> Gary, I fly probably twice a year on business, and once or twice a year on
> personal matters.  I'll do my best to answer your questions.....  Since many
> of your questions re: reservations appear to be answered, I'll skip those.


> Also if you could lead me to Web Sites that specifically address
> issues regarding disabled travelers that would be helpful too.

Here's a couple of sites on flying with a power chair:

http://abilities.ca/include/article.php?pid=&cid=&subid=&aid=323

http://www.access-able.com/tips/air.htm

The UCP site has a lot of good general travel info, too.  We do need to let
them know that there are now adults with CP, as it's targeted toward parents
traveling with a kid who has CP, but...

http://www.ucp.org/ucp_channeldoc.cfm/1/18/111/111-111/3910

> 4.  Once we land in San Diego, will there be some kind of
> > accessible ground transportation to take us to our hotel?




 I understand we'll be flying into San Diego on a Sunday Evening.
> > My concern is most accessible shuttle services even if they
> > operate on weekends, don't operate late in the evening.  Also
> > Please remember I'm not able to transfer at all from my chair to
> > a shuttle seat or anything like that.  So please make sure I can
> > stay in my chair.


Most of my flights are to Washington DC, and there are several cab companies
that have accessible taxi's; most use minivans with rear-entry ramps,
although there are a few that have full sized vans.  There is also a service
called Super Shuttle in most major cities that I've used a few
times.  Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they have service in San Diego,
from their website.

http://www.supershuttle.com/

This website lists several companies that provide ground transportation to
and from San Diego international Airport.

http://www.san.org/airport/ground_transportation/shuttle_services.asp

Probably a good idea to arrange ground transport before your flight, because
if you don't you may end up waiting an hour (or more) for an accessible
ride.

The conference hotel may have an airport shuttle, but many of those can't
accomodate a power chair.  One thing that I haven't tried yet, but I think I
will in March, is making the hotel pay for the accessible cab, or
SuperShuttle, since if they provide a shuttle to people without
disabilities, they're required to provide the same service to people with
disabilities.  I'm on an advisory council for a new transportation grant
through DREDF, so I think I'll bring it up with Marilyn the next time I talk
to her.

> 5.  Is there a specific person my staff and I can contact at the
> hotel regarding issues that might come up regarding our
> accommodations?

I'd get in touch with the conference planner for the event you're going to
with any accessibility questions.

>
> > Second Email:




> 1.  My staff and I will need assistants from the airline getting
> > me from my electric wheelchair into my seat.  We'll need the same
> > kind of assistants upon landing in San Diego, as well as on both
> > ends of the flight coming back.
> > 2.  My staff will need to be able to sit right next to me at all
> > times.



These should be things that the airline will accomodate easily.  Since I
can  limp back to a seat, I've had people get moved so I can sit in the
front row, and have even gotten to fly first class a couple of times on an
economy class ticket!  What Mag said about getting placed farther back if
you use an aisle chair is true, though

> 3.  My electric wheelchair has Gel Cell type batteries.  Please
> > ask if it will be necessary to take them out of the chair before
> > flying?  If yes, please ask if the airline has knowledge as to
> > how to take the batteries out of my chair as well as being able
> > to reinstall them back into my chair upon landing?  I will be
> > more then happy to assist the airline in obtaining whatever
> > technical information they need about my chair.



They shouldn't have to take the batteries out of your chair.  Only once did
an airline insist on disconnecting and taping my battery terminals, which
was a huge pain in the butt.  That was the first time I flew with a power
chair, out of our local airport that flies one power wheel chair a year
(mine) in and out.  Generally they'll just disconnect the power source at
the back of the chair and put it in freewheel mode to push it where it needs
to go.  I'd suggest taking your joystick off and carrying that on board with
you, as if things shift in the cargo hold, there is a chance it could get
damaged.

Rather than checking your chair in when you check your bags for the flight,
do a "gate check" of your chair.  That way it's almost impossible for it to
go onto the wrong plane.  With a gate check, you stay in your chair until
you board the plane, and it goes directly into the cargo hold on your
plane.  They'll also bring the chair to you in the gate area when you get
off, rather than having to ride an airport chair to baggage claim.  Those
things are always huge, and uncomfortable.

> 4.  I will plan to be at the airport at least two hours before my
> > flight.  Given all the new security regulations, is there
> > anything else I should know before arriving at the airport?


The general things about putting any medications into a clear 1 quart
plastic bag.  Here's a website with those regulations, as they stand now.
Who knows if they'll change between now and when you go to San Diego.

http://www.tsa.gov/311

> 5.  Can you tell me if there will be a specific person I can work
> > with via Email or phone to make sure this all gets done
> > correctly?



Call or email SouthWest and let them know what your travel plans are, and
they should be able to answer any other questions you have.

 Let me know how things work out, as Janet and I may be going to San Diego
next Thanksgiving!

Kendall

An unreasonable man (but my wife says that's redundant!)

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one
persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress
depends on the unreasonable man.

-George Bernard Shaw 1856-1950

-----------------------

To change your mail settings or leave the C-PALSY list, go here:

http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?SUBED1=c-palsy