Has anyone been on an airplane with a fiberglass cast on?? I have flown many times but this will be my first as one of the preboarders! I know to ask for a bulkhead seat (but hubby doesn't want to do that and he said I could put my foot up on his lap). I know to ask for a wheelchair as I would never make it all the way to the gate and the wait in the security line is usually long. I may even bring my own wheelchair although I probably won't need it at the other end except for the airport where I can request to borrow one. It's only a very short stay at the other end. I guess I am more concerned with the swelling issue. Should I bring ziploc bags so I maybe can get ice in case my foot swells? Anyone who may have been through this...please let me know how you fared. Thanks! Sophie :angel:

Well, I had to order a wheelchair on a trip one time due to foot surgery. Watch out for the screeners...they don't give a hoot about your foot. They wanted to see my sutures...and I hadn't even looked at them. Even wanted to "pat down" my foot! Yikes! They also had the gall to pick me for a full search which meant I had to deal with the suitcase issue. Then on one leg thru the Atlanta airport, they didn't have a wheelchair there for me. Called and called...no one showed and I had to get to my flight...so off I hobbled...only to see 5 - read that FIVE - of those flunkies standing around talking with each other with empty wheelchairs. If I hadn't been in a hurry I'd have cussed them all out. But no, I didn't have any swelling issues!

Titchou, How could they see your sutures with a hard cast on? Or did you have a removable boot? I know last summer they made me take the boot off! But the cast doesn't come off! I find people are more helpful when they see the cast compared to the boot. People seem to assume you can walk when they see the boot.

Bring Ziploc Bags, even if you don't think you'll need them - just in case you need to ice. Who cares if your husband doesn't want to "do" bulkhead! Let HIM ride with a cast on! If you try to put your foot on his lap, meaning you have to ride without your seatbelt on, I guarantee you'll be banging it on something trying to maneuver that, or someone will hit it coming down the aisle.

The change in pressure may make you swell a bit, so elevating will be key.

Leave yourself a ton of time for security and hopping, and invest in a good backpack so you can carry your stuff and keep your hands free. You may want to keep your ID in something that can hang around your neck as well.

Yes, I had a boot on. Hope the cast is more off-putting to the airport flunkies....

Thanks Titchou and Joll, I'll let you know!! But I don't go until mid February! Sophie :angel:

As for the screening... know your rights! The TSA website outlines your rights as a traveller in a wheelchair or as a traveller on crutches.

http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=156

Thank you so much, Kehorner. Very informative!! I've bookmarked it!! Sophie :angel:

Has anyone been on an airplane with a fiberglass cast on??

Hi,
I had bunion surgery at the end of Feb 2005. In April, I flew to Atlanta to see the Tour de GA cycling race. I had on a removable, non-weight bearing cast and was using my "hands-free" crutch (i.e., peg-leg type device) to get around.

Everyone was kind to me. The pilots even came back to talk to me after we landed to ask about the IWALKFREE device. I was able to hop through the security clearance door so the security folks did not make me take off my cast.

I did not have any swelling issues, but I'm not prone to swell, so your situation might be different. I had an aisle seat and was able to prop my foot up (somewhat) on the seat in front of me.

It was a good trip.