The thought of going on one flight is typically enough to start feeling anxious. But nine flights in one trip? The same questions kept running through my brain over and over again.
Will my chair be damaged?
Will it make it in one piece?
Will it make it at all?
It's a constant cycle. But knowing that my chair was no more than a meter away from me during the flights, my thoughts changed.
Which film should I watch to pass the time?
Should I have a glass of wine or a nice, cold beer?
What will the temperature be when we land?
All the anxiety that would usually run through my brain when traveling was gone. I knew where my chair was at every step of the journey: right above my head.
The airline staff was shocked, to say the least, when I told them my chair wouldn't be going in the hold. Confusion appeared on their faces when they looked me up and down sat in my rigid chair, which appeared to be far too big to be going anywhere in the cabin. After a quick explanation and demonstration, their confused expressions turned to awe and excitement as they waited to see if my chair would truly fit in the overhead locker.
"Like a glove," I said.
But the benefits don't stop there. If you've ever traveled by plane as a wheelchair user, you know you spend a lot of time on the plane. First on, last off. The anxious wait after you've landed can feel like an eternity as you wait for your chair to be brought to the plane door for you. Well, there was no waiting for me. It was as simple as hopping in the aisle chair and leaving the plane just like everyone else. Just like that, I was off the plane and on to the next part of my journey, which did involve trying to fit luggage and a second wheelchair all in one car.
Not to worry though, as my Octane FX can also be folded up to fit in the trunk!
Nine flights in 12 days. Nine flights where my chair was no more than one meter away from me. Nine flights where I knew my chair wouldn't get damaged. Nine flights where I knew my chair would be there when I landed. Nine flights with no anxiety at all about the whereabouts and condition of my chair. Nine flights with confidence in my wheelchair.
The RGK Octane FX is my perfect travel companion.
– Shaun Gash, RGK Product Specialist