Tips for plane travel with somebody in a wheelchair
April 15, 2013 5:52 AM Subscribe
In a couple of weeks I'll be flying with my daughter to Philadelphia (see my previous question). She is in a wheelchair. I've never done this before. What can I do to make both our lives easier?
We're both very used to flying, but have not done so since my 14 year-old daughter has been in a wheelchair. Anything you can tell us to make this trip easier would be appreciated.
Should I just book the flights online and inform the airline afterwards that one passenger is in a wheelchair, or should I call them and book directly? Probably flying US Airways.
This initial trip is just for one night, so luggage will be minimal. While she can generally push her chair herself, if she gets tired she needs help, so I wouldn't be able to push her and drag a suitcase along. Thinking a small bag that she can have on her lap, and a carry-on-sized backpack for myself. (When we go back later in the year for treatment it will be a longer stay, so we'd need more luggage. Not sure what to do in that situation.)
What happens at security? She is able to walk a short distance with difficulty, but only with assistance, so I'm not sure how she'd go through the metal detector alone. Does the chair get x-rayed?
I presume we can take the wheelchair as far as the plane door? And they have to bring it back to the plane door upon arrival? I presume we should bring cushions etc onboard? Currently we have a rental which is very heavy and doesn't have removable wheels, but I'm going to try to get a more lightweight version.
As mentioned, she is able to walk a short distance with difficulty, so if we were seated in the first few rows she could probably get from the door to her seat. Or do they have skinny wheelchairs which can go down the aisle to allow her to get to her seat? I presume we should check with staff at the gate about pre-boarding?
Any other tips you can suggest?
We're both very used to flying, but have not done so since my 14 year-old daughter has been in a wheelchair. Anything you can tell us to make this trip easier would be appreciated.
Should I just book the flights online and inform the airline afterwards that one passenger is in a wheelchair, or should I call them and book directly? Probably flying US Airways.
This initial trip is just for one night, so luggage will be minimal. While she can generally push her chair herself, if she gets tired she needs help, so I wouldn't be able to push her and drag a suitcase along. Thinking a small bag that she can have on her lap, and a carry-on-sized backpack for myself. (When we go back later in the year for treatment it will be a longer stay, so we'd need more luggage. Not sure what to do in that situation.)
What happens at security? She is able to walk a short distance with difficulty, but only with assistance, so I'm not sure how she'd go through the metal detector alone. Does the chair get x-rayed?
I presume we can take the wheelchair as far as the plane door? And they have to bring it back to the plane door upon arrival? I presume we should bring cushions etc onboard? Currently we have a rental which is very heavy and doesn't have removable wheels, but I'm going to try to get a more lightweight version.
As mentioned, she is able to walk a short distance with difficulty, so if we were seated in the first few rows she could probably get from the door to her seat. Or do they have skinny wheelchairs which can go down the aisle to allow her to get to her seat? I presume we should check with staff at the gate about pre-boarding?
Any other tips you can suggest?
Best answer: Pretty sure we much more experienced wheelchair travelers than me, but the way it worked when I did it is as follows:
I checked in at the desk and they checked my wheelchair like luggage, and provided me with a light-weight airport wheelchair. I used that to get to the gate, where I pre-boarded before anyone else. Security was cleared in the chair. Instead of taking me down the rampway, they took me down the elevator and out onto the tarmac, where I went up into the plane on the catering platform lift still in the wheelchair. I transferred to my seat and they took the wheelchair off the plane.
When I got to the other end, we did the same thing in reverse except I think they just took me out the normal door and ramp system.
Luggage: you are going to have to check the chair so regardless, you're checking luggage. If you can do a small lap bag for her and a backpack for you one a single overnight that's great, though. For a longer stay you should be prepared to check bags and to do a taxi on the other end.
posted by DarlingBri at 6:10 AM on April 15, 2013
I checked in at the desk and they checked my wheelchair like luggage, and provided me with a light-weight airport wheelchair. I used that to get to the gate, where I pre-boarded before anyone else. Security was cleared in the chair. Instead of taking me down the rampway, they took me down the elevator and out onto the tarmac, where I went up into the plane on the catering platform lift still in the wheelchair. I transferred to my seat and they took the wheelchair off the plane.
When I got to the other end, we did the same thing in reverse except I think they just took me out the normal door and ramp system.
Luggage: you are going to have to check the chair so regardless, you're checking luggage. If you can do a small lap bag for her and a backpack for you one a single overnight that's great, though. For a longer stay you should be prepared to check bags and to do a taxi on the other end.
posted by DarlingBri at 6:10 AM on April 15, 2013
I haven't personally been in a wheelchair, but a parent has had to fly a lot recently after surgery, and so has been in a wheelchair while in airports. (They could walk, but couldn't stand for the amount of time that it takes to get through security, etc.) Please tell the airline that you will have a passenger in a wheelchair and remind them as soon as you're at the airport. We always had an assistant person come with an airport wheelchair, who also helped get us through various security lines and then onto the plane faster. Whether you two will be a priority boarding will be up to the airline involved, but they usually will make an announcement with enough time to get settled before the mad rush for overhead bins start. In general the airlines have been pretty good about this, even at bigger international terminals abroad.
posted by jetlagaddict at 6:16 AM on April 15, 2013
posted by jetlagaddict at 6:16 AM on April 15, 2013
Best answer: My wife walks most places but uses a chair to get through long "walks" like airports and malls. We never make any special arrangements ahead of time. If she stays in the chair though security, an officer will pat her down and spend time fussing over her. My wife generally prefers to walk through the metal detectors and let them inspect the chair without her in it.
When checking luggage she indicates that she needs to gate-check the chair, and the airline people give her a tag to put on the chair. When we arrive at the gate, she tells the people at the desk that she needs to pre-board and gate-check the chair. This means she rolls down the ramp to the plane in her own chair and leaves it at the door of the plane, where she gets up and walks to her seat. The chair is taken down and loaded into the cargo hold last, after everyone else's checked luggage, so that it can be unloaded first and brought up for her on arrival. We always linger in our seats to let most of the passengers disembark ahead of us; it takes a while for them to fetch the chair anyhow, and since we move slowly it's much less stressful to move through the aisle without the pressure of 200 anxious people behind us.
posted by jon1270 at 6:21 AM on April 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
When checking luggage she indicates that she needs to gate-check the chair, and the airline people give her a tag to put on the chair. When we arrive at the gate, she tells the people at the desk that she needs to pre-board and gate-check the chair. This means she rolls down the ramp to the plane in her own chair and leaves it at the door of the plane, where she gets up and walks to her seat. The chair is taken down and loaded into the cargo hold last, after everyone else's checked luggage, so that it can be unloaded first and brought up for her on arrival. We always linger in our seats to let most of the passengers disembark ahead of us; it takes a while for them to fetch the chair anyhow, and since we move slowly it's much less stressful to move through the aisle without the pressure of 200 anxious people behind us.
posted by jon1270 at 6:21 AM on April 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Jon1270 has it. Gate check the chair and ask for any assistance you need when you check in. Your daughter can get to her seat in an aisle chair, a nifty narrow chair that can fit between the airplane's seats. Check your wheelchair carefully when you're reunited with it at the other end. Cargo holds are bumpy places and wheelchairs can get damaged. Bring a screwdriver and Allen keys for simple fixes. Good luck with everything.
posted by firstdrop at 6:37 AM on April 15, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by firstdrop at 6:37 AM on April 15, 2013 [5 favorites]
Best answer: If anything on your wheelchair is easily removable (cushions, head-rests, foot-plates etc), remove them before the crew takes your wheelchair down to the hold and store them in the overhead locker. Experience tells me that if something can be separated from the chair, it will be separated from the chair.
posted by afx237vi at 6:51 AM on April 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by afx237vi at 6:51 AM on April 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
It gets pretty ridiculous at the security gate. I thought when they asked if my partner (who was recovering from a stroke) wanted to walk through the metal detector that for sure they would have someone steady him through. No they didn't! And I wasn't allowed to touch him. They will let the person use a wooden cane if you ask for it. But you have to ask for it. You are not even allowed to go through first and then stand in front so you can "catch" the person as they come out. They don't wait on the other side and give a hand to the person coming through. And there is nothing to grab onto when you come out like a table or anything - just wide open space.
I guess what I am trying to say is don't expect her to get any help walking through the detector. You need to be sure she is comfortable walking that distance completely on her own. They will have no sympathy. At least that is my experience.
posted by cda at 8:05 AM on April 15, 2013
I guess what I am trying to say is don't expect her to get any help walking through the detector. You need to be sure she is comfortable walking that distance completely on her own. They will have no sympathy. At least that is my experience.
posted by cda at 8:05 AM on April 15, 2013
There is absolutely no reason for her to walk through the screening. The TSA can and will screen her in a wheel chair.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:59 AM on April 15, 2013
posted by DarlingBri at 8:59 AM on April 15, 2013
Best answer: My SO uses a wheelchair, and we find that air travel is typically a breeze, once you get the basics down, to the point that I actually miss the perks when flying solo.
Scout out the locations of the elevators. They aren't always obviously placed, because the normal traffic flow utilizes escalators.
Don't stand in line at security. Wheelchairs typically advance all the way to the guy who checks IDs, especially if the line weaves back and forth, since it's hard to navigate the narrow turns.
Don't stand up at the X-ray. My SO can stand for a few minutes at a time, but we don't risk there being a delay unless we're desparately late for our flight. If you tell them that you cannot stand up, you will be wheeled past screening and go for a pat down. This may be invasive. The chair gets swabbed for explosives regardless.
As soon as you get to the gate, get the gate check tag for the chair and ask if you can be moved forward. They always keep a couple of spare seats towards the front of coach for situations like this. We were flying an international 767 doing domestic duty once, and we got moved to the crew relief seats. Which was awesome.
Once you get the gate check tag, you will already be tagged in the system for pre-boarding, so you get on before first class. Since you won't be fighting anyone for aisle space or overheads, you can determine whether you'll need the aisle chair or not. But you do take your chair to the aircraft door, and remove any items that you don't want to lose. They will break it down as much as possible to put it on the plane.
Once you get to your destination, stay in your seat until the plane is almost clear. If you're sitting towards the front, let a flight attendant know you're waiting for your personal chair, and not one of the airport chairs that typically meets passengers in the jet bridge. The bringing up of the chair can take a while, so don't leave with everyone else, or you might be standing for a while waiting for the chair.
I'm pretty old hat at this now, so memail me if you want any extra info.
posted by hwyengr at 10:00 AM on April 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Scout out the locations of the elevators. They aren't always obviously placed, because the normal traffic flow utilizes escalators.
Don't stand in line at security. Wheelchairs typically advance all the way to the guy who checks IDs, especially if the line weaves back and forth, since it's hard to navigate the narrow turns.
Don't stand up at the X-ray. My SO can stand for a few minutes at a time, but we don't risk there being a delay unless we're desparately late for our flight. If you tell them that you cannot stand up, you will be wheeled past screening and go for a pat down. This may be invasive. The chair gets swabbed for explosives regardless.
As soon as you get to the gate, get the gate check tag for the chair and ask if you can be moved forward. They always keep a couple of spare seats towards the front of coach for situations like this. We were flying an international 767 doing domestic duty once, and we got moved to the crew relief seats. Which was awesome.
Once you get the gate check tag, you will already be tagged in the system for pre-boarding, so you get on before first class. Since you won't be fighting anyone for aisle space or overheads, you can determine whether you'll need the aisle chair or not. But you do take your chair to the aircraft door, and remove any items that you don't want to lose. They will break it down as much as possible to put it on the plane.
Once you get to your destination, stay in your seat until the plane is almost clear. If you're sitting towards the front, let a flight attendant know you're waiting for your personal chair, and not one of the airport chairs that typically meets passengers in the jet bridge. The bringing up of the chair can take a while, so don't leave with everyone else, or you might be standing for a while waiting for the chair.
I'm pretty old hat at this now, so memail me if you want any extra info.
posted by hwyengr at 10:00 AM on April 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: My husband uses a manual wheelchair and we're regular world travellers. I'll get him to write up something tonight, but here's a few notes from my experience:
It's good to make a note when you buy tickets (I buy online and just put a note in the ticket. Typical deals/booking sites will ask if anyone in your party needs assistance at booking), but you'll also be fine just requesting assistance when you get to the airport.
It always pays to double check when you get there, and when you get to the actual gate, let the gate agent know you're there and that you'd like to pre-board. (You'll get to board first, which gives you more time and bag space!)
They'll typically ask you if you can walk to your seat--if you can't, they'll have what's called an "aisle chair" waiting at the plane which will get you right to your assigned seat. That's the skinny chair you talked about. It's easier but will take extra time if you need it to deboard. (see note below) You'll leave your chair at the plane door and it should be waiting for you, with other gate-checked luggage, when you land.
Schedule extra-extra time for making connections. You'll likely be the last person off the plane when it lands (especially if you need an aisle chair) and they can take a while getting your chair brought up. We never do a connection that's shorter than an hour.
Many airports have golf-cart-type mini-shuttles between gates, if you're too tired out to push yourself. Be warned that these shuttles can take longer to get to your gate than walking there directly. (Again, more time between connections is a good thing!)
Sometimes they hide the elevators at an airport, but they are ALWAYS there and you can ALWAYS get where you need to go. Don't be afraid to ask anyone for help.
Definitely remove any pads/sideguards which could come off and get lost in transit. We just take ours with us and tuck it in the overhead or one of our bags.
TSA will screen your daughter in her chair. It's a little invasive and takes extra time. Make sure you keep an eye on her bags and grab them when they're through security--my husband hates that his bags just sit there unattended when he flies alone.
Again, ask for help! Airport personnel are usually highly trained to deal with wheelchairs, in our experience. They deal with them every day, you are not an inconvenience or a surprise--ask for help, tell them what you need and go with the flow.
Have a great trip! :)
posted by ninjakins at 10:22 AM on April 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's good to make a note when you buy tickets (I buy online and just put a note in the ticket. Typical deals/booking sites will ask if anyone in your party needs assistance at booking), but you'll also be fine just requesting assistance when you get to the airport.
It always pays to double check when you get there, and when you get to the actual gate, let the gate agent know you're there and that you'd like to pre-board. (You'll get to board first, which gives you more time and bag space!)
They'll typically ask you if you can walk to your seat--if you can't, they'll have what's called an "aisle chair" waiting at the plane which will get you right to your assigned seat. That's the skinny chair you talked about. It's easier but will take extra time if you need it to deboard. (see note below) You'll leave your chair at the plane door and it should be waiting for you, with other gate-checked luggage, when you land.
Schedule extra-extra time for making connections. You'll likely be the last person off the plane when it lands (especially if you need an aisle chair) and they can take a while getting your chair brought up. We never do a connection that's shorter than an hour.
Many airports have golf-cart-type mini-shuttles between gates, if you're too tired out to push yourself. Be warned that these shuttles can take longer to get to your gate than walking there directly. (Again, more time between connections is a good thing!)
Sometimes they hide the elevators at an airport, but they are ALWAYS there and you can ALWAYS get where you need to go. Don't be afraid to ask anyone for help.
Definitely remove any pads/sideguards which could come off and get lost in transit. We just take ours with us and tuck it in the overhead or one of our bags.
TSA will screen your daughter in her chair. It's a little invasive and takes extra time. Make sure you keep an eye on her bags and grab them when they're through security--my husband hates that his bags just sit there unattended when he flies alone.
Again, ask for help! Airport personnel are usually highly trained to deal with wheelchairs, in our experience. They deal with them every day, you are not an inconvenience or a surprise--ask for help, tell them what you need and go with the flow.
Have a great trip! :)
posted by ninjakins at 10:22 AM on April 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: As a manual wheelchair user myself, I often find air-travel (both with my wife and by myself)...interesting. Here's a few tips to help make your trip easier.
The four magic words you need to remember when traveling are: "gate check" and "aisle chair". When you arrive at the gate, you (or more preferably your daughter since she should probably be learning how to travel independently) should go up to the counter and explain that you want to gate-check the chair. This means that they'll take the chair from you when you go to board the plane and make sure it gets put into cargo. After you exit the airplane at your destination, your chair will be waiting for you. The gate agent will then tag the chair (make sure they do NOT put the tag on the wheels!) and give you a receipt for it.
The second thing that the agent is going to ask you is if you'll need an aisle chair (pictured here). This is where it gets a little interesting. The aisle chair is great for paraplegics, quadriplegics, etc who can't walk because it is the simplest way to get to your seat without dragging yourself down the aisle like an action-hero with a bullet wound. On the flip side, this means that you'll be the absolute freaking last person off the plane when you arrive and no one will be able to give you a straight answer as to how long you'll have to wait for another aisle chair to get you off the plane. Your other option is to attempt to take your chair onto the plane yourself. Now, I can get away with this because my chair is only about 12" across and will fit through the main bulkhead and even down first class (if the plane is large enough). Once I take the chair is as far as it will go, I simply use each seat as a grab rail and swing my way down to my assigned seat. This works out great and I recommend it over an aisle chair (it just takes practice). Also, if you decline the aisle chair and hobble to your seat, that means you can do the same thing when you get off the plane. When exiting the aircraft, simply wait for first class (or whatever class is nearest the exit you'll be going through) to clear out. Once it's clear, get your ass all the way to the seat nearest the exit and wait until they bring the chair up. Once your chair is up, hop in, exit the plane and book it to your next connection.
Speaking of connections, never get one with a layover of less than one hour. Just trust me on this one.
As for security, I hope you like having your personal space violated. Currently, there is no way for your daughter to go through the metal detectors or any other screening equipment. This means that she'll get to experience what is most often referred to as an "enhanced pat-down". Yeah, it's as crazy as it sounds. In order to make this go smoothly, make sure she is able to lean forward in the chair and sit upright without touching the backrest. Make sure she can lean to the left and to the right far enough so each butt check can leave the seat. Also make sure that she is able to lift herself up and off the seat and hold herself aloft for at least 10 seconds. Finally, for the "waist band" check (I am not making this up), make sure she can lean back far enough to expose it while simultaneously drifting off and thinking of a "happy place". Once that is over, she's clear to go through security. Also, she will NOT have to take her shoes off.
Other advice / Things of Note:
- Airline employees are kind and helpful. Ask for whatever you need and they'll do what they can to accomodate you.
- Include your daughter in every decision you make and conversation you have with airline employees or regarding your flight in general. When people ask you questions about her abilities or condition, redirect the question to your daughter and have her answer as best she's able. I know it can be a bit intimidating, but she's gonna have to do this on her own someday (hopefully). Also, make sure she understands how to read departure and delivery screens as well as her boarding pass.
- If her arms get tired because she's still getting used to the chair, start going on walks or something with her. Get her used to the distance / weight including carrying her own luggage. Again, this about being independent.
I hope this helps. I joined metafilter to help answer questions like this one so feel free to ask away. I can also give bag recommendations (backpacks, etc) as well as advice on driving, etc. Just let me know.
posted by OpnSrce at 5:26 PM on April 15, 2013 [4 favorites]
The four magic words you need to remember when traveling are: "gate check" and "aisle chair". When you arrive at the gate, you (or more preferably your daughter since she should probably be learning how to travel independently) should go up to the counter and explain that you want to gate-check the chair. This means that they'll take the chair from you when you go to board the plane and make sure it gets put into cargo. After you exit the airplane at your destination, your chair will be waiting for you. The gate agent will then tag the chair (make sure they do NOT put the tag on the wheels!) and give you a receipt for it.
The second thing that the agent is going to ask you is if you'll need an aisle chair (pictured here). This is where it gets a little interesting. The aisle chair is great for paraplegics, quadriplegics, etc who can't walk because it is the simplest way to get to your seat without dragging yourself down the aisle like an action-hero with a bullet wound. On the flip side, this means that you'll be the absolute freaking last person off the plane when you arrive and no one will be able to give you a straight answer as to how long you'll have to wait for another aisle chair to get you off the plane. Your other option is to attempt to take your chair onto the plane yourself. Now, I can get away with this because my chair is only about 12" across and will fit through the main bulkhead and even down first class (if the plane is large enough). Once I take the chair is as far as it will go, I simply use each seat as a grab rail and swing my way down to my assigned seat. This works out great and I recommend it over an aisle chair (it just takes practice). Also, if you decline the aisle chair and hobble to your seat, that means you can do the same thing when you get off the plane. When exiting the aircraft, simply wait for first class (or whatever class is nearest the exit you'll be going through) to clear out. Once it's clear, get your ass all the way to the seat nearest the exit and wait until they bring the chair up. Once your chair is up, hop in, exit the plane and book it to your next connection.
Speaking of connections, never get one with a layover of less than one hour. Just trust me on this one.
As for security, I hope you like having your personal space violated. Currently, there is no way for your daughter to go through the metal detectors or any other screening equipment. This means that she'll get to experience what is most often referred to as an "enhanced pat-down". Yeah, it's as crazy as it sounds. In order to make this go smoothly, make sure she is able to lean forward in the chair and sit upright without touching the backrest. Make sure she can lean to the left and to the right far enough so each butt check can leave the seat. Also make sure that she is able to lift herself up and off the seat and hold herself aloft for at least 10 seconds. Finally, for the "waist band" check (I am not making this up), make sure she can lean back far enough to expose it while simultaneously drifting off and thinking of a "happy place". Once that is over, she's clear to go through security. Also, she will NOT have to take her shoes off.
Other advice / Things of Note:
- Airline employees are kind and helpful. Ask for whatever you need and they'll do what they can to accomodate you.
- Include your daughter in every decision you make and conversation you have with airline employees or regarding your flight in general. When people ask you questions about her abilities or condition, redirect the question to your daughter and have her answer as best she's able. I know it can be a bit intimidating, but she's gonna have to do this on her own someday (hopefully). Also, make sure she understands how to read departure and delivery screens as well as her boarding pass.
- If her arms get tired because she's still getting used to the chair, start going on walks or something with her. Get her used to the distance / weight including carrying her own luggage. Again, this about being independent.
I hope this helps. I joined metafilter to help answer questions like this one so feel free to ask away. I can also give bag recommendations (backpacks, etc) as well as advice on driving, etc. Just let me know.
posted by OpnSrce at 5:26 PM on April 15, 2013 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks so much for the great answers everyone. I feel more at ease with this trip now. I may mefimail those who offered if more specific questions arise as we're preparing.
Thankfully it's a direct flight both ways, so I don't have to worry about connections.
posted by valleys at 7:12 AM on April 16, 2013
Thankfully it's a direct flight both ways, so I don't have to worry about connections.
posted by valleys at 7:12 AM on April 16, 2013
One thing I will add, having done my wheelchair trip flying between two countries, is: have US dollars on hand. Depending on a bunch of factors none of us can accurately predict, you may get ground assistance on arrival in the form of a nice person accompanying you and pushing your daughter from the gate through customs and past baggage reclaim. I had no US dollars with which to tip this person and was fucking mortified when he'd been so nice and helpful to me.
posted by DarlingBri at 2:32 PM on April 16, 2013
posted by DarlingBri at 2:32 PM on April 16, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks, yes - good idea. I think we have some small bills from past trips and will get USD from the bank here before we leave, as we will be arriving quite late and don't want to have to find an ATM before getting a cab.
posted by valleys at 6:46 PM on April 16, 2013
posted by valleys at 6:46 PM on April 16, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks again to everyone for the advice in this thread, it really helped my daughter and me prepare for the trip, which went off very smoothly. We were ready for the security check (on the way back the swab of her chair tested positive so they asked her to stand briefly while they gave it a thorough check, but they were very good at explaining everything) and weren't afraid to ask for what we needed.
Also US Airways staff on the phone, at both airports, and flight crews, were beyond helpful. When I called after making the online reservation, they gave us seats in row 2 so she was easily able to get from the door of the plane to her seat. At PHL yesterday multiple staff checked in with us to ensure that we knew what the process was and to ask if we needed help. It was far less stress than I imagined it would be.
posted by valleys at 1:46 PM on May 10, 2013
Also US Airways staff on the phone, at both airports, and flight crews, were beyond helpful. When I called after making the online reservation, they gave us seats in row 2 so she was easily able to get from the door of the plane to her seat. At PHL yesterday multiple staff checked in with us to ensure that we knew what the process was and to ask if we needed help. It was far less stress than I imagined it would be.
posted by valleys at 1:46 PM on May 10, 2013
« Older Road Trip! Gainesville, FL to Austin, TX this fall... | What should we give our wedding officiant? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
There's a special procedure for gonig through security. Here is the TSA site, they have a number you can call to ask any questions about screening. Also, brief your daughter so that she knows what to expect, if she's not uptight, it will be a lot easier for everyone.
The whole screening thing is a huge hassle, computers have to be out of their bags, you have to take your one-quart zip bag of toiletries out of your suitcase, shoes off, in a bin, on the belt (you never know, it changes day-to-day and airport-to-airport.) So you be in charge of all of that.
It's easier to check the bag, and if your daughter is in a wheelchair, they may waive the baggage charges.
Slip on/off shoes, no heavy metal embelishments on clothing and listen to the TSA. I'm always smiling and super-friendly, I find this makes it all a bit easier.
As for the wheelchair on the plane, you'll probably be seated behind the bulkhead, which is the first row after first/business class. A flight attendant or ramp agent will assist your daughter in getting to her seat. The chair will be left at the door of the plane, and it will be on the gateway when you're ready to disembark.
Arrive VERY early so that you have a chance to situate yourself at the gate. Have a bathroom run about 15-20 minutes before they start boarding. Have a strategy for toileting on the plane (you'll probably be allowed to use the head in First/Business Class).
Have snacks, sometimes delays will cause problems and you'll be on the tarmack at lunchtime.
Have fun!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:06 AM on April 15, 2013 [2 favorites]