Hi,

I am new to the sport of racing, only about a few months now. I am planning on doing some races that are two far to drive to and so i would have to fly. Since i have never traveled with the racing chair before I just had a few questions about traveling with it.

Do airlines charge you to check the racing chair? or can you call it a wheelchair to get around the charge?
Am i right in the fact that you have to remove all three wheels and then have them checked for a charge?

If anyone has any other advise about traveling with the racing chair i would greatly appreciate it.

thanks

Lindsey

Airlines haven't started charging you to travel with the racer yet.
Nope on the wheels. Take your racing chair to the gate (wheels attached) and gate check just as you do your everyday chair.

some racers dismantle the chair and pack it separately from the wheels and check it as baggage. some push the racing chair with them to the gate and have it checked with their everyday chair. i have never checked mine as baggage so i can't offer any info on the cost doing it that way. i push mine to the gate but their is more risk of damage to your chair if you take this option. some airlines are good about handling the chair with TLC and some aren't. i've been flying to 2-3 races a year since 1995 and haven't had any damage to my racing chairs but i do know of people who have had significant damage to their chairs. even those who check theirs as baggage have had some damage so it's sorta hit/miss. last time i took a flight to a race was last summer and i've never been charged extra for the racing chair. but, this is just my experience - maybe someone else will reply. i'd call the airlines before booking a flight just to be sure.