Fly The Friendly Skies
By Golda Turner
Nothing warms the soul like the thought of a good vacation. Traveling together puts smiles on our faces and creates a strong family bond. The sweet memories will be cherished for years to come.
Our extra-large family has traveled every summer since the children were young, exploring parts of the USA and Canada. The miles flew by as we road tripped by car, and many times by RV.
Now that most of our children are married with growing families of their own, we have expanded our horizons to places further away. We have sprouted wings and learned to fly.
Flying off into the blue yonder is always an exciting thought. We imagine soaring like an eagle, high in the skies above the clouds looking down at the multihued world below.
Traveling with Meir Efraim in his wheelchair has always taken a bit more planning and ingenuity. Adventuring with a disability can be challenging, but that bright smile of pure enjoyment is extremely rewarding. Come join us as we share with you what we have learned about flying the friendly skies…
With more seniors and disabled people traveling both interstate and internationally than ever before, both airports and airlines are becoming more disability friendly.
On most airlines, it is now possible to take along a wheelchair, walker, oxygen concentrator, ventilator, medical oxygen, and many other pieces of medical equipment. Arrangements usually need to be made a few days in advance. Check with your individual airline for more information.
When booking our flight, we always make sure to enter Meir Efraim’s need for wheelchair assistance into his reservation. Any passenger who has limited mobility due to age or medical issues is advised to do the same, as airports are huge. This will ensure extra assistance at the airports of departure and arrival. We also request seats near the airplane’s restroom.
Side rows on jets typically have three seats in a row. The window is more entertaining, as well as difficult to exit. The bulkhead seat in the middle section has extra leg space, and mini bassinettes can be placed there for those flying with infants. Seats near the door are reserved for people who can help in an emergency landing.
Meir Efraim has been well prepared for our trip. He knows where and when we are traveling, which airline and airports, how we will get there, and details of the flight. He helped pack his luggage and knapsack.
After checking in our luggage at the airport, we confirm the need for assistance, and mention that he will need extra help getting to his seat on the plane, as he cannot walk. There is a designated transport team for the mobility impaired that brings a wheelchair and pushes the passenger through security and to the departure gate. The extra bonus is that they are able to cut the long lines at security and get through quickly. And, as his family, we are able to tag along!
TSA security checks can be daunting for anyone. You need to take off your shoes, jackets, belt, and hats, and rush to put your handbag and belongings in bins on the conveyor belt. Don’t forget to remove the loose change or keys in your pocket before you go through the body scanner. Electronics such as computers or ipads must be removed from their cases and placed in a separate bin. People in wheelchairs or those with mechanical implants may elect to have a manual pat-down.
People who take medications should keep them in their original labeled bottles in their carry-on bags to prevent accidental loss. Take along enough plus extra in case of delays. Some medications, such as psychotropics, are illegal without a prescription, and may cause problems going through security & customs. Make sure to carry a written & signed doctor’s letter describing the medication, the doses, and why they are needed.
Be aware that regulations do not allow more than a quart sized bag of 3.4 oz containers of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams or pastes per person in carry-on bags.
The TSA has a helpline, TSA CARES, which provides travelers with disabilities or medical conditions assistance during the screening process. Call 72 hours before your travel 855-787-2227 for more information. They have also posted a short, user friendly video demonstrating the screening process at https://www.tsa.gov/videos/tsa-cares-screening-travelers-autism-spectrum-0
The airport is a city for itself, with many shops and restaurants both before and after security. Some find it helpful to prepare children by viewing videos such as “Let’s Go To The Airport”, https://thearc.org/resource/airport-virtual-reality-video, a virtual reality video which details step-by-step the air travel process.
Most of the larger airports have a designated wheelchair accessible private restroom where a companion can assist if necessary. As they upgrade their facilities, many have even included adult changing tables in these restrooms. Some airports even have sensory rooms where you can take a break from the stimulation caused by crowds, bright lights, smells, and loud noises.
At the gate, people needing assistance are usually boarded first, so inform them if your loved one has a disability. We confirm to the gate staff that Meir Efraim needs extra assistance in getting to his seat on the plane, as the aisles are too narrow for wheelchairs. Before boarding, he is transferred to a special aisle chair and is helped to his seat. Since we take our own lightweight folding wheelchair rather than his motorized wheelchair, it is easily placed with the strollers in the plane’s cargo hold. It will be brought up to the airplane exit as soon as we land.
Speaking of wheelchairs, custom and motorized wheelchairs can be sent with the cargo. Contact the airline a few days in advance to make arrangements. But be aware---the damage rate is way too high! Though the airline is responsible for repairs, it takes time and heartache… Prototypes are now being tested for wheelchair securements on larger airplanes. They would be a wonderful solution for travelers that rely on expensive custom wheelchairs.
Soon the plane is boarded and the “fasten seatbelt” sign goes on. As takeoff begins, a short video and demonstration show what to do in an emergency. The motors are revved and the plane taxies to the runway. Get your camera ready! As the plane quickly ascends to the sky, you look down and see the cars on the highways below become smaller and smaller. Soon the buildings and bridges look like a toy town. A few short moments later, you pass through the clouds to where the sky is always blue. Staring in fascination out the window, you may see below bumpy cloud formations, mountain peaks, snaking rivers, or vast oceans.
Once the initial excitement wears off, flights can feel pretty long and boring. Much of the in-flight entertainment may not be appropriate for children. Make sure to pack in your handbag numerous things to entertain and soothe your child on the flight. We always pack a change of clothing, wipes, aprons, snacks, drinking straws, his ipad, and large headphones.
The plane’s trajectory has evened out, and the stewardesses go down the aisles offering drinks and snacks. On longer flights, they will later serve a packaged meal.
Meir Efraim spends much of the flight following the flight path on the entertainment screen while listening to his music and looking out the window to see the world pass by below. Occasionally, he can even see another airplane flying in the distance, or the streaks of color signifying sunrise or sunset.
Eventually the plane starts to descend, signaling the end of our trip. It soon circles, preparing to land.
We wait patiently for the flight to empty, as passengers needing assistance deplane the last. The aisle chair is again used to remove Meir Efraim from the plane, and he is transferred to his wheelchair, which has been brought to the plane’s door. The transport crew takes us to baggage claim and helps us remove our luggage from the belt. They then accompany us through customs and out of the terminal.
The next leg of our vacation is about to begin. But we eagerly look forward to the excitement of our return trip, flying the friendly skies once again.