As the summer begins, more and more people will take to the roads and skies to travel around the country or world to see family or exotic locations. If you depend on a mobility device to help you get around, you know that traveling, especially flying, comes with its own set of hurdles and difficulties. However, flying with a mobility device can be easy if you know what steps you need to take before you hit the airport terminal.
- For any mobility device: Let the airline know of your mobility limitations while being as honest as possible. While it may be hard to acknowledge our own limitations, doing so will allow for the correct amount of assistance to be given to you, meaning less stress.
- Canes: your cane will be permitted on most planes, but it will have to be run through the screening machines. If you cannot walk a few steps without it, you can request a manual pat down by a same-sex officer, or ask that your cane be run through the screening machine and then returned to you before you walk through the metal detector.
- Walkers and manual wheelchairs: the screening procedure is similar to that for cane users, but your walker or wheelchair won’t be screened. Most wheelchairs and walkers can be gate-checked. Before parting with your walker or wheelchair, make sure all external parts like footrests are folded up to prevent damage. For wheelchair users flying alone, ask the airport if they provide escort passes for a family member to take you to the gate, or if the airport can assist you with your own wheelchair.
- Power chairs and scooters: the main concern with power chairs and scooters is your battery type. “Wet” batteries must be taken out and boxed up because of possible acid spillage. “Dry” batteries can be kept in your power chair. If you have “wet” batteries, call the airport before hand to see if they will box them up or if you must do that yourself.
Hopefully these tips allow you to experience a stress-free airport experience when traveling this summer. We want to wish anyone traveling this summer happy and safe travels!
Tags: cane, mobility, mobility device, mobility scooter, power chair, walker, wheelchair