Sarasota SCI Support Group

I will be doing some travel later this summer and I am considering

flying.  I have not flown sice my accident  --- so I would like to hear

from others about getting in and out of the seats (I can walk, but I

really need the right conditions to be able to stand).  Also, I wanted

to take my mobility scooter --- how do the airlines handle

that & do they charge extra?

Hi Clint,  I am paraplegic.  When flying,  going through security takes a while. Theyfrisk you in the wheelchair, make you take off your shoes and go through yourbackpack.  When boarding, you get specialconsideration - you board first.  The stewards help you get into your seat. In my case, at the door to the plane, they lift me out of my wheelchair and putme into a skinny wheelchair that fits between the rows.  Sometimes they put you in the first row.   Thearms on the airplane seats lift up, so you can scoot into the seat.  They put my personal wheelchair  below along with the luggage.  I have a manual wheelchair.  I am not sure how they handle a scooter – I presumethey do it the same as a wheelchair.  Ifyou sit in the first row, you cannot stow any carry-on items under your seat –the attendant puts them in the overhead storage. Upon landing, you exit theplane last.  They have your wheelchairwaiting for you at the door.  If you needhelp going up the ramp to the gate, they will give you a push.  It works out OK.

-Scott

Thanks Scott,

I appreciate the information.  Sounds pretty straight forward.

Look forward to seeing you at rhe meeting Thursday.

Clint