rocker@desire.wright.edu (Ronnie) (01/31/91)
Index Number: 13269 The past two spring breaks I've gone to Floridia. The first time by plane, the second by car. Needless to say the plane was much preferred. However, I am handicapped and use a three-wheel chart. When I went by plane, I took my manual wheelchair because I've heard that wet-cell acid batteries aren't allowed on planes, it this true?, always true? every airline? I'm planning to fly this year, but, it's very hard to cruise for chicks with someone pushing you :-)8 And yes I know about gell-cells, but they onle about one year compared to two or three. rockin' on.. ronnie
rocker@desire.wright.edu (Ronnie) (02/09/91)
Index Number: 13594 I posted this a couple weeks ago and got no responses. I know someone out must know the answer. Please don't let the net let me down. The past two spring breaks I've gone to Floridia. The first time by plane, the second by car. Needless to say the plane was much preferred. However, I am handicapped and use a three-wheel chart. When I went by plane, I took my manual wheelchair because I've heard that wet-cell acid batteries aren't allowed on planes, it this true?, always true? every airline? I'm planning to fly this year, but, it's very hard to cruise for chicks with someone pushing you :-)8 And yes I know about gell-cells, but they onle about one year compared to two or three. rockin' on.. ronnie
spgreg@venus.lerc.nasa.gov (Greg Macrae) (02/09/91)
Index Number: 13596 In article <17282@bunker.UUCP>, rocker@desire.wright.edu (Ronnie) writes... >Index Number: 13269 >When I went by plane, I took my manual wheelchair because I've heard that >wet-cell acid batteries aren't allowed on planes, it this true?, always true? >every airline? >ronnie No, it isn't true. Most airlines will transport wet cell batteries in a special box. This means that they must remove the battery from the chair to ship it. Many uninformed personnel at airports insist on treating gel cells the same way. Your best bet is to talk to the local baggage handler supervisor for the airline that you are flying. Do this the week before you fly. (S)He can make sure that an experienced handler loads your chair. The proceedure is more complicated for electric chairs than for manuals, and it really pays to take the extra time and talk to the people who will be doing the work. Also, make certain that your tickets indicate that you have a wheelchair so that the personnel at your destination will be prepaired. I have traveled by air quite a lot, and never had a problem with my chair or the way it was handled. On the other hand, I have seen chairs that were broken by the baggage handlers. It can be a real drag to be stuck somewhere and forced to rely on equipment loaned by the airline, and that assumes that the airline can loan you a replacement... Expressing your concern before hand may not prevent an accident, but it can make one less likely. The trick is to maintain the proper level of paranoia. Good luck, and have a safe trip. -------------------------------------------------------------------- MacRae | Darting dragonfly... | Pull off its shiny wings and look... spgreg@csd.lerc.nasa.gov | Bright red pepper pod! | -Kikaku --------------------------------------------------------------------
Pandora.Nigh@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Pandora Nigh) (04/16/91)
Index Number: 14977
Hi Ronnie, sorry I must have missed your inquiry on planes and
batteries. You have to call the airline that you intend to fly on. They
all have different requirements for batteries. Some require that they be
removed from the chair, places in special metal boxes. Others require
even if they are dry cell that they be removed and then cartoned up and
carried under your seat, some will allow you to keep a drycell on the
chair. So you have to call the air line you wish to travel and get their
protocol, also when you make your reservation make sure that you tell
them you are transporting a tricart or chair so they can make sure they
have room for your chair. The easiest and mostly accepted battery on the
whole to tranport by air is a gel cell or dry battery. If you intend to
do a bit of air travel it's worth the investment.
Pandora
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!157!3!Pandora.Nigh
Internet: Pandora.Nigh@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.orgJack.Colley@p14.f9.n249.z1.fidonet.org (Jack Colley) (04/24/91)
Index Number: 15131
Hi Julie!
In your msg to Ronnie, dated <21 Mar 91 16:20>, it said:
JM> I know you can take gell-cell batteries on the plane, but am not sure
JM> about the acid ones. I think each airline has a different rule, so
JM> you could call the airline you are planning to fly with and ask them.
JM> Sorry I can't be any more help.
The last time I travelled by air, with my power drive chair, to
avoid contravery and hold up at the air-port, I left my batteries
at home and rented same on arrival. Jack Colley - Kingston,
Ontario.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!249!9.14!Jack.Colley
Internet: Jack.Colley@p14.f9.n249.z1.fidonet.orgspgreg@mars.lerc.nasa.gov (Greg Macrae) (04/25/91)
Index Number: 15209 In article <18954@bunker.isc-br.com>, Jack.Colley@p14.f9.n249.z1.fidonet.org (Jack Colley) writes... >Index Number: 15131 >In your msg to Ronnie, dated <21 Mar 91 16:20>, it said: > JM> I know you can take gell-cell batteries on the plane, but am not sure > JM> about the acid ones. I think each airline has a different rule, so > JM> you could call the airline you are planning to fly with and ask them. > JM> Sorry I can't be any more help. >avoid contravery and hold up at the air-port, I left my batteries >at home and rented same on arrival. Jack Colley - Kingston, Major passenger aircraft (basically anything larger than a Cesna 180) using United States airports are required to follow FAA standards for handling wheelchairs. The wheelchair and battery will be transported with the traveller regardless of the type of battery used. The difference between gell cell and lead acid batteries is that the wet cells (lead acid) must be removed from the chair and transported in an approved container. As Jack points out, this can take more time and can be a hassle. You can minimize the delays by contacting the baggage handling supervisor for the airline and airport you will use. Once the people are familiar with the proceedures, there is usually little difficulty. Unfortunately, not everyone has the requisite experience. The best way to deal with this is to know your rights and responsibilities and to know their responsibilities as well. Good luck travelling. Greg
Terry.Norris@p0.f7.n3803.z1.fidonet.org (Terry Norris) (05/09/91)
Index Number: 15449 GM> In article <18954@bunker.isc-br.com>, GM> Jack.Colley@p14.f9.n249.z1.fidonet.org (Jack Colley) writes... >>Index Number: 15131 >>In your msg to Ronnie, dated <21 Mar 91 16:20>, it said: >> JM> I know you can take gell-cell batteries on the plane, but am not sure >> JM> about the acid ones. I think each airline has a different rule, so >> JM> you could call the airline you are planning to fly with and ask them. >> JM> Sorry I can't be any more help. >>avoid contravery and hold up at the air-port, I left my batteries >>at home and rented same on arrival. Jack Colley - Kingston, I fly with my wheelchair, and have much less a hassel when using GEL batteries. I keep a set of them just for travel, but run the lead-acids around here. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!3803!7.0!Terry.Norris Internet: Terry.Norris@p0.f7.n3803.z1.fidonet.org