Guest guest Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 I use the other passengers' seats - I just hang onto the top end toward the aisle. I see many able-bodied people doing this. If this isn't enough, what about two canes? Kathy Air Travel with a I want to travel for fun (haven't had much of THAT since surgery) and also to visit my 91-yr-old mother-in-law and 82-yr-old step-father a continent away. I need to lean heavily on the walker; cannot take 1 step without it. Once I get to my seat in the plane, how do I get to the restroom? This was no problem when I used trekking poles. I feel so stupid, but I haven't a clue. Thanks for any suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 , I don't know how wide your walker is. Will it fit through the very narrow isles of the plane? If not, they will have to use an isle chair to get you on the plane. They are supposed to have an isle chair that stays on the plane to get you to the bathroom, BUT - you need to make sure they have it on board before take off (oftentimes, they don't). I've been fortunate thus far that I've only taken flights less than 2 hrs, so it has not been an issue. When I do travel longer, I will just get a Rx from my uro for a foley catheter so I don't have to worry about it. Do you cath anyway? If so, that would also be an option for you. If your walker will fit through the narrow isles on the plane, they can store it in the on board closet and retrieve it for you when needed to go to the restroom. Jenn > > > I want to travel for fun (haven't had much of THAT since surgery) and also > to > visit my 91-yr-old mother-in-law and 82-yr-old step-father a continent > away. I > need to lean heavily on the walker; cannot take 1 step without it. Once I > get > to my seat in the plane, how do I get to the restroom? This was no problem > when > I used trekking poles. I feel so stupid, but I haven't a clue. Thanks for > any > suggestions. > > > > [N > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 First, happy travels! Please do not " feel stupid. " When I travelled after my surgery, I, too, didn't know what to expect. I was actually treated very well and was pleasantly surprised on the accomodations of the airline. Now, I admit, I was medicated and in a " happy space " which helped tremedously. With that said, just be prepared with meds and any medical devices that you may need. I was escorted to the front of the TSA line, boarded first so that I could get settled before the rest of the crowd and the airline made sure that my luggage came on the caurosel first. We simply requested a " medical pass " when we checked in and everything was taken care of from there. If you are boarded first, you can sit near the restroom and hopefully use the seats to support you as you walk rather than a walker. (I suspect that they will require you to gate check your walker since it won't fit under your deat.) Also, if need be, you can press that little button and have a stewardess assist you. If you look silly, so what. You are on a plane full of strangers with no one to impress. Since I requested the medical pass, I did have to ride in a wheelchair through the airport itself which came in handy to haul our luggage to meet our family who picked us up. I think I might bring my cane on all future trips.. Have a great trip. It is not every day you can visit elderly family and enjoy each other's company. - Carol > > I want to travel for fun (haven't had much of THAT since surgery) and also to > visit my 91-yr-old mother-in-law and 82-yr-old step-father a continent away. I > need to lean heavily on the walker; cannot take 1 step without it. Once I get > to my seat in the plane, how do I get to the restroom? This was no problem when > I used trekking poles. I feel so stupid, but I haven't a clue. Thanks for any > suggestions. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 In a plane I have found that the aisles are close enough that you can maneuver down the aisle by hanging onto the backs of the seats. People noticed my difficulty and never seemed to bother them that I grabbed the top of their seat. When I got on the plane I just left my walker with the flight attendant and she carried my bag for me while I hobbled down the aisle using the seats. Rick Countess wrote: > I want to travel for fun (haven't had much of THAT since surgery) and also to > visit my 91-yr-old mother-in-law and 82-yr-old step-father a continent away.. I > need to lean heavily on the walker; cannot take 1 step without it. Once I get > to my seat in the plane, how do I get to the restroom? This was no problem when > I used trekking poles. I feel so stupid, but I haven't a clue. Thanks for any > suggestions. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 -- I just travelled recently to Hawaii (it was the first trip I'd done in a long while and it was so worth the discomfort of sitting in a plane!) However, what we noticed is that most people seem to pay the extra fee now to book their seats when they book their flights. We called in ahead of the free 24 hr advanced booking + paid the extra for our trip home (as we didn't have access to a computer) but were surprised there were not many seat choices left. When you book your flight I would suggest getting a seat close to the front of the plane -- and I'm wondering if they would do this at no charge to you since you have a disability. The aisles on our planes were so narrow that if the food cart was going through you just had to wait to get to the bathroom, sometimes quite awhile (obviously depends on the size of the planes, one aisle or two). Dee Countess wrote: > I want to travel for fun (haven't had much of THAT since surgery) and also to > visit my 91-yr-old mother-in-law and 82-yr-old step-father a continent away.. I > need to lean heavily on the walker; cannot take 1 step without it. Once I get > to my seat in the plane, how do I get to the restroom? This was no problem when > I used trekking poles. I feel so stupid, but I haven't a clue. Thanks for any > suggestions. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 Kathy:    Using the seats is what I was doing when using the poles & they were stashed in the overhead. Why didn't I think of it! Take my poles along & use them in the plane. Thanks for jump-starting the old gray matter. ________________________________ To: tetheredspinalcord Sent: Fri, April 29, 2011 6:37:14 PM Subject: Re: Air Travel with a  I use the other passengers' seats - I just hang onto the top end toward the aisle. I see many able-bodied people doing this. If this isn't enough, what about two canes? Kathy Air Travel with a I want to travel for fun (haven't had much of THAT since surgery) and also to visit my 91-yr-old mother-in-law and 82-yr-old step-father a continent away. I need to lean heavily on the walker; cannot take 1 step without it. Once I get to my seat in the plane, how do I get to the restroom? This was no problem when I used trekking poles. I feel so stupid, but I haven't a clue. Thanks for any suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 Jenn:    Another good idea about the aisle chair & using the walker itself. I am quite small (4'9 " ) & have a " junior " walker. I bet it would fit. Thanks. ________________________________ To: tetheredspinalcord Sent: Fri, April 29, 2011 6:46:50 PM Subject: Re: Air Travel with a  , I don't know how wide your walker is. Will it fit through the very narrow isles of the plane? If not, they will have to use an isle chair to get you on the plane. They are supposed to have an isle chair that stays on the plane to get you to the bathroom, BUT - you need to make sure they have it on board before take off (oftentimes, they don't). I've been fortunate thus far that I've only taken flights less than 2 hrs, so it has not been an issue. When I do travel longer, I will just get a Rx from my uro for a foley catheter so I don't have to worry about it. Do you cath anyway? If so, that would also be an option for you. If your walker will fit through the narrow isles on the plane, they can store it in the on board closet and retrieve it for you when needed to go to the restroom. Jenn > > > I want to travel for fun (haven't had much of THAT since surgery) and also > to > visit my 91-yr-old mother-in-law and 82-yr-old step-father a continent > away. I > need to lean heavily on the walker; cannot take 1 step without it. Once I > get > to my seat in the plane, how do I get to the restroom? This was no problem > when > I used trekking poles. I feel so stupid, but I haven't a clue. Thanks for > any > suggestions. > > > > [N > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 Carol:    Thank you for the upbeat response. Before my surgery I didn't even have a handicapped parking placard for the car. Now I do and things are really different. Between using my poles in the plane, the possibility of using the walker itself, and asking my wonderful husband to help, I'll work it out. ________________________________ To: tetheredspinalcord Sent: Fri, April 29, 2011 7:58:20 PM Subject: Re: Air Travel with a  First, happy travels! Please do not " feel stupid. " When I travelled after my surgery, I, too, didn't know what to expect. I was actually treated very well and was pleasantly surprised on the accomodations of the airline. Now, I admit, I was medicated and in a " happy space " which helped tremedously. With that said, just be prepared with meds and any medical devices that you may need. I was escorted to the front of the TSA line, boarded first so that I could get settled before the rest of the crowd and the airline made sure that my luggage came on the caurosel first. We simply requested a " medical pass " when we checked in and everything was taken care of from there. If you are boarded first, you can sit near the restroom and hopefully use the seats to support you as you walk rather than a walker. (I suspect that they will require you to gate check your walker since it won't fit under your deat.) Also, if need be, you can press that little button and have a stewardess assist you. If you look silly, so what. You are on a plane full of strangers with no one to impress. Since I requested the medical pass, I did have to ride in a wheelchair through the airport itself which came in handy to haul our luggage to meet our family who picked us up. I think I might bring my cane on all future trips.. Have a great trip. It is not every day you can visit elderly family and enjoy each other's company. - Carol > > I want to travel for fun (haven't had much of THAT since surgery) and also to > visit my 91-yr-old mother-in-law and 82-yr-old step-father a continent away. I > > need to lean heavily on the walker; cannot take 1 step without it. Once I get > to my seat in the plane, how do I get to the restroom? This was no problem >when > > I used trekking poles. I feel so stupid, but I haven't a clue. Thanks for any > > suggestions. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 Dee: Aloha! I really appreciate everyone's helpful suggestions. Planes just keep getting more crowded. A month before my surgery we went to Tahiti for a clipper ship cruise. At that time I was using trekking poles to balance & steady my gait. Air Tahiti Nui's terminal in Papeete does not have jetways. You deplane and board using the steps, which I could handle at that time. There was 1 wheelchair passenger whom they lifted in a vehicle that behaved like one of those trucks that service the galleys, so I guess where there is a will, there is a way. ________________________________ To: tetheredspinalcord Sent: Sat, April 30, 2011 9:25:41 AM Subject: RE: Air Travel with a -- I just travelled recently to Hawaii (it was the first trip I'd done in a long while and it was so worth the discomfort of sitting in a plane!) However, what we noticed is that most people seem to pay the extra fee now to book their seats when they book their flights. We called in ahead of the free 24 hr advanced booking + paid the extra for our trip home (as we didn't have access to a computer) but were surprised there were not many seat choices left. When you book your flight I would suggest getting a seat close to the front of the plane -- and I'm wondering if they would do this at no charge to you since you have a disability. The aisles on our planes were so narrow that if the food cart was going through you just had to wait to get to the bathroom, sometimes quite awhile (obviously depends on the size of the planes, one aisle or two). Dee Countess wrote: > I want to travel for fun (haven't had much of THAT since surgery) and also to > visit my 91-yr-old mother-in-law and 82-yr-old step-father a continent away.. I > > need to lean heavily on the walker; cannot take 1 step without it. Once I get > to my seat in the plane, how do I get to the restroom? This was no problem when > > I used trekking poles. I feel so stupid, but I haven't a clue. Thanks for any > suggestions. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2011 Report Share Posted April 30, 2011 The bulkhead seats are given priority to people w/disabilities. The first priority is to people w/leg prosthetics. But, odds are, u won't have 3-6 ppl (depending if it is a 1/2, 2/2, 2/3 or 3/3 across plane configuration) that are lower limb amputees. Even if these seats have been booked before u, when u arrive @ the gate, notify the attendant about ur disability (especially mention spasticity & the need for leg room) and they will move the ppl to seat u there. Only thing is that if u r traveling w/someone, they don't have to move another person so u can sit together in the bulkhead row. So, if u are unable to book those seats when making ur reservations, u can still get them @ the gate ( & they r the closest to the bathrooms as well). Jenn Sent from my iPhone > > > <<SNIP>> > > When you book your flight I would suggest getting a seat close to the front of the plane -- and I'm wondering if they would do this at no charge to you since you have a disability. The aisles on our planes were so narrow that if the food cart was going through you just had to wait to get to the bathroom, sometimes quite awhile (obviously depends on the size of the planes, one aisle or two). > > Dee > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.