ECV'S and airports

[peemagg]

I was wondering what to expect with airlines and ECV's? I am trying to get a scooter now that we will be taking with us in May and I am not sure what to expect as to whether I will have to check it and then get to the gate or can I keep it with me and gate check it? I am looking into getting a Go-Go Elite Traveler Plus for a scooter.

If I have to check it at the first desk, where do I get it once I get to Orlando? Will they have it at the gate for me, or do I have to go elsewhere to get it?

I would be able to walk the small area of our airport, but not the Orlando one. So I am concerned about that. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[mechurchlady]

You can take your scooter up to the boarding area and let them know your situation. You could ride around the airport in your scooter for bathroom and snack breaks. When you go to board you will transfer to one of two types of chairs. The aisle chair will fit in the airplane and take you to your seat. A regular wheelchair will take you to the side of the plane and you would either transfer to an aisle chair or walk to your seat. Either way it is your choice on whether you want to walk on or have them wheel you onboard which is easier.

Upon arriving at your airport the stewardess should keep you informed and you will remain seated until they can get your ECV. Depending on their schedule and stuff they might take you out in a chair and have you wait in the airport for your scooter to arrive. You will each time find your scooter waiting for your when you get off the plane.

Each airport seems different. They do also offer wheechair service and some airports like Dallas have people driving around in guest carts. You should carry onboard the basket and anything else that might come off, get misplaced, or would break easily and those items do not count as part of your baggage.

 

[peemagg]

Thank-you

We will be having a straight flight down on Airtran from Flint to Orlando.

Another question, do you let your airline know ahead of time that you need to bring a scooter? We have already bought our tickets for the way down, but not for the way back yet. So I am not sure whether to call them now or just wait.

 

[SueM in MN]

It's not absolutely necessary to call and make sure the airline knows you will be traveling with an ECV, but we always make sure to mention that DD uses a wheelchair.

Here's a link to Air Tran's general webpage about travel for passengers with special needs.
Here's a link to the specific page about travel with wheelchair and other assistive devices.

Manual wheelchairs are carried up and down the steps from the airplane door to the loading area. Since power wheelchairs and ECVs are too heavy to lift, they need to be brought to an area with an elevator to get from the ground to the gate.
You can choose to get the ECV delivered t the gate or to the baggage area. Make sure to let them know where you want it delivered when checking in.

There is more information about air travel with disabilities in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board (I also have a link in my signature). There are pictures in that thread of the aisle chairs that Churchie mentioned.

 

[peemagg]

For those of you who travel with an ECV, do you break it down or do you just fold down the pieces that fold down when you check it? The one that I am trying to get breaks down into 4 pieces, but I am afraid of them getting damaged more easily if I break it down. What is your opinion on this?

 

[peemagg]

bump

 

[mechurchlady]

If in doubt I wait for the ones who probably know more. I would mark each piece with my info then deliver it to them intact but would remove anything like the basket and store that in the overhead. It would be easier for them to put it in the cargo hold intact as they will need to find it and get it up to the plane asap so looking around for parts might take awhile. Besides you might as well leave it intact and hope it stays that way. Reduces the chances of delays or lost parts and they might not think about dissassembling the ECV.

 

[toocherie]

We just gate-checked my Mom's GoGo last month with Delta. They did want to know in advance that an ECV would be on board (and needed confirmation of what type of battery we had in it).

We took off the basket, per the recommendations of others on this board, but otherwise left the scooter intact. It was waiting for us just outside the door of the plane both times. My Mom can walk a short distance and we were allowed to sit in the bulkhead seats so it was not too far.

 

[peemagg]

Thank-you all for the information! You have relieved a lot of my anxiety about traveling with this scooter.

 

[tarkus]

Do as the others have said and enjoy your trip.

Here is a link to for info The Air Carrier Access Act:
http://www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/asp/airacc.asp

The Airport itself is under the rules of the ADA. Once you are dealing directly with the Airline it falls under the ACCA.

If you should have any problems ask for a CRO, complaint resolution officer. The law requires that one be on site. I have yet to have a problem that a CRO didn't fix fast.

Enjoy your trip.

Be Big,
Alan