Wheel chair Ron makes his debut.

[drron]

Tomorrow hopefully we are flying to Sydney to spend 6 nights at the IC Coogee. But things aren’t going quite to plan.
Flying VA in J. Our new rule is to always fly J domestically so not as far to walk for me.

First problem is that I submitted the form on the website and I presumed everything was OK as on my flight page a note popped up saying your request has been received. Last week Mrsdrron felt she needed the lift to the plane so I submitted a request for her. Last night she got a confirmation email.
This morning I realised that I didn’t receive such an email. So rang Customer Service to be told that there’s no request from you in the system She couldn’t get through to MCY to see if it could be confirmed. So now I have to be at checkin at least 90 minutes before. Initially couldn’t change our pick up time with the car service but fortunately 15 minutes later they confirmed an earlier pick up so we will be at MCY 2 hours before flight time.

This trip was to get some ideas about wheelchair travel. There are obviously a few.

Next the IC. I rang the front desk and said that although I am in a wheelchair I can walk some distance so I want an. ordinary room but would like a chair or a nonslip mat in the shower.
Yesterday the pre stay email arrived and I am in an accessible room with double beds and views of Coogee not the beach. Rang and they said sorry but we’re full on some nights next week so we can’t move you. Will want a talk to the GM. tomorrow if he’s available.
Hopefully some better news tomorrow.
2026 has been a bad year. I can’t wait for it to be over.

 

[Pushka]

Tomorrow hopefully we are flying to Sydney to spend 6 nights at the IC Coogee. But things aren’t going quite to plan.
Flying VA in J. Our new rule is to always fly J domestically so not as far to walk for me.

First problem is that I submitted the form on the website and I presumed everything was OK as on my flight page a note popped up saying your request has been received. Last week Mrsdrron felt she needed the lift to the plane so I submitted a request for her. Last night she got a confirmation email.
This morning I realised that I didn’t receive such an email. So rang Customer Service to be told that there’s no request from you in the system She couldn’t get through to MCY to see if it could be confirmed. So now I have to be at checkin at least 90 minutes before. Initially couldn’t change our pick up time with the car service but fortunately 15 minutes later they confirmed an earlier pick up so we will be at MCY 2 hours before flight time.

This trip was to get some ideas about wheelchair travel. There are obviously a few.

Next the IC. I rang the front desk and said that although I am in a wheelchair I can walk some distance so I want an. ordinary room but would like a chair or a nonslip mat in the shower.
Yesterday the pre stay email arrived and I am in an accessible room with double beds and views of Coogee not the beach. Rang and they said sorry but we’re full on some nights next week so we can’t move you. Will want a talk to the GM. tomorrow if he’s available.
Hopefully some better news tomorrow.
2026 has been a bad year. I can’t wait for it to be over.

I think that you will now sadly experience the issues that Shane Hyrohec experiences and many of which have been reposted here.

 

[markis10]

Oceania Ground Force do the ground handling at MCY for VA, lower expectations required. 2hrs at MCY, people get less for murder!

 

[drron]

I think that you will now sadly experience the issues that Shane Hyrohec experiences and many of which have been reposted here.

even walking around a shopping mall using my walker I feel I must be invisible as I get cut off frequently..
And don't start me on disability parking spots. 30-40% don't have stickers and those that do 40-50% don't meet the criteria. just being old does not entitle you to a parking permit. At Kawana I have seen a couple of times a young fellow pulling out a bollard and parking over the yellow line between disabled parks
But back to the subject yes it can go very wrong having a wheelchair and flying.
Makes it worse when you are no longer match fit.

 

[Flyfrequently]

My SIL (59) was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS 16 years ago and is quite incapacitated - I haven't seen her "walk" in 3 years (add in a slight fear of flying!)
With her very supportive husband, they have just managed MEL-LHR on UL in J without issues using her motorised scooter.

Have not heard how they fared in the past 48 hours with the recent UK ATC issues affecting their delayed/rescheduled Y flights to Milan.

But you have knowledge and experience on your side, hoping it all goes smoothly for you @drron @mrs.dr.ron

 

[Pushka]

even walking around a shopping mall using my walker I feel I must be invisible as I get cut off frequently..
And don't start me on disability parking spots. 30-40% don't have stickers and those that do 40-50% don't meet the criteria. just being old does not entitle you to a parking permit. At Kawana I have seen a couple of times a young fellow pulling out a bollard and parking over the yellow line between disabled parks
But back to the subject yes it can go very wrong having a wheelchair and flying.
Makes it worse when you are no longer match fit.

Nothing like you are experiencing but when I had PMR that hadn't yet been diagnosed, I had to use a shopping trolley to keep me moving in supermarkets. And it surely is a different world when doing this activity for genuine support and mobility versus just going shopping.

You both are pretty much legends for travel on this forum and am waiting for the day when you both are able to get back onboard your favourite ship and remember the joy of travel. It's been a tough tough couple of years for you both.

 

[Flyfrequently]

You both are pretty much legends for travel on this forum and am waiting for the day when you both are able to get back onboard your favourite ship and remember the joy of travel. It's been a tough tough couple of years for yous both

Agree, and beautifully expressed @Pushka

 

[drron]

So far so good. On board and being looked after well

 

[drron]

Up at 0700 as our transport is picking us at 0900. We are pretty slow these days. Had the wheelchair folded with battery removed. Our usual car service but with a van. No issues with the wheelchair.
Got to MCY 2 hours before departure time. Check in not open but the service desk was. So went up and no problems. They wanted me to use my wheelchair to the ramp. Actually made a lot of sense. A baggage fellow was there and he knew how to fold the chair and take the battery out. Then a FA had a chair for me to change to and she pushed me up the cattle ramp. I had no problem getting from the door to my seat. Initially I was in 1D but had to change to 2A as my battery had to go under the seat in front.

The CSM put the battery there so I didn’t have to lean down. She continued to check on me. PDB was a sparkling white.
Lunch was a choice between a quiche or butter chicken. Row 1 had the quiche leaving row 2 the butter chicken. It was OK.

A lovely lady beside me who always was offering help. Which brings me to a problem. You basically think everyone feels you are useless but I know these are the good people so I am gradually becoming more accepting. I have always thanked those who want to help.

 

[Pushka]

A lovely lady beside me who always was offering help. Which brings me to a problem. You basically think everyone feels you are useless but I know these are the good people so I am gradually becoming more accepting. I have always thanked those who want to help.

I think for a previously fully independent person used to travel, that accepting assistance from strangers must be one of the most difficult aspects for anyone to accept, so mindset has to change as you say, from trying to do it all, to graciously accepting assistance.

And maybe Shane's experience has made Virgin realise they need to manage these issues much better.

 

[Quickstatus]

battery had to go under the seat in front.

Total Admiration for your trip in a WC!

Was the battery required to be in a case/bag?

I wonder why batteries like these have to be under the seat and not in overhead

QF says " if not possible then in a nearby overhead locker but VA does not have this clause.

 

[RooFlyer]

When I escorted my sister who had much the same wheelchair situation as you @drron , from HBA to BNE on VA, I had charge of the WC battery and had even taped off the terminals. The crew was basically disinterested in it. I’ll put it in the overhead locker and no one ever worried about it.