ECV on plane?

[Threeriversdisneyfan]

I am asking for a friend who is taking his ECV on the plane. He has heart and stamina issues so he does not need all the time so he plans on checking it cargo, checked baggage etc. Here are some questions:

1. Due the weight will the airline charge a fee for overweight luggage?

2. Does Magical Express deliver it to the resort like normal luggage?


3. He doesn't have a resort check in airline (southwest) so how is he going to get back to the airport via Magical Express?

Thanks in advance

 

[cathicool]

i'm interested too....
also flying southwest, but i want mine checked at the jet way (like a stroller).

anyone know the "rules"?

 

[Piper]

I always check mine at the gate. There is no charge and those airports are huge----I can't navigate one without my ECV. Also, I get it quickly and can check it over. So far, it has always been in perfect shape.

 

[Nanajo1]

I took my ECV on Southest last Feb. I had no problems. I do need it all the time. I drove it right into the cabin and transferred to my seat. The ECV was gate checked like a stroller and was brought to the cabin door when we landed like the strollers.
I took ME. There are busses with lifts so I rode the ECV on the lift, transferred to a seat. Did the reverse on the trip home. I don't think the ME bus drivers can pick up the ECV and put it in the luggage area under the bus but you or a friend can place it there if you don't want to stay on the ECV.
The only thing I've heard about checking a ECV and having it delivered was not good. The airline damaged the ECV but because the damage report was not made right away it was denied.

 

[Threeriversdisneyfan]

Thanks for all the help

After looking up southwest's disablities policy online it did say it was free and checks at the gate.

I'm glad to hear DME has busses w/lifts, I'm going to to suggest that.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for all the help

After looking up southwest's disablities policy online it did say it was free and checks at the gate.

That is federal law.

I'm glad to hear DME has busses w/lifts, I'm going to to suggest that.

There are some pictures of the DME bus with a lift on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread (link to page 2 is here).

 

[mechurchlady]

It depends on the airline, airport and the configuration of the ramp to the side of the plane. Sometimes you can drive right up to the side of the cabin and other times you can check it in at the gate. You can also check it in at the curb and let them push you around with a wheelchair. They do have wheelchairs for guests that cannot walk and want to go potty or exploring shops and restaurants. The aisle chair has no arms and is very skinny for going down the aisles. Anything medical is not counted as luggage so put all of granny's depends, for example, in one bag and say that it is all medical. That way you get one bag free if it is all medical supplies.

Be advised that wheelchair service may mean sitting for over an hour in LAX, asking numerous people for help and then watching others being helped first. Some airports like Dallas have carts that you set in and are driven around the airport, like busses. Cute little golf carts. Some airports I have gotten excellent service and other times like LAX made to feel like a dolt who is wrong and it is my fault there are no chairs. Other airports make you feel special.

Check online for where your plane will take off. Most airports will show where food, restrooms and shops are. www.seatguru.com will show you the seating charts so that you do not get stuck in a seat not for you. Some seats are fine for skinny people and others are a bit cold. They do have extension belts for pooh sized people like me. DO NOT expect the armrests to go up as I have been on 4 flights in 2005 and 4 flights a couple of weeks ago and not one seat armrest went up despite being marked handicapped. If you need the arm to move then contact the airline and do not rely on their charts.

See the tears and dent in thick steel skeleton of my suitcase. They can and may disassemble a scooter or chair to make it fit. Take everything you can with you on the plane. Sue said she takes a laundry bag then removes parts like baskets, doodads, cup holders, cane holders, foot rests, etc and immediately puts them in the bag so she does not loose them.

Dont for get the gum for your ears, chewing helps. Ask for help if you need it. And for me turbulence is almost as much fun as an earthquake or a roller coaster. I think of the song Hawaiian Roller Coaster from Lilo & Stitch movies. It got pretty bad and I just closed my eyes and dreamed of the Bobsleds and other roller coasters. Not scary when you are thinking of roller coasters lol.

Pack snacks just in case. In my southbound flight to San Antonio the plane was delayed as they dried the carpets. Because my flight was delayed the next flight was delayed so the Austin bound people had to haul rump across a very very very very large airport and nobody was out there directing traffic or helping guests. I had on me peanut butter, cereal, candy, and almonds going in and a loaf of bread, almonds, and peanut butter and cereal going out.

 

[clkelley]

We also have an ECV that DH uses for stamina issues.

We also fly numerous times with our ECV, mostly on SW and we use Magical Express. We always gate check the ECV. We go to the counter and check in and they make up a red tag for the ECV noting the brand, type of batteries (you must have dry cell also known as gel cell batteries to gate check it. Most modern ECV batteries are), and any damage. You then proceed through security. Depending on the airport it varies. Some will bring you through a separate entrance and completely do a wand check, some will ask if you can go through the scanner and let you do that, then just wand down and inspect the ECV.

Anyway, once you get through security then proceed to your gate and let them know what level of assistance you need. They will print an additional tag for the ECV that is similar to a checked luggage tag, but has claim at gate on it. You then drive the ECV down the jetway, show the crew where the "freewheel" is and how to fold the tiller, then they take it from there and you board the plane.

When you arrive at your destination, for us they usually bring the ECV up the elevator and deliver it to us at the gate. Before the crew leaves, just give it a quick onceover to make sure it works, and then you are fine. If it doesn't appear to work at first, check the battery quick connects. Some crews will disconnect those, (they are supposed to), some will not.

Then proceed to DME. We always load the ECV under the bus ourselves, then board normally. If you want to use the lift, you'll probably have to wait a bit longer for a lift bus to show up.

If you want to use the lift on your return, make sure you remind them at every step of the way you need a lift bus. When you make your reservation, when you confirm your return flight information at the DME desk, when you get your return time on your door, etc., etc. If you HAVE to have a lift bus, I would recommend scheduling your return to the airport at 4 hours, so that even after reminding them multiple times and they send a bus without a lift, you have a full hour for them to correct the problem and send a bus with a lift.

 

[cooper14]

I am asking for a friend who is taking his ECV on the plane. He has heart and stamina issues so he does not need all the time so he plans on checking it cargo, checked baggage etc. Here are some questions:

1. Due the weight will the airline charge a fee for overweight luggage?

2. Does Magical Express deliver it to the resort like normal luggage?


3. He doesn't have a resort check in airline (southwest) so how is he going to get back to the airport via Magical Express?

Thanks in advance

The only problem I had was on the Disney end. I brought my chair to the bus and there wasnt any ramp to put the chair under the bus. It ended up that my wife and son had to pick it up and under the bus. Other than that all went well

 

[Vijoge]

The only problem I had was on the Disney end. I brought my chair to the bus and there wasnt any ramp to put the chair under the bus. It ended up that my wife and son had to pick it up and under the bus. Other than that all went well

I've never seen a ramp like this-I don't think they have such a thing.. DH lifts mine and puts it under the bus. The DME drivers are not allowed to lift the ECV>

 

[SueM in MN]

I've never seen a ramp like this-I don't think they have such a thing.. DH lifts mine and puts it under the bus. The DME drivers are not allowed to lift the ECV>

There is no ramp for the DME buses.
If you can't lift the ECV/wheelchair onto the bus, you have the option of using the one of the buses with lifts. Here is a picture of the lift on the DME buses (in the top position).

 

[Vijoge]

There is no ramp for the DME buses.
If you can't lift the ECV/wheelchair onto the bus, you have the option of using the one of the buses with lifts. Here is a picture of the lift on the DME buses (in the top position).

Yes, I know about the lift. I thought the OP was talking about a ramp so you could wheel the ECV into the undercarriage of the bus (where the luggage goes).

 

[toocherie]

Question: do you have to request a Magic Express bus with a lift in advance?

 

[SueM in MN]

Question: do you have to request a Magic Express bus with a lift in advance?

No, you don't have to. You will probably have a shorter wait if you do request it in advance though because they can schedule it based on when your plane is supposed to land instead of ordering one to come when you get to the counter.

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, I know about the lift. I thought the OP was talking about a ramp so you could wheel the ECV into the undercarriage of the bus (where the luggage goes).

Yes, I know that was what you were talking about.
I just wanted to clarify that there is a way to get the ECV into the bus besides lifting it into the luggage compartment.

 

[cooper14]

I've never seen a ramp like this-I don't think they have such a thing.. DH lifts mine and puts it under the bus. The DME drivers are not allowed to lift the ECV>

I didnt make up the ramp. The last time we went The bus driver is the one that told me about the ramp. He said that only 2 or 3 buses have them. The ramps are so they can put heavy things under the bus without having to pick them up.

 

[SueM in MN]

I didnt make up the ramp. The last time we went The bus driver is the one that told me about the ramp. He said that only 2 or 3 buses have them. The ramps are so they can put heavy things under the bus without having to pick them up.

The 'only 2-3 buses have them' may be why no one else is aware of them.
A ramp would certainly help with heavy things like ECVs.
They probably don't need it for much else since suitcases all have to be less than 50 pounds for the airplane.