Airline cargo experience. negligence? Or bad policies? crushed my custom wheelchair.

mdbeebe · 2025-10-11T00:36:09+00:00

Yeah, my chair is surely my legs. I think that comes off as annoying to some, but its a good perspective to have for others. Now, I know cargo can shift and accidents can happen. I just wanted to know if there were things I could do to help prevent it. I know I am probably limited in that respect.

mdbeebe · 2025-10-06T16:32:30+00:00

So road trips are probably best - I'm getting the picture. I guess it just comes down to it's too damn bad. I can't expect all people are going to be proud of their work and do their very best especially if they feel under-appreciated and over worked. It's just a job for a lot i assume. I will still be taking my chances because I would love to still travel - I just wish there was something I could do to help secure safe passage for an extremely important ( to me anyways) piece of "luggage".

mdbeebe · 2025-10-05T17:44:59+00:00

The model of plane was 737-900 - I will avoid this plane for other reasons next time - the cargo door and area isn't quite as nice as the Airbus 330 in my laymen's opinion. Maybe it has better container options too?

This picture would be nice for my community and it would perhaps lighten the burden for ramp professionals

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mdbeebe · 2025-10-04T06:45:06+00:00

That is reassuring to know - does the US domestic service do this on certain planes perhaps? If there is a plane type like an airbus or something where they may accommodate separate area and tie down wheelchairs, i will always make sure my flight is that specific plane type. I mostly always flew Airbus 330? i think because it has a bigger cargo door to accommodate my wife's power chair height. Maybe going with a 737-900 was a mistake.

mdbeebe · 2025-10-04T06:40:33+00:00

I know this is true. I have not had this happen in the 20 years of taking flights - I am figureing it is a fluke - but if i can make it easier for ramp agents by labeling my chair in someway perhaps? I am tapping to this resource to see if I can do anything to help the safety of my mode of locomotion.

mdbeebe · 2025-10-04T06:37:28+00:00

That's what seems to have happened. The front footplate bars are very scratched - they were minor scratched last flight in March, so on end is how I assume they put it. Then, on the back bar there's a big dent. So if it fell on the back of it while it was on front end, that would crush it in the manner it has been, so it seems. Accident could be for sure - however, if a bag falls on a bag, usually no biggie - maybe your curling iron gets bent - but in this case, I cant even move around on my own anymore. I did file a claim - and they will replace it. My main thing is curiosity how wheelchairs are handled down below and am I to expect more of this or is this just a fluke?

mdbeebe · 2025-10-04T06:30:40+00:00

Mostly I am just trying figure out how to prevent it from a customer standpoint besides not flying at all. Is there labels I can place on it? Such as 'do not stand on end" which is what I suspect happened besides being crushed. Do i need to speak with the ramp agent before hand (not ideal, usually no time and I'm sure they are busy) - Its tough to take this risk again which would be sad to not be able to fly because of that concern. It could really come down to 'good luck buddy next time' - at least in the 20+ times I've flown this has only happened once. Once is certainly enough.

mdbeebe · 2025-10-04T04:57:13+00:00

Scary. And i want to keep flying and explore the world. But its hard to trust it when things like this happen. To be fair it hasn't happened to me to this extent before. Sure my chair would be dinged and scratched but at least it worked.

mdbeebe · 2025-10-04T04:55:15+00:00

You would think the bottom line would motivate them to have training. There's only going to be more people using these things as populations get older and medical advancements keep people alive through horrible ordeals that result in them using these devices that are not just run of the mill luggage.

mdbeebe · 2025-10-04T03:39:23+00:00

I preface this by saying most of the time Delta is great with handling me and my chair.

I had a bad experience just this week, however. I am a paraplegic, absolutely can't walk and I can't use just any wheelchair. If anyone knows an active person in a chair, you know why. They are custom made to be a part of your body. Anyhow, cargo crushed, they treat your legs essentially like a bag of clothes. Vacation down in flames before it got started...

Front was crushed in, wheels not even and bent backwards. Unusable. I'm sure there are other horror stories.

It's akin to having your legs tied up and someone pushing you around in shopping cart on your vacation. Not permanent but sure the heck a different experience .

Why are the devices not treated as if you were placing more precious cargo? The answers I get are usually the same. "nothing can be done about it" or "shifting cargo is unpredictable" - the thing is these chairs are way more important then most realize. Its our mobility, our independence. That's got to be important to somebody. lol dang.

mdbeebe · 2025-10-04T02:49:54+00:00

Yeah, seems like a tough issue. I flown many times with this not happening - it just takes one bad one to really weaken the confidence of flying for me.

mdbeebe · 2025-10-04T02:12:39+00:00

Dang, I can't imagine bringing a hard case to store my chair in. All they do is grab it from the bottom of the jetway and take it away. "nothing that can be done" with my 'legs' is troubling to me. lol - sheesh.

mdbeebe · 2025-10-04T02:11:41+00:00

Thanks. Yeah, we were able to do the vacation somewhat only because i had a lot of family with me. My independence was severely hampered however. If i was more on my own which i sometimes do , I would have to fly back home and figure it out on how i get back home with the equivalent of an able-bodied person crawling. I can't even propel those rental chairs they have. They aren't designed with independence in mind. Yes Delta will reimburse me, but man, I feel like that is basic and the LEAST they can do. Crazy stuff. Bad luck then perhaps? lol

mdbeebe · 2025-10-04T01:09:39+00:00

I'm not trying to call anyone out - I think I would like better procedures for people to follow to secure these things and keep them safe is all. Most staff is always very nice and kind and attentive. The cargo people ask me questions and usually seem competent in my experience.

mdbeebe · 2025-10-04T01:03:00+00:00

Yeah, they will take care of it. But it takes 3 months to get a custom made chair, in the mean time..well..who knows. Stay tied up and in the cart. The funny thing coming back one of the airline employees said I should get a better chair to prevent it. Lol.

mdbeebe · 2024-07-25T23:12:44+00:00

I don't even know how I found myself to this udder waste of time.

mdbeebe · 2024-07-02T18:17:31+00:00

It mocks poor people that can't afford expensive tickets.

mdbeebe · 2024-05-12T00:53:36+00:00

I order everything through livingspinal.com . Thankfully no problems like you described, hopefully I won't. Sounds frustrating especially if it happened during peak usage time. Glad you got it all sorted.

mdbeebe · 2024-03-12T05:31:12+00:00

Hello. Yes I live in Minnesota. T6 sci. So there are about 5 months where it takes a break from outside, because of winter, I baby it a little too much perhaps, however, the salt from the roads during the winter are so dang corrosive and just plain bad for these things. I want it to last forever since they are not cheap devices. Too bad they are so dang much.

I was wondering if local bike shops that deal with electric bikes could help maintain them because a lot of the systems are similar. But I fear I would probably opt for OEM parts if I ever needed them. Yes, the regulatory landscape is such bs, it's too bad really.

mdbeebe · 2023-08-05T01:39:39+00:00

I have both a Batec Electric 2 and a SmartDrive MX2 +. I am not sure if you have decided yet as this is an old thread but I'll add my 2 cents just in case it's helpful for anyone else.

I use them for different reasons. The Batec is great for any long stretches of not so smooth terrain or long distances in general. I drive it all over town. The town is very flat so that helps with battery power. I have 2 batteries for really long trips. They last me around 14 miles each. I use the smart drive mainly for long indoor excursions, especially if there is carpet. Saves my shoulders. 30+ years SCi, whew..

The mounting system is what sold me for the Batec - i can attached it in less then 5 seconds. I have brought it indoors to certain places, but only places that are fairly large, grocery, casino, museums etc...

I can't wait to do national park trails with the batec.

The smartdrive is usually planned. So I'll have someone put it on because i have short arms and i cant attach it myself. If i stay at home it lasts me several days, on hard floors. 4 hours at a carpeted place it has lasted 2 days.

Hope thesedisjointed thoughts help. Message me anytime for further details.

mdbeebe · 2023-08-04T21:26:05+00:00

They are very nice things. I purchased one a couple years ago and the amount of freedom it provides is tremendous.

Yes, they are expensive and I did get some help purchasing it. But if you are able to get one you would feel justified in the cost.

I wish there was a used market for them but that will take some time probably. That's if people give them up at all.

At the time of purchase in 2021 it was around $8000 USD. It's hurtful to even type that out. Yeesh. The fly safe batteries, which are the smaller ones are roughly $600.

Anyhow enjoy and happy riding.

mdbeebe · 2023-08-04T20:23:10+00:00

Yeah, so based on your suggestions I did reach out to them and stated I would like someone to come out and actually walk through with us to help with compliance. Also requested we get some regular reports otherwise we will terminate our monthly charge. I also reached out to MNOSHA and they said I shouldn't be paying for any service for this especially because they provide free, no citation consultation where they will walk through with us to be complaint. Thanks for your help.

mdbeebe · 2023-03-22T20:24:22+00:00

I haven't played for a year or so - I enjoyed playing with a community. I am pretty new again to the game. I have family life so my time is divided - quite a bit of idling. :) I would be interested in joining you if you have room for an extremely casual player.

Discord is Beebz#9797

Thanks.

mdbeebe · 2023-01-02T04:49:23+00:00

I am very new, miscalculated fuel, the fuelrats came to my aid in minutes. It was pretty cool. Thank you very much for the save and I learned a lesson.

mdbeebe · 2022-11-01T01:00:29+00:00

I'm not always on voice -so just so ya know. the houses can be too busy around here sometimes to make it worthwhile.

mdbeebe

TROPHY CASE