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Author Topic: Poor flexion - travelling by air - on crutches - help  (Read 1615 times)

Offline Lynette

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Poor flexion - travelling by air - on crutches - help
« on: May 20, 2006, 11:20:02 AM »
I am trying to book a holiday from England to Lake Garda in Italy.  Unfortunately I am on crutches and cannot bend my right leg more than 30 degrees. I have been told I need to contact the airline direct to ask about extra leg room [etc] but I rang before and they cannot answer calls till Monday.  I am also worried about getting on the aircraft whether there is going to be a corridor onto the aircraft or stairs.

The airline I will be flying with is First Choice.  I think it is going to be difficult getting them to agree to extra leg room etc. I have emailed last week and no-one seems bothered.  It is the only airline I can go with as they offer a transfer to the resort for me.

Has anyone had an experience of flying in economy yet have been unable to bend their leg much.  if so, did they have any problem getting extra leg room or an extra seat?  Any advice would be great.  I don't want to have to cancel my holiday because of this.
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Offline Nettan

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Re: Poor flexion - travelling by air - on crutches - help
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2006, 11:45:52 AM »
Hey !!

I have flied several times with a straight leg in economy class and have had no problems at all and I'm 1.75 m tall. if you have difficulties in getting on and off you can apply for getting help on and off..the problem is you often need to do that when booking tickets. I can't walk at all..use wheeler 100 % so they lift me onboard and use a special wheelchair to get me to my seat.
If there are long way to walk on airport there are often wheelchairs to use on the airport but you have to tell before. Also so you get help when you get to Italy.
This summer I'm flying to Utah from Sweden and are changing flights three times on my way.
Feel free ask if you have more questions.
Have a ncie trip !!

HUGS NETTAN  8)
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Offline KatieO

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Re: Poor flexion - travelling by air - on crutches - help
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2006, 05:25:02 PM »
Nettan is right. At least in the States, they are required to offer help for people with health issues. I flew an airline, again in the States, where I sat in the bulkhead and brought my folding stool so that I could put my legs out straight on that. Granted, i am short. They wouldn't let me have the stool on take off but during the flight was really quite easy. i was surprised, pleasantly! Good luck and have fun!!!
Katie
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Offline Lynette

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Re: Poor flexion - travelling by air - on crutches - help
« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2006, 01:32:29 PM »
I rang up the airline in England and explained I am on crutches and unable to bend my leg more than 30-40 degrees and was told the only solution is to purchase two seats on the aircraft!!!  I couldn't have a seat with extra leg room as they are only for able bodied people I was told!!  I was really angry.

USA airlines are obviously more amenable.
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Offline Nettan

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Re: Poor flexion - travelling by air - on crutches - help
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2006, 02:31:02 PM »
Lynette, if there are seats with extra space you should be able having that without extra payment.
Check out their rules. If you still have problems a note from your doc can be a solution.
One thing though I know is that it cen be tough with cheaper airlines as they have special rules.
Hope everything will go well.

HUGS NETTAN  8)
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Offline Lynette

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Re: Poor flexion - travelling by air - on crutches - help
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2006, 03:18:22 PM »
Apparently it is because the only extra leg room is by the emergency exits and the people sitting in these seats must have the strength to help to open these doors when needed.  It's too black and white with them you are either able bodied or not.  Whereas although on crutches I'm not that bad and would easily be able to open the emergency doors. I wouldn't mind but it's not a cheap airline at all.
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Offline Nettan

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Re: Poor flexion - travelling by air - on crutches - help
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2006, 03:41:05 PM »
The seats where you have little babies always have more space..ask for that if it's possible.
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Surgery 6 times left knee torn meniscus, RSDS,chondromalacia, nervdamage cause constant nervpain,chronic inflamm.
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Right knee damaged aug-06, use brace surgery 4/9-07.LCL tear.

Offline UK Girl !

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Re: Poor flexion - travelling by air - on crutches - help
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2006, 03:45:36 PM »
Lynette
You are absolutely right what you say about FCA - they will not let you sit in the extra legroom seats by the emergency exits - you could upgrade to the front of the plane - the expensive seats - if they have them on such a short flight.

We flew to Gambia in march and although they said it was long haul in their brochure - it turned out to be a short haul plane! It was an absolute nightmare - their planes have less leg room than the easy jet planes !

Seriously - if you cant get extra legroom with them - use another airline - we will NEVER fly with them again unless we upgrade.

P.S  The food was good on the plane - on the way back though we couldn't even get a bottle of water as they sold out of just about everything on the way out! unbelievable.  - they did give me some free coffee though ;D

anja
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Offline laxplayer5

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Re: Poor flexion - travelling by air - on crutches - help
« Reply #8 on: May 30, 2006, 09:39:09 PM »
I have a long flight ahead of me pre-surgery and then after surgery another long one. For ecoonomy sets ask for an economy seat in the left aisle since it is your right kne so that you can still extend it. I will also have to use a wheelchair on the flight after my surgery because the trip is like four days pot-op. That's when the pain med is wearing off. Hopefully I won'tt have many probs.

Good luck (we'll need it)

Keith
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Offline KatieO

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Re: Poor flexion - travelling by air - on crutches - help
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2006, 12:34:00 AM »
Some US airlines, like Northwest, I think, don't preassign seats. You get there at check in and tell them you need special seating and get to board first, no questions asked, though a wheelchair would be pretty obvious! I sat in the bulkhead with my stool and it was pretty good. Helps to be short!
Katie
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Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage...Anais Nin
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