| When traveling with your Go-Anywhere Chair entails | | | | dropped, or if something is dropped on it, will result in |
| flying and having to deal with airline personnel and | | | | damage requiring the airline to replace a $2,000 |
| airport security, be prepared! You are, most | | | | wheelchair. I guarantee that you'll be handed a pink |
| assuredly, going to be confronted with one or more | | | | gate-check tag very quickly. Should you experience |
| potential obstacles. First of all, know your rights! | | | | any further problem (which I have not), demand to |
| There are numerous resources available on-line from | | | | speak with a supervisor and take names. |
| which you may easily glean the specifics using a | | | | Proceed to the TSA security checkpoint. Review |
| keyword search for "airline and wheelchair". For our | | | | TSA regulations specific to travelers with disabilities at: |
| purpose here, however, suffice it to say that your | | | | Inform TSA security personnel that your case contains |
| Go-Anywhere Chair is a "fragile medical device" which | | | | your commode shower wheelchair and that it will fit, |
| should be "gate-checked" and is not chargeable as | | | | (albeit snugly), through the x-ray tunnel. To date, |
| passenger baggage. Having your wheelchairs | | | | following many such security checks, I have yet to |
| "Gate-checked" means that you will take your | | | | have my carrying case opened for inspection. |
| Go-Anywhere Chair through Security, to the gate, and | | | | With the hard part behind you, proceed to your gate, |
| into and down the jet-way. From there, it may either | | | | check-in with the Agent at the counter, make |
| be stored on-board in the closet separating the | | | | whatever seating changes you want / they can make |
| first-class cabin from coach, or taken down below and | | | | and arrange for an aisle chair to be available, should |
| stored with your wheelchair in the cargo | | | | one be required. When the Agent asks what's in the |
| compartment. The latter method is far more likely, | | | | case, repeat yet again, "it's a delicate shower |
| these days, as most airlines, in their efforts to | | | | chair". You will be boarded ahead of the other |
| maximize revenue, have eliminated the aforementioned | | | | passengers. Airline personnel, for the most part, |
| closet and replaced them with more seating. | | | | well-trained in handling disabled passengers, will assist |
| Adequate on-board storage, however, may be | | | | you down the jet-way along with your Go-Anywhere |
| available on some of the larger aircraft utilized in | | | | Chair, transfer board and laptop computer. After |
| international flights. Let's walk through the process | | | | they transfer you to the aisle chair and on to the |
| of successfully gate-checking your Go-Anywhere | | | | aircraft, they will stow both of your chairs. Make |
| Chair at no charge: | | | | sure that you take your wheelchair seat cushion on |
| Before leaving home, take the liberty of stuffing your | | | | board as storing it in the non-pressurized cargo |
| Go-Anywhere Chair carrying case first, with all of your | | | | compartment could result in damage to the cushion. |
| medical supplies and second, with whatever clothing, or | | | | The foam cushions on your Go-Anywhere Chair will |
| anything else, you can squeeze in except for vessels | | | | store in cargo without any problems. Finally, when |
| containing liquids or gels. As you will not be charged | | | | making connections, make certain that both wheelchair |
| for this particular item of baggage, you may as well | | | | and Go-Anywhere Chairs are brought up into the |
| save yourself a few more bucks by filling it up. | | | | jet-way and that, one way or another, that they |
| Upon arrival at the airline's service desk, check-in with | | | | accompany you to your connecting flight where you |
| a representative. Do not check-in electronically at a | | | | will have to repeat the boarding process yet again. |
| computer kiosk. Check and, if required, pay for your | | | | Air travel for people with disabilities is a hassle and can |
| regular baggage. You can review a chart of all the | | | | be embarrassing and downright uncomfortable. |
| airlines and their fees at Note that Southwest Airlines | | | | Following the steps in the aforementioned process will |
| should be your preferred air carrier as, of this writing, | | | | not change this fact, unfortunately, though it will make it |
| Southwest remains the only airline that does not | | | | a little less miserable. |
| charge for your first checked bag. | | | | And, because your rights are protected by the Air |
| Carefully label and tag all of your baggage and instruct | | | | Carrier Access Act (14 CFR, Pt 382) if you |
| the agent at the counter to provide you with | | | | experience any sort of problem that is directed solely |
| gate-check (pink) tags for both your wheelchair and | | | | to your disability, immediately ask for a Complaint |
| for your Go-Anywhere Chair. When you are told, | | | | Resolution Official. The C.R.O. is there to resolve |
| (and more likely than not, you will be told), that you | | | | problems that may arise due to your disability and for |
| have to check your Go-Anywhere Chair as regular | | | | no other purpose. They are, by law, supposed to be |
| baggage, pay for it or are given a hard time for any | | | | available to any departing or arriving flight. Do not be |
| other reason, it's time to get assertive. First, tell the | | | | forced into any "assistance" that you did not ask for or |
| Agent that you have always had your shower chair | | | | do not want and on the other hand, ask for assistance |
| gate-checked. Second, inform the Agent that the | | | | that is supposed to be there but is not readily |
| case contains "delicate medical equipment" which, if | | | | available. |