The Dreaded Connecting Flight!

Flights for wheelchair users in the U.S. are a nightmare. I used to fly monthly for work. The bigger the airport the more problems you run into. I always would try to have 90-120-minutes between connecting flights. It still was tight for me to make my connections.

I usually was the first one on the plane and the last one off. Little airports always gave me great service and tried their best to get me on and off the plane quick. Big airports like Chicago were a nightmare. I was stuck on a plane for over an hour one day. It is all union workers at Ohare airport and no one wanted to take me off the plane with the aisle chair. Even the pilot waited with me and kept apologizing. Long story short they got me off the plane and rushed me to the next flight. After that I never flew again.
I drive now. Sometimes I even can get their faster by driving. I always see on TV all the flight delays . They have eliminated many direct flights and have so many connections today. So if the weather is bad in the middle of the country, it effects everyone.

I just read an article about a young man who was kicked off a flight. He was a quad. It was a sad article , the pilot wanted him off his flight and didn't want to be responsible for him.

The world is going to hell these days. Now if we can just fix the handicap parking problem in the U.S. , driving and parking for us wouldn't be too bad. But that is another subject and problem with Sci. I am rambling on but everyone have a great day!

I am not able to fly for other reasons, but this sounds like any person's worst nightmare. Guess you have to take your meds and diaper bag on flight, or you'll really be up s*** creek without a paddle! Stress is enough just trying to get around large airports, let alone race to the flight.

I always drive, haha  , but if I go overseas that might be a drama.

Haha cool mini plane! It looks like the glider I flew in last summer except a tiny bit bigger.

Flying can be a challenge but it is more what YOU make of it. Sure, there are exceptions to the rule. I have been lucky enough to have flown many times now with a wheelchair and my electric wheelchair last Christmas. The airlines always had my personal wheelchair right outside the airplane door at the gate. If there is a connecting flight they take me off right after the first class passengers exit and they make everyone else wait. If I have to wait until last, who cares. If I get stressed out it won't make the airplanes fly any faster or wait any longer. A good airline makes all the difference. I have had great luck with American, Alaskan and Southwest Air all with wheelchair service. I had one flight back from Florida and was delayed 8 hours because TSA didn't want to screen me and the wheelchair in a timely fashion. I got to the gate as the airplane was pulling away. The airline found 2 seats on the next cross country flight and it was at no additional cost to me other than waiting. The airline even gave me and my travel companion vouchers for dinner anywhere in the airport.

Patience is something I had to learn. Now I'm rarely in a hurry to go anywhere. If I have an appointment I leave earlier and don't stress about the what-ifs that might happen. I always carry-on my meds and at least a days worth of diapers and B&B supplies. The airline is quick to get you off the airplane if you have a bowel incident, even if you are wearing a diaper. They don't want the cabin to smell bad for the next set of passengers so they might just hurry you off the airplane before anyone else. lol

If you must learn one skill with disabilities it is patience. The second is that the world truly doesn't revolve around each of us. We are just a speck in the big picture and there are some outstanding people that will do everything in their power to make use feel important and respectful. Company policies are usually the road blocks. If you get treated poorly by one carrier then use a different one the next time you travel. It is that easy!

In short, don't freak out just because you have to wait. If you do then you are going to be miserable your entire life post SCI.

truwrecks,wise words as always and some very good points!

It is true, it is what we make it. The only one time i traveled by air post SCI was 18 months ago and i was alone and had a fear of flying!

I was so proud of myself, i had never flown more than 2 hours and this was 8 hours but i was extremely organised...and it made all the difference.

I just didnt look out of the window and i listened to music all the way lol