Traveling!!

    Some tips that might save you time when traveling! When traveling in a wheelchair you must consider a few things before you give up your wheelchair. First if you have pressure issues you should take your cushion with you on the plane. When you set it in the seat it will sit you above the armrests so you might want to take another lower profile cushion to use on the plane. **CAUTION THOUGH** some flights are very long and if you need maximum pressure relief I would recommend you use your everyday cushion even if it sits you up higher. It's better to be safe than sorry. If you have a connecting flight I recommend you gate check your chair. Gate checking makes the chair be taken off the plane when you get to the connecting airport. The reason for this is if you have a layover or your flight gets cancelled you will have your chair with you and not be stuck in one of their hospital type chairs at the airport. Be careful though cause if its a very short layover you might miss your connecting flight. That's why I always try to get at least an hour layover to have time to make it to my next flight. A tip for power wheelchair users is make sure you have gel cell or non-spillable batteries or you will not be able to take it on the plane. The airline will put your chair on the conveyer belt on its side to prevent it rolling off the belt, and then drag it into the plane on its side! I know you just cringed but if you can take the joystick off that might be the best option to reduce the possibility of damage. Most of the time they are zipptied to the frame and cannot be easily removed. In that case I would remind them to make sure the joystick side is up that way it is not dragged into the belly of the plane with your joystick against the floor. The airlines have gotten better due to having to replace chairs due to their negligence, but its better not having to cross that bridge. Thats just a couple of tips hope they help and hope you enjoy your trip!!!