Travelling gwith a chair

[Riki]

I'm looking into getting a chair specifically for when I'm travelling.  I'm in a tourism course and part of it is doing small motorcoach tours.  We also have a study tour at the end of the year that I'm hoping to go on as well, and we'd probably be flying somewhere.  What would the weight restrictions be?  I don't want anything too flimsy (I'm a big girl *G*) but I also don't want anything too heavy that it can't be gate checked or stowed in the luggage compartment on a motorcoach.  Ones I've been looking at are around 50lbs (23kg) and I have no idea if that is too heavy for what I want.  Am I on the right track?  Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[kickingandscreaming]

Why do you need a chair?  What is its purpose (besides sitting on)? From your post, I can't tell what you're trying to pull off.

[Michael Murphy]

Back in 2016 I suffered a major heart attack.  After I was released from the hospital I could only walk about a hundred feet then I would have to sit down.  I went to CVS and bought a walker on wheels with brakes so it could be locked in place and a seat. So I would walk 100 feet sit down get my breath back go another 100 feet the sit again.  The walker was light and I took it every where for 6 months,

[iolaire]

Similar to what Michael suggested, my initial thought reading the question was that it sounds like you are looking for a walker designed for your build.  Even if you don't use it as a walker it means it should be light and movable.

[Riki]

I'm not looking for a walker.  I need something I can be seated in and pushed.

I can only walk so far before I need to sit.  It's not that I get tired, but I get lightheaded and close to passing out.  Since I'll be traveling in a group, just sitting for a while will slow everyone down and put us off schedule.

I also think that being in the chair will make the trips and tours more enjoyable for me, because I won't be in a panic looking for a place to sit before I pass out.

I was hoping that those who do use chairs would be able to tell me if 50lbs was too heavy for gate checking

[Paul]

chairs would be able to tell me if 50lbs was too heavy for gate checking

I think the question is moot, because I believe (but have never checked) there are different rules for disability aids such as chairs. However this may vary from airline to airline, so you may have to ask the airline(s) with whom you will be travelling.

[Riki]

chairs would be able to tell me if 50lbs was too heavy for gate checking

I think the question is moot, because I believe (but have never checked) there are different rules for disability aids such as chairs. However this may vary from airline to airline, so you may have to ask the airline(s) with whom you will be travelling.

I honestly have no idea.  Which is kind of why I was asking.  *L*  I was just want to know if I'm on the right track.  The chair that I'm looking at is very basic, similar to hospital chairs, and it's under $200Can, which means it's in my price range.  I  just don't want to get it, then find out that I can't use it for what I want to use it for.

[PrimeTimer]

Did you choose a chair yet or find more out about one? Having one for your trip sounds like a good idea.

[Charlie B53]

Wife and I both have Walkers.  I very rarely ever take mine out of the back of my truck.  I'm stubborn.

But the Wife uses hers.  Well more like I use it to push her around.

Both walkers have a fold down seat.  Her walker is slightly larger enough you can leave the seat down and still use it as a walker AND  the wheels are an inch or so taller which makes them easier to roll.

When she is seated in it it still rolls easily so I can push her around pretty much the same os one of the wheeled chairs which look almost like a wheel chair except all four wheels are smaller instead of the two large rear wheels with the handrails.

Whatever 'chair' you decide on, make sure to check out the wheels.  Larger diameters roll easier.  It's just fundamental physics.  And if you can find one that uses the inflatable tires like mini bicycle tires, they roll the easiest.

Good Luck Hunting/Shopping.  And like most everything else,  You get what you pay for.  The better easier rolling wheels are going  to cost more.

One more thing.  ALL of these roller chair should fold flat for storage, either in the back of a truck, trunk or back seat of a car, and even by the Stewardess on an airplane.

[JW77]

I'm looking into getting a chair specifically for when I'm travelling.  I'm in a tourism course and part of it is doing small motorcoach tours.  We also have a study tour at the end of the year that I'm hoping to go on as well, and we'd probably be flying somewhere.  What would the weight restrictions be?  I don't want anything too flimsy (I'm a big girl *G*) but I also don't want anything too heavy that it can't be gate checked or stowed in the luggage compartment on a motorcoach.  Ones I've been looking at are around 50lbs (23kg) and I have no idea if that is too heavy for what I want.  Am I on the right track?  Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Hi

You really need to spend some time doing AS MUCH RESEARCH AS POSSIBLE:)  Starting here is great. My gf likes to use the phrase..  Military planning

If you can get to a good mobility supplier, you should be able to get some advice and try out chairs, can you lift them if needed, or self propel a little.


You need to find out from airlines/transport companies regarding the 'width' and space for chairs and also any restrictions.

My gf uses 2 chairs, one Karma Manual folding (she's not a small lass by any means), with a Benoit Powerpack which turns it into a power chair, and can fit it into most taxis, busses, modes of transport as the motor and battery come off and its then a standard manual folding chair.

Her other is a chunkier Trekenetic (maybe not available in the US)  we did discover recently that one airline's hold doors were too narrow for the chair, so whatever you get, you need to know the dimensions/weight

Most airports will offer assistance but it varies from one to another, (again I only speak from my own EU/UK experience) but again you need to book and specify what you need well in advance IE for LUGGAGE AND YOUR CHAIR..

This is us on the most recent holiday to Maderia
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10161268825270151&type=1&l=e163a2c5b1


Just for info:

http://www.benoitsolutions.co.uk/powerpacks.html



https://www.beyondtheboundarywheelchairs.com/trekinetic-gte-powered-wheelchair-products/


The chairs have not been cheap.. The Trekeneitc was GBP 10,000  and the power pack for the manual about GBP 4000. (on top of the Karma folding chair itself).  Both were sourced with grants/crowdfunding/gifts and in the Trek part inheritance from a family member.

[Riki]

I bought a very plain jane chair.  It looks like a regular hospital chair, or something you might see in a grocery store for people to use.  It's not like I'll be spending a whole lot of time in it.  I just wanted it for travelling.  It worked well on a recent school trip.  We did a few tours and a couple of my classmates took turns pushing me around.  We had no problem getting it in and out of the motorcoach.  I recently bought a bag and cup holder for it.  I discovered the need for the cup holder when we were doing the tour of the Halifax airport and I had nowhere to set my tea.

My dad offered to put a lawn mover motor on it, but I don't know if a blind person should have that kind of responsibility.... I don't want to "mow" anyone down.. *LOL*

[PrimeTimer]

My dad offered to put a lawn mover motor on it, but I don't know if a blind person should have that kind of responsibility.... I don't want to "mow" anyone down.. *LOL*

Kudos to your father! That's hilarious!! 

[Riki]

My dad offered to put a lawn mover motor on it, but I don't know if a blind person should have that kind of responsibility.... I don't want to "mow" anyone down.. *LOL*

Kudos to your father! That's hilarious!! 

That's my dad.  Always looking for "more power" *LOL*   

For a while, we called him "Tim Taylor" because he was trying to fix a broken power switch in a coffee maker, and I don't know what he did, but somehow it started to smoke

[JW77]

@Riki

Glad you made a decision..  Again check the countries rules for airline travel, and individual airlines.

Questions you'd need to check are 'what are the weight/size limits for chairs'

Do they fit in the hold (if non folding).  We had to choose a more expensive airline this year as one of our choices had to narrow a hold door!!

What are the airlines rules for assisted travel. In the EU its illegal for airlines to charge for chairs/medical equipment, as far as I know the same laws don't apply in the USA.

Happy travels,  share a few pics with us:D

[Simon Dog]

In the EU its illegal for airlines to charge for chairs/medical equipment, as far as I know the same laws don't apply in the USA.

Different laws, but in the US:

1. It is illegal to charge extra for medical equipment (chairs, dialysis machines, etc.)

2. The airline's liability for loss or damage is the full value of the machine.  The declared liability limits for luggage do not apply to medical equipment.

[Riki]

As I've said before, my chair is a very plain folding chair, similar to what hospitals or department stores would have for people to use.  I'm currently looking for ways to personalize this chair, to differentiate it from others that look the same.  I want to be able to say, "No, this is my chair because," and be able to point out something that can't be quickly put on or taken off to prove that it's mine.  Anyone have any ideas?

I've already bought a bag for the back of the chair, and a cup holder.  They were on sale on Amazon. *L*

[Cupcake]

Really sticky tape that is 1 inch wide (I think Duck tape makes it) in a pretty color(s) that you could wrap around the frame in a Candy cane-spiral  type pattern to jazz it up a bit. My yoga teacher makes custom hoolahoops and uses colorful tape to personalize each one.

After my knee replacement I put a small bicycle bell on my walker so I could bling it up/ring at people getting in my way.

[Simon Dog]

This kind of tape will serve the purpose:

https://www.amazon.com/X4yard-Waterproof-self-adhesive-tape-reflective-Conspicuity-reflectante/dp/B01MU2LLIF/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1543529985&sr=8-4&keywords=reflective+tape

I used something like this (not sure of the brand) to add reflective to a couple of parking lot style gates used to control access to a couple of private roads.  Its waterproof, VERY sticky, looks good when left in place, and highly reflective.

I once had an elderly Asian guy take my luggage in the Toronto airport.    I had some heavily regulated contents and the crap would definitely have hit the fan if he got to the point of a customs check, but I spotted him first and retrieved by luggage.

[Riki]

This kind of tape will serve the purpose:

https://www.amazon.com/X4yard-Waterproof-self-adhesive-tape-reflective-Conspicuity-reflectante/dp/B01MU2LLIF/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1543529985&sr=8-4&keywords=reflective+tape

I used something like this (not sure of the brand) to add reflective to a couple of parking lot style gates used to control access to a couple of private roads.  Its waterproof, VERY sticky, looks good when left in place, and highly reflective.

I once had an elderly Asian guy take my luggage in the Toronto airport.    I had some heavily regulated contents and the crap would definitely have hit the fan if he got to the point of a customs check, but I spotted him first and retrieved by luggage.

I like that idea.  I'll have to see if I can find some