Spencer you are an amazing advocate for our community. Im glad you were treated like the VIP that you are. You couldn’t have laid out the Tips better, very resourceful, as always. I’m sure you gave many as myself the confidence to want to travel with a power chair. Keep up the great work!!!
We flew from New Orleans to Rome on British Airways (via London) in November, 2022. We were told BA was the only airline that takes care of your chair. Some of my handicap friends told me of horror stories with Delta. When I arrived at the plane door, they transferred me to one of those dastardly chairs to board the plane. My wife prepped my Permobil for travel, lowered the back, unhooked batteries, etc. Then she bubble wrapped the joy stick. When we got to Rome, of course it is first one on and last one off, so by the time they lifted me up to exit, my chair was waiting for me outside the plane door. My wife hooked it up and off we went. We want to go again. I like the sling you used for transfer. How do I get one of those. Also, I would like a link to the catheher thing you mentioned. Your video was good.
I didnt want to risk it with a layover so I did the non-stop from Atlanta. I feel like all the airlines have their good days and bad days so it's best to wrap your chair up as best you can! I cant wait to go back to Italy! Feel free to shoot me an email and I can send you a couple of those links! sblomquist@expediacruises.com
My go to travel destinatipn is NYC but unfortunately there no direct flights from BUD. I had the misfortune to transfer at LHR which was always a clusterfuck/shitshow. Fortunately I don’t have to use a cath but a big plastic bottle. Once in Madrid during transfer the security officer noticed that I have a significant amount of fluid in my bag, but I managed to persuade her not to check it 😊
@@WheelieAwesomeAdventures Budapest is beautiful but you will have to plan well in advance, because accessibility is spotty at best. If you come to one of the Eastern European capitals, I suggest that you transfer at FRA. Their assistance is very professional and well organised. (They’re Germans after all). I would love to retire in NYC. I hope we can fistbump there in the future!
its called adapts sling www.adapts.org I mention more about it at the 11:50 mark. It's really lightweight and flat underneath so it doesn't leave any marks on a long flight.
I flew in my manual chair back in 2001 but they didn't offer a direct flight. That was an eye opening experience but the flight went well on the way there. On the way back I got to the first stop to board the next plane but no wheelchair. The airport in South America said my custom fitted chair was theirs!!! After a lot of arguing they finally flew it to me which was hours later. I was stuck in the airport's hospital looking chair until then. Earlier this year a para friend was on Delta and when they transferred him from the plane seat to the aisle chair they broke his leg when it hit the armrest. He had surgery on it but now they may have to amputate it.
Wow, what a harrowing set of experiences! Losing your custom wheelchair mid-journey and having to fight for its return is beyond stressful-and being stuck in a their lousy chair!? That's the kind of "adventure" no one signs up for. I'm so sorry you went through that. Your friend's situation is equally heartbreaking and shows just how critical proper training and care during transfers is. It’s stories like these that underline why accessible air travel needs to improve, and fast. These incidents are exactly why I focus so much on educating travelers and advocating for better accessibility. Hopefully, more awareness and advocacy will lead to some real change in the industry.
Spencer you are an amazing advocate for our community. Im glad you were treated like the VIP that you are.
You couldn’t have laid out the Tips better, very resourceful, as always. I’m sure you gave many as myself the confidence to want to travel with a power chair. Keep up the great work!!!
Thanks! Hopefully Europe 2026 get to do it again.
Super video. Lots of great tips.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. You've almost convinced this 73 y.o. hemiplegic that he could fly from either RDU or PGV to MKE. Thank you.
Its possible!
We flew from New Orleans to Rome on British Airways (via London) in November, 2022. We were told BA was the only airline that takes care of your chair. Some of my handicap friends told me of horror stories with Delta. When I arrived at the plane door, they transferred me to one of those dastardly chairs to board the plane. My wife prepped my Permobil for travel, lowered the back, unhooked batteries, etc. Then she bubble wrapped the joy stick. When we got to Rome, of course it is first one on and last one off, so by the time they lifted me up to exit, my chair was waiting for me outside the plane door. My wife hooked it up and off we went. We want to go again. I like the sling you used for transfer. How do I get one of those. Also, I would like a link to the catheher thing you mentioned. Your video was good.
I didnt want to risk it with a layover so I did the non-stop from Atlanta. I feel like all the airlines have their good days and bad days so it's best to wrap your chair up as best you can! I cant wait to go back to Italy! Feel free to shoot me an email and I can send you a couple of those links! sblomquist@expediacruises.com
Excellent information
Great info!
How you doing?. usefulp icture, farewell~Wheelie~💯
My go to travel destinatipn is NYC but unfortunately there no direct flights from BUD. I had the misfortune to transfer at LHR which was always a clusterfuck/shitshow. Fortunately I don’t have to use a cath but a big plastic bottle. Once in Madrid during transfer the security officer noticed that I have a significant amount of fluid in my bag, but I managed to persuade her not to check it 😊
I am nyc born and raised and I would move back if it wasn't so cold. Unfortunately no nonstop flights from BUD. I would love to visit Budapest!
@@WheelieAwesomeAdventures Budapest is beautiful but you will have to plan well in advance, because accessibility is spotty at best. If you come to one of the Eastern European capitals, I suggest that you transfer at FRA. Their assistance is very professional and well organised. (They’re Germans after all).
I would love to retire in NYC. I hope we can fistbump there in the future!
@@Locspocs2 Yea for sure! The accessible travel is so expensive especially the extra logistics!
What type of transfer sling are you using when you went from your chair to aisle seat?
its called adapts sling www.adapts.org I mention more about it at the 11:50 mark. It's really lightweight and flat underneath so it doesn't leave any marks on a long flight.
www.adapts.org/shop?ref=fqxtldvz
I flew in my manual chair back in 2001 but they didn't offer a direct flight. That was an eye opening experience but the flight went well on the way there. On the way back I got to the first stop to board the next plane but no wheelchair. The airport in South America said my custom fitted chair was theirs!!! After a lot of arguing they finally flew it to me which was hours later. I was stuck in the airport's hospital looking chair until then.
Earlier this year a para friend was on Delta and when they transferred him from the plane seat to the aisle chair they broke his leg when it hit the armrest. He had surgery on it but now they may have to amputate it.
Wow, what a harrowing set of experiences! Losing your custom wheelchair mid-journey and having to fight for its return is beyond stressful-and being stuck in a their lousy chair!? That's the kind of "adventure" no one signs up for. I'm so sorry you went through that.
Your friend's situation is equally heartbreaking and shows just how critical proper training and care during transfers is. It’s stories like these that underline why accessible air travel needs to improve, and fast. These incidents are exactly why I focus so much on educating travelers and advocating for better accessibility. Hopefully, more awareness and advocacy will lead to some real change in the industry.
@@WheelieAwesomeAdventures I would fly more if they'd add the spots that allow us to stay in our chairs.
@@JohnBelknap SOON ENOUGH!