Airplanes Travel & Crutches

freesia

Hi there...

Just after some advice please...

Does anyone know if I should or need to make any special arrangments for taking a crutch on holiday ON A PLANE....??

Never been in this situation before, and don't know whether it is allowed or if a GP letter is needed, or whether I need to declare as baggage ect...??

Any advice would be gratefully received..

Thanks

barbara12

Hi freesia
Last year we flew with Rya****when we booked we told them I had crutches and I had them get me a wheel chair at the airport...they kept us seats back near to the toilets and when we got to the plane they brought a ramp for the chair...but I could walk up the ramp with the crutches...when we were taking off they took the crutches away and brought them back later.
But please check with you airline because they all have different policies
You enjoy your holiday xxxxx

kellerman

I would inform your airline. You will or SHOULD be fast tracked and boarded first.
There may be something on the airlines website. Every airline is different but you should be seated near the toilets and definately nowhere near the emergency exit.This is apparently law that only able bodied people are seated there.
Are you going anywhere nice......room for a little one.....oh no I wouldn't bend enough to fit in any suitcase.
Have a lovely time...you'll be fine. May

salamander

You can book assisted travel with your airline or through the airport. You should get help from arrival point at terminal right through to the plane. Walking sticks are fine and I don't think crutches are any different.

bubbadog

salamander wrote:

You can book assisted travel with your airline or through the airport. You should get help from arrival point at terminal right through to the plane. Walking sticks are fine and I don't think crutches are any different.

I never had any problems with taking my crutches, I used my crutches after they took my wheelchair off me to put in the hold. As everyone else said use the assisted travel service when arriving at the airport, you get fast tracked through 'check in', passport control ect at both ends of airport coming and going. It really helps cause it can be a pain doing everything when you have an disabled companion I understand that.

Folara

Definately use the assisted travel, you get a few perks that are really worth it. You don't have to stand around in queues for one thing which I just couldn't do.

Hope you have a good hols. Where are you going?

Fols x

Ldyalb

I'm flying with Ryanair next month. I didn't book special assistance as it specified on their terms and conditions that this was for wheelchair users who needed help, people who are blind/deaf/on Oxygen etc. They also said they could only have 5 such people on any one flight and that they could refuse to fly people if there's too many. So I kept quiet - we have to make that 6:30am flight because the next one isn't until 10pm and we'd lose our hotel.

I will take my walking stick, but it can be folded into my bag if they try to count it as 'excess hand luggage'. I'm already paying £50 extra just for the privilege of bringing a suitcase with me :x My boyfriend wasn't happy but I have so many lotions and potions for my Eczema etc that I can't take in hand luggage, plus I can't have my handbag AND a small hand luggage case, and I would struggle to carry it. And I have to stay at his Uni house the night before and after which means travelling by train alone to get there and back, so I need a suitcase so I can pull it.

Gosh, having a disability can be a logistical nightmare can't it lol

I will ring them though and ask if there's a way to be fast tracked to avoid unnecessary standing around, but without having to request the special assistance. They said they need at least 48 hours notice.

If not I'll just have to sit on the floor!

salamander

which airport are you flying from Ldyalb? I know you can book assistance with some airports directly. They can provide a wheelchair to get you to the plane and I don't see what Ryan Air can do about that.

Also, Gatwick, for example will just take you through to the departure lounge, which would help with the queues for passport/security and then you could board yourself.

I know what you mean about not getting everything into your hand luggage. Mine was so full of drugs there wasn't a lot of room for anything else Do take any important drugs with you in hand luggage in case your checked bag goes missing.

freesia

Has anyone needed to take (or been advised to take) a Doctors note...??? I've been told to take one just incase the use of the crutch is queried at the airport....
I suppose the sight of long scars on each knee isn't good enough proof - LOL...

stickywicket

A doc's note is advised for lots of meds but I've never done it and never had a problem. Maybe if you had liquids or injections it'd be wise.

To be fair, I don't see why scars should be proof of anything. Footballers and athletes have long scars sometimes but clearly no mobility problems. Though why anyone would voluntarily and unnecessarily take crutches on a plane is beyond me.

MrDJ

have you got the hollow crutches that can push inside to make it half the size. these can easily be stored in the overhead baggage area but im not sure if solid crutches fit so its best to check.
for long haul flights like america they arent classed as extra baggage but i have no idea about ryanair.
as mentioned by law they can only carry 4 or 5 disabled or less mobile passengers.
if you use the disabled assistance you get wisked around the airport on a golf cart to the boarding gate. this option you will always be taken through the red to declare area at border control (i got caught bringing 400 ciggys too many) lol.

i always print out a list of my medication with all the docs contact details on and leave it with my pill box.

i think the hardest thing for less mobile passengers flying with ryanair is you have to walk across the tarmac and up the dodgy stairs as they dont use the fancy walkways.

after all the stress of the last 2 weeks we are booking a long weekend to spain again on 1st july flying with ryanair from bournmouth as thats where my god daughter lives.

freesia

Thank you - a good tip taken, to take a printed copy of your repeat medication.....
I will certainly do that & carry all meds & paperwork in my hand luggage..

Ldyalb

I'm going from East Midlands airport to Dublin. I will be asking my GP about a note anyway as I'm taking a load of emollient creams etc in my suitcase, just to cover me if they query any of them. I might take my list of repeat meds on the back of my prescriptions in my purse, just to highlight that they're important just in case.

Thanks for the tip about keeping them all in my handbag - will do. I'm only going for 2 nights so I'll just make sure I bring 4 days worth (just in case) with me. Luckily I have a large handbag with two large pockets which I can keep my mini pharmacy in

I'm glad I put my foot down about going to an English speaking country now (boyfriend wanted to go abroad abroad). I've not travelled since being ill so I think doing it the first time with no language barrier will be less stressful than doing it in a country where I speak none of the language, or only a bit of the language.

ianjohnson

1. First, call your airline and let them know of your special need. Ask them if they have policies about your condition.

2. Get that extra leg room by booking a bulkhead seat. Don't go for the exit rows, you may not be allowed to sit there since you won't be able to help others during an emergency.

3. Aisle seats are the best. You won't have to slide to the window seat and most knee scooters are small enough to fit through the aisles.

4. If the TSA hasn't seen a Knee Scooter show them how easily it folds down so they can scan it easier.

5. Show the flight crew how your Seated Scooter folds so they can store it in the first class cabin or with children's strollers.

6. Do not give up your mobility device and jump in a courtesy wheel chair. You won't be able to get it till baggage claim and if it's lost or damaged you're stuck.

7. Before getting on the plane, do your business in the airport restroom. Plane lavatories are crammed and will be difficult for you to move around.

8. Take advantage of preboarding to avoid large crowds.

stickywicket

Some excellent advice there, Ian. Thank you.

freesia

Thanks peeps for all your advice...

Holiday travel was VERY sucessfull indeed...

I did take a letter from my GP to state I needed to use a crutch and take medication ect, and they didn't even ask to see this...

The Staff were all very helpful....

Looking forward to flying again next year....

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL xx

freesia

Looking to travel again very soon.

As my needs have now changed slightly, and I no longer use a crutch but sometimes need a walking stick..... has anyone had any experience of taking a FOLDING WALKING STICK on board a plane, is this OK...???

Don't want to be stopped for concealing a dangerous weapon - lol

stickywicket

I've never done it but I'd imagine that, as long as it goes through the security conveyer belt, you'd be OK. We pop my wheelchair's footplates and cushion into a bag as we enter the plane and take them on board while they deal with the chair itself.