Transfer Problems

During my 38 years of being in a wheelchair, I have been fortunate enough to be able to travel by air quite a bit. Some things have improved through the years, but transfers onto planes have gotten worse. I have a spinal cord injury and cannot stand or walk. I have to be lifted into an aisle chair, and then my seat. I always make the airlines aware of this before my trip, and again at the gate. I always give the airline my weight ( 180 lbs.), and request two strong men to assist. The last few years, I am lucky if one man shows up. At times, it has been one or two women who are not strong enough or tall enough to lift me over the seats. My husband often has to help lift, and he has a bad back. At times, the flight has been held up because transportation has not arrived to assist me. I feel that the attendants are not as well trained as they should be, and are not strong enough to lift. Granted, I did not weigh as much in my earlier years. I was nearly dropped three times on a flight last year. I have decided that I will no longer fly. It is too stressful, and I cannot afford a broken hip at this stage of the game. Also, the seats, aisles, and leg room are so small that is very difficult to maneuver, making for an uncomfortable experience. I will say, that for the most part, I have been treated with respect and courtesy.

It was disappointing when the airlines began charging an extra fee for bulkhead seating. In earlier years, those seats were reserved for handicapped passengers at no extra cost. Obviously, the bulkhead is much more accessible for staff and passengers when assistance is required for transfers. Now, the bulkhead is almost impossible to secure, because the planes are much more crowded. In closing, let me just add that over the years I have written the airlines and other agencies regarding all of the issues covered in my story. I have received no responses. I appreciate the interest of PVA in trying to bring these issues to light.