Air Tran with ECV & Luggage

[icouldlivethere]

Has anyone traveled on AirTran with their ECV and did you have any problems? Also how did you push your luggage while driving your ecv? This will be my first time flying with my ecv.

Thanks!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I use Delta; having sworn off AirTran for several reasons, not the least of which was their rescheduling policies.

When I am traveling with my ECV I am probably on a trip of a week or longer, so I check my luggage. I have a backpack full of medical supplies and equipment that I hock to the back of the seat and I put my computer case in the basket. When I actually go to board the plane I put the ECV charger in the basket and put the basket in a tote bag that it fits in. Take all three onto the plane. The only time I was ever question about the carryon amounts I explained that two of the three items were all medical related and had no problem.

 

[icouldlivethere]

Oh oh...what do I need to know about AirTran's rescheduling policies? We usually travel by Delta but Air Tran had a good deal on a non stop flight from here in Grand Rapids and we thought we would give them a try. Delta has some great deals on non stop flights from Detroit which would be a 2-1/2 hour drive for us which isn't too bad so we could do that as well.

Do you need to let the airlines know in advance that you will be traveling with a scooter or can you just show up with it?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I do include that I am traveling with a wheelchir in the special requests portion of the reservation.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I think that Cheshire is referring to the fact that Air Tran will very often change the times of their flights or even cancel flights and put you on another one. I don't have a problem with it when my schedule is flexible. If I were going somewhere time dependent I would probably choose another airline. But I have had very good luck with Air Tran. Their time changes haven't been to bad, and when they were I was able to switch to a different flight. If they change the time for your flight they will allow you to switch to any other flight that has space with no extra charge-- including one that has a more expensive fare.

I have traveled Air Tran with my ECV several times with no problems. I have a suitcase on wheels so I just drive with one hand and pull my checked bag next to me with the other when necessary. My rolling carry on fits on the floor of my ECV under my legs and I can hang a back pack/bag or two off the back of my seat. I also have straps on my luggage so I can attach something there if needed. I also use *GASP* a fanny pack. I know, not fashionable, but it makes it more secure and easy to keep my money, ID, credit cards and tickets.

Allow extra time through security, particularly if it is a big airport. They will allow you stay in it but will wipe it down and use the wand on you.

You can stay in your ECV to the gate and then they will load it under the plane. Sometimes I ride it all the way to the door of the plane and sometimes I have been asked to transfer to a wheelchair and they take me to the plane so they can get the ECV loaded earlier. At the end they will bring it to the door of the plane. If you have a connecting flight they will do the same for your connection city.


Remove any loose parts to your scooter-- like a basket, bag or cup holder. And attach a luggage tag on it with your information, just in case.

 

[nanadeb]

Make sure you call Airtran ahead of time and let them know you will be bringing an ECV with you. They will also need to know what type of batteries you use for it. When I flew with them in April, they were fully prepared for me at the gate. I did have to remove the basket and other loose items. I did not have to leave the key with them or leave disassembly instructions. They left my sealed batteries in place on the ECV.
You do, however, have to show them how to free wheel the ECV.
They were terrific and my ECV arrived without a (new) scratch.
They make room for the ECV ahead of time in the cargo area. You won't get the ECV when you have to change planes, though. You will just need to advise them if you need special transportation at the transfer airport.
Let them know if you need a wheelchair to transfer from the ECV to the plane and if you need a seat on the plane where the arm rest on the end lifts up. Air Tran personnel were very helpful.

 

[videogal1]

Also how did you push your luggage while driving your ecv?

I securely lash my luggage to one of those foldable luggage carriers called "wheels", using a long bungee cord, attach the extended handle of it to the back of my ECV with another bungee cord and tow the whole thing behind me. The "wheels" fly as a medical necessity, free. I've used this method for years.

If you have just one suitcase and it has large enough wheels just tow it behind the ECV.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Hi y'all. We usually drive to WDW, but next year we will need to fly. I could possibly rent an ECV and stroller for DD, but I'm not sure about getting her through the airport without it.

My mom will be going with us, and she will use the ECV about 70% of the time(significant cardiac history, very low endurance; plus she has problems with arrythmias); the other 30% of the time she's able to walk a little so I can finally move without significant pain. (auto immune disease) 2 ECV's aren't an option because DD needs her large stroller for containment (ASD) especially at Disney or in big crowds. I also have CPAP.

My question is, first, is it really feasible to fly with the ECV? I have never tried it, and didn't know it was possible until this thread about airtran- can anyone share additional info, experiences, etc? Is there an upper limit to how much medical equipment one traveling party can have (probably stupid question, but I still worry) We'll probably be renting a car, so I shouldn't have to worry about ME.

Any other tips or advice?
Thanks in Advance

 

[lovetoscrap]

They make room for the ECV ahead of time in the cargo area. You won't get the ECV when you have to change planes, though. You will just need to advise them if you need special transportation at the transfer airport.

You can get your ECV when you change planes as long as you gate check it. You take it to the door of the plan with you, they take it from there and load it just like they do the strollers. Then when the plane lands they bring it to the door of the plane again and you go to your next flight and do it all over again.

If you check your ECV at the check in desk with your luggage then you won't see it again until the end of the trip, but I would never advise doing that. It is much safer and more convenient to keep it with you and gate check it.

 

[SueM in MN]

You can get your ECV when you change planes as long as you gate check it. You take it to the door of the plan with you, they take it from there and load it just like they do the strollers. Then when the plane lands they bring it to the door of the plane again and you go to your next flight and do it all over again.

If you check your ECV at the check in desk with your luggage then you won't see it again until the end of the trip, but I would never advise doing that. It is much safer and more convenient to keep it with you and gate check it.

A lot depends on the time between flights.
For example, I just came back from New Orleans with a layover in Memphis. I did not have a wheelchair or ECV, which was good since I had a little less than an hour before my second plane left.

If you want to gate check an ECV or wheelchair and get it back at the connecting flight, ask ahead of time to make sure you will have enough time to get it back. How much time is needed may depend on the airport, since they have different facilities.

If there is not enough time, you can choose to gate check it at your original flight and then have it delivered to the gate at your final destination.

 

[icouldlivethere]

Thanks so much everyone for all of your tips and ideas!

We decided to go with Delta out of Detroit because it was cheaper and it was non stop. We really wanted to fly non stop and Air Tran only had one non stop flight. It sounds like Air Tran has a habit of changing flight times and with no other non stop flights leaving that day either on our way out or our way back if they changed the flight times we would either have to accept the new times even if they were inconvenient for us or try and get on one of the flights with stops which we don't want to do.

I think there is probably going to be a learning curve for us flying with an ECV. All of your wonderful suggestions makes me feel like I know a little more about what to expect. I really appreciate your help! Thanks again!

 

[peemagg]

I have now flown with Airtran out of Flint with my ECV 2 times. It has not been an issue at all. I just drive the ECV to the door of the plane, take anything off that I need to, and put it into freewheel. My scooter has arrived safe and sound and one of those trips was with a layover. With the layover, I made sure that there was plenty of time between flights to get my scooter and get to where I need to.

As far as flight change times, I have never found an issue with Airtran. I have flown with them several times before needing to fly with my ECV. No problems. I do try to fly non-stop whenever possible.


I pull my wheeled luggage behind the ECV and I also place a piece of luggage on the footboard of the scooter. I usually have 3 bags with me as carryon. I have taken to placing a label on the one that holds all of my medical supplies. This has helped make things easier.