Flying a disabled passenger - advice needed

[goldenhorn]

I need to move my father from a care facility in Perth to a facility in Ballina. He has had a stroke and can’t walk and is wheelchair bound. I’m moving my parents closer to where I live so I can support them better.

I’ve had some quotes for private charter - one was $99,000 and the other was $56,000.

Now I’m wondering if maybe he could go commercial if we book the first row on business and I can get him from the wheelchair to a seat. We would like for direct PER-BNE and then get medical transport to Ballina.

I’ve never had to travel with a disabled passenger before. A few questions -

1. Does QF allow passengers to travel commercially if they can’t walk?
2. Do they provide a wheelchair from drop off to the plane or would we need to buy or rent our own?
3. Does PER-BNE only operate the 737 or is a 330 possible on some itineraries?

TIA for anyone who has experience in this area.

 

[RooFlyer]

I once had to take my disabled sister from Hobart to Brisbane. She is wheelchair bound, but can hobble a few steps.

Booked a wheelchair to board. I took her in her own chair to check-in, then the airport one took over. No questions asked that I can recall as to how disabled the pax was. I'm guessing that would have to make 'own arrangements' re toileting on board.

I think to check-in/beyond baggage carousel, you'd have to supply your own.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[justinbrett]

I need to move my father from a care facility in Perth to a facility in Ballina. He has had a stroke and can’t walk and is wheelchair bound. I’m moving my parents closer to where I live so I can support them better.

I’ve had some quotes for private charter - one was $99,000 and the other was $56,000.

Now I’m wondering if maybe he could go commercial if we book the first row on business and I can get him from the wheelchair to a seat. We would like for direct PER-BNE and then get medical transport to Ballina.

I’ve never had to travel with a disabled passenger before. A few questions -

1. Does QF allow passengers to travel commercially if they can’t walk?
2. Do they provide a wheelchair from drop off to the plane or would we need to buy or rent our own?
3. Does PER-BNE only operate the 737 or is a 330 possible on some itineraries?

TIA for anyone who has experience in this area.

Yes, the policy is here. You will have to get him out of the car but they take over from there with airport wheelchairs.

WCHC - wheelchair cabin

you are immobile within the aircraft cabin and may require assistance with transfer into/out of the aircraft seat you travel with a mobility aid such as a manual or battery powered wheelchair

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/specific-needs/mobility-assistance.html

I can't see any A330s on the route at the moment but they have been previously.

 

[TheInsider]

Can he self medicate and go to the toilet unassisted? If he can't do that then someone would need to travel with him and be a carer.

Also would he be able to transfer from the wheelchair to his seat, or would he need a eagle lift to assist? Qantas do that all regularly.

 

[goldenhorn]

Can he self medicate and go to the toilet unassisted? If he can't do that then someone would need to travel with him and be a carer.

Also would he be able to transfer from the wheelchair to his seat, or would he need an eagle lift to assist? Qantas do that all regularly.

I will be travelling with him and my mother. He has upper body strength but legs are weak. He can take a little weight on them. . I will need to help him into the seat. Is the eagle lift a type of hoist?

Unfortunately, he is incontinent but he wears incontinence briefs which I understand completely waterproof/tight.

 

[Quickstatus]

1. Does QF allow passengers to travel commercially if they can’t walk?
2. Do they provide a wheelchair from drop off to the plane or would we need to buy or rent our own?
3. Does PER-BNE only operate the 737 or is a 330 possible on some itineraries?

1. Of course but a wheelchair bound passenger will need an travelling assistant - see below.
2. Yes. They will only provide the service from check in to aircraft, within aircraft, and to the exit doors of the arrival section of the airport but not to/from the car.
3. Look for aircraft that has disabled toilet access. A 737 does not have disabled toilet access but the A330 has one in the Y cabin immediately behind the wing. Therefore booking a J seat may not be the best idea. A bulkhead Y aisle seat close to loos is probably the best but not an exit row seat.

Note that the airlines, staff and cabin crew can only provide "mobility" assistance. The cabin crew cannot transfer a passenger from wheelchair to/from aircraft seat or toilet

I don't think QF is operating the A330 between PER and BNE, even if they did, it could be swopped out to a 737 at the last minute.

There are no hoists in aircraft.

The best is to book via a travel agent with QF/VA
The travel agent can insert IATA notations into the booking specifically for type of wheelchair access
- WCHR - wheelchair ramp - means assistance to/from aircraft but not in cabin
- WCHS - similar to wheelchair ramp but includes aircraft stairs for airports that don't have ramps
- WCHC - need "aisle" wheelchair in aircraft cabin but use own wheelchair otherwise to get to/from boarding gate

Sounds like your father will need WCHC - assuming he has his own wheelchair to get from car to the boarding gate.
He can use his wheelchair all the way to the boarding gate, then transfer to the aisle wheelchair to enter the aircraft.

Look up QF/VA website for detailed mobility assistance advice

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The post a couple before yours confirms the Eagle Life is used on board… which is essentially a hoist to lift the passenger out of their wheelchair and into the seat.

From the link you posted:

For travel within Australia, your transfer to and from one of our wheelchairs or aircraft seats will be made via our approved passenger lifting devices. These include a sling, slide board, jony belt and eagle lifter and may vary by airport.

Given the passenger is ulikely to be using the WC in flight, I would think a business class seat is far better in terms of space and comfort?

 

[Quickstatus]

confirms the Eagle Life is used on board

Only when aircraft is on the ground. As these are bulky, the Eagle lift does not travel in the aircraft - its airport equipment.

Given the passenger is ulikely to be using the WC in flight

But what if....
Of course, if an aircraft does not have a disabled toilet, then the seat closest to the available toilet is best - which may be Y.
However, there is ongoing care during the flight which may be easier in Y, for flights where the J seat is a "cocoon"
There are options of course such as incontinence pull ups.

Qantas disability Access Facilitation Plan

 

[offshore171]

Another option to throw in the mix

There are services that provide a specialist trained registered nurse to chaperone the elderly/disabled person for the entire journey.

I suspect a transcontinental trip wouldn't be cheap, likely several thousand dollars, but may well be worth it if it improves comfort and safety for all involved. For example, they will be able to help you lift your father in/out of seats in the safest way possible, and render assistance in the event of a medical issue arising during the trip.

Google: "medical travel companions" for some providers.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Only when aircraft is on the ground. As these are bulky, the Eagle lift does not travel in the aircraft - its airport equipment.


But what if....
Of course, if an aircraft does not have a disabled toilet, then the seat closest to the available toilet is best - which may be Y.
However, there is ongoing care during the flight which may be easier in Y, for flights where the J seat is a "cocoon"
There are options of course such as incontinence pull ups.

Qantas disability Access Facilitation Plan

View attachment 501097

Perhaps read the OPs full posts?

 

[Quickstatus]

Perhaps read the OPs full posts?

I did.
Incontinence pullups do not negate having to use the toilets during a flight - in other words, I dont assume that the passenger will not need toilet facilities.

 

[justinbrett]

2. Yes. They will only provide the service from check in to aircraft, within aircraft, and to the exit doors of the arrival section of the airport but not to/from the car.

QF can provide the assistance from kerbside - you have to get them out of the car, but they can take it from there. Link in post 3.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I did.
Incontinence pullups do not negate having to use the toilets during a flight - in other words, I dont assume that the passenger will not need toilet facilities.

The passenger is flying PER-BNE. I can’t see any a330 flights on any day of the week for the next 7 days, so no ‘cocoon’ seats?

With the revised 12/156 interiors, there’s lots of room in row 1, and no disabled WCs on the 737s.

 

[Quickstatus]

QF can provide the assistance from kerbside

I refer you to Page 29. 3.2 (a), (b), (c)
It is not a guarantee that a kerbside wheelchair service is always going to be available.
The disabled passenger will need to have his own wheelchair in any case - especially because of 3.4 (a) on page 30.

I can’t see any a330 flights on any day of the week for the next 7 days, so no ‘cocoon’ seats?

Im not saying J is not recommended, but there are reasons why Y might be better in certain circumstances

Inflight transfers to/from toilet will need a soft transfer belt - AKA Pelican Belt or Johny belt but the cabin crew will not assist with this.

 

[justinbrett]

I refer you to Page 29. 3.2 (a), (b), (c)
It is not a guarantee that a kerbside wheelchair service is always going to be available.
The passenger will need to have his own wheelchair in any case - especially because of 3.4 (a) on page 30.



Im not saying J is not recommended, but there are reasons why Y might be better in certain circumstances

Inflight transfers to/from toilet will need a soft transfer belt - AKA Pelican Belt or Johny belt but the cabin crew will not assist with this.

I refer you to the link in post 3.

The way I read it they will give you a wheelchair but you have to have a person to go with them, you can just hand them over to QF completely.

At all our terminals within Australia, we may provide kerbside mobility aid assistance, subject to the availability of wheelchairs and staff. Due to occupational health and safety regulations, we are unable to provide passenger transfer assistance to and from vehicles. On arrival at the airport, the passenger must be accompanied by someone who can advise our staff that a wheelchair is required kerbside.

 

[Quickstatus]

we may provide kerbside mobility aid assistance, subject to the availability of wheelchairs and staff.

The problem is the word "may"
One would hope/expect there is availability of airport wheelchairs.

And (based on personal experience at SYD), they will not let you take the wheelchair out of the airport doors at the arrival airport.

In our case, we circumvented that stupid rule by driving the car to departures and picking up said disabled passenger from the departures drop off.
Even then, they still would not let the wheelchair go from the airport doors to the kerb.

 

[justinbrett]

The problem is the word "may"
One would hope/expect there is availability of airport wheelchairs.

And (based on personal experience at SYD), they will not let you take the wheelchair out of the airport doors at the arrival airport.

That's why they say book it in advance, don't wait until you get to the airport.

 

[Quickstatus]

That's why they say book it in advance, don't wait until you get to the airport.

Suggest reading Section 3, and 4. Services like this are subject to "resources" and "operational requirements on the day of travel"
Airlines will give themselves wiggle room.

They have also been sued by disabled passengers because of poor disability services. One example - especially the part about "promised wheelchair asssistance". Maybe this is specific to SYD.