Flying to DW with a Power WC or Sccoter ???

[BillM]

I spoke to the service man where I get repairs done on my Power Chair and Scooter. He said that his customers that fly have some problems with damage to the chairs/scooters. He estimated that it is the area of 20% of the time. He said that Southwest Air brings them to his shop for repairs from time to time. This leaves the user stranded at the airport or having to make other arrangements. He said the damage mostly comes from improper disconnects of the batteries or damage to the seat when trying to remove it.
I will be flying Southwest with a Chair or Scooter for the FIRST time in October. Should I be concerned ? What has been your experience ? What precautions can be taken ?
Thanks to all.
Bill

 

[poohbear7]

I have flown Southwest with my scooter many times and it's never been damaged. Maybe I've been lucky. I gate check my scooter and they take in down the stairs to the luggage area under the plane. It's always waiting for me when I get off the plane at the door. I've seen them carring it back up the stairs.

 

[clkelley]

Hubby has flown with his scooter many times on both Delta commuter flights and on SW. Never had a problem.

Ours is very old and the battery disconnects are obvious. However, the freewheel is not. We usually give it to the loading folks with the key and they return the key to the FA who then gives it to us on the plane and just as we land, we give the key back to the FA and he/she gives it to the unloaders. On SW at MCO they usually bring it up to us in the elevator so it is a few minutes wait. On the Delta commuters, we just wait on the tarmac while it is being unloaded and drive it in to the terminal.

 

[SueM in MN]

We have not been brave enough to fly with DD's power wheelchair (besides, we have been going the past years during really busy times and she doesn't have the stamina to drive even her power chair all day).

Anyway, when we talked to the tech who repaired hers, the advice he gave was to remove eveything that was easily removable, make sure anything that needs to be disconnected or connected has well written instructions so that the baggage people don't have to guess how it works. He also suggested disconnecting the controller/joystick and packing it in a box to carry on. That is the most delicate and easy to damage item (although motors sometimes also get damaged).
If you are on a plane that has a wide and high door to get into the baggage area, the wheelchair will probably be put on in an upright position. If the area is smaller, it will get tipped on its side to be loaded.

 

[Belle1997]

I took my scooter to WDW on Southwest. No problems. They were very good. I have heard people have had issues but southwest seems to do well in this area.

 

[chris1gill]

It is a very serious concern for me... thus, when I take my Jazzy powerchair with me, I also bring my manual chair... Everytime I've flown with it, it has been damaged in one way or another... The ONLY exception is with Southwest, they never break it!! Well, they haven't yet anyhow.... We DO disconnect the battery AND take the powerchair controls (joystick) onto the plane with us... they easily get broken & then you are waiting on the repair.... I haven't brought my newest powerchair, I'm terrified it will get broken, and it was like 25 grand I wish airlines were more courteous and consistent with those of us that rely on these chairs... I once actually had the chair put on THE LUGGAGE CONVEYOR belt even though it was supposed to come to the gate... you don't want to know how that turned out.....