my name is Karen and as an elite athlete
I've had to travel a lot the sport of
wheelchair tennis has taken me all over
the globe and most times I have to take
a plane to get there traveling by air in
a chair can be daunting but I have a few
tips that will help you navigate the
airport in your wheelchair like a pro so
you want to travel by air you have to
buy a ticket I put my tickets online but
you can also call the airline and speak
to a reservation agent hello
however you choose to book your flight
make sure you let them know you use a
wheelchair and explain to them what type
of assistance you may need so you want
to know how I booked my flight I look
for the cheapest and most direct flight
and go from there layover if there's a
connecting flight I make sure my layover
is at least two hours long
why because I'm a chair user and I don't
walk so I'm usually the last person to
deplane and that takes about 20 minutes
a two-hour layover will also give you
enough time to use the power through eat
a snack
and leisurely make your way over to the
next game let's pack
I use one of these if I'm going to check
in luggage a duffel with a strap I have
many different sizes depending on how
long my trip will be I also have wheeled
luggage kind of use like this you can
always ask someone for help but I
believe if I can't carry it I can't
bring it when packing your bag make sure
you put it somewhere level like your
couch or on top of your bed because if
you pack your bag when it's on the floor
you're gonna have to pick it up and that
may not be very pretty
most airlines allow you to have a
carry-on bag this is mine
I'll typically pack medication
identification my keys my itinerary
my phone and snacks all in my carry-on
you can find the T essays policies on
carry-ons at www.att.com/biz
think safe you ready unpacked let's go I
don't wanna be late I like to arrive at
the airport at least two hours before my
flight just in case there any delays if
you drive yourself to the airport there
are parking spaces designated for people
with a disability if you plan on renting
a car after you reach your final
destination
don't forget your parking placard it
will allow you to park in designated
spots for people with a disability and
if you don't have a parking placard you
can easily apply for one at WWDC mvo RG
let the adventure begin
checking in is easy simply look for the
airline that you're flying with get into
the line and wait to be caught up
next
they will ask you for your
identification or your passport if
you're traveling internationally
you should also mention what
accommodations you'll need i am always
really polite even if I feel a bit
unnerved
because politeness goes a long way when
you're traveling I told you that story
to say you got it in an island chair
sure let me make note of it I use an
isle chair to get on and off the plane
it's a chair that you transfer on to
that fits down the super narrow plane I
Oh Oh certainly
thank you I don't want somebody crawling
all over me on their way to the bathroom
and more importantly I like to lean my
head on the airplane wall how much does
your wheelchair way will you be needing
any assistance to the gate good thank
you
well Karen that should do it I was able
to get you a window seat and not moved
you a little closer to the front of the
aircraft is there anything else I can
get for you know if you've been really
helpful thank you so much thanks to your
gate as c6 you'll make a pass this
security and make a lift enjoy your
flight
this is so awesome being closer to the
front of the plane will help expedite
the boarding process so let's hurry
because security lines can get kind of
long while going through the security
line you're going to need to present
your ID and your boarding documents then
you will be asked to put everything
except the clothes on your back into a
security bin which will then be placed
onto a conveyor belt and then all of
your stuff will go through the x-ray
machine
as a cheery user you're gonna wait by
the security gate until they find a
person of your same gender to give you a
manual pat-down then they ask you a few
questions they inspect your chair and
eventually you'll be on your way to your
gate
see six
when I see the gate agent arrive I like
to give them a moment to settle in
before I ambush them but when I finally
do make it over there I hand them my
boarding pass first and then I like to
Clare up four things one I'm going to
need an aisle chair for boarding and
tell them if you'll need assistance
transferring to gate check tag the gate
check tag allows your chair to travel
with the luggage and when you land they
will bring it up to you as you exit the
plane three does the seat have an
armrest that swings up very important
for transferring and for ask when does
pre-boarding start as a chair user you
get to board first
consider yourself VIP when it's time to
board the sky caps will come down and
they'll assist you with reporting but
they won't come looking for you if you
disappear so stay close but use the
restroom and use it early because nine
times out of ten it's gonna be occupied
because it's the penthouse of all
bathroom stall
that's me
come on I'll show you how I board a
plane first they scan my boarding pass
and now I roll to the plate
I transfer out of my chair and onto the
aisle chair remember to let them know if
you need any help and how they should
help you
make sure to remove anything on your
chair that isn't properly fastened like
your foot wrestling I take my cushion
and my carry-on time out now they're
gonna take me to my seat and I'm gonna
transfer again this is your captain
Frank speaking we're taking off
I love take off this is your captain
Frank speaking prepare for landing
I love landing getting off the plane is
basically the same as it was getting on
except reversed I wait till everyone is
off the plane the skycap brings me the
aisle chair I transfer onto the aisle
chair take me to find a plane where this
is Captain Frank speaking we have
reached our destination I exit and
transfer on to my everyday chair that's
it now if you'd like some help getting
to your next gate or to baggage claim
ask people working in airports are
friendly and very helpful especially if
you're polite
have an amazing adventure
you