Wow, I can’t believe how amazing the disability services in this airport are!!! I live in the US and have had some awful experiences when I was traveling in a wheelchair! I remember once they asked me if I was able to get up from my wheelchair to walk through the metal detector (fair enough question). When I said I was unable to the TSA agent rolled her eyes and said “this will be a lot easier for both of us if you just get up and walk through”. I was so shocked. Like did this women think I was just going to be magically cured of my disability and skip through the metal detector? I then had to wait over an HOUR to get a pat down, and when I asked very kindly for the TSA agent to be gentle, because I suffered from neuropathy and touching was painful, she said “I can’t treat you differently than anyone else. I’m gonna do whatever I have to do” 😱😱😱 then at one point while she was doing her pat down of me and my wheelchair she said “lift up and straighten out your legs” and I was like ??????? I can’t? Can you not see that I’m in a wheelchair??? They also did a double screening on all of my carryons which took 30 minutes for each bag (I had 2). By the time they were done I was humiliated, in so much pain, and almost missed my flight! We had to hall a** to the gate and when we got there they had just started pre boarding. That’s just one of many airport horror stories I have, and thats not even the worst one! I’m so happy to see that this airport took such good care of you and had such a great system for their disabled customers! We definitely need a lot more of that in the US!!
I hope you make a complaint, share your experience with the company so that they start making changes to not treat anyone like that again. Or at least eliminate it.
Your daughter is so cute..her antics make me laugh. I got a BTK amputation Jan 2018. I would never travel by air like you. Be so afraid of being embarrassed in front of others. I haven't got over that I was so stupid in my diet to lose my foot in the 1st place. So happy that you spend the time making these videos.
I never got one of those neck coloured badge things at Gatwick when I flew in a wheelchair due to chronic pain syndrome full body and unable to walk ! That’s such a good idea what they do though xx
Thank you so much for doing this!! My son is a full left leg amputee thanks for cancer and we are taking him to Florida in the summer. There aren’t enough videos on what to expect as a wheelchair user. So thank you for sharing your perspective and experience xx
Oh wow, looks so much fun, sadly that 3hr customs queue in itself would seem to mean that this kind of journey is completely impossible. It’s good that you can use your chair cushion on the plane, but I wonder how much of a position change is really possible in an aircraft seat? You must have been feeling it heavily by the time you got to the hotel! I can’t wait to see the fun you had after you got through the travelling hurdles! Daisybell seems to have really warmed to the idea now!
Oh yeah. DB had an amazing time. yeah the 3 hour wait at customs was an absolute killer. And to make it worse, someone was sick in the que!!! and people were just walking round it like it was perfeclty fine!!! I called someone over to clean it up. :(
Your video was in my recommended for a while so I finally watched it. UA-cam was really pushing it! I am not a wheelchair user and never have been, but I find it really interesting to see how you travel. When you said you had never seen one of those lifts like was on the bus, I was really surprised. That’s the normal in America; I am pretty sure most public transport buses and all special needs school buses have them, at least that I’ve seen. I’ve heard that there aren’t really laws surrounding accessibility in Europe. Is that true? In America ADA dictates a lot, and it’s not even uncommon for playgrounds to be rebuilt because they aren’t up to standards for ADA.
Thank you so much for the info, I have my first long haul flight as a wheelchair user and was nervous about the toileting situation. This completely ease my fears. Thank you!!
Another one that is so helpful. Thank you. having a bit of a panic attack about my first international flight as a wheelchair user and leaving for London in a week. Are there any other of your videos that you can think of that would be helpful as well for travel prep or arriving in London (I did see the travel to London by train video). We fly into Heathrow and then have to first go pick up the rental wheelchair at shop, before heading into the city. So that whole "arrival without having my chair" part is where I am most concerned. You are a Rock Star for making these videos for us! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
♿️Hi everyone CC coming though, unless anyone can help? 🙏🏼. I really hope you enjoyed the video. I have tried to cover as much as possible. If you have any questions please let me know. Make sure to subscribe as in my next video Im taking you on my hotel access tour. Also if you have any video requests regarding traveling, please feel free to suggest them bellow. Gem xxx
I just want to thank you so much for your traveling videos. Your advice was a lifesaver when I was traveling alone to the Netherlands from Kansas by myself. Your videos helped me convince my family that I could not only handle the trip, but that there would be assistance available when I needed it. I have been traveling quite a bit this year, and I keep all of your tips on a playlist whenever it is time for me to pack. 😎
@@Wheelsnoheels I am super grateful that you are making these videos. I only transitioned to relying on a wheelchair full time last year (degenerative neurological disorder), and I find that your videos are more informative than the brief instructions I got from my hospital. If it wasn't for your channel, I would have struggled more while adjusting to my car (what my nephew calls my wheelchair 😆). You are amazing! 💜
Hi, I don't know if someone has said this before but I'm going to say it anyway. In my experience if you request wheelchair assistance for the US they take you straight through immigration without queuing. They will help you through bag claim and all the way to your next transport. Once I had a lady waiting with me for a friend to get her car even though I said I was fine by myself. My disability is invisible but maybe she noticed. I usually leave a small tip as I leave the airport, but you don't have to. They are working for a salary. Yours, Ann
I live in Orlando area and my dad actually works at the Orlando international airport he’s an airplane mechanic. They are one of the more accessible air ports I have been to.
Good Vlog video, Miss Gem Hubbard about traveling with your wheelchair plus your family. BTW, American With Disabilities is celebrating 30 years of accessible people who are disabled and in those who are in wheelchairs, this year! : )
I didn’t know that wheelchair users could use the bathroom on an airplane. I did once as a little kid, but my Dad carried me. I wonder if that can happen on all flights, at least for the bigger airplanes? I’ve gone to the bathroom as a wheelchair user on a train quite a few times. It’s pretty small, and moves back and forth if the train is moving lol. But pretty nice and accessible for a bathroom on a train.
@user-eu7bj7ek5t I've travelled on little Dash-8's with 38 seats and Airbus 838's with over 450 seats and every plane I've ever travelled in had toilets... the issue would be accessible toilets, wide bodied (dual isle) planes (such as Airbus 8380's) are required to have compliant accessible toilets and some narrow body planes can have a accessible toilet made by closing partitions in the wall either side of the toilet.
Most planes aisle seats arms fold up now. There isba small button or lever under the armrest towards the back of the seat. Just push and lift then you can transfer straight across.
I had special assistance when I to the UK a couple of years ago. The low air pressure caused my RA to flare, so they took me around in the airport wheelchair. I did walk a little bit from the ticket check point to the seat with my cane, but I was so stiff with swollen knees and ankles.
nice trip ,i went to ftrance lyon to handcycle and watch the tour great service from easyjet but in france no disabled taxis ,no lifts working in chambery at railway station and had my handcycle pinched
The arm rests anywhere but the bulkhead do lift up, the outer one doesn't lift up in the obvious way, but the cabin crew know what to do and it's way easier to transfer. I take a lot of short haul flights on airlines such as EasyJet, so bulkhead seats aren't an option. On the odd occasion I have had one I don't find it makes much difference - though perhaps I'm a bit scared as one time when I did, for some reason I had my seatbelt off and had fallen asleep, the cabin crew didn't notice and I landed with no belt on, which wasn't fun.
For the outer arm rest on a non bulk head seat theres a small button underneath near the back in a small hole push it in and the arm rest will lift up I've only been on one flight (delta) where the arm rest wouldn't lift up
Whenever I travel by plane even if it's 14 hour flight; I don't even think about using the flight toilet at all. I use the bathroom before boarding and once i get off the plane at the gate and then i go to the baggage claim to get my suitcases.
Once again Gem, what a great post - I will be recommending it to the users and staff at our DSC. Thank you for posting all of the details that a lot of other videos miss out. This post is so reassuring and will help calm a lot of the stress of airport travel to so many. Can’t wait for your next post. Keep being you and shining bright. 🤗🥰
never got that at east midlands hun its first on last off but sometimes they forgot so had to be carried on airport bus last everyone staring ground crew say take ur time but u feel like u got to rush then carried of bus up the air craft stairs to a 8th row seat. could not breath so crew then said well get the truck to lift me off . don’t no who was more scared usually eat midlands to jersey ( ci) goes smoothly except being taken off plan in chair upside down oh and my wheel chair tires exploded and melted. since we flew on a Saturday no shops open in jersey on Sunday. so fix front wheels with electrical taps and back with a bike puncture kit. havent been for a while but thinking about going soon
Some airlines will also gate tag your mobility device/aid as well as thermal/bag tag it =) getting bulk heads may not always work as babies who need cots COULD or MAYBE prioritised. You would however be placed into an aisle seat and some airlines/aircrafts have arm rests that do move. (yes the ones on the aisles) however the bulk head ones won't as they hold the tv and or tray tables
I'm not sure about Gatwick but the invisible disability lanyard at Manchester airport is green with sunflowers. I have one and the airport staff have been very good with me. Xx
I thank you for the video. I was very curious about using the bathroom on the plane. We are going to Venice and it is a nine hour flight. I will definitely drink less liquid 24 hours before we leave. I was hoping it to be a little bit bigger so my husband could assist me to the bathroom…
I arrived at Heathrow recently to get off the plane to my wheelchair at baggage claim I had to get in a airport wheelchair then a electric golf cart then back in their chair to get to baggage claim not enough staff or wheelchair so was disappointed
I went just with a stick to Berlin from Glasgow in 2017 I had special assistance. Glasgow was great my husband and I had a chair race to the gate (the gate was at the other end of the airport, no chance we'd have made it walking.). Security they didn't ask me to stand which was really nice as the chair ride still caused me a lot of pain. They left us at a different gate so we'd have a directly access to the lift they use to get us on (it was stairs otherwise). Unfortunately they weren't clear with this and as I saw people boarding I started to panic. It was sorted but it was very emotional for me. Berlin was more interesting. Not the worst though. I really didn't the chair they used to lift us out of the aircraft as they didn't have a lit. They asked if we wanted to go on the bus or get in the access cab. We chose the cab which helped us direct to the departure lounge. (My only thing was I had no help on the way out and sucks a bit but I got a seat outside until I recovered enough). We were lucky to have the opportunity to chose where we sat on the plane, partly for my ability to get to the bathroom and partly because of my husband's high risk of anaphylaxis. Try for tiny planes. I can say I've had more success on flights than I have on trains (a number of times noone turns up to help).
I am well jel about that bus - were you clamped in? I'd need to have my legs amputated to get on that plane - unless I dressed in a suit in an attempt to get an upgrade. And that aisle chair is tiny. D-B is turning into your Mini-Me! 😜
Great video! This is perfect timing as I may have to take a three hour flight to Ohio from Massachusetts soon with my wheelchair. I’ve never flown before so doing it with my chair is a bit overwhelming.
TY so much for all the wonderful information. You answered so many questions I have. The fear of flying disabled isn't so bad now. I haven't flown since becoming disabled. I've chosen destinations we could drive to, even if it took days. Will definitely be able to navigate now. Bless you sweet lady
These videos are fascinating! My wheelchair is ordered. And we are planning a Disney trip. It's great to be able to see what I would need and what I wouldn't.
I'm surprised there was no wheelchair/special assistance line at immigration. There is when you arrive at Heathrow. There was when I arrived in Miami last year and years ago there was in Seattle when there was also a very long queue for everyone else, I've arrived at other places in the US, but my memory fails me. If I could find a staff member I would ask for help as I get extremely claustrophobic being sat down in a queue and if people are very close together I get anxious about hitting people in the ankles.
@@Wheelsnoheels That's awful, I don't think that as disabled people/wheelchair users that should be a pass to skip queue, but I genuinely could not cope with a three hour queue and avoid places where that is required. Seen as most airports do have a special assistance (sometimes shared with crew) immigration desk it wouldn't occur to me not to fly to Orlando - we actually went there a year ago, but because we were then travelling within the US and we had to fly back to Heathrow, we ended up flying Virgin to Miami and driving.
My anxiety is peaking just watching you in that airport! Wow that is busy! I never thought about getting assistance to help navigate with my invisible disabilities. I don't usually have my canes or braces but I always have anxiety and problems with overstimulation
I am flying from the US to Liverpool in the UK for the first time in the next couple of months for my birthday for the first time by myself. I am absolutely terrified of something happening (my luggage/wheelchair getting lost, using the restroom, etc.) I cannot transfer independently anymore like I used to when I was younger. I am absolutely terrified of something happening (my luggage/wheelchair getting lost, using the restroom, etc.) I am also hearing impaired and need an interpreter to be able to understand people on the plane. by myself
3 hrs wait in customs? I simply can't manage that. I suspect I'll never be able to fly abroad, which is heartbreaking tbh, but what can you do? Thank you so much for filming this for us, I hope you had an awesome time!
I was surprised when you said you have never used thy type of lift on the bus before. I live in America and use them all the time. What do you use in the UK for busses like that?
I love your videos Gem, I'm not handicapped, but I enjoy your adventures with your family and your bubbly personality! Thanks for putting these out there to help others navigate! My boys loved seeing your water park adventure so much they are begging me to take them:) I had to edit, I called you Daisy;)
First timer traveling with my chair without my parents. Im traveling to Budapest from the Netherlands with the train, very nervous but hopefully everything is going okay 😊
HELLO MY NAME IS LESLIE KERR I HAVE SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT YOU HAVE BEING IN A WHEELCHAIR SO WHEN I NEED HELP WHEN I'M TRAVLING AND I HAVE TO FLY ON A AIRPLANE I GIVE THE AIRLINE A TWO WEEKS HEADS UP SO THAT THEY ARE READY TO HELP ME OUT WHEN I'M THE PLANE THAY PUT A WHEELCHAIR ON THE PLANE SO THAT IF I NEED TO USE THE RESTROOM THEY HAVE ONE FOR ME TO USE ALSO WHEN I NEED TO GO TO THE RESTROOM THEY CLOSE OFF ALL THE OTHER RESTROOM SO KNOW LESS CAN NOT THE RESTROOM UNTIL I'M DONE GOING TO THE RESTROOM I LIKE WHAT THEY DO WHEN I NEED HELP ANY TIME
So fun! Which ocean? If there is a beach, I totally recommend looking into seeing if they have a beach wheelchair rental. They have wider wheels that won't sink into the sand.
I've never seen a disabled friendly toilet on planes, but I've never travelled really long distances like from sweden to usa.. even the regular toilets are tiny.
I learnt the hard way last year that whenever you are booking travel with at least two separate flights towards your destination, don’t always book the same side of the plane for each flight. It’s 3 flights from where I live in Australia to Orlando and I put myself on the left hand side for all 3. Turns out I have a tendency to sit tilted so I did 18 hours seated slightly to the left so my back was killing me by the time I reached Orlando. My upcoming trip next week alternates between left and right so fingers crossed it helps.
Omg and I was seated at the back because that’s where it’s most comfortable for me but they boarded me last !!! So I went right through the huge plane with everyone starting at home ! So embarrassing 😂
Thats so strange. Special assistance always go first. Unless you specifically state you want to go last. Maybe next time ask. Much better going first. :)
Wheelsnoheels - Gem Hubbard okay ! Will definitely ask next time! I’m flying from Gatwick in August this year so will make sure I ask to go first. When getting off are you meant to get off first or last ? Or do they just do whatever’s easiest at the time ? When I flew I got off last every time but just wondered if you’re meant to or if it just was like that ? Xx
@@marthasdays @wheelsnoheels they only exception to boarding first is if they are refueling the plane directly prior to boarding, then they board special assistance passengers last
We don't have special assistance lounges in the US, and when they had them in Switzerland we were freaking out. We had a stopover before moving on and no one spoke English and we didn't really know what was going on, they ended up getting us on our plane home in the VERY nick of time.
3 hours wait at customs must have been horrific! I've just flown from Luton to Italy and back (got back yesterday) which was the first time flying with my chair and special assistance. Everyone was very helpful from both ends and except for an issue on the way out (there was a miscommunication and the people putting me on the plane didn't tell the cabin crew I needed assistance or check me in properly, so we got on the plane first but they thought we were missing so delayed the flight while they searched for us! Then that delayed me getting off at the other end, I had to wait for the lift so the plane filled back up around us and they brought all the other wheelchair passengers on first then managed to get us off) but other than that delay, everyone was brilliant. We also got to skip customs queue at both ends, right to the front for all the bag check-in and gate, they wheeled me out to our pick up and drop off points so my partner wasn't pushing me and fighting with the luggage for long. Made the whole situation much less stressful, much quicker to get out of Luton when we got home and other than the delay getting off the first flight it was so much easier than it would have been trying to do it ourselves. I'm certainly not well enough to manage a long haul flight but after worrying a lot beforehand how I would manage at all, I know now I can do the shorter flights without too much trouble and the help is there.
It’s actually fun travelling with a wheelchair as my sister is actually disabled so it’s actually fun going with her compared to without her for example we get on the plane first however sometimes it can be difficult but we get through it together 🥰
at the time of booking request a special mean (they literally have hundreds to choose from) and just call to confirm 24 hours or even a few hours prior to your flight. Keep in mind these are requests and requests only and airlines can't 100% assured that there is or isn't something in a meal as everything is done in the same kitchen
I have a question! I have an invisible illness (Lupus), it is difficult for me to walk long distances (airports included) and when sitting on planes, my legs hurt and sometimes cramp up. Would special assurance cater to someone like myself?
0:13 I was always taught to refer to myself last. 15:02 I'm sorry, but I couldn't find the link you referred to in this part of your video. Btw, you can make links in the video description, which will make it easier for people to find you on other social media.
I flew VA in 2018 to MCO, agreed Gatwick airport is the best for disabilities, I’m in a wheelchair my wife has MH. Only issue I had was airport staff lost my wheelchair at MCO, VA staff where superb, the local rep immediately found me a Manual chair, mine is electric. By 09.00 the next day they had rented me a electric chair and gave me £2000 compensation for the loss of my chair.
I've noticed in this and other videos that you use the moving walkways, which I thought said no wheelchairs (I'm not 100% sure of this). I've always avoided them because I've no idea what would happen when it comes to getting off. This has caused me some very long "walks" in airports. On the rare occasions I've used special assistance through the airport not just to get on the plane, they also avoid them. So, how do you do it and are you supposed to, is it safe?
Not sure if you aloud to do it. But I do. I feel safe myself. Getting off is no trouble at all. Just make sure your castors don't get stuck. They shouldn't as people take their luggage trollies on there. But if you are not comfortable with it. Don't do it. :)
On the underside of the isle arm rest, closest to the seat, there is a hidden button that will allow you to raise the arm rest. That might make it easier to transfer from the aisle chair to the seat.
Wow, I can’t believe how amazing the disability services in this airport are!!! I live in the US and have had some awful experiences when I was traveling in a wheelchair! I remember once they asked me if I was able to get up from my wheelchair to walk through the metal detector (fair enough question). When I said I was unable to the TSA agent rolled her eyes and said “this will be a lot easier for both of us if you just get up and walk through”. I was so shocked. Like did this women think I was just going to be magically cured of my disability and skip through the metal detector? I then had to wait over an HOUR to get a pat down, and when I asked very kindly for the TSA agent to be gentle, because I suffered from neuropathy and touching was painful, she said “I can’t treat you differently than anyone else. I’m gonna do whatever I have to do” 😱😱😱 then at one point while she was doing her pat down of me and my wheelchair she said “lift up and straighten out your legs” and I was like ??????? I can’t? Can you not see that I’m in a wheelchair??? They also did a double screening on all of my carryons which took 30 minutes for each bag (I had 2). By the time they were done I was humiliated, in so much pain, and almost missed my flight! We had to hall a** to the gate and when we got there they had just started pre boarding. That’s just one of many airport horror stories I have, and thats not even the worst one!
I’m so happy to see that this airport took such good care of you and had such a great system for their disabled customers! We definitely need a lot more of that in the US!!
Wow
I hope you make a complaint, share your experience with the company so that they start making changes to not treat anyone like that again. Or at least eliminate it.
Duh! I'm in a wheelchair for a reason. If only they were in your place for awhile.
Ask the agent if they have a magic healing wand.
I am a teenager in a wheelchair and I’m going on my first flight alone soon, so I’m watching every video I can! Thank you for all the helpful info! 💜
I wish you luck!!!
@@princepuppy67072 years later lol. Some one better reply me in 2026
Gem, your family is adorable. I don't have a disability but I have learned so much watching your vlogs. Thankyou.
Your daughter is so cute..her antics make me laugh. I got a BTK amputation Jan 2018. I would never travel by air like you. Be so afraid of being embarrassed in front of others. I haven't got over that I was so stupid in my diet to lose my foot in the 1st place. So happy that you spend the time making these videos.
I never got one of those neck coloured badge things at Gatwick when I flew in a wheelchair due to chronic pain syndrome full body and unable to walk ! That’s such a good idea what they do though xx
I love the idea.
Thank you so much for doing this!! My son is a full left leg amputee thanks for cancer and we are taking him to Florida in the summer. There aren’t enough videos on what to expect as a wheelchair user. So thank you for sharing your perspective and experience xx
Oh wow, looks so much fun, sadly that 3hr customs queue in itself would seem to mean that this kind of journey is completely impossible. It’s good that you can use your chair cushion on the plane, but I wonder how much of a position change is really possible in an aircraft seat? You must have been feeling it heavily by the time you got to the hotel! I can’t wait to see the fun you had after you got through the travelling hurdles! Daisybell seems to have really warmed to the idea now!
Oh yeah. DB had an amazing time. yeah the 3 hour wait at customs was an absolute killer. And to make it worse, someone was sick in the que!!! and people were just walking round it like it was perfeclty fine!!! I called someone over to clean it up. :(
Where did u get your pink wheel covers? They are AWESOME
Your video was in my recommended for a while so I finally watched it. UA-cam was really pushing it! I am not a wheelchair user and never have been, but I find it really interesting to see how you travel. When you said you had never seen one of those lifts like was on the bus, I was really surprised. That’s the normal in America; I am pretty sure most public transport buses and all special needs school buses have them, at least that I’ve seen. I’ve heard that there aren’t really laws surrounding accessibility in Europe. Is that true? In America ADA dictates a lot, and it’s not even uncommon for playgrounds to be rebuilt because they aren’t up to standards for ADA.
Thank you so much for the info, I have my first long haul flight as a wheelchair user and was nervous about the toileting situation.
This completely ease my fears. Thank you!!
Thank you so much. My fiance and I are an Interabled interracial couple and I am taking him on a trip very soon. Thank you so much.
It's very nice to see you so happy, welcome back
Thank you xx
Another one that is so helpful. Thank you. having a bit of a panic attack about my first international flight as a wheelchair user and leaving for London in a week. Are there any other of your videos that you can think of that would be helpful as well for travel prep or arriving in London (I did see the travel to London by train video). We fly into Heathrow and then have to first go pick up the rental wheelchair at shop, before heading into the city. So that whole "arrival without having my chair" part is where I am most concerned.
You are a Rock Star for making these videos for us! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
♿️Hi everyone CC coming though, unless anyone can help? 🙏🏼. I really hope you enjoyed the video. I have tried to cover as much as possible. If you have any questions please let me know. Make sure to subscribe as in my next video Im taking you on my hotel access tour. Also if you have any video requests regarding traveling, please feel free to suggest them bellow.
Gem xxx
I just want to thank you so much for your traveling videos. Your advice was a lifesaver when I was traveling alone to the Netherlands from Kansas by myself. Your videos helped me convince my family that I could not only handle the trip, but that there would be assistance available when I needed it.
I have been traveling quite a bit this year, and I keep all of your tips on a playlist whenever it is time for me to pack. 😎
@@reiakari Im so glad my videos have helped. Good luck with your travels. I will be traveling solo too soon!!!
@@Wheelsnoheels I am super grateful that you are making these videos. I only transitioned to relying on a wheelchair full time last year (degenerative neurological disorder), and I find that your videos are more informative than the brief instructions I got from my hospital. If it wasn't for your channel, I would have struggled more while adjusting to my car (what my nephew calls my wheelchair 😆). You are amazing! 💜
I will keep myself updated for more travel tips from you!
Gem we are travelling to Florida next August &this has given me some great tips for next year. Thank you for sharing
Hi, I don't know if someone has said this before but I'm going to say it anyway. In my experience if you request wheelchair assistance for the US they take you straight through immigration without queuing. They will help you through bag claim and all the way to your next transport. Once I had a lady waiting with me for a friend to get her car even though I said I was fine by myself. My disability is invisible but maybe she noticed. I usually leave a small tip as I leave the airport, but you don't have to. They are working for a salary. Yours, Ann
I live in Orlando area and my dad actually works at the Orlando international airport he’s an airplane mechanic. They are one of the more accessible air ports I have been to.
Good Vlog video, Miss Gem Hubbard about traveling with your wheelchair plus your family. BTW, American With Disabilities is celebrating 30 years of accessible people who are disabled and in those who are in wheelchairs, this year! : )
I love your channel!
I didn’t know that wheelchair users could use the bathroom on an airplane. I did once as a little kid, but my Dad carried me. I wonder if that can happen on all flights, at least for the bigger airplanes? I’ve gone to the bathroom as a wheelchair user on a train quite a few times. It’s pretty small, and moves back and forth if the train is moving lol. But pretty nice and accessible for a bathroom on a train.
It was tricky. The toilet is TINY! But the crew were really helpful. x
Supposedly it only bigger planes smaller planes rarely have a loo
@user-eu7bj7ek5t I've travelled on little Dash-8's with 38 seats and Airbus 838's with over 450 seats and every plane I've ever travelled in had toilets... the issue would be accessible toilets, wide bodied (dual isle) planes (such as Airbus 8380's) are required to have compliant accessible toilets and some narrow body planes can have a accessible toilet made by closing partitions in the wall either side of the toilet.
Most planes aisle seats arms fold up now. There isba small button or lever under the armrest towards the back of the seat. Just push and lift then you can transfer straight across.
I had special assistance when I to the UK a couple of years ago. The low air pressure caused my RA to flare, so they took me around in the airport wheelchair. I did walk a little bit from the ticket check point to the seat with my cane, but I was so stiff with swollen knees and ankles.
nice trip ,i went to ftrance lyon to handcycle and watch the tour great service from easyjet but in france no disabled taxis ,no lifts working in chambery at railway station and had my handcycle pinched
The arm rests anywhere but the bulkhead do lift up, the outer one doesn't lift up in the obvious way, but the cabin crew know what to do and it's way easier to transfer. I take a lot of short haul flights on airlines such as EasyJet, so bulkhead seats aren't an option. On the odd occasion I have had one I don't find it makes much difference - though perhaps I'm a bit scared as one time when I did, for some reason I had my seatbelt off and had fallen asleep, the cabin crew didn't notice and I landed with no belt on, which wasn't fun.
Oh dear.
For the outer arm rest on a non bulk head seat theres a small button underneath near the back in a small hole push it in and the arm rest will lift up I've only been on one flight (delta) where the arm rest wouldn't lift up
Thank you so much for all of your videos. They are very informative and you make it fun.
So pleased :)
Hope you had a lovely, time and tyvm for doing your video✈️♿️😎😎😃
You're welcome. We had an amazing time thank younxxx
Be sure to make time to wait around in the Orlando airport! I was flying home within the US and the line for security was 3 hrs
Whenever I travel by plane even if it's 14 hour flight; I don't even think about using the flight toilet at all. I use the bathroom before boarding and once i get off the plane at the gate and then i go to the baggage claim to get my suitcases.
The public transportation busses in San Francisco have those lifts that you used on the Disney bus. Amazing.
I just discovered your channel, I love it and your spirit!
So interesting!! Thanks for posting!!
Once again Gem, what a great post - I will be recommending it to the users and staff at our DSC. Thank you for posting all of the details that a lot of other videos miss out. This post is so reassuring and will help calm a lot of the stress of airport travel to so many. Can’t wait for your next post. Keep being you and shining bright. 🤗🥰
Hey!!! Thank you so much. Im really glad you enjoyed it. x
@@Wheelsnoheels Chris blog club member subscribe
never got that at east midlands hun its first on last off but sometimes they forgot so had to be carried on airport bus last everyone staring ground crew say take ur time but u feel like u got to rush then carried of bus up the air craft stairs to a 8th row seat. could not breath so crew then said well get the truck to lift me off . don’t no who was more scared usually eat midlands to jersey ( ci) goes smoothly except being taken off plan in chair upside down oh and my wheel chair tires exploded and melted. since we flew on a Saturday no shops open in jersey on Sunday. so fix front wheels with electrical taps and back with a bike puncture kit. havent been for a while but thinking about going soon
Some airlines will also gate tag your mobility device/aid as well as thermal/bag tag it =)
getting bulk heads may not always work as babies who need cots COULD or MAYBE prioritised. You would however be placed into an aisle seat and some airlines/aircrafts have arm rests that do move. (yes the ones on the aisles) however the bulk head ones won't as they hold the tv and or tray tables
We recently did this trip with a wheelchair. I love the accessibility of the buses there!
I'm not sure about Gatwick but the invisible disability lanyard at Manchester airport is green with sunflowers. I have one and the airport staff have been very good with me. Xx
I thank you for the video. I was very curious about using the bathroom on the plane. We are going to Venice and it is a nine hour flight. I will definitely drink less liquid 24 hours before we leave. I was hoping it to be a little bit bigger so my husband could assist me to the bathroom…
I arrived at Heathrow recently to get off the plane to my wheelchair at baggage claim I had to get in a airport wheelchair then a electric golf cart then back in their chair to get to baggage claim not enough staff or wheelchair so was disappointed
I went just with a stick to Berlin from Glasgow in 2017 I had special assistance. Glasgow was great my husband and I had a chair race to the gate (the gate was at the other end of the airport, no chance we'd have made it walking.). Security they didn't ask me to stand which was really nice as the chair ride still caused me a lot of pain.
They left us at a different gate so we'd have a directly access to the lift they use to get us on (it was stairs otherwise). Unfortunately they weren't clear with this and as I saw people boarding I started to panic. It was sorted but it was very emotional for me.
Berlin was more interesting. Not the worst though. I really didn't the chair they used to lift us out of the aircraft as they didn't have a lit. They asked if we wanted to go on the bus or get in the access cab. We chose the cab which helped us direct to the departure lounge. (My only thing was I had no help on the way out and sucks a bit but I got a seat outside until I recovered enough).
We were lucky to have the opportunity to chose where we sat on the plane, partly for my ability to get to the bathroom and partly because of my husband's high risk of anaphylaxis. Try for tiny planes.
I can say I've had more success on flights than I have on trains (a number of times noone turns up to help).
Thank you very much your info made very comfortable ❤❤❤
Your husband needed mickey ears XD
Oh my god you’ve the same bag as me, the blue one.
I am well jel about that bus - were you clamped in? I'd need to have my legs amputated to get on that plane - unless I dressed in a suit in an attempt to get an upgrade. And that aisle chair is tiny. D-B is turning into your Mini-Me! 😜
Yep winched and clamped in. there was no way I was going anywhere!!!!
In Manchester they don’t have a lounge but they do have a special seating area to seat though.
Great video! This is perfect timing as I may have to take a three hour flight to Ohio from Massachusetts soon with my wheelchair. I’ve never flown before so doing it with my chair is a bit overwhelming.
TY so much for all the wonderful information. You answered so many questions I have. The fear of flying disabled isn't so bad now. I haven't flown since becoming disabled. I've chosen destinations we could drive to, even if it took days. Will definitely be able to navigate now. Bless you sweet lady
These videos are fascinating! My wheelchair is ordered. And we are planning a Disney trip. It's great to be able to see what I would need and what I wouldn't.
How is the American flight process different from the English process that you showed here?
I'm surprised there was no wheelchair/special assistance line at immigration. There is when you arrive at Heathrow. There was when I arrived in Miami last year and years ago there was in Seattle when there was also a very long queue for everyone else, I've arrived at other places in the US, but my memory fails me. If I could find a staff member I would ask for help as I get extremely claustrophobic being sat down in a queue and if people are very close together I get anxious about hitting people in the ankles.
Oh it was horrendous. I did ask. I tried my english charm. Nothing worked. We all had to que.
@@Wheelsnoheels That's awful, I don't think that as disabled people/wheelchair users that should be a pass to skip queue, but I genuinely could not cope with a three hour queue and avoid places where that is required. Seen as most airports do have a special assistance (sometimes shared with crew) immigration desk it wouldn't occur to me not to fly to Orlando - we actually went there a year ago, but because we were then travelling within the US and we had to fly back to Heathrow, we ended up flying Virgin to Miami and driving.
"Y'all follow me..."
*"He said Y'ALL"*
That killed me as a Southern American
His sense of humour is similar to Australians.
My anxiety is peaking just watching you in that airport! Wow that is busy! I never thought about getting assistance to help navigate with my invisible disabilities. I don't usually have my canes or braces but I always have anxiety and problems with overstimulation
I am flying from the US to Liverpool in the UK for the first time in the next couple of months for my birthday for the first time by myself. I am absolutely terrified of something happening (my luggage/wheelchair getting lost, using the restroom, etc.)
I cannot transfer independently anymore like I used to when I was younger. I am absolutely terrified of something happening (my luggage/wheelchair getting lost, using the restroom, etc.) I am also hearing impaired and need an interpreter to be able to understand people on the plane. by myself
I’m so sorry to hear about your 3-hour customs experience. That’s unacceptable!
P
I love the strap on the front of the lift. We don't have that in the U.K.
3 hrs wait in customs? I simply can't manage that. I suspect I'll never be able to fly abroad, which is heartbreaking tbh, but what can you do? Thank you so much for filming this for us, I hope you had an awesome time!
Ah I'm sorry to hear that. Not all countries are that bad. USA is very strict. :(
I was surprised when you said you have never used thy type of lift on the bus before. I live in America and use them all the time. What do you use in the UK for busses like that?
In normal buses over here there is a fold out ramp, not sure about the higher up coaches tho
I love your videos Gem, I'm not handicapped, but I enjoy your adventures with your family and your bubbly personality! Thanks for putting these out there to help others navigate! My boys loved seeing your water park adventure so much they are begging me to take them:) I had to edit, I called you Daisy;)
Omg never been to Disney this will help me so much..nice job everyone..
First timer traveling with my chair without my parents.
Im traveling to Budapest from the Netherlands with the train, very nervous but hopefully everything is going okay 😊
have you ever thought about using a smartdrive?. im getting one for my new wheelchair. :)
Id love one, but I can't afford one. They are about £5k in the uk, and we have to fund it completely ourselves. :(
HELLO MY NAME IS LESLIE KERR I HAVE SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT YOU HAVE BEING IN A WHEELCHAIR SO WHEN I NEED HELP WHEN I'M TRAVLING AND I HAVE TO FLY ON A AIRPLANE I GIVE THE AIRLINE A TWO WEEKS HEADS UP SO THAT THEY ARE READY TO HELP ME OUT WHEN I'M THE PLANE THAY PUT A WHEELCHAIR ON THE PLANE SO THAT IF I NEED TO USE THE RESTROOM THEY HAVE ONE FOR ME TO USE ALSO WHEN I NEED TO GO TO THE RESTROOM THEY CLOSE OFF ALL THE OTHER RESTROOM SO KNOW LESS CAN NOT THE RESTROOM UNTIL I'M DONE GOING TO THE RESTROOM I LIKE WHAT THEY DO WHEN I NEED HELP ANY TIME
Hey I’m packing too going to the ocean
So fun! Which ocean? If there is a beach, I totally recommend looking into seeing if they have a beach wheelchair rental. They have wider wheels that won't sink into the sand.
I've never seen a disabled friendly toilet on planes, but I've never travelled really long distances like from sweden to usa.. even the regular toilets are tiny.
I learnt the hard way last year that whenever you are booking travel with at least two separate flights towards your destination, don’t always book the same side of the plane for each flight. It’s 3 flights from where I live in Australia to Orlando and I put myself on the left hand side for all 3. Turns out I have a tendency to sit tilted so I did 18 hours seated slightly to the left so my back was killing me by the time I reached Orlando. My upcoming trip next week alternates between left and right so fingers crossed it helps.
OMG this is AMAZING! a special assistance lounge?! the pagers. WOW. i'm fully envious - so happy you were able to have such a great experience. :0)
Omg and I was seated at the back because that’s where it’s most comfortable for me but they boarded me last !!! So I went right through the huge plane with everyone starting at home ! So embarrassing 😂
Thats so strange. Special assistance always go first. Unless you specifically state you want to go last. Maybe next time ask. Much better going first. :)
Wheelsnoheels - Gem Hubbard okay ! Will definitely ask next time! I’m flying from Gatwick in August this year so will make sure I ask to go first. When getting off are you meant to get off first or last ? Or do they just do whatever’s easiest at the time ? When I flew I got off last every time but just wondered if you’re meant to or if it just was like that ? Xx
@@marthasdays @wheelsnoheels they only exception to boarding first is if they are refueling the plane directly prior to boarding, then they board special assistance passengers last
@@marthasdays yes always ask. You always get off last, as there is no controlling everyone else, they jump out of their seats as quick as possible ;)
Niamh McCallion ahhh okay thank you !
We don't have special assistance lounges in the US, and when they had them in Switzerland we were freaking out. We had a stopover before moving on and no one spoke English and we didn't really know what was going on, they ended up getting us on our plane home in the VERY nick of time.
3 hours wait at customs must have been horrific! I've just flown from Luton to Italy and back (got back yesterday) which was the first time flying with my chair and special assistance. Everyone was very helpful from both ends and except for an issue on the way out (there was a miscommunication and the people putting me on the plane didn't tell the cabin crew I needed assistance or check me in properly, so we got on the plane first but they thought we were missing so delayed the flight while they searched for us! Then that delayed me getting off at the other end, I had to wait for the lift so the plane filled back up around us and they brought all the other wheelchair passengers on first then managed to get us off) but other than that delay, everyone was brilliant. We also got to skip customs queue at both ends, right to the front for all the bag check-in and gate, they wheeled me out to our pick up and drop off points so my partner wasn't pushing me and fighting with the luggage for long.
Made the whole situation much less stressful, much quicker to get out of Luton when we got home and other than the delay getting off the first flight it was so much easier than it would have been trying to do it ourselves. I'm certainly not well enough to manage a long haul flight but after worrying a lot beforehand how I would manage at all, I know now I can do the shorter flights without too much trouble and the help is there.
You got your first thrill ride before you left Gatwick,
Love it
yay si glad you liked it. :)
Good tips
That’s Gatwick by the look of the lift
It’s actually fun travelling with a wheelchair as my sister is actually disabled so it’s actually fun going with her compared to without her for example we get on the plane first however sometimes it can be difficult but we get through it together 🥰
'like Hannibal Lecter' lol
7:26 "the guy in the buggy said to follow him"?? Did he think your WC was a racing chair?
is there different flying with a electice wheelchair from melbourne australia to disneyland in usa
hey just wondering where you got your wheelchair. thanks
Thanks for the info cus I was kind of worried about traveling
I have never seen a special assistance lounge is this just in England or did they have one in Orlando also?
I just got paralysed what type of wheelchair should I get to start off with one with arms and one with no arms
I have autism and when we go on holiday we have assistance
I've heard that airlines lose 27 wheelchairs every day. That's awful. I'm a part time wheelchair user, and luckily I never travel.
Worth investing in one of those tracker devices to stick on wheelchair.
Arnie Laird from NZ you have a great time and I will be looking for you soon
I’m autistic use this service too xxx
So, I’ve never been on a plane before, you may not know the answer, but what do you do if your lactase intolerant? Are there foods for that?
at the time of booking request a special mean (they literally have hundreds to choose from) and just call to confirm 24 hours or even a few hours prior to your flight. Keep in mind these are requests and requests only and airlines can't 100% assured that there is or isn't something in a meal as everything is done in the same kitchen
Kasey Shaw thanks!
I have a question do the airports charge you for special service
is your daughter a young carer... I am :)
I have a question! I have an invisible illness (Lupus), it is difficult for me to walk long distances (airports included) and when sitting on planes, my legs hurt and sometimes cramp up. Would special assurance cater to someone like myself?
Same my joints get sore and I can't walk anymore sometimes I collapse because I get weak you can request a wheelchair
What band of wheelchair do you have Gem?
How soon do you need to notify virgin of a special needs request for assistance?
Sooner the better once you have booked.
Why did it have virgin cruises logo on the thumb nail
Love your videos! Who’s the guy on your right?
LaRosePetite her husband obvs
I don't imagine American Airlines' "special" assistance is all that "special".
do you sit near a tolet
0:13 I was always taught to refer to myself last.
15:02 I'm sorry, but I couldn't find the link you referred to in this part of your video.
Btw, you can make links in the video description, which will make it easier for people to find you on other social media.
Sorry I have added the link to the video now.
I flew VA in 2018 to MCO, agreed Gatwick airport is the best for disabilities, I’m in a wheelchair my wife has MH. Only issue I had was airport staff lost my wheelchair at MCO, VA staff where superb, the local rep immediately found me a Manual chair, mine is electric. By 09.00 the next day they had rented me a electric chair and gave me £2000 compensation for the loss of my chair.
I've noticed in this and other videos that you use the moving walkways, which I thought said no wheelchairs (I'm not 100% sure of this). I've always avoided them because I've no idea what would happen when it comes to getting off. This has caused me some very long "walks" in airports. On the rare occasions I've used special assistance through the airport not just to get on the plane, they also avoid them. So, how do you do it and are you supposed to, is it safe?
Not sure if you aloud to do it. But I do. I feel safe myself. Getting off is no trouble at all. Just make sure your castors don't get stuck. They shouldn't as people take their luggage trollies on there. But if you are not comfortable with it. Don't do it. :)
I've used them with my wheelchair as well, haven't had an issue (and didn't notice any signs prohibiting it).
I love you
Dobble!!
On the underside of the isle arm rest, closest to the seat, there is a hidden button that will allow you to raise the arm rest. That might make it easier to transfer from the aisle chair to the seat.
*aisle