Airline Travel and ECV

[Haley Whippet]

We are planning a December trip and it will be my first trip to WDW in a plane.. I want to take my ECV and am wondering if anyone has done this and also if the ECV made a safe trip? We will be on Southwest Airlines.
Thanks,
Deb

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have not taken my scooter on a plane, but a few important things.

1. Bring the manual with you, or something that will indicate the batteries are spillproof gel batteries.

2. Gate check it. That way you can ride it all the way to the entrance of the plane and will will be brought up to the plane's door on arrival.

3. Take the key and put it in freewheel. Do not let them drive it.

4. If possible, lower the tiller.

5. If the basket is removeable, either put it in the luggage or carry it onboard.

6. If you have a digital camera, take photos of it at the airport showing it is intact in case something does get broken.

 

[Haley Whippet]

Thanks!
Deb

 

[SueM in MN]

Southwest does have a page on their website about travel with wheelchairs and ECVs. It's not the easiest to find though, so here's a link.
The information to add to what Cheshire Figment posted is that the batteries need to be disconnected. Here's what it says:
If your wheelchair/scooter is powered by a nonspillable battery that is in good condition and can be stowed upright in the cargo bin of the aircraft, we will ensure the battery is secured and will not remove the battery. In order to prevent shorting and possible electrical fire, we must disconnect the battery either by using a quick disconnect mechanism, if present, or manually removing the cables from the battery. Again, if the Customer can provide disconnect directions or label the corresponding cables, our Agents can easily reconnect the battery and return the assistive device more quickly at the Customer’s destination. We do not limit the number of “spare” nonspillable batteries a Customer may check in.

Besides bringing the manual, I would suggest copying the page of the manual that shows how to disconnect and reconnect the batteries. You can either laminate it or put it in a clear plastic paper protector and store it on the ECV where the baggage handlers will see it.

 

[Haley Whippet]

Thanks Sue, I read their pages, I am just hopeful they read them too..
I talked to someone on the phone and they didn't have a clue.
Don't want my ECV destroyed by nit-wits
Deb

 

[madenon]

If you are worried about nit-wits, you could stick a piece of papier on the ecv. State on the piece of paper in a couple of short sentences/key words how they can handle the ecv, and especially; what not to do. Putting it on the seat will garantee they will see it. Don't be too modest to not use a bigger letter and if needed bold. It will put your mind a bit more at ease, and it is easier working for those at the airport. Afterall there are so many different types of ecv's out there, they could never know what they need to know about each different type. At our airport they allways do the happy dance if they see such a note, and in Sydney they even came up to me to say thanks. Better not tell them I did it mostly for egotistical reasons.

 

[poohbear7]

I have used my scooter on South West for many years. I take it right to the gate and they check it from there. I have never had any damage to my scooter they are very careful with them. I have watched them carry the scooter down the stairs they use two people. If they need to take my scooter earlier they give me a wheelchair to transfer into.

 

[Piper]

I am flying Continental. Their site suggests taking a copy of your user manual to keep with the ECV and a copy for yourself.

As soon as there's a break in the rain here, I'm off to get mine copied! (Unless I mildew before I get the chance!)

 

[Haley Whippet]

Thanks Everyone, I feel better now.
Piper, Are you as tired of teh rain as I am ?
LOL
Deb

 

[Shorty82]

Thanks Everyone, I feel better now.
Piper, Are you as tired of teh rain as I am ?
LOL
Deb

I wish it would rain that much here, we need it. We've had some rain lately but not enough to make up for the lack we've had earlier in the year.

 

[Piper]

Thanks Everyone, I feel better now.
Piper, Are you as tired of teh rain as I am ?
LOL
Deb

YES! I have had Houston and Orlando weather forecasts side by side on my computer for a month and there is very little difference in temperature and precipitation! Except I think we have actually had more rain here than WDW!

 

[SueM in MN]

you can send some rain up here to Minnesota. We are low on rain this year.

 

[Shorty82]

I wish it would rain that much here, we need it. We've had some rain lately but not enough to make up for the lack we've had earlier in the year.

I just had to open my big mouth! A little while after posting this I went out to run some errands. I stop at Sam's Club for one thing. I parked all the way out in the last spot of the row and while it looked like rain was coming I thought it would be a while before it started so I left my umbrella in the van. When I left 5 minutes later it was downpouring and I had to sprint across the lot. I left there and got ahead of the rain and stopped again at Target to pick up a prescription and a few other things. It was drizeling when I went in but just a minute later it was downpouring there too. It was back to drizeling when I left 10 minutes later.