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Any tips would be appreciated!

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Hello Graces, {EDIT: Who is the person in the wheelchair--you or your Father? Why are you asking a second question about what CANES are BEST?} https://www.agingcare.com/questions/im-looking-for-a-good-cane-anyone-have-recommendations-440932.htm

Are you planning to take your Father on a trip that requires riding in a plane? Will you and your Father need to change planes? Taking a plane ride is very stressful--and extremely stressful to those who require assistance. With the airplane seats getting smaller, I would suggest that you pay the extra money for First Class or if you know how to get a "bump up" from Economy to First Class, then get on their list when you order your ticket.

I use a wheelchair at the airport because I often need to change planes and the gates are so far apart. When I order my airline ticket online, I make sure to check the "Need Wheelchair" BOX; that way there is someone to meet me with a wheelchair every time I get off of the plane. Depending on the airport, I do not need the wheelchair when I was transferring planes because the airport has carts that transport people to other gates and the carts often come directly to the gate locations. I just "hop on" the "People Cart", wave my $5 bill and the person driving the cart whisks me and other riders to our destination gate or to the next "People Cart" alone the "line". Whenever I change carts, I always wave a $5 bill and I get good-to-great service from the driver. It is so amusing how quickly the cart driver can fold the money with one hand and put it in his/her breast pocket. BUT I DO GET SERVICE. One cart driver even took me down the elevator and introduced me to the driver of the next cart that I needed to ride in order to change planes. Of, course, I waved a $5 in front of her also ;)

HOW IMMOBILE is your FATHER? Can your Dad stand and walk a few feet? (He will have to in order to get onto and off of the plane.) Does he need a gait belt and another person to keep him steady while standing and walking? Can he wheel the wheelchair into the Men's Restroom and use a urinal by himself or is he incontinent of urine or bowel?

The first thing that you need to be is go to the FSA website and read the regulation about wheelchairs on planes. FSA Security HATE to scan someone in a wheelchair as it is SO easy to hide items in the wheelchair or in the clothing of the person sitting in the wheelchair. Your father will have to get out of his wheelchair so that FSA can scan him and the wheelchair. Your father will need to wear comfortable clothing like sweat pants and pull-on shirt and slip-on shoes as he will need to take his shoes off. Is he steady enough on his feet to be able to walk through a scanner by himself? Does your Father need oxygen? If, so--THAT IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME!!

Think of all of the things that you need to do while taking a toddler on a plane and transfer that to a 200 lb man. It is not going to be easy and your Father CAN NOT fly by HIMSELF. HE MUST have a companion with him while flying. Good Luck.
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It would all depend on if the person could transfer into the plane seat. I am assuming someone is going with this person? How long is the flight? Can they maneuver in those small bathrooms? Are they incontinent? If so, very hard to get two people into the bathroom together and not fair to the other passengers. Why are they flying?
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First depending on the reason for the person being wheelchair bound, I'm going to assume age related medical issues based on the place you came to ask, they shouldn't be traveling alone. When making reservations and when checking in on line or by phone/in person make sure you indicate the need for assistance. Arrive early enough to the airport to let them know again that you need assistance, depending on the airport that may be a cart with a driver, a wheelchair or a combination of the two. If the patient uses their own wheelchair and having that over renting one at your destination you will want to check with the airline about the best way to do that, checked baggage or gate check, same goes for walkers or other assistance devices. Most airlines will check them without charging as baggage but some items are better gate checked (as you board the plane and then brought back to the jet-way or door of the plane as you get off) for various reasons.

Think about the items your wheelchair bound traveler might need over 24-48 hrs (in case checked luggage doesn't make it with you) and make sure you are carrying them with you. Several extra undergarments, a change or 2 of clothes, all medications, hearing aid, electronics and a bed/chair pad come to mind and consider the things you can purchase on the other end to lighten the load (I would carry 4 pr Depends & maybe 2 overnight pads in carry on and a few more in checked bag for Mom, more can be purchased at our destination but I want to be supplied for a couple of days). When we traveled cross country with my mom I ordered some of these incontinence supplies from Amazon before leaving and they were delivered to my brothers the day after we arrived with my mom so we never had to go out to find anything but also didn't have to pack it all. She carried 2 weeks worth of medication all set up in those week dispensers that have a compartment for each day of the week (she has one for morning and one for evening pills) and then if she decided to stay longer my brother was able to fill them from home and ship them to her as needed. Sorry I strayed from the actual airport travel & mobility devices.

The main tips for ease and access for those with mobility issues is to make it clear ahead of time, allow plenty of time for the services they offer and have an able body traveling companion. Just a tip, if the flight includes a connection ask the flight attendants to check with the gate crew during your flight to make sure they are prepared. Remember while you are dealing directly with the airline you chose they are coordinating with airport services as well which makes it more of a local effort each step of the way and each airport does things differently so you can't count on the note or information passed along when you check in to be best method for coordination at every stop, meaning for the best experience it shouldn't be your only contact about the special needs. Mentioning your needs to someone each step of the way will ensure a much better chance of things going smoothly throughout. So at each gate when you arrive so they can prepare for boarding you and each cabin crew so they can coordinate with the next airport and set up the best method for getting you off the airplane and to the next gate or baggage claim at your destination. A little planning ahead and good communication throughout can make travel for a mobility challenged passenger just as smooth and easy as it is for any other passenger, maybe even better. You have already started that process by asking the question here and no doubt will put together a great travel experience based on your attentiveness.
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