Traveling With a @Whill_US Model C2 Power Chair
Written by Chillie Falls, November 14, 2023 for AccessAdventure.net
Early on October 25, 2023, I parked my car on a ground floor, wheelchair accessible parking space in the Parking building adjacent to Delta Airline at Richmond International Airport. After a couple minutes to start my oxygen, unload my @Whill_US Model C2 Power Wheelchair and retrieve my suitcase and computer bag, which I stacked, I started on my next adventure. Ahead, a flight to JFK in New York and a a 11 night cruise on MSC Meraviglia.
Very carefully, I started rolling with my right hand manning the joy stick, and my left pushing my stacked cases. I probably rolled about 10 yards when another passenger, carrying only one small carry-on bag, offered to help and took over my cases. He, too, was flying Delta and offered assistance to the elevator and to the Delta check in counter.
Once at Delta, I offered him a tip, which he refused, and wished me safe travels.
Delta is much more detailed than American was a couple of weeks ago, the agent knew exactly what to do, went over all of the procedures that had been spelled out in detail on pre-flight accessibility information, attached a bag to the chair in case I needed something to put the battery in, took care of checking both my bags and sent me on my way to TSA by 4:30 AM. I actually had to wait for TSA to open at 5 AM.
It was starting to get busy with early morning flights, but I was near the front of the line and sailed through TSA in no time. I was off to find my gate and had plenty of time for a bite of breakfast.
Once at the gate, the gate attendant immediately came over to welcome Mr Falls and went over all of the procedures again. Within five minutes, one of the luggage handlers came up and said, “Hi, Mr Falls. I will be assisting you this morning.” He then asked questions about the proper handling of my Whill Model C2 Power Chair. After answering his questions, he offered an aisle chair to get me to my seat. Since I was travelling first class, and can walk 10 steps or so, I refused.
It was just that easy and two hours later, we were taxying up to the gate at JFK International Airport in New York City.
Over the years, I have flown in and out of JFK numerous times but not since I began traveling with mobility devices. I was a little uneasy about their handling of my chair, and dealing solo with the huge crowds. When I disembark at an airport, I stay in my seat until the flight attendant tells me the chair has arrived at the door of the plane.
Given the sign, I proceeded to my chair and the New York handler said, “I put you back in gear. Give me your battery and I will have you on your way.” And just that easily, I was off rolling around JFK.
At the luggage carousel, a porter took my bags and led me to the taxi stand, where I got an accessible taxi to the Brooklyn port. (That is a another whole story, in a different post)
Right up until I left JFK International Airport, the day had been totally stress free thanks to Delta, RIC and JFK.
Now we jump ahead to November 5, 2023 and my accessible taxi had just dropped me off at Delta and even rolled my bags inside for me. This time, I had two agents, one who may have been fairly new, and what I assume was a supervisor. And they went through the same detailed procedures as the agents in Richmond had done, covering both the chair, and my portable oxygen. The agent couldn’t locate the approval for my oxygen unit, I said I had the POC if needed. The supervisor moved in and found it in their system,, the agent got my boarding passes and luggage tags, and I was off to TSA. Delta even sent an agent to accompany me through TSA, which was nice just to have someone looking after my meds/battery bag, wallet, jacket, etc.
The agent took me all the way to my gate, which was helpful as I needed two elevators to get there. I was at my gate in Terminal 4 with only 4 hours to spare. I went in search of lunch and maybe an adult beverage or two.
After a very leisurely lunch and a Facebook LIVE update, I rolled back toward my gate and stopped by a flight board to check if my flight was On Time. Much to my surprise, my flight had been changed to Terminal 5. I quickly found out I needed to catch a bus and stay on it until Gate 35 of Terminal 5. I got to the bus stop, and this is what I found.
A wheelchair accessible bus. All vehicles at JFK are accessible. And I had a pleasant ride around to Terminal 5.
I got to the “new” gate an hour early despite that little blip.
Everything that happened from then on was identical to my flight up from Richmond. Every staff member, whether Delta or JFK, and then RIC, were well trained and very knowledgeable in dealing with power wheelchairs and a disabled guest. And all seemed very caring and willing to do anything needed.
All three-Delta, JFK and RIC-get extremely high marks from me. The only negative, which was minor, in Richmond I could not find a porter and had to push my cases about 50 yards to my parking place. What is usually stressful for me became stress-free on this trip.