ecv and usairway

[fanningIII]

Father used ecv. Does anyone know if we can take it to gate or does it have to be checked?

[Mickiethepooh]

ADA and Dept of Trans. rules provide that he CAN drive it to the gate. This does not always work as the best way to do it however, it depends on a lot of things. When you gate check a scooter they usually seem at the desk to act as though they have never seen one before and don't seem to know how to handle it. they have to then get it down to the loading area and at some airports this involves a mad dash through the airport to elevators etc. to try to get it on the then loading plane.

I have found that it USUALLY works better to check it at the check in desk and get into a wheelchair there, have them take you through security and to the gate in the airline wheelchair and then KEEP the chair with you, even though they don't want you to. till boarding. That way the scooter gets time to get on the plane and you get to the gate and on plane with assistance.

[SueM in MN]

To add to what was already posted.

Go to the website of the airline you will be using.
Some of them have an easy to find page about special needs/ travel with ECVs or wheelchairs. Some don't and you will need to do a search.
That will provide information what to expect with your particular airline. That may vary a little, depending on the the airport and the location of elevators to get the ECV down to the loading area.