Flying with a wheelchair

[Bovril]

Hi

Have given in and now accept that I will need to take my chair in Jan,so here comes the questions ;)

Flying with Virgin from Manchester and have told their special needs Dept that we are taking the chair,where do we check it in? and where do we get it back again at MCO?

The information they gave us says to check in at the PE queue,is this correct or is there a separate assistance queue like Gatwick? (they also told us to check in at PE in Gatwick which was wrong,hence the question) and to use the 'plane helpful' desk at MCO on the return.Where is it,any one used it?

As you can tell I haven't got the faintest idea and having to use the wheelchair almost full time is a difficult idea to accept,so any tips on making this as stress free as possible appreciated

[speedwayfan]

There is some information on the VA website here (http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/brochures/caribbean/info/vital/disabled_services/airport.aspx)it says to make yourself known to a member of staff who will take you to the appropriate check in desk (Manchester).

Can't see any info. for Orlando though, but there is usually plenty of staff at check in.

Hope everything goes OK for you.

SF

[Harveymoon]

I only have experience with BA, but our dd is in a wheelchair and needs assistance to walk, we tell them at check-in that we need the chair as soon as we land and up until we board, so they tag the chair and we fold up the chair as we board and it is usually put in the hold, upon arrival same thing, we wait for most people to disembark, and the chair will be bought up again from the hold. They have always been very helpful to us, just make sure you mention it to the cabin crew aswell :)

[keith&carol]

Same here. We fly from LGW with Virgin. We use Twilight check in and DTD check in so everyone checks in at the same desks. Ask for your chair to go to the gate and be brought back to the gate at the other end. You have to get off the plane last but usually get fast tracked through security and immigration at both ends. The only problem we've had is that the promised help doesn't always materialise so DH ends up pushing me and has no hands left for the luggage cart. Fortunately I can walk short distances but if I couldn't I'm not sure how we'd have managed. If you are lucky enough to get help with pushing your chair they expect to be tipped!
Carol

[Bovril]

thanks Carol,didn't realise we could use the check in at DTD.
Is it possible to use OLCI for the outbound journey,anyone know?

[speedwayfan]

thanks Carol,didn't realise we could use the check in at DTD.
Is it possible to use OLCI for the outbound journey,anyone know?

You can use on line check in if you are OK with any seating. If, however, you require a bulkhead, you'll need to wait until check in at the airport for that.

SF

[ali and boyz]

our son needs to keep his wheelchair right up until boarding so they do a transfer onto an aisle seat then take the wheelchair away. Normally what hapenned was the wheelchair was then waiting at the plane door on arrival but after the terrorist scares they no longer do that . it is taken away and checked before you get it which for us was before we got to baggage re-claim.

we travelled with MY Travel and the TA emailed their special needs re the chair so they knew at check-in.

[keith&carol]

We flew to Calgary and out from Vancouver in Sept and there was no problem keeping the chair to the gate and picking it up from the gate at Heathrow.
We.re off to MCO with Virgin in a couple of weeks (with my chair) so will let you know how we get on,
Carol :wavey:

[Citrus View]

We took the MIL last November with Virgin and checked in at PE in Manchester. We where allowed to take her wheelchair all the way down to the plane and the cabin crew helped the MIL on and seated her meanwhile the wheelchair was taken down the hold and put onboard. At Orlando she was made to sit on plane till it was brought up but this was not long. Similar thing on the return journey except at Manchester plane parked off ramp and my MIL and wife had to wait on plane for lift to be brought and they finally caught up with us in Baggage reclaim.

[squidge]

I fly from manchester with VA when i go to orlando & found them to be really good.

You check in at the usual desk but use premium economy desk for ease. You just tell the check in staff that you want to keep your wheelchair until the gate & they will be fine with that, they will tag your chair at the departure lounge as they normally make an announcment for buggys & wheelchairs to be tagged & to go to the desk at the gate for this to be done, just before boarding. All people with disabilities are normally pre-boarded to avoid the rest of the passagers from staring at you (specially if you are a lift on passager, i have found some people can be very rude) whe u arrive at MCO you will be taken off last to allow the time for your wheelchair to be taken off the aircraft & be waiting for you at the aircraft door.

At MCO, we use the check in at DTD & find this really good. Then again once at the departure gate get your wheelchair tagged & you are supposed to be preboarded but the last two times i have flown back i have not & as i am a lift on passanger as i cannot walk or stand this can be very embarrassing. But normally you should have no problems. Again when you land in manchester you are off the place last & your chair will be waiting for you.

I last went to orlando in september/october this year after the terrorist scare & was allowed to take my wheelchair to the gate & was waiting for me when i was lifted off the aircraft, so you should not have any trouble. The virgin staff are first class.

A tip for you, if you are trvelling premium economy request row 81 as this is a bulkhead row & is right next to the bathroom for you dont have far to walk. We are always given 81a &C when we travel premium economy & its brilliant.

Hope this information is useful

[keith&carol]

We went to Orlando in November and taking the wheelchair to the gate and getting it back at the gate was no problem at all. What was a problem was they had broken it again and although it is just usable it looks as if we'll have to buy a new one.
We 've found MCO to be a real problem with assistance through baggage reclaim though. Priority is given to people travelling alone and that means if you have someone with you , you are left to manage as best you can. This time one of the Customs Officers took pity on us and pushed me through to the first luggage drop off point and after that we were on our own. Should be interesting to see how we manage in March when there will be 4 of us but 2 in wheelchairs!
Carol :wavey: