and as comfortable as possible. If you arrive at the gate ahead of time, the person accompanying you will leave and be sure to return before landing. While waiting for landing you can visit the shops, cafes, toilet, and shower.
- Toilets for People with Disabilities
Many airports have comfortable and spacious lounges for people with disabilities. They have sanitary rooms with showers equipped with adjustable shelves. Toilet for people with special needs is only on large vessels. If there is no such toilet in your plane, you will have to be content with the usual ones. The flight attendant will help you to reach it. They will bring a narrow chair for you and take you to the toilet (in which you will also manage on your own). Then you will be taken to your place.
- How Do You Get on Board?
Before boarding, you will be transplanted into an airline stroller, and your stroller will be handed over to your luggage. Passengers with special needs are invited to land earlier than others. Accompanying will provide the climb on the plane by a telescopic ladder, by car with a lift or by a ladder in a special wheelchair, which can be rolled up the stairs. In the cabin, you will be taken to your place and transplanted into a chair.
- Escorting Passengers with Special Needs During Arrival
After the rest of the passengers, the attendant will come toward you and take you to passport control. If the plane arrives at the telescopic ramp, the exit for you will be as comfortable as possible. If the airport has the opportunity to provide a car with a lift, you will be lowered on it, if there is no such car. After passing the passport control you will be taken to the baggage claim area. They will remove the baggage from the baggage carousel and take you in the direction that you indicate. You may want to visit the toilet first. At your request, the attendant will call a taxi and wait until the car arrives.
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