Finger scans in an ECV

[lats118]

Since my mother has difficulty walking distances, we've rented her an ECV for our upcoming trip to WDW. How does a person using an ECV navigate the turnstiles and the finger scans at the parks? Also, while in the airport we've requested a wheelchair for her. How is a person in a wheelchair handled at the security screening area? I'm sure we'll work everything out once we're there, but I'd like to be prepared. Thanks!

 

[faeflora]

Since my mother has difficulty walking distances, we've rented her an ECV for our upcoming trip to WDW. How does a person using an ECV navigate the turnstiles and the finger scans at the parks? Also, while in the airport we've requested a wheelchair for her. How is a person in a wheelchair handled at the security screening area? I'm sure we'll work everything out once we're there, but I'd like to be prepared. Thanks!

I use a wheelchair and at the parks I do not have to do the finger scans at the turnstiles. A CM normally helps with the ticket and then directs me to an accessible gate to allow me to pass the turnstile device completely. The accessible gate is normally right to either the left or right of the turnstile line.

As for the security screening area.
Normally the TSA agent has me put all my carry on's through the normal security procedures, the x-ray machine.
I am then pulled into a separate area where they perform a pat down, swipe the chair, pat down the chair, and then I am on my way. They are very considerate and always offer a private out of the public view area to do the process but it is not necessary it is very professionally done and not a huge hassel.

Hope this helps.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

How does a person using an ECV navigate the turnstiles and the finger scans at the parks?

My experiences riding my wheelchair are exactly as faeflora describes, but I would add that your mother should remember to bring picture ID with her, which they sometimes (though not always) ask for.

How is a person in a wheelchair handled at the security screening area?

to faeflora's comments I would add that the usually ask me if I can stand up and walk through the detector arch. When I answer no, I go through the pat down routine. I often get scanned with a hand wand and have even had swabs taken from my shoes and underside of wheelchair to check for chemical residues. They always insist that the bag on the back of my chair goes through the x-ray machine, so make sure it can be taken off easily.

I have just re-read your posting and note that you have requested wheelchair assistance through the airport. My comment about taking the bag off your own chair doesn't apply. If you have 'wheelchair assistance', you will also get a skycap to push you. Skycaps know the quickest ways to get through the security checks.

Andrew

 

[Cheshire Figment]

When I am working I will always ask the person in the wheelchair or ECV for their ticket, will run it through the machine and press what is necessary to override the biometrics scan, let them in the gate and return the ticket.

If someone else is holding the ticket and runs it in, also saying it belongs to the person in the chair I will do an override.

When I go in myself (I need the ECV for prolonged walking but I can stand without much problem) I make sure to use a turnstile where the gate is on my right and I will go to insert the ticket myself and put my left hand in the scanner. Usually the greeter will hit the override, but then I'm not the usual Guest who doesn't really know what is going on.

 

[lats118]

Thanks everyone for your prompt replies! You've all explained everything clearly. This will make these parts of our trip that much easier now that we're prepared. Thanks again!

 

[BillSears]

This may sound kind of odd. I use a wheelchair and I use the finger scan just like everyone else. I roll up to the turnstyle, insert my pass into the machine, put my fingers in the scanner and then go through the gate next to the turnstyle. It never occured to me to do anything other then this.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Bill - when I go up to a gate in my ECV I go to put my pass in the slot and use the finger scan, but most of the time the Greeter will just hit an override key so I don't have to do the scan. This also happened when I had an AP, so it is not just because they see a Cast ID being used as a ticket.

My doing the override is more for saving time, especially when there are long lines. It is sometimes bad enough to get people to do a scan properly; if there is a peron in a chair or ECV and they are also not sure of what to do it can really slow down a line.

Mike

 

[dj2]

when i was at wdw last time, using an ecv, only two or three times during my 9 days (probably about 20 "enterings") was i asked to do the finger scan. the first time was about half way through the trip, and i commented on how i was never asked to before. the castmenber said something to the effect that everyone has to. but it was a few days later before i was asked for a scan again.

 

[Talking Hands]

I have never been asked to do the finger scan in all the times I have been there since it started save one time. Castmember asked me to do it and supervisor Just shook her head and overrode it. There is really no way I can reach the scan device from my wheelchair especially since my controller is on my left and I am very short. I have my AP and picture id ready to give the CM and it isn't a problem.

 

[SueM in MN]

My Dd has never been asked to do a finger scan at the parks - and that was having an AP for many years (they started doing biometric scans with APs way before the other types of tickets).
Since my DD can't walk, she does the same thing thru airport security as was already mentioned by faeflora and Bill. We have always found the security people checking her to be very careful and respectful. As was already mentioned, they will provide a private place for a pat down if requested. We noticed signs at the airports in Minneapolis and Orlando that said that.

Since you said she can walk, but not long distances, the wheelchair would be pulled up close to the scanner. She would get out of the wheelchair at that point and walk thru the scanner, just like everyone else. The empty wheelchair would be taken around the scanner to the other side to be checked. We have seen this happen a number of times to people while we were going thru security with DD.
I don't know how much they examine those wheelchairs that belong to the airlines, but even if they do, it would be quick to check an empty wheelchair. They do have chairs at security if she needs to sit down while the wheelchair is being checked. They might even have an airport wheelchair that stays on one side of security and another one for her to use on the other side.